Zebco Atac Baitcaster - Any Good?

[Anantha Patel]

One of my friends gave me a Zebco ATAC Baitcasting combo. He got it from this website:

 

http://www.tackledirect.com/zebco-tbc662mh-atac-100s-662mh-baitcast-combo.html#reviews

 

I'm think about lending this to one of my friends that wants learn how to use a baitcaster to use. Would it frustrate him? Too many backlashes? Thanks.

[wnspain]

Can't say for sure as I have no experience with the specific rod nor reel in this combo. It's a pretty safe bet that these are extremely low end items with marginal or non-existent braking capabilities which would most likely frustrate a beginning baitcaster. 

[Bluebasser86]

I would bet that a lot of people give up on baitcasters because their only experience is with low end reels that have bad breaking systems (which may or may not be the case with that reel). So many reels in that $100 range that would make their experiences so much better, but I get that it's hard to take that leap with all the horror stories you hear about how hard they are to use. 

[BaitMonkey1984]

I would bet that a lot of people give up on baitcasters because their only experience is with low end reels that have bad breaking systems (which may or may not be the case with that reel). So many reels in that $100 range that would make their experiences so much better, but I get that it's hard to take that leap with all the horror stories you hear about how hard they are to use. 

Could not agree more. Been fishing for 10 years, got serious the past say 5 years. No one I know used bait casters. I wanted to try them, but heard the horror stories from people who had tried them and failed miserably. So I don't want to spend the $ if I am going to hate it. Not knowing how baitcatsing reels work, I think thats sound logic. Well dead wrong. I pick up an $80.00 Quantum combo. Thing backlashed after backlashed. Could not get that thing dialed in. Ended up not using it and gave up on baitcatsers that summer. Luckily, I bought a handful of different brand reels for approx $100.00 and it was night and day. I would suggest the Lews carbon fire or the abu garcia orca. Great reels for under $100.00 and pretty user friendly.