Wife fishes with 33"s. Want to upgradw her reel.

[4pwr]

My wife enjoys fishing and we fish together often. She uses a Zebco platinum 33. I noticed when landing a decent fish or reeling in a grass pike the effort in reeling becomes harder than I like. I was wondering if an Omega would improve this. After 34 yrs she still will not learn spinning or baitcasting which is ok she's happy with spincast.

[Infidel.]

I know that Daiwa and Abu Garcia both offer quality spincasters.  You may want to look into them.  I don't know anything about the Omega.

[roadwarrior]

I know that Daiwa and Abu Garcia both offer quality spincasters.

"Quality" may be in the eye of the beholder. I gave my dad a Garcia, my partner carries a couple of Omega when he guides and I have fished with both. I don't notice any improvement over the 33. Spincast is a technology that has reached a dead end. The manufactures have not made any effort to advance this type of reel.

[Infidel.]

"Quality" may be in the eye of the beholder.

True, I just know that when I was a kid I had a red Abu Garcia spincaster and a gold Daiwa spincaster.  Both of those were upgrades from the 33 I started out with.  The Drags were smoother, there was less play in the reel, and I encountered less line twist.  But that was twenty years ago.  The only thing I could tell you about the spincasters offered today is that the Daiwa Silver cast has a line pin that rotates.  But the other may have that as well, I don't know.

[Micro]

I've had a Zebco and have an Abu.  I like them for bluegill fishing with bobbers - too slow for really anything else.  I ended up throwing my Zebco in the trash.  One too many tangles inside the reel.

The thing I like about the Abumatic is that the little pins that pick up the line ride in a groove on the inside of the cover.  This prevents the line from slipping over the pins when there is slack in the line.    

Otherwise, there isn't much to choose from between them.

[Wayne P.]

I carry a few Daiwa Goldcast reels for the inexperienced anglers that may fish with me. Good drags, higher gear ratio than the 33, and tangle free. I change the line to 14# braid also. The line pin also rotates to limit line abraison.

[Bob Kavanaugh]

I grew up using a Daiwa underspin model on a spinning rod. Seemed less clumsy than a 33 on a trigger rod.

[Alpster]

My daughter uses a Zebco Rhino spincaster and it is a step up from the 33. I can't speak for it myself, but she has had no problems with it. Changing  the line every other outing will make them perform much better. The Rhino has a red cover, bought it a Wal Mart.

Ronnie

[Rob G.]

4pwr,  The Omega is a definate improvement over the 33's.  I have one for when I take non-fishing friends out.  My buddy also has a few for his 10 yr old son and I have seen the kid catch numerous LBM and SMB on the Mississippi River.  I have handled the reels and they are very smooth and require very little maintenance.  The Omega would be my choice.  They are a bit on the heavy side.  Wallyworld carries them, go check one out for yourself.

[islandbass]

If it is not asking too much, perhaps an upgrage to a spinning reel?  The abu garcia cardinal in the 101 or 102 size is very manageable and it will give her a better chance against bigger fish, yet be simple enough to wield with some practice.

Just a thought. I imagine a cardinal at about $30 is about the same price as a spin caster but she will get a better drag and fighting capabilities and a practically hassle free reel.

[Daniel My Brother]

My buddy just upgraded his wife's gear from 3 Procasters, to 3 Omegas. I liked the procasters fine, but the Omega is a much smoother reel (although heavier)... and if you buy the BPS Omega combos you get a nice rod to match.

I'll echo what Alpster said, change the line often and you should't have a lot of problems.