Tica Cetus SB500 vs SS500

[Tyler Holm]

SS500

Gear Ratio: 5.2

Weight: 6.3oz

Bearings: 6BB + 1RB

Line Retieved Hand Turn: 20.2

Line Capacity: 4-95|6-60|8-50

6 pcs precise ball bearings.

Mini bearing inside of line roller.

Aluminum spool.

Computer designed balanced rotor to minimize vibration.

Instant anti-reverse.More

Right /left interchangeable handle.

Anti-twist line roller, titanium plated.

Soft-touch handle knob with in 2 B.B..

With an extra spool.

Aluminum spool decorated with 18 conk holes

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SB500

Gear Ratio: 5.2

Weight: 6.3oz

Bearings: 6BB + 1RB

Line Retieved Hand Turn: 20.3

Line Capacity: 4-95|6-60|8-50

6 pcs precise ball bearings.

Mini bearing inside of line roller.

Aluminum spool.

Computer designed balanced rotor to minimize vibration.

Instant anti-reverse.More

Right / left interchangeable handle.

Anti-twist line roller, titanium plated.

Soft-touch handle knob within 2 B.B..

With an extra spool

I’ve bolded the differences. I’ve found the SS500 is usually $5-$6 more than the SB500. I currently have 3 SS500s and 1 SB500, so I’ve used both and love them. I recently bought 4 new St. Croix Legends and I’m looking to put a Tica reel on each, but I was wondering what everybody thought about these 2 reels and their differences. Would you pay the extra $5-6 given the minimum additional features?

Has anybody else noticed any differences between the 2 reels above? I guess I’m kinda wondering why they offer nearly identical reels. Maybe I’m missing something…

[Northlander]

I would just go with the SB. There is no difference in performance that I have found and if your doing 4 rods you will save yourself some cash you can buy line with. It looks more cosmetic than anything.

[Mr.Seaguar]

One really slow morning in the shack my buddy and I went over our reels trying to figure out the differences. He having an SB and I had the SS. We looked and looked but found nothing. We finally decided to move to another lake.

[deepportage01]

Dose the SB500 come with the soft case and sitcker like the SS500? that might be it I donno.

what I do know is that they are the fail safe reels with one smooooooooooooth drag system and the instant anti reverse is one of the tightest on the market IMO

[harvey lee]

I also own about 5 of these reels and can say I cannot tell the difference between the two.I will in the future buy the cheaper of the two.They are very good reels.

[Matt Johnson]

Well, one is greyish-black and the other is gold

Actually, the SS500 is supposed to be a faster reel I believe, but the difference is virtually none comparable. The spool might be better constructed and more durable on the SS500 as well...

[Tyler Holm]

They both come with a Tica sticker and a soft carring bag/case.

[Tyler Holm]

Just bought one of each. We'll see!

[DEADhead]

where did you pick up your reels Ty? I'm in the market for a new tica to put on the Legend I just picked up from Reeds this week. I've been happy with running the GV's but I have been thinking about trying out an SS...

[iffwalleyes]

You'll like them both and I bet that you won't notice a difference between the two.

[Tyler Holm]

Deadhead,

I just paid the standard price at Gander. It's not very often you find those Tica reels on sale, but if you fine one, let me know. I'd like to pick up a few more.

[DEADhead]

Ty, I ended up going with the gv500 again, reed's had them for $25. they had ss500s for $42. I haven't had any problems with the other gv500s I've had; I'll use the $17 difference to buy some holie angels or something