|
|
| Can any one give a product review on this reel? I'm considering replacing a couple of Diawa 300's with this reel in an attempt to get more speed with less work.
Brian |
|
| |
|
| awesome reel...I have one that I've used over 2 seasons and it has held up pretty good for the amount of use.
I did have to send it in one time for some gear that went bad or something. With the amount of use I have on it, any other reel would have probably had a problem too. It is a great reel for throwing hard pulling baits as the gear ratio and spool size really have cranking power with not alot of effort. I would highly recommend this reel. |
|
| |
|
| bn
You've close to selling me...
Are you familiar with the new AG 7000ihsn? I've got one and wonder how the 975 might compare.
While certainly fast, I personally don't think the 7000ihsn has the power I'd like for burning the big double blades. Perhaps the 975 is the way to go there. Is the 975 smooth? Quiet? Is there an appreciable difference in the cranking power on hard pulling baits?
Brian |
|
| |
|
Posts: 757
| Good topic. I also had my eye on the 975. Kdawg |
|
| |
|
| yes I have a 7000ics pro rocket and have used the new 7000 HSN...I actually feel the 975 is a better reel for hard pulling stuff ...I primarily used it for big double bladed bucktails and it works great...the new 7000's are nice but for the big bucktails I felt the 975 is a touch better for that application...I will use my 7000's for more of the big plastics,, big dawgs etc...
they are smooth..not as smooth as some reels but they cast great and are solid reels that were built for saltwater use so they are built tough...and american made....
They have a nice power handle and are not quite as big as the 7000's if you palm your reels like I do....
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 8772
| Ok there's like 4 models of the 975
975
975CS
975LD
975CSLD
LD is the lever drag, which looks cool, but has anyone used it?
Bradley? I liked your 975, which one was it?
Looks like the CS model doesn't have a level wind. Not sure that's something I'd want to do without. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 323
Location: In the slop! | Just get the regular 975, built like a tank. They have more cranking power than any other reel I have used. |
|
| |
|
| regular 975
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 8772
| Any comments on the lever drag?
Looks like it might be a lot easier to work with when you're fighting a fish than the star wheel.
|
|
| |
|
| I'd stick to the regular star drag if it were me..... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 8772
| I'm leaning that way, but fumbling for it when you've got a fish, especially when it's November and you're wearing gloves? The lever drag could be a nice addition. But then it could get in the way, too. Of what, I don't know...
Thoughts on the lever drag from anyone else? Anybody? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2378
| esoxaddict - 12/22/2006 11:25 AM
I'm leaning that way, but fumbling for it when you've got a fish, especially when it's November and you're wearing gloves? The lever drag could be a nice addition. But then it could get in the way, too. Of what, I don't know...
Thoughts on the lever drag from anyone else? Anybody?
I think there is probably a good reason you dont see lever drags on more reels. They dont sell. Most likely because the guys that use them dont like them.
Just a guess, but I think a pretty good one |
|
| |
|
| I would agree with Baldy on this...get the star drag, set it just tight enough you can pull line..when and if you get one big enough you want to loosen it..it's not that hard...Ive done it countless times no problems...
|
|
| |
|
| Another option that I just saw that might be a very good reel for cranking power like the Penn 975 but for about $80 less is the Shimano Tekota 300.....sweet power handle, light at 13.3 oz, 4.2 to 1 for crankin power, 25" of line per crank for $160...might be one to look at if you are shopping...I'd like to see it first hand at the shows this winter.... |
|
| |
|
| bn
I'm attracted by some of the specs (particularly the gear ratio and lighter weight vs. the 7000ihsn) on the Shimano and presume that the fact they are marketing this as a trolling reel does not mean this reel won't cast well.
What would be interesting is to compare the three reels - 7000ihsn vs. 675 vs. the Shimano - in terms of line recovery capability per crank. Like many, if I can find a high quality reel that can maintain high speed line recovery with less effort, then I'm a buyer. However, line recovery specs for the 7000ihsn are not easy to find on-line. I'm going to check some of the saltwater forums to see if there is any feedback on the Shimanos.
I've come to realize over the years that I'm not adverse to being a tackle guinnea-pig. These experiments are sometimes worthwhile, usually disappointing, and always expensive.
