zebco Z03

[Timbaux65]