Pinnacle ISP inertia finnesse reels.

[wickyman]

My wife just bought one the other day for me, thursday, my birthday, and paid like 25 bucks.  It seems to be a pretty decent reel, except for the fact that it has a graphite frame.  I have no problems with it being graphite, just hear a lot of guff about graphite being fragile.  I have owned many graphite reels, and this is so far, the best.  Any other opinions?  I would like to hear horror stories, or even stories where you caught a lunker on it, and still use it!    Thanks guys!

P.S.  I own everything from shimano calais cl200a, bass pro shops bionic, and quantum spinning reels for finesse fishing, and wormin'.  And the poles I use are anything from g-loomis, to shakespeare.  So I have a wide variety of rods and reels.  Just looking for input on the quality of the reel.    I love it because my wife bought it for me!

[The Rooster]

My wife just bought one the other day for me, thursday, my birthday, and paid like 25 bucks. It seems to be a pretty decent reel, except for the fact that it has a graphite frame. I have no problems with it being graphite, just hear a lot of guff about graphite being fragile. I have owned many graphite reels, and this is so far, the best. Any other opinions? I would like to hear horror stories, or even stories where you caught a lunker on it, and still use it! Thanks guys!

P.S. I own everything from shimano calais cl200a, bass pro shops bionic, and quantum spinning reels for finesse fishing, and wormin'. And the poles I use are anything from g-loomis, to shakespeare. So I have a wide variety of rods and reels. Just looking for input on the quality of the reel. I love it because my wife bought it for me!

On the frame, I'd much prefer an aluminum frame just because every reel I've ever owned that had a graphite frame was just junk. But I've also looked at the Inertia and for THAT PRICE you will never go wrong. Seems like a good reel just holding in hand at the store. They were on clearance here at a local Walmart for $45 and I almost bought one thinking that was a good price. $25 is really cheap. Seems like it would cast well to my way of thinking. I don't really have a use for one since I have 5 reels now that are casters and have aluminum frames on all. But for some reason I feel that this would be a decent reel. At $25, even if it lasts for just one season, it's earned every penny. I'd probably get a couple more if you can still get them for that money.

[wickyman]

Yeah, I was thinking the same.  It seems as though the reel is a pretty quality design, and I can't even feel flex in the frame, as I have with other companies "graphite" reinforced frames.  It almost seems as though, this reel, is well worth the cash, and even though parts are cheaply made, that it would still make for a decent finesse reel.  I don't think I will have any issues with the reel, and will be able to enjoy it to it's full extent on the G-loomis I have it paired with.   

I am looking at some better gears from another model of reel, that are the same size, and such.  I might just go for it, and put them in.   

[Grey Wolf]

Use it for bream. It's not going to hold up very long for anything bigger.

[kikstand454]

graphite frames are plenty strong enough to catch bass in 99% of situations. the only time i think i would "worry" about it would be punching mats with 60lb braid.

i have a few pinnacle solene reels that are graphite and they have caught plenty of fish. they are great.

remember.... most reels 10 years ago were made on graphite frames. they worked fine.

[247bassin]

I have several Pinnacles and I love them all.  I have had a few problems with mine, but  nothing extremely serious.  The drag slipped a few times and they are loud when cast and reeled, but they are being cleaned as I type this in Delaware. 

I used mine mainly for stripers the last two years and have caught closed to a thousand fish with each reel.  Most were smaller 2 and 3 pound stripers and hybrids, but have caught about 100-200 that were in the 10-15 pound range.  I have put mine through all kinds of torment and they are still working for the most part.  Oh, and the one that I have had the longest is a plastic framed reel, and it is awesome.  For $25 you can't beat it, I guarantee you will like it.  Don't expect Shimano quality, but they are great little reels.

[wickyman]

I tested it out Sunday, and I am hooked.  The reel was flawless, and didn't even have the slightest issue.  I do plan on replacing the bearings with some ceramic, or ACBs.  Mostly because the ones that are in the unit, feel kind of like mush.  And I plan on fishing it as much as my shimanos, and BPS, and quantums.  I do fish hard, and I fish fast, so I hope it can keep up with my style of power fishing.  Even when I finesse fish, I am power fishing.  Sounds kind f repugnant, but it's true, and that's a story for another time...

Is there anything else I can do, other than bearings, to upgrade the feel of the retrieve, or even the drag?  I have noticed that the drag is pretty inconsistent, to other reels.  I had casted it a couple times, and noticed that it would slip, but others it wouldn't.  Mind you, that I had the drag set tight, the whole time.  Is that normal?  I would assume no, considering that it's a brand new reel, and the drag was set loose, out of the box. 

I am in the works, for making a new handle out of carbon fiber, mostly because I like to tinker, and it would be better than the stock handle...  That thing weighs a ton!  lol

[BigBrotherThunda]

Used mine (normally a tourney backup) to throw topwater at schooling stripers last spring. Landed 30 fish over 10lbs and 8 over 20. Reel never budged. Performed very well. Not an aluminum reel and wont last forever but a Great value, especially at 25$!