Underspin reels

[Dwayne Denison]

Does anyone use the trigger underspin type reels. I am a little odd, I can throw a bait cast reel all day, with no problems, but me and spin cast reels don't get along. I have a couple of the small zebco 11 undercast reels, and dont care for them at all. The drag is terrible. Any suggestions on which is best? I have heard good things about the Abu Garcia. Thanks Dwayne

[JBplusThuy]

FWIW, I've never seen an underspin reel where most of the reviewers didn't say it was no good. They look interesting, but one thing they seem to have in common with spincast reels (which I like) is that nobody is making a quality reel in that market sector. You can buy great spinning and baitcast reels, but apparently underspin and spincast are too much of a niche these days to get any vendor to put the money into a high-quality reel.  I think they are seen as pretty much a beginner's reel and as such, won't support a high price point.

[Dwayne Denison]

Jonathan, thanks for the input. That is what I am finding. Everyone I try has a terrible drag system.

[Jeff Soto]

Since you mentioned small  Zebco reels, one of the outfits I fish for panfish with is (don't tell anyone) a little ultralight Zebco Legacy 11L spincast reel on a Shakespeare 5 foot Ugly Stik baitcasting rod that's rated for 2 - 6 lb line.  I love this little outfit, even though I bought it for one of my grandkids.  I use it quite a bit when the kids don't go with me.  The little Zebco "push button" reel has an amazingly smooth drag.  The only problem is that the rod has a pistol grip handle and won't fit down into the rod holders on my float tube.  Going to have to figure something out to fit the handle.  This little outfit is actually very fun to use.  Might get laughed off the lake, but who cares...

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Ive only tried but one of these underspins, myself. It wa s Zebco and I liked it a lot. I do recall that it was wound with very light line, and I believe that makes a difference. I know a few fishermen who swear by them, and they do alright.

 

[Steve Fleckenstein]

I have a couple underspin reels that I use mostly for ice fishing.I also have a couple UL pushbutton reels(Daiwa,Shakespeare) and I love them.I have 2 4'-6" UL Uglystiks that I use them on.They have a straight handle not pistol grip.

[dick tabbert]

I do have a few Pflueger underspin reels. They are very smooth running reels but compared to my Pflueger spinning reel which I use 99% of the time the line pickup seems to be quite a bit slower. Because I don't use them much I find myself having a hard time getting use to them having to reel faster. But if you are use to them type's of reels go to one of the sporting goods stores and turn the crank and see for yourself just how smooth they are. Hope this helps you and GOOD FISHIN..

[charlie flanders]

I love underspins because they only need one hand to cast. That means I can be grabbing my other rod at the same time.

I find the trick to a smooth reel is to clean all the factory grease out of it and then use some quality reel lubricant. I own two Zebcos and two Shakespeare underspins

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

This is something I end up doing to every reel I own - breaking it down and lubing it up. I don't really do it on purpose, not in that I have to. I just do.... mostly because I like to know how their innards work.

I use a special grease, a silicone based lubricant I get from work. For all the shafty, go-roundy parts that need a little drop of oil, I've got a light, silicone oil in a dropper. Both of these are intended for use on pharmaceutical equipment, so they are food grade rated and non-petro based.

But plain old automotive grease and 3-In-1 Oil works about as well. No need to buy special stuff, unless you want to.

[gene bethea]

I use the zebco 11; theyre cheap and you have to change the line often because of line twist; the drag is terrible, but I don't use a drag much anyway.  With fresh line, they cast very good; light, and easy to use.  4# is all I use on them. At least you don't have the "birdnest casts' i often have with the open face ultra-lite spin reels. Sometimes i let my line out behind the boat and let it untwist as i motor to another spot; that helps the "twisties"-p-

[Dwayne Denison]

Thanks for all the replies. Seems like they are all about the same. guess, I will regrease and reline,the ones I have.