[Walking Eagle]

Just for fun, what is the worst fishing reel and/or rod that you have ever owned?

I still remember that old Zebco 202 with nylon gears that my dad used to take catfishing. The sound it made whenever he had a fish on would raise the hair up on your head.

But outside of cheap Wal Mart stuff, I have heard more complaints about Quantum reels than anything else. Never owned one myself, but there seem to be a lot of unhappy owners out there.

The worst rod I ever had was an Eagle Claw pack rod that I bought to stick in my suitcase when I went on a trip. It broke in half on its first fish, and I was 1500 miles from home. When I got back I took it in and they gave me another one. That one broke on the first fish, too.

Regards, W. E.

 

[left_turn56]

That one broke on the first fish, too.


At least they are consistant!

 

[meandmydog]

any closed faced reel. i remember as a kid my uncle always handed me one of these i finally sold some baseball cards to get an open face reel.

 

[Guest]

zebco rhino open faced.......2 years 2 have gone out on me ....the little spring that brings the bail back broke both times ......or my plueger trion baitcaster....100bucks didnt even last a year

 

[Guest]

I think any zebco reels are the worst.

I have 2 Quantum reels(Each cost me $80 a reel).  No complaints.  Had it for 2 years.  It's smooth.  Caught everything from small fish to big fish.

*It will probably fall apart on the next use."  ;D

 

[kirbydog]

The Popeil Pocket Fisherman-remember that one?

 

[idratherbfishing]

The Zebco 202 or any other plastic closed faced reel.

Dan

 

[afishman]

yeah it has to be the closed face reels.

 

[hammer]

I've had an Eagle Claw pack rod for 7 years and it's great.
Their rods are sourced in China so you may get a few that are bad, but Eagle Claw stands by their product and will replace it. Their new Essentials fly rods are awesome.
I've had good luck with Quantum baitcasters and Shimano spinning reels.

 

[Guest]

Bass Pro Shops brand baitcast reel. Disintegrated 1st time I used it. What a piece of junk!

 

[Walking Eagle]

The Popeil Pocket Fisherman-remember that one?

Dang, you must be almost as old as me.

 

[work2fish]

Any reel with a cartoon character on it, or which is designed to look like a cartoon character. Parents are better off buying their kids a grown up setup right off the bat, IMO...

 

[McFish]

I have had very bad luck with Daiwa baitcasters.

 

[roadkill]

i always seam to loan out my worst reel cause they always come back busted

 

[Zias]

Any reel with a cartoon character on it, or which is designed to look like a cartoon character.  Parents are better off buying your kids a grown up setup right off the bat, IMO...

You are right, they are crap, but some of em do work out good

My son's Scooby Doo pole has caught a ton of fish!  Heck, I take it out with me when I want to fish 2 poles and he isn't with me.   ;D  I just hook up a worm and let it sit.

We bought it for $20 and it has more than paid for itself.  

Now, his tigger the tiger pole, even that wasn't too bad.  He caught a 19" LM on it at the very beginning of the year.  
.  

 

[Zias]

My worst reel is/was an Abu Garcia MX120F spinning reel.

That thing would birds nest like no reel I have ever seen.

[Best informercial voice I can muster] If you are into puzzles and brainteasers, this is the reel for you. You will spend hours of fun and excitement untangling and cussing. That's right folks, the Abu Garcia MX120F, if you liked the rubics cube, you're gonna love this. [/Best informercial voice I can muster]

 

[Guest]

Any reel with a cartoon character on it, or which is designed to look like a cartoon character.  Parents are better off buying their kids a grown up setup right off the bat, IMO...

Not the best bang for your bucks.

I have an ugly stick ice rod hooked up with a shimano for my son.  The distance that it gets is amazing....

 

[1eyered]

I have heard more complaints about Quantum reels than anything else. Never owned one myself, but there seem to be a lot of unhappy owners out there.

Regards, W. E.

Quantum has their good reels and their bad reels. I once bought an ultra light 5' rod/reel combo from (you guessed it) Wal-Mart and didn't like it too much. I just couldn't pass up the $16.99 deal for the combo. Caught many-a-fish with it, but as time went by, (roughly a few weeks of heavy fishing) I noticed that the spool had grooves and burrs from the line. I then concluded that the metal they use for the spools is a soft metal. The rod broke on me too. That Quantum rod didn't break from catching a fish, it broke from casting!!

By the 2nd time I had to take advantage of the warranty, I decided to try other cheap rods. The other cheap rod/reel combos (like my current Berkley Cherrywood/Shimano 2000 series) did me way better. BTW, I made that combo myself. Cheapo $17 rod with $25 reel + $1.50 ceramic tip guide makes for a good bang for your buck. But there's nothing like my complete ol' Shimano combos.

1eyeReD

 

[roadkill]

i been using a "micro spin" combo from wally world $20 for the combo. the line roller on the reel wore a grove reel quick and i have to polish it often or it tears up the line quick especialy the 2-4 # string i like but they have been good combos to loan to folks i take that dont have there own gear

 

[farmer ted]

I'd have to agree that any zebco plastic closed face thing is a piece of junk and I also agree with the kiddie stuff...just get 'em a real fishing outfit.

I've always been a little skeptical about quantum stuff...after all it's made by zebco and I just can't get the zebco predjudice out of my head. My dad uses them though and really likes them.