Not in love with my Quantum PT

[dnj21]

Got a new Quantum PT Energy 6.2-1 RH for Christmas (e100 Spta).  Compared to my Daiwa Fuego's it just doesn't seem as smooth or refined.  Anyway, been trying to sell on here in the Flea Market or Trade with cash for a similiar or higher end Daiwa.  Not having much luck.

 

Would you guys that have fished them stick it out and see if I like it more on the water?  Send to Mike at DVT and have him put in bearings and CarbonX drag and clean it up?  Keep dropping price until someone bites?  

 

I think I would really like a Tatlua CT r or the new Tatula coming out at the Classic I have seen, but I only have so much $$$ to allocate to reels......

 

Thoughts???  

[RoLo]

It's my opinion that most of the reel manufacturers make a highly competitive product.

However, Quantum is one reel brand that I ambitiously avoid (not without cause)

 

Roger

[A-Jay]

Not everyone likes every reel.

TT had this to say about the one you have - Total Score: 8.16 - GREAT

 

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewquantumenergyptbaitcaster.html

 

A-Jay

[Mumbly]

I had seen your post in the Flea Market and I was curious why you couldn't return it or exchange it.

 

I played with a Energy PT in a store last year and it felt nice but I have read too many negatives about Quantum reels to trust them.

[Oklahoma Mike]

I have one that's spooled up with 40lb Smackdown. I use it for flipping and it works just fine for that application. 

[WdyCrankbait]

I have two EXO's and love them.  But, Quantum's, IMHO, seem to be an acquired test.  Meaning, the bearings in the EXO spin up really, really fast!  So, backlashes can and will happen, and if you get one, chances are it's going to be a nasty one and you're done.  But, if you can learn the reel, it will cast a long way!! 

 

But, it's your reel so, if you dont like it, you probably will not use it to fish and going fishing is the most important thing. 

[BassCats]

I would keep using it until you find where it works best for you.  I love quantum reels. That is all I use anymore. 

[dnj21]

1 hour ago, Mumbly said:

I had seen your post in the Flea Market and I was curious why you couldn't return it or exchange it.

 

I played with a Energy PT in a store last year and it felt nice but I have read too many negatives about Quantum reels to trust them.

Two hours from closest Cabelas, I may do that when they run their Spring fishing classic.  Just get store credit and go get what I want, but it will be $40 more than what I can get on line.  Not a huge deal, I probably need to be patient and just go that route.  Just trying to think outloud with people more knowledgeable than I am.

 

I appreciate everyones input.   

[d-camarena]

Great reels. If it was left id buy it. I love mine

[Kidflex]

Keep it. The reel is a beast and cast as good as any other reel. I use 2 energys on the regular. With around ten 6-8lb bass under its belt. Drag competes with any reel on the market for smoothness.  I have steez, chronarchs, calcuttas, Tatula type r, ct type r, pixy type r, scorpion xt, curado I, lews bb1 pros and the list goes on. Learn how to use it and enjoy what you have

[gulfcaptain]

I'm probably the biggest Quantum fan on this site and as stated there are mixed reviews. I don't fish that model but do fish the EXO, Tour MG, older Smoke 150's, older Accurists, and Kinetic's.  ALL of them fish a bit different but they are all solid.  The only other reels on any of my rods are from the company we can't speak of but make a great A and C reel.  Sounds like it needs to be broke in, turn the ACS controller to off, adjust with the tension knob and oil the worm gear.  It may have too much grease in the housing, but odds are if you have it over adjusted, it's not going to feel right.  But I do know how you feel, feel the same way when I use any of my friends Diawa's or Shimano's and they don't like fishing my Quantum's.

