Cabelas Prodigy Reels

[crappiekid24]

Anyone ever use Cabelas Prodigy Reels? I know that Daiwa makes them. I was wondering how they hold up and if they are any good.  

[ChiCityBasser]

I have a Cabelas Prodigy that I picked up on clearance last year and seems to hold up pretty well but I haven't put mine thru any really tough paces. Got it to learn with a better quality baitcaster and its been fine when I have taken it out and specs are pretty close to that of the Daiwa Tierra.

[Georgia Jeff]

I used to own two of them about 3 years ago when they had the magnetic cast control and the flipping switch on them.  I liked them a lot.  They were pretty good reels.  I still have one but now the spool doesn't always want to reengage after a cast.   Gramted I never cleaned it in the three years I have owned it but I am not hard on my equipment either.  They are not bad reels but they are not quite as good as a Curado etc. in my opinion.

[ww2farmer]

I own the current version of the Prodigy baitcaster, it's a Team Daiwa Advantage with Cabela's name on it. Very VERY good reel. I beat the tar out of mine in 2008 and it's still as smooth as new. I have several reels built on this Daiwa platform, the TD-A 150HL, and the TD-Tierra 153HL, and the Prodigy is not subpar to either of them in anyway.

[Jeff H]

I have one baitcaster (07 model) and I used it more than any of my other reels last year.  Has held up well to being fished hard, but I've come to expect that from Daiwa products.  Can't tell a difference from when it was new.  Excellent perfomance for the price!!!  I have the spinning version too, same story there.  I'd buy another, or recommend, in a heartbeat.

[SMfisher]

i have the prodigy spinning reel its smooth cast good but has a bad clutch system. you think you have it set just right then when you hook a fish it will hang up on you or it will slip to much and you can't set the hook.

[shootermcbob]

I have one that is two years old, and another one I just bought. The older one has been my main reel and is a very nice, very smooth reel. I have no problems with backlashes, and reel is smooth today as day I bought it. I do like the "swept" handles on the new reels, but for 64.00 which is what I paid for first reel, you can't beat it. Look for them to go on sale. I also bought the new one for 69.00 during an in-store sale. Great value.

[Guest beowulfx71]

dicks has the Daiwa Capricorn for $59, supposedly a $119 reel before it went on sale, is it basically the same as a prodigy?

[The_Natural]

I like the fact Cabelas is proud of who they partnered with to make their reels, and it's no 'mystery'.  

[Matt 825]

I had one in 2007 and used it pretty hard for about 3 months.  The clutch went and I called Cabelas to get some parts to fix it and they wanted to send me a new one, but I paid a little extra to upgrade to a Shimano Citica.  Best thing about Cableas Rods and Reels is that they stand behind them.  If it brakes they will make it right.  

[tritz18]

I have the newest version of this baitcaster and it has held up for about 2 years now, casts great and is worth the amount it costs.

[uicdent11]

After reading this thread, you would think someone would buy mine off the flea market.

[cwen]

DO NOT BUY! The only reel I ever owned that completely broke down.

[uicdent11]

Thanks...

[The Ven]

I bought mine 2 years ago...  great reel.  Great braking system.

[moby bass]

I have no complaints about my Prodigy baitcaster

[Rich Tehan]

I have the old one with the flippin switch as well.  The flippin switch doesn't always work and the reel feels kinda flimsy(i shoulnd't judge on feel though, it holds up) but it truly is one of my smoothest reels.  I love it for pitchin and it casts really far.  I was very surprised at this and I still use it often.  The breaking system is very good.  Idk if this helps because its the old version but I'm sure the new version is good too.

[Daniel My Brother]

The old Prodigy baitcaster was a Pinnacle reel. The new Prodigy baitcaster is basically a souped up Daiwa Advantage. 2 reels so completely different that it's a shame they go by the same name.

I own one of the newer ones and it's a great reel.

I have no experience with the older model.

[Muddy]

DO NOT BUY! The only reel I ever owned that completely broke down.

 DO EXPLAIN!  

I own a few, not a problem with a lot of use.

[Jeff H]

Muddy,

Did you know that you made the Cabela's catalog this year?  I think it was your comments about the Fish Eagle II rods??

[Muddy]

Yea, wasn't expecting that, there are a lot more qualified people they could have used, instead of me. They didn't even contact me or anything, I would have declined if they did

[lubina]

Anyone ever use Cabelas Prodigy Reels? I know that Daiwa makes them. I was wondering how they hold up and if they are any good.

They are excellent

[ww2farmer]

dicks has the Daiwa Capricorn for $59, supposedly a $119 reel before it went on sale, is it basically the same as a prodigy?

This reel is based on another Daiwa, the Procaster, not the ultra cheap graphite framed one BPS sells, but the aluminum frame 100H/ Rojo series of reels. It's decent reel, not as good as the Prodigy/Advantage series, but for $59 it's a decent buy. Never in a million years would I pay $119 for it, but thats just a little trick Dick's plays, the reel is on sale about every other week.

[Bass Dude]

DO NOT BUY! The only reel I ever owned that completely broke down.

Judging from your statement, you've never tried Quantum!!! ;D

[senile1]

Though it's not a Prodigy, I have a Cabela's Tournament ZX baitcaster that is 5 years old and I believe it was manufactured by Pinnacle. I clean it regularly (once a year) and it still works great though the white finish is showing quite a few scratches. It has been a great reel and I see no reason why I won't be using it in 5 more years. I believe this reel is very similar to the Pinnacle Janis. I think if you take care of the BPS and Cabelas reels you can't go wrong. They are very good buys. (And I'm a Shimano lover.)