opinions

bertram31 · Jun-24-2005, 04:37 PM

hey whats everybodies opinion on Pro Gear reels. Mainly the Albacore and Wahoo specials ?

Jack

Stanley · Jun-24-2005, 04:43 PM

I know Ken at Ken's Custom Reels swears by them and that's all he uses (or so he says).

Trianglist · Jun-24-2005, 06:52 PM

they kick ass. Like Stanley says, Ken Corwin totally recommends them.

JTAP · Jun-24-2005, 08:09 PM

OK, how about kicking it up a notch.

Lets say 30 pound reel, whats your pick? After we see a few responses then start up a poll.

WreckinBall · Jun-24-2005, 08:10 PM

This is just opinion, 'cause I don't own one....but you asked for opinions.

I don't think ProGear products are worth the potential hassle. I was very impressed with the 461/Wahoo Special and was moving towards the purchase of one when I consulted a friend who does a lot of reel repair. He advised me against it, not because the reel is bad, but because of problems with ProGear. He showed me a WS that had come into his shop with a bad spool and was under warranty, but ProGear would not repair. The client was on the hook for a spool after laying out $349 for the reel. According to my friend, that was typical of ProGear's treatment of their customers.

I don't want to lay out that kind of money and then have to deal with a company that won't honor it's own warranty if a problem comes up.

I didn't buy the Wahoo Special. I don't advise anyone to buy the Wahoo Special.

WreckinBall · Jun-24-2005, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTAP

OK, how about kicking it up a notch.

Lets say 30 pound reel, whats your pick? After we see a few responses then start up a poll.

30# reel? Saltiga 30T or Accurate 870

anemic · Jun-26-2005, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertram31

. . . opinion on Pro Gear reels . . .

IMHO Pro Gear reels are well designed, well built and simple to maintain. In today’s market, it’s hard to compete with the excellent Torium and Saltist reels that are produced in big volumes in Malaysia and Korea, but I’ll gladly pay another $20 for a Pro Gear that’s machined from solid aluminum in California.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertram31

. . . the Albacore and Wahoo specials . . .

from Pro Gear’s web site:

Albacore special has precision-machined and hard-anodized aluminum bridge plate, four ball bearings and one anti-reverse roller bearing . . . large manganese bronze alloy main gear and heat-treated stainless steel pinion gear . . . 30+ lbs of drag . . .

PG280 - 6:1 Ratio | Wt. 22oz | Capacity 300 yrds/20lb mono
PG282 - 6:1 Ratio | Wt. 24oz | Capacity 425 yrds/20lb mono
PG540 - 5:1 Ratio | Wt. 24oz | Capacity 350 yrds/30lb mono
PG542 - 5:1 Ratio | Wt. 26oz | Capacity 450 yrds/30lb mono

Wahoo special has a double-dog anti-reverse system, and five stainless steel ball bearings . . . 5:1 gear ratio, manganese bronze alloy main gear. a heat-treated stainless steel pinion gear . . .

PG461 - 5:1 Ratio | Wt. 30oz | Capacity 300 yrds/50lb mono

Quote:

Originally Posted by WreckinBall

. . . I don't think Pro Gear products are worth the potential hassle. I was very impressed with the 461/Wahoo Special and was moving towards the purchase of one when I consulted a friend who does a lot of reel repair. He advised me against it, not because the reel is bad, but because of problems with Pro Gear. He showed me a WS that had come into his shop with a bad spool and was under warranty, but Pro Gear would not repair . . .

If the spool was defective from the manufacturer, the buyer should return the reel to the retailer where he bought it for a refund or replacement. If the reel was used, abused or subject to normal wear, then that’s a another story and subject to interpretation. If I left wet spectra on a reel and the spool corroded, I would expect to pay for a new spool whether the reel was under warranty or not. I have five PG’s and haven’t needed any repairs beyond replacing drag washers, but have found their customer service to be excellent.

TurdRoller · Jun-26-2005, 09:16 PM

I own an albie special and classic series, and love them. Super smooth and super drags. my 2 cents

**Smudge** · Jun-26-2005, 10:35 PM

I used an Albacore Special the other weekend on the Producer with 30#. No problems for me but it was a loaner from a pretty prominent local Captain, so it's pretty safe to say it is a well maintained reel. Some of the other Progear's I've seen owned by crew on the boat have seized up, but they weren't very well maintained. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you get out of them what you put into them. Take care of them and they'll take care of you...

Hara_san · Jun-26-2005, 11:19 PM

Had a CS500 and dumped it...Had too many problems with it although Progear fixed it the reel was done for that trip. I know someone else who has had to send his in 4 times now for different things. I also had a 540 albie special and dumped it after one time of using it. I simply just didnt like the reel.

p-nut · Jun-26-2005, 11:51 PM

Stick with the Albacore series and the Wahoo Specials. They use a propritary gear and one piece captured bridgeplate design much like the Newells. They are coming out with a new Yellowtail Special with the same design soon also. I believe the other series use beefed up Penn internals.

**Surfdoc** · Jun-27-2005, 02:55 AM

I had a PG 545.. dumped it.. premadona.. took to much to keep it ready to work.

Poll... I'll put my Avets,, lets see a 30# Ok my MX against any other legit 30#

Lets do it the same as a pre Ho show party!

Let hook up down by the bay.. BBQ.. BEER,, and same rate rods.. 20# weights on the bottom.. set the drags the same and pull.......

Kinda like a tractor race.. anyone could put their reel in!