[smalljaw67]

I have an old Quantum Kinetic (silver model) that is still going, it is 10 years old and is used hard. I also have an older Catalyst (orange model) that is 8 years old and is a good reel but the 1st generation Smoke 150 is, IMO, the best casting reel Quantum made. Now, I never had bad problems with any brand casting reel but if I were you I'd return the Energy and get your money back and get something different or try a new one, it may have been a reel with no lubrication or too much lube, Lews over lubes their reels. I say this with no offense to Daiwa guys, Daiwa makes a great high end reel, probably the best but the Fuego is a brick, it is a full ounce heavier than the Quantum and it can be as smooth as butter, that weight is unacceptable. My biggest problem is Daiwa is the only manufacturer that can't make a sub 7 ounce reel for under $270, and while weight may not be an issue for some, I can tell you that after using reels 7oz and below for any period of time and then picking up an 8oz reel, you will notice it big time. I'm so use to light weight reels that even the old Kinetic and Catalyst have been put on the back burner and they are 7.5oz and that is still heavy for a casting reel. Lews, and Pflueger make solid aluminum frame casting reels under $200 that are light, dependable and perform at the same level if not out perform every Daiwa in the same price range. As I said, Daiwa makes the best high end reels available but just about every other manufacturer has passed them by when it comes to the workhorse models, $100 to $200 price point.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I'll be happy to go through your reel for you if you decide to keep it. A good cleaning can be especially effective on a newer quantum.

[Jeff H]

On 1/27/2017 at 4:28 AM, smalljaw67 said:

As I said, Daiwa makes the best high end reels available but just about every other manufacturer has passed them by when it comes to the workhorse models, $100 to $200 price point.

 

Naw, I just can't agree with that.  Nope   There's a whole lot of guys that are extremely happy with their "bricks" because the performance, value and work ethic are there.  The Tatula series ain't no d**n show pony.  Certainly not inferior to other brands in that segment and there's a whole lot of them in use out there for good reason.  So, they may be a bit heavier but that's not a deal breaker for most of us.

[smalljaw67]

6 hours ago, Jeff H said:

 

Naw, I just can't agree with that.  Nope   There's a whole lot of guys that are extremely happy with their "bricks" because the performance, value and work ethic are there.  The Tatula series ain't no d**n show pony.  Certainly not inferior to other brands in that segment and there's a whole lot of them in use out there for good reason.  So they may be a bit heavier but that's not a deal breaker for most of us.

 

Jeff H, never said they were inferior, I said they have been passed by others in the workhorse segment. I'll give you an example, the Daiwa Exceler has been redesigned and is a good solid reel at its price point, but Lews has the LFS Speed spool at the same price, it has close to double the bearing count and weighs almost a full ounce lighter and is as reliable with better performance. This is typical of Daiwa in the mid tier segment and you can go to every other manufacturer and find a reel that has better or more features, weighs less and performs as well with the same reliability as the competing Daiwa product up until you hit the $250-$270 price point, that is when Daiwa takes over. Make no mistake, Daiwa makes a well built product but they are behind when it comes to the workhorse reels.

[BigShew2]

I have the left hand model of yours and absolutely love it. Now it did take a little bit to get used to, but once dialed in it cast great.  My problem was starting out with cheap 10# mono, stepped up to some descent 12# and paired with a ghost crankbait rod and use it mainly for 1/4 oz cranks and weightless flukes. 

[WPCfishing]

On 1/26/2017 at 5:10 PM, dnj21 said:

Got a new Quantum PT Energy 6.2-1 RH for Christmas (e100 Spta).  Compared to my Daiwa Fuego's it just doesn't seem as smooth or refined.  Anyway, been trying to sell on here in the Flea Market or Trade with cash for a similiar or higher end Daiwa.  Not having much luck.

 

Would you guys that have fished them stick it out and see if I like it more on the water?  Send to Mike at DVT and have him put in bearings and CarbonX drag and clean it up?  Keep dropping price until someone bites?  

 

I think I would really like a Tatlua CT r or the new Tatula coming out at the Classic I have seen, but I only have so much $$$ to allocate to reels......

 

Thoughts???  

 

Call Quantum, Tell them you are unhappy with the reel. They may upgrade you for a small fee.

[lmbfisherman]

I owned an older version.  It was rock solid and a smooth reel.  The downside for me was the form factor.  It just didn't palm as well as the Shimano reels I had.  It just felt giant in my hands.  