Brian |
|
| |
|
| i think the 7000 picks up 28-29 per crank...so it has a bigger spool than the shimano...the Penn is probably about 25-26...I would not hesitate to try a Shimano out...they are great casters as well...read more here...
http://www.castawaylakes.com/Tekota.html |
|
| |
|
| i don't know the exact inches/crank on the Abu 7000 CS Pro Rocket, but it picks up a TON of line and it's basically effortless. anyone i've given that reel to who's been throwing the big bucktails with something else all exclaim about how easy it is to throw XXs with it and not get tired.
the other reels like the big Shimano Tekota or Penn 975 have a similar gear ratio and relatively similar spool size...so it's reasonable to assume they'd have roughly the same ease of retrieve while maintaining high lure speed.
i'm looking forward to the 7000iCS for big cranks, dawgs, and ripping big minnowbaits where the instant anti-reverse will be a nice feature. this is probably going to replace my Shimano 401TE with these lures, so the IAR better be good or i'll be disappointed. or maybe i'll just have to buy another rod for it... 
i'll keep using the standard version with the big bucktails as those don't need the IAR so much.
|
|
| |
|
| Lambeau
Don't know about the Pro Rocket, but having used the 7000ihsn for a couple of months left me wanting to try something different for hard pulling speed baits, like the double 10 bucktails.
I feel the gear ratio and resistance is too high for those type of applications. Yes, you can get a lot of speed on this reel, which is great for baits that do not have a high degree of resistance, like small tails and buzzbaits (great for Dawg work, too). However, I feel that on the heavy resistance baits, this reel is not quite geared right.
The other thing I didn't like is that the 7000iHSN is quite heavy; heavier than the early version of the 7000HSN, at least. The lever has taken some getting used to as well. Still, I think the improvements they made when they re-desgined the HSN were well worth the trade up from the original version. Much more durable. Much smoother. Just a more solid reel all-around. So, I plan to keep mine for low torque speed baits and big Dawgs.
When it comes to high-torque baits, I just think that high diameter spool on the iHSN just screams for a lower gear ratio. Atleast that's what my forearms and shoulds screamed when I casted DCG's for 12 hours a day, four days straight this fall. I felt like Pop-eye after a couple of cans of spinach.
Maybe one of these other reels is the compromise I'm looking for...
BrianF.
|
|
| |
|
| Don't know about the Pro Rocket, but having used the 7000ihsn for a couple of months left me wanting to try something different for hard pulling speed baits, like the double 10 bucktails.
I feel the gear ratio and resistance is too high for those type of applications.
i agree with everything you're saying.
the 7000iHSN has a gear ratio of 5.3:1 with a capacity of 17/210 (what you were using)
the 7000 CSProRckt gear ratio is 4.1:1 with a capacity of 17/325 (this is what i've been using)
the 7000iCSProRckt gear ratio is 4.1:1 with a capacity of 17/325
they're roughly the same weight (20-21oz) and size, with a similar diameter spool (the HSN is just more narrow, thus the smaller capacity.
When it comes to high-torque baits, I just think that high diameter spool on the iHSN just screams for a lower gear ratio.
yep! see the Pro Rocket editions as described above, or any of the other low ratio reels described in this thread already. they should all work much easier than what you've been using.
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 1270
| Lever drags are great for trolling but a PITA for casting. The lever is what puts the reel in free spool so you would have to disengage the drag every time you make a cast. I do not know how the PENN's drag works but most lever drags are on the spool so even with the PITA casting distance will suffer over a star drag. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 8772
| Reelman -- you are right, look:
http://www.pennreels.com/01_products/reels/conventional/02_int_bait...
No push button spool release with the Lever Drag...
Kind of explains why nobody is using them for casting!! |
|
| |
|
| I contacted Abu about the possibility of trading out the gearing on the 7000ihsn for something less. Here is what they said:
"Yes, you can lower the gear ratio to 4.1:1 by using the main gear and pinion gear from the 7000i."
Another option to consider, I suppose.
Brian |
|
| |
|
| but would it have the instant anti reverse the new ones do??? |
|
| |
|
| here is what I have found...for those looking for a good pulling reel with less fatigue..I have used all of these reels with double cowgirls attached, spooled to the rims of each reel...
7000Pro Rocket, 4.1 to 1
7000iHSN, 5.3 to 1
Penn 975, 4.5 to 1
7000ics Pro Rocket, 4.1 to 1
Morrum, 5.1 to 1
6500CL Big game, 5.3 to 1
7000CL Big Game, 5.3 to 1
Of ALL these I felt the Penn was the easiest pulling for the double cows...all day, no fatigue, nice power handle, nice size/weight...great reel.
|
|
| |
|
| I didn't ask that question specifically, but don't see why not; my presumption being that the instant anti-reverse function (one way roller bearing) would be uneffected by a change in gearing.
Brian |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2378
| 123 - 1/3/2007 1:36 PM
I didn't ask that question specifically, but don't see why not; my presumption being that the instant anti-reverse function (one way roller bearing) would be uneffected by a change in gearing.
Brian
so here's another question...
can you upgrade a reel to instant anti-reverse by simply swapping out the roller bearing? |
|
| |
|
| My guess is 'no', but I'm no expert on Abu reel configurations. So, unless someone responds definitively for sure, suggest contacting Abu service directly. They answered my email in less than 24 hours. |
|
| |
