Seein Stripes Product Review Sink Or Swim Reels

Reels Rods Hooks Cast Nets Line Planers Depth Finders Trolling Motors Sink Or Swim Home	SEND IN YOUR PRODUCT REVIEWS, HELP SOMEBODY SAVE A BUCK AND FIND OUT THE TRUTH ABOUT WHAT EQUIPMENT WORKS AND WHAT YOU NEED TO AVOID. Here's how it's going to work. I will rate equipment that I have used through a RIGOROUS field testing environment. I'm giving you my honest feedback about the product/equipment's overall effectiveness. Statistics and things that don't matter will be kept to a minimum. What I am trying to do is establish the fishing equipment that is suited to take on the challenge of mine and your needs. There are two reasons I have decided to undertake the task of rating tons of fishing-related equipment: 1) As an all around guide for the fisherman who is going to spend a hard-earned dollar on fishing gear, and; 2) So many companies these days are cutting corners to lower costs that they've reduced the effectiveness, usability, and durability of their products, yet they still advertise them to be as effective as ever. NOT THE TRUTH. I'm personally sick and tired of not getting what I pay for and this is my SINK OR SWIM Product Review. Read it and weep.

STRIPER REELS	LINE CAP.	DURA- BILITY	GEARS	DRAG	CAST- ABILITY	SMOOTH NESS	USABIL- ITY	BAIT CLICK SMOOTH?	PRICE RANGE $$	VALUE
PENN 965	3	3	5	5	3	2	2	4	180-200	3
PENN 975	4	4	5	5	3	2	3	4	220-240	3
ABU 6500 C3	3	2	3	2	3	2	3	2	70-80	3
TICA PISCES	3	1	2	3	3	3	2	3	80-100	1
SHIMANO CALCUTTA 400	3	3	5	4	5	5	2	3	170-200	4

The Penn 965 is the most solid reel of the field with a most outstanding drag. But for upwards of $200, what would you expect?

Line capacity for the 965 is about 160 yds of 20 lb test mono. Enough to subdue 99.5% of most striper populations. I have had some durability issues with the levelwind part of the reel on 3 of my 965's. It seems to be a serious downfall of the current design. You can expect to replace the levelwind after 2-3 years of use and abuse. As far as the drivetrain in this reel; unfaltering, astounding. Keep it clean and lubed after about every 150-200 trips and it will be great. I have yet to hold a comparably-sized reel that has a drag like the 965. I have literally put the brakes on charging 40+ lb striper with the drag alone.

The bait clicker is another area of concern for me on the 965. I have one reel in particular that requires a thumbnail of steel to activate it. Another reel is very tough to activate as well. Penn can do better on this, I believe.

Positives: Awesome gears and drag. Good castability and smooth bait clicker without too much or too little tension.

Negatives: Levelwind worm gear is substandard for the price of the reel. Clicker can become hard to turn on. Pricey.

OVERALL: Great reel, bad levelwinds, incredible drag, will last great for Average-Heavy use.

A beefed up version of its little cousin, the 975 picks up the big fish where the 965 left off. Big single-paddle handle, big spool and big gears will turn their heads. As a striper reel, this is all you would ever need for monsters, even over 60 lbs. The trademark stainless steel gears aren't smooth, but they probably won't wear out in my lifetime.

I haven't experienced any of the bad levelwind karma with the 975 as of yet. The clicker is about the same, maybe a little easier to use than the 965.

Positives: Big line capacity, you won't run out of a full spool on a Morone. Mammoth gears and drag are practically infallible.

Neutrals: Clicker still tough to operate, but good tension (a little tighter than 965). Feels like a meat grinder.

Negatives: Not the best baitcaster due to size. Big handle makes fast line uptake tough.

The 6500 is a tried and true model, however it seems that Ambassaduer (following the trends of most of the major manufacturers of our fishing products) has decided to cut corners. These reels are not direct descendents of their Herculean predecessors, but I guess for $80 or less if you don't fish hard or often, it will last a lifetime.

Line capacity is similar to the other two reels. The first thing you may notice about the reel is how easy it is to pull the rubber knobs right off the handle. This happens when fighting big fish. The drag on these reels is sticky and the maximum tension I can derive from mine is about 6 lbs. Enough for most purposes, but not enough when you really need the drag to be there. The clicker is more of a novelty than a feature on these reels. It has far too much tension to be useful in most applications. I have seen reels where the clicker switch ceased functioning. I have run into the levelwind problem with this reel as well. The brass gears and ball bearings in the ABU make for a solid drivetrain.

Positives: Great price on a reel that will get the job done. Simple design, easy to care for.

Neutrals: Klunky clicker, too much tension. Knobs on handles can pull off easily.

Negatives: Levelwind issues on some reels. Gears can wear out under ultra heavy use.

The Tica has shown that it is a very effective tool in subduing large striped fish when new.

Line capacity is comparable to the 965. The Tica has a thumbar which is mushy and gooey and if you don't make a concerted effort to depress it all the way, you won't be able to engage the clutch by turning the handle until you DO push the 'mush'bar all the way down. Other than that, the reels have broken down in almost every way. Don't use them unless someone gives them to you and you aren't serious about catching big fish.

Negatives: These reels have proven themselves to be somewhat JUNK. I would NOT recommend.

The Calcutta is a long-time standby of serious saltwater fishermen. I finally jumped aboard the Shimano ship to see first-hand how the Calcutta would perform for Seein Stripes. I bought a used model from Ebay for $130. The reel is incredibly smooth, casts like a much smaller reel, feels great in your palm, has great handles, has strong gears, and looks good. I believe the drag on this reel was a little tampered with, but it seems to still be solid and will stop a charging trophy stripe.

Positives: Great all around reel. Excellent gears, incredible castability, even has good clicker tension. Nice handle.

I don't use a lot of big spinning outfits for big fish, but this is one to consider. Equivalent line capacity to a 975, smooth drag, line-out adjustable clicker system, infinite anti-reverse (on "B" models), and smooth Shimano gears make this reel a great spinning option if you have a personal vendetta against casting gear.

Positives: Variable bait clicker is very useful. Very-high speed retrieve capability.

Here is a spinning reel that I trust more than any other. I have owned an 1800 for 7 years and have done nothing but abuse the hell out of it. It still works and that says a LOT. Smooth drag, ample line capacity, and serious durability make this spinner my top pick for pursuing stripes under 15 lbs and hybrids.

Positives: Durable, durable, durable. Smooth ball bearings. Smooth, strong drag.

* Keep in mind the equipment that I test is put through some of the most rigorous and adverse conditions that the manufacturers never dreamt of. Durability will be HUGELY AFFECTED by the amount of use you put on your reels.*

Line Cap	*Does it hold enough line to tame a monster striper?*
Durability	*How long is it going to work right?*
Drag	*The foundation of a good striper reel*
Usability	*Am I gonna need detailed instructions, or what?*
Value	*Where did my money land me on this deal?*