[fishnkamp]

You say you got it for Christmas so more than likely returning it to where you bought it sounds unlikely,  If you can list it on here again, plus ***, and a few other sites. Maybe you can get it sold.  If not check with DVT and see how much it would cost to make it a hot rod.  Personally I think a Diawa CT would fit your needs well.  That is easy to obtain for around $100 shipped to your home.  I run 4 Tatula Type R and 2 CTs along with 1 Exceler. 

As for the comment that others like Lews has passed the Diawa mid priced reels you and I will never agree with that. I fish where bass BIG stripers and Big cats rome together. I have seen too many Lews guys change to Diawa after a 15 pound blue cat destroyed a Lews, or a big Potomac snakehead did the same. Go tangle with real fish and you will learn what holds up. even the Excelers handle these fish. It is not my opinion, it is what I have witnessed!

[new2BC4bass]

On 1/26/2017 at 5:10 PM, dnj21 said:

Got a new Quantum PT Energy 6.2-1 RH for Christmas (e100 Spta).  Compared to my Daiwa Fuego's it just doesn't seem as smooth or refined.  Anyway, been trying to sell on here in the Flea Market or Trade with cash for a similiar or higher end Daiwa.  Not having much luck.

 

Would you guys that have fished them stick it out and see if I like it more on the water?  Send to Mike at DVT and have him put in bearings and CarbonX drag and clean it up?  Keep dropping price until someone bites?  

 

I think I would really like a Tatlua CT r or the new Tatula coming out at the Classic I have seen, but I only have so much $$$ to allocate to reels......

 

Thoughts???  

 

If you decide to send it to DVT for cleaning and a little extra upgrading, I don't think I would upgrade the bearings unless Mike said they were inferior.  I've upgraded bearings in several reels only because I wanted the reels to be as good as they could possibly be.  It isn't often...in my limited experience....that bearings make much difference.  Except maybe with a reel that is going to be used for light lures.   Whenever I have bearings upgraded it is at the same time I am having a reel tuned.  Don't know if it is the tune or the bearings, but I do notice that it usually requires less effort to achieve the same distance as before.   A Carbontex drag kit is cheap and a good upgrade.  Sometimes a good cleaning makes a big difference.  Sometimes not.  You won't know until it has been done.

 

Sounds to me like you would be happier with a different reel even if Mike gets the reel to work up to par.  For most of us our time on the water is limited.  Better to use what brings you the most pleasure.

[dnj21]

On 2/5/2017 at 4:55 PM, fishnkamp said:

You say you got it for Christmas so more than likely returning it to where you bought it sounds unlikely,  If you can list it on here again, plus ***, and a few other sites. Maybe you can get it sold.  If not check with DVT and see how much it would cost to make it a hot rod.  Personally I think a Diawa CT would fit your needs well.  That is easy to obtain for around $100 shipped to your home.  I run 4 Tatula Type R and 2 CTs along with 1 Exceler. 

As for the comment that others like Lews has passed the Diawa mid priced reels you and I will never agree with that. I fish where bass BIG stripers and Big cats rome together. I have seen too many Lews guys change to Diawa after a 15 pound blue cat destroyed a Lews, or a big Potomac snakehead did the same. Go tangle with real fish and you will learn what holds up. even the Excelers handle these fish. It is not my opinion, it is what I have witnessed!

One last bump to wrap it up:

Returned reel to Cabelas finally, no Daiwa reels of interest in stock so I swapped it for a St Croix rod.  

Next step-  Bass Pro Spring Classic going on, took in an old reel for credit, used gift cards and points, picked up a new Tatual CT 8.1-1.  Spooled up with 30# braid, on the new rod and ready to go.  Down in the 40's in Missouri this wekeend, but next weekend I will get it out and try it on the water.

Thank you very much to all that weighed in and help me work through this decision making process.  I am glad I waited and went this route, fits my hand well and I am trying to overcome the purple locking nut cover and dial    

[Mumbly]

Congrats. I think you will be very happy with what you ended up with.

[NYBasser]

I have an Energy PT that I use for Saltwater flounder fishing. Smooth reel and drag, and works great. Try the reel out a few times, and maybe send it to DVT to get it tuned up. The reel itself certainly isn't lacking in performance.