Procyon AL: did I get a dud?

[trevor]

I've been fishing the Tatula LT 3000 and loving it. I put a lot of hours on it over the last year, and the reel still feels great. Based on that experience, I bought a 2000 series Procyon AL (the new red and silver one). Out of the box, I could feel a noticeable friction—a tight feeling—and more noise than I'd expect when reeling. The handle would not "fall" on its own, even with some jiggling to get it moving.

Everything else about the reel seemed awesome and of great quality. I'm returning the reel today, but I'm left wondering if I should gamble with another Procyon AL or just go with a Stradic. (I've never had an issue with Shimano spinning reels, but have had several with Daiwas in the past.) I probably would have gone Shimano from the get-go, but I heard a few reviewers talking about how great this new Procyon was. Plus, it comes in a 2000 size, my preference for ultralight. 

Do any of you have experiences, good or bad, with the Procyon AL?

[Deleted account]

I hear that happens if Daiwa finds out you put crabs on a jig...

[TnRiver46]

Fun fact: procyon is the genus of raccoon (Procyon lotor)

[Darth-Baiter]

I’m on my second one.  First one sank in a lake. It’s was good enough to replace in kind. 
 

mine is fine.  It’s good.  I never casted a Stradic so I don’t have any litmus test to know what “great” feels like.  (A stradic is tough to find these days)
 

it makes a brrrrr sound when my braid rides the roller wet.  That’s it.  It cast great.  My accuracy is getting good!  no issues. Mine is the 2500 and the thing is tiny.  It’s the same size as my Fuego 1000.  

I might upgrade one day as my love affair for spinning reels heat up.  But for now, it hauls bass in nicely. All the fish feel huge at the end of the line. It’s fun. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

7 hours ago, trevor said:

I've been fishing the Tatula LT 3000 and loving it. I put a lot of hours on it over the last year, and the reel still feels great. Based on that experience, I bought a 2000 series Procyon AL (the new red and silver one). Out of the box, I could feel a noticeable friction—a tight feeling—and more noise than I'd expect when reeling. The handle would not "fall" on its own, even with some jiggling to get it moving.

Everything else about the reel seemed awesome and of great quality. I'm returning the reel today, but I'm left wondering if I should gamble with another Procyon AL or just go with a Stradic. (I've never had an issue with Shimano spinning reels, but have had several with Daiwas in the past.) I probably would have gone Shimano from the get-go, but I heard a few reviewers talking about how great this new Procyon was. Plus, it comes in a 2000 size, my preference for ultralight. 

Do any of you have experiences, good or bad, with the Procyon AL?

Just because a reel wont free spin doesnt mean somethings wrong, but the Procyon shouldn't feel tight.  I had the chance to fondle the AL at TD and it felt good to me.  If I were you I would go with the FL, not that the Procyon is a bad reel or anything, the FL is just an excelent reel.  I thought they made a 2000FL for USDM, but I may be wrong.  I know you can get a JDM 2000

[Deeare]

Get a diawa jdm reel.   I’m a shimano fan boy but I bought a couple jdm diawa models last year and I like them better than my Stradics and they were slightly cheaper.  Check digitaka, Asian fishing portal.   Search this site for other jdm website’s 

[trevor]

Thank you all for your responses. GetFishorDieTryin, I don't think they make a 2000 USDM. The JDM ones I'm seeing are shallow spool. I will probably go with a Stradic 1000 - still fine for what I'll be doing. 

[thunderblack]

Hey, I own Stradic, Ci4, Tatula LT, and one new Kage. All have been great but stradic is the best for sure and also does double duty for SW. 1000 is a great choice for UL.