Is the Quantum Smoke S3 worth buying at 50% off?

[MediumMouthBass]

I know very little about Quantum, and their reviews seem to be minimal on the big stores, and the ones that have reviews are from several years ago.

Local shops always selling their lower-middle priced stuff at a discount but this weekend that reels going for $100.

Heard some talk about it on a post about Quantum a few weeks ago but aside from that really havent heard much about them, i already have way too many reels, several different variations of the Tatulas, SLX's, BB1 Pro's/LFS even a Zillion. I dont need another reel but if its a steal at that price i dont think i can refuse, just trying to see if its worth it or what its comparable to?

So if anyone that owns one of has experience with it id appreciate your thoughts on it.

 

And to add its a 6 speed gear ratio, ive been wanting a slower gear ratio in a nicer reel for crankbaits mainly, would this cast the lighter square bills good or more of a reel for heavier baits?

Edited April 20, 2024 by MediumMouthBass

[PhishLI]

1 hour ago, MediumMouthBass said:

I dont need another reel but if its a steal at that price i dont think i can refuse, just trying to see if its worth it

It's worth it at full price. Fantastic reel, and a steal at 50 off.

1 hour ago, MediumMouthBass said:

would this cast the lighter square bills good?

Yup.

[ABU is overpriced]

I wouldn't bother when the newer tatulas an the slx is a thing.

[PhishLI]

9 minutes ago, ABU is overpriced said:

I wouldn't bother when the newer tatulas an the slx is a thing.

Think again. This reel is superior to most reels at the $200 price point.

[new2BC4bass]

Jump on it.  I would, but recently purchased 2 more reels that I already didn't need.  Another reel would be excess to the max.  

[MediumMouthBass]

@PhishLI so in your opinion what is the Quantum most comparable to out of the reels i already have? ive got the base SLX, SLX XT, SLX MGL, Tat CT, Fugeo CT, Tat SV TW, BB1 Pro, Super Duty LFS, Zillion?

 

And from a few of the comments so far ill head there tomorrow and probably buy one if they are still in stock, i bought way too many 7 speed reels last year, and just this week realized i need something slower. This would be great especially if it can cast those square bills.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

If you get a good one and not a dud (I got 2 duds tour and smoke s3) then its worth 1/2 off. They both have this noise. Listen closely at the end for the ducks reply

I did however manage to fix the spool vibration loud noise issue. 

 

[PhishLI]

11 minutes ago, MediumMouthBass said:

what is the Quantum most comparable to out of the reels i already have?

Personally, I prefer it over anything in the SLX line, the Fuego/Tat CT, and definitely any Curado variant with the exception of the 150 MGL, but I'd still take the S3 over that reel. I'm talking about casting performance and ease of dialing in and consistency. It's on par with the Tat 150 in some ways performance wise, but that reel is a standout in the Tatula line, IMO. If you have the latest BB1 Pro, you could think of them both as similar in performance with the S3 being smaller and having superior ergos and better with lighter baits. The Zillion is at a much higher price point, so comparisons are pretty pointless.

[ABU is overpriced]

2 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Think again. This reel is superior to most reels at the $200 price point.

Honestly no thanks. A $100 Tat over it any day.

[PhishLI]

11 minutes ago, ABU is overpriced said:

Honestly no thanks. A $100 Tat over it any day.

I only talk about things I own and have fished. How about you? You'd be in the minority on the board if you own this reel and haven't found it to be an overachiever. They got it right with this one.

[ABU is overpriced]

1 hour ago, PhishLI said:

I only talk about things I own and have fished. How about you? You'd be in the minority on the board if you own this reel and haven't found it to be an overachiever. They got it right with this one.

I don't own what i have no use for, so of course i don't own this exact model, but i know Quantum really well, its the brand i got into fishing with over 20 years ago. Back then, a shimano or a daiwa was too expensive if you had around $100 for a reel, but nowadays, this is far from being the case, so Quantum as a whole has no purpose to exist unless you can get their $150-200 reels for $50. Only then would i get it over something like a Tatula80.

[PhishLI]

22 minutes ago, ABU is overpriced said:

I don't own what i have no use for

 

25 minutes ago, ABU is overpriced said:

of course i don't own this exact model

So, you have no idea what you're talking about other than some vague notion of something from 20 years ago. I rest my case on that matter.

 

I have a Tat 80. It's nice but it's a niche reel. Forced to choose one over the other for general purpose bass fishing I'd take the S3 over it without a second thought. BTW, My Curado K has been mothballed since I got the S3 four years ago.

 

Anything else?

[MyKeyBe]

58 minutes ago, ABU is overpriced said:

I don't own what i have no use for, so of course i don't own this exact model, but i know Quantum really well, its the brand i got into fishing with over 20 years ago. 

So you owned a Quantum twenty years ago and that qualifies you to tell someone that a modern Quantum reel that you've never used is garbage? Seems legit. 

 

The Smoke S3 is a fantastic reel. For a hundred bucks you will be hard pressed to find a better new reel. I have 2 KVD Smokes (Smoke Xs basically) and they have been great reels.

 

On a side note Shimano Curados were about $120.00 and Citicas were about $100.00 twenty years ago.

[Blaine Donders]

Buy it.

[Choporoz]

I like my Smoke S3s better than my Tatulas.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

I too like S3 more than my tatulas

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Never owned 1, but I know some guys who can afford anything and use them for bucktailing fluke.  

[FishTank]

For $100 it's a good deal. I had one of the Smoke S3's, the generation before the Smoke S3, and the Tour S3. I ended up selling them but they were not bad reels.

 

The Smoke S3 is good all around use reel. For $100, I would snag it. 

[Wildbillb]

I run them and lews super dutys.  If you don't want to buy the real at $100 let me know where I need to go to get them. Lol

[new2BC4bass]

2 hours ago, Wildbillb said:

I run them and lews super dutys.  If you don't want to buy the real at $100 let me know where I need to go to get them. Lol

Don't know if this is allowed, but here...

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/114963661682?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=114963661682&targetid=2295557531670&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9003563&poi=&campaignid=19851828444&mkgroupid=160536780385&rlsatarget=pla-2295557531670&abcId=9307249&merchantid=6296724&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIu5-3s_3ahQMV0WtHAR2iYAprEAQYAiABEgL60_D_BwE

 

[Choporoz]

Worth 100.  Also worth 107.20.  But for the KVD version, put some loc-tite on the handle grip screws.  They tend to back out.  Haven't lost any....just mildly annoying until you lock them in

[Mbirdsley]

quantum is definitely one of the more under rated reel mfg’s. Every one i’ve ever owned i have liked. especially the spinning reels.  

 

if your getting one at that big of a discount i would scoop it up in a heart beat.  unless we’re talking about above $250 diawa’s. id take the comparable quantum every day of the week.