Brownie77 Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 Anyone ever use this reel? I have one and am thinking about giving it a try, but am a little nervous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishuhalik Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 I'd always be a little nervous with a zebco...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carpmanjake Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 yep. me and my dad have been using them for years, he has them on all his cat rods. he absolutely loves them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbymalone Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 Not sure at all, but I have heard that Zebco's of today are far better than Zebco's of past, which by most accounts, were total junk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brownie77 Posted June 16, 2009 Author Share Posted June 16, 2009 Well this one is only a year old so. I figure I can try it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carpmanjake Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 Not sure at all, but I have heard that Zebco's of today are far better than Zebco's of past, which by most accounts, were total junk. we have been using our zebco 808s for over 10 years. i recently upgraded to bait feeder reels, and i love em. but you cant go wrong with the 808s. we have had no problems with ones we had to replace. these things took all the beatings on rocks, falling into water, thrown in dirt, and all that. and they just keep kicking. we have only replaced 3, all last year. the drag broke on one while we were greasing it. (my bad, lol)the other 2, the bait clickers just wore out.other than that, we have had no problems what so ever. and my dad swears by them. and he has been catfishing for over 20 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carpmanjake Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 Well this one is only a year old so. I figure I can try it. you wont regret it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brownie77 Posted June 16, 2009 Author Share Posted June 16, 2009 Well for the price I know I wont. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carpmanjake Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 Well for the price I know I wont. exactly! be sure you let me know how you like em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brownie77 Posted June 17, 2009 Author Share Posted June 17, 2009 will do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katoguy Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Here are the specs. I'd be nervous, too. (2.6:1??? I think this is definitely a case of getting what you pay for.)808 Reel SpecsFishing Type Line Weight Line Capacity Gear Ratio Heavy 20 pound 90 yards 2.6:1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTro Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Spincast+Braided Line=Lots of four letter wordsFor smaller to med size channel cats, go for it. If you plan on catching anything 25lbs or over, I’d pass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishuhalik Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Spincast+Braided Line=Lots of four letter words Couldn't of said it better myself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carpmanjake Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Spincast+Braided Line=Lots of four letter words For smaller to med size channel cats, go for it. If you plan on catching anything 25lbs or over, I’d pass. we never had problems with braided lines. we have 3 with braid, and 3 with mono, never had any problems. and we can cast quite a ways with them. plenty far enough for the cats. my dad has caught many flats up to 50lbs when he worked in South eastern minnesota with them. and never had a problem. and they held up to many channel cats to 22lbs (mine ) at the "catfish capitol of the north" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTro Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Well sure I can catch a 50lb Flat on a pop bottle and a piece of string, but I would rather not. You can never complain about something that is free , but even at $20 I would consider an alternative to a spincast reel for larger cats. That is just me. I would have no problem using them for 2lb sunnies though, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rushing Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 When I lived in Wisconsin I would use the 808s with 2-2.5lb sunnies for bait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shack Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 I found some reviews on a combo with an 808 on it: Quote:A Real Good Buy...Pulled A 25# Flathead In Just Great And Still Goin...Great Combo At A Cheap Price Quote:this reel is the worst reel i have ever bought with its nylon bearings and all i used it once and it just grings now Quote: i would recommend this product because this reel can take a beating and keep on going ive let other people use it and its very easy to fix when they get line tangled up in the reel........its easy to use and its a easy reel to use .........its for any person that likes to go fishing . Quote: This is the fourth Zebco Hawg 808 that I have purchased and I am very satisfied with them. I would recommend them to anyone. Quote: The reel metal broke trying to pull in a large catfish. I would have thought the 20 pound line would has broke first, but the metal "T" securing the reel to the rod broke. Love Zebko, but I got a dud. Quote: Had it for less than 2 weeks and the line release button broke in the middle of casting. button is plastic. Great until broke. Feel poor craftsman ship the problem. Quote: It's from Zebco, Trust the name. It will never let you down. Remember your first rod and reel? Mine was a Zebco. Nuff said!!! Great Rod and Reel at a great price! Highly recommended!!! Quote: This is a good quality rod and reel with 20lb line you can easly bring in the bass and even catfish!this is a great trolling rod but is a little bit of a challenge trying to cast with it because you can't cast very far with it, maybe 35 feetoverall its a good rod and reel for the price Pretty diverse selection of reviews. In the end like Dtro said for free worth a try but any money down I would have to say I would pass. Just bought to many bomb combo's over the years and starting to go with stuff that has a proven track recored and higher end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brownie77 Posted June 17, 2009 Author Share Posted June 17, 2009 Well I bought the rod and reel separate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surreal Deal Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Quote: This is the fourth Zebco Hawg 808 that I have purchased and I am very satisfied with them. I would recommend them to anyone. Dude's been through three of them, on his fourth and is still "Satisfied!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Here-Kitty-Kitty Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 My thing is after four you have spent 80 and at 80 bucks you could have bought one decent one that would last years on out. Just my opinion is what I speak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carpmanjake Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Dude's been through three of them, on his fourth and is still "Satisfied!" doesnt mean they broke on him. this guy is probably not from MN, so he can probably use more than 1 line there is not doubt that there will be manufacturer defects in some of them. especially for such a large company. but if they break return them, and get another. once you have one thats not a dud, you will love it. and the casting thing, saying it only casts 35 feet... someone doesnt know how to fast, LOL. i will say it takes some getting use to, its not like the smaller zebco reels. it casts differently. we cast 1/2 the way across the 'sippi with no problem. just goes to show you that once you get use to it. you will have no problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Here-Kitty-Kitty Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Didn't think of that in those standings I would stand corrected, but I stand with what I said. He said " BEEN THROUGH " so thats what I'm going to go by. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ec30_06 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 You won't see any in my boat, but I don't catch catfish anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Here-Kitty-Kitty Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Sh*t you seemed to catch plenty the other night Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katoguy Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Dtro is correct about braid on a spincast. I worked for/with Spiderwire in the mid-90's and heard this complaint all the time. It simply was too limp to be used with the spincast pick-up pins. A lot of the braid today is not nearly as limp as Spiderwire used to be, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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