Whats the story with Dicks only reels?

[NEKvt]

Wondering if you guys know anything about the reels that only Dicks carries?  I have a Daiwa capricorn that I bought last year for $55, and just bout a quantum energy for ~$80 that has orange accents.  Both reels said they were originally much more expensive, but Dicks can price them however they want they are the only ones that sell them.  I can see that the energy is supposed to mimic the energy that you can buy everywhere, but does it have the same components as the reel I would get at a different shop?  

I really like the capricorn, it has been a great reel, and I think the quantum will be decent too, just wondering what the story is behind them.

[dmac14]

Not sure about this either, my brother has the capicorn, and I have a spinning reel from there that is only sold there.

[basser89]

The Energy is the '08 model (same one you'll buy anywhere). The price has been dropping so they can get rid of the "old" inventory.

[ROCbass]

I bought my brother the Capricorn for Christmas this year for his first baitcaster. It was $50 marked down from $139 or something like that, but I don't think I've ever seen it not on sale. I think they just post some really high retail price so you think you are getting a better deal. The Capricorn seems to be the same reel as the Procaster Rojo, but without the flipping switch. I believe the Rojo retailed for $90, so if it is the same reel $50 is still a good deal, but its not a $140 reel like they would have you believe.

[bass wrangler569]

I'm with shaner1988, I don't think I ever seen a Dick's only reel that wasn't greatly reduced in price from the MSRP. I think they just mark up the prices and then sell them at a drastically reduced price to make it seem like you're getting an awesome deal. It doesn't mean you're not getting a good reel but don't expect it to perform at the level of other reels in its MSRP range.

[wagn]

I have the capricorn spinning reels that were a dicks exclusive. As others have said they are always on sale. However sometimes they actually have them on real sale and can get them pretty cheap.

I think they are good reels for the money, and have never had a problem with them

[NEKvt]

I bought my brother the Capricorn for Christmas this year for his first baitcaster. It was $50 marked down from $139 or something like that, but I don't think I've ever seen it not on sale. I think they just post some really high retail price so you think you are getting a better deal. The Capricorn seems to be the same reel as the Procaster Rojo, but without the flipping switch. I believe the Rojo retailed for $90, so if it is the same reel $50 is still a good deal, but its not a $140 reel like they would have you believe.

This is exactly what I thought.  I really enjoyed learning how to baitcast with this one so I don't regret the purchase, just didn't think it was a $140 reel.  

The quantum is the saltwater model I guess (from another thread), and again probably a good deal at $80.  

Interesting marketing tactic anyway.

[stalbans_bassman]

I posted in the other thread too... I just bought the Energy PT from Dicks today. The reel and the box do not have the "s" for the saltwater setup (and the quantum website shows the reel having the word "saltwater" on that line); yet the user-manual in the box does - so I don't think the reel (at least the one I got) is the saltwater model.

If I am wrong, and actually have the saltwater model - is there a downside to that? Am I giving up any performance?

[moloch16]

Anytime you can't comparison shop be prepared to be taken on a ride I personally avoid these reels since they are "exclusive" there is nothing to compare them to, no reviews, etc. Buyer beware!

[PlasticMan135]

I believe the Quantum Energy with Orange accents is actually the Shaw Grigsby Accurist. I could be wrong. I know the stores around here don't sell the saltwater version of the Energy. I could be wrong. Does it have a flipping switch?

[stalbans_bassman]

My 760pt doesn't have a flipping switch, and it isn't orange. Won't know how good it is until this weekend... I just bought a Fenwick rod for it, and can't wait until Saturday.

[FishingPirate]

Dicks only reels? I thought they were reels for those guys you dont like very much :

[snapshotmd]

I was getting ready to buy the orange Pflueger/Allstar baitcast combo on sale for about $69. I noticed most of the reels of the same model were broke on the display stand. Also, I noticed this model amongst many others did not have a centrifugal brake adjustment on the other side of the crank. Is this new technology or should I steer clear of these reels?

I was going to use this baitcast combo as a worm setup since the reel has a low 5.1 to 1 ratio.

[CWB]

The Energy is the '08 model (same one you'll buy anywhere). The price has been dropping so they can get rid of the "old" inventory.

X2 When I found out the price, I made a beeline for my closest Dick's but they were sold out.

[OnthePotomac]

The Daiwa Capricorn is an excellent reel and is basically the Exceler.  The only difference is the DigiGear.  Last year Cabels's ran a special on the Capricorn for $60 and they sold out in three weeks.  Believe me, they are not junk.

[SwimbaitDave]

I have 2 Daiwa Capricorn spinning reels and they seem to be pretty solid. I have used them for 1/2 a season and have not had any problems so far. Plus I picked them up for 45 bucks a piece on clearance, which is not too shabby. Hopefully they will hold up this coming season.

Dave

[Izzy3374]

I have the Diawa Capricorn too.  It was my first baitcaster.  Great starter reel and still works great.  Great product for the money.   just don't ever use it now because of my baby.  Quantum PT TOUR.  The guy at Dick's told me that Dick's is trying to become a bigger fishing store.  They want to compete with with Cabelas and Bass Pro.  So they had some companies make them some reels just for Dick's that they could sell at really low prices.  He said the combo thing that cabelas and bass pro offers was killing them.  Buy a name brand reel and they basically give you one of there poles.  Just an attempt to get more fishing costumers.  He also said that we will start seeing bigger better selections on baits and lures and all other tackle at Dicks.  He could have been FOS too!