livemusic Posted May 4, 2015 Posted May 4, 2015 I bought a Zebo Z03 reel for my gf. I thought I'd try it, lol. It casts a mile. The line is red, I guess it's 10 lb something. I am curious if spincast reels have dramatically improved since I was a kid and everybody had a Zebco 33. I think this (EDIT: I mean the Zebco Z03) is top of the line or close anyway in the Zebco line. And is there any spincast reel you feel is totally adequate for bass fishing? I guess for small bass, it would be fine. Which is mostly what I catch, lol. But, I caught a 6 lb bass on a Zebco when I was 13. Hmmm... it says 2.9 gear ratio, wonder if that means it's half the retrieve speed, feet per crank revolution, as one that is 5.8. If I have a complaint, it's that the drag keeps loosening and the knob is right there where your thumb is. That's good for adjusting, but maybe my thumb is hitting it? I don't know why it would loosen on its own. Anyone use spincast? Do you need to match these up with any certain rod specs? Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted May 5, 2015 Super User Posted May 5, 2015 I don't. However, my daughter's boyfriend and his father fish with nothing else. I got the boyfriend an Omega Z03Pro and a Fenwick HMG for Christmas. I can post back at a later date what he thinks of his. Won't be for awhile though. He doesn't fish much and is working long hours right now. Quote
WPCfishing Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 My brother in law uses them. Take a look at the under spin reels too. He uses both styles and swears by them. To each his own right. As far as matching them to a Rod I would say look at the retrieve rates and use different # line for the Rod you match the reel with. Keep lure weights in mind when you buy a rod too. Quote
Super User Darren. Posted May 5, 2015 Super User Posted May 5, 2015 I've got some Abu underspin reels. Like them a whole lot better than the spincasters that sit on top of the rod. Great casting ability, I did enjoy them when I used them. I do not use them anymore, but I caught some very nice bass, and some rather large pickerel with them, not to mention plenty of panfish. Believe it is the Abu 276Ui. Solid reel spooled with 8 lb test. Quote
VolFan Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 Strangely, I was using one this morning in Florida... My five year old and I were sharing a kayak in a very small tidal River, and instead of being about to use the 400 dollars of my Daiwa/Shimano combo, I ended up casting his $30 Zebco with a beetle spin for him most of the morning. Guess who caught the most fish? Fun rod for skipping that beetle spin into the mangroves. Some nice bass and even a long line release of a snook. Quote
einscodek Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 I bought a Zebo Z03 reel for my gf. I thought I'd try it, lol. It casts a mile. The line is red, I guess it's 10 lb something. I am curious if spincast reels have dramatically improved since I was a kid and everybody had a Zebco 33. I think this (EDIT: I mean the Zebco Z03) is top of the line or close anyway in the Zebco line. And is there any spincast reel you feel is totally adequate for bass fishing? I guess for small bass, it would be fine. Which is mostly what I catch, lol. But, I caught a 6 lb bass on a Zebco when I was 13. Hmmm... it says 2.9 gear ratio, wonder if that means it's half the retrieve speed, feet per crank revolution, as one that is 5.8. If I have a complaint, it's that the drag keeps loosening and the knob is right there where your thumb is. That's good for adjusting, but maybe my thumb is hitting it? I don't know why it would loosen on its own. Anyone use spincast? Do you need to match these up with any certain rod specs? I use spincast.. Daiwa Goldcast. I've pull so many fish over 4 lbs on it I've lost count. Even run braid on it. In general I've found spincast reels underwhelming and inadequate .. its just that the largest model (GC120) of Daiwa Goldcast is the ONLY spincast reel IMO which is a reliable tool for bass fishing.. Quote
dead end canal Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 I caught my two biggest bass on a Zebco 33. I fish from the bank and a spincaster is just better suited for dealing with underbrush and tree branches. I had high hopes for that Extreme Spincast reel but it looks like there are QC issues. Quote
dead end canal Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 I use spincast.. Daiwa Goldcast. I've pull so many fish over 4 lbs on it I've lost count. Even run braid on it. In general I've found spincast reels underwhelming and inadequate .. its just that the largest model (GC120) of Daiwa Goldcast is the ONLY spincast reel IMO which is a reliable tool for bass fishing.. No problem with the braid abrading the pick-up pin or the nose cone? Quote
Preytorien Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 I've used them, I just found myself wanting a bit more line pickup than they offered. I haven't used one in a while, maybe they've increased the ratios Quote
Thelittlelay Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 I have a little underspin that I sometimes use to for crappie/panfishing, but other than that, never. Quote
einscodek Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 No problem with the braid abrading the pick-up pin or the nose cone? GC120 has I believe a titanium pickup so I dont worry about braid..its been considered and its why I chose this reel. Titanium pickup, large spool, large aperature, mostly metal construction not like those dang el cheapo zebcos. So yea its about the only spincast reel I can use reliably for braid and get 40-50 yard casts out of. Pulled an 18.5" bass out of the waters using it just this morn.. all my setups are now GC120. 2 Quote
Thornback Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 I keep a Zebco 733 with #10 fluoro in my boat. Once in a while when the bass bite is slow I might want to throw a beetle spin. Although I love my bait casters I think a spin caster is a fine reel. Quote
Super User Senko lover Posted May 5, 2015 Super User Posted May 5, 2015 I used them for about 3 months, quickly upgraded to spinning, and now I use baitcasting added to spinning. Spincasters are okay, but just don't have good cranking power, speedy _ smooth retrieve, or a good drag. If you get one, get the Zebco Omega. Best spincast reel on the market. 1 Quote
offsidewing Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 My dad loves his Daiwa Goldcasts. He hauls in bass when he ties on a crankbait. He had an Abu Garcia bait caster give him fits 20 years ago and won't use anything but spincasters. I might trick him on our next trip out and have him try my new Metanium DC. Quote
bigturtle Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 my sister uses a short Uglystick Lite with a Daiwa Underspin, which is a spincast located under the rod instead of being on top. Got a titanium line picker so i can spool braid onto it. As far as matching it up, most tend to favor baitcast rods because they are meant to sit above the rod. Personally, i dont mind the Daiwa Underspin, but I hate the spincasts that sit on top. Quote
Mumbly Posted May 6, 2015 Posted May 6, 2015 I have a Goldcast (GC100) that I use often. I love the reel and the only downside perhaps is the slow 4.1:1 ratio. I have caught a bunch of smallmouth with it. Quote
einscodek Posted May 7, 2015 Posted May 7, 2015 I have one GC100 but I must say I wish I'd gotten another GC120 instead.. the bigger spool size does matter. I wish they got some good engineers on the case cause they could make a real kik asp spincast if they really put their brains on it. The spools are too high diameter and too deep which causes high angles and friction for the line when the spool empties.. esp a problem with low capacity spools. 2 Quote
Super User Bankbeater Posted May 7, 2015 Super User Posted May 7, 2015 I haven't used one in years. My daughters use to fish with them, but they started using spinning reels a couple of years ago. Quote
Super User retiredbosn Posted May 7, 2015 Super User Posted May 7, 2015 I have a friend who is a pretty good tournament fisherman, he won his current Skeeter. Anyway he keeps a Zebco 33 on his boat, he uses it to slingshot light baits under docks. He can't use a spinning reel (he says) that's the reason for the Zebco, pretty funny combo a G loomis rod witha zebco 33. Quote
Super User Catt Posted May 7, 2015 Super User Posted May 7, 2015 Y'all need to look at Zebco's new 33 Authentic Platinum! All aluminum frame, including reel seat 4.1:1 gear ratio 5 stainless bearing Continuous Anti-Reverse Micro fine drag control $34.99 2 Quote
Super User Crestliner2008 Posted May 7, 2015 Super User Posted May 7, 2015 I'm reading this thread with great interest. Having 5 grandkids now and another on the way, I'll be buying a few rod/reel combos very soon! Back in "the day", we all used either the top of the line spincast reels, like the Johnson Century, or the run-of-mill 303's. Both were quite adequate for river rats back then. The main reason I went to open faced spinning was because of the poor line pick-up when you needed it most! As well as the very low gear ratios. You'd have to crank your arm off to get a buzzbait to stay on the surface! These days though, I'm sure they must have improved the technology. Quote
dead end canal Posted May 8, 2015 Posted May 8, 2015 Y'all need to look at Zebco's new 33 Authentic Platinum! All aluminum frame, including reel seat 4.1:1 gear ratio 5 stainless bearing Continuous Anti-Reverse Micro fine drag control $34.99 Have you used it yourself, Catt? Quote
Super User Catt Posted May 8, 2015 Super User Posted May 8, 2015 Have you used it yourself, Catt? Yelp, bought for my grandson, it's awesome! Quote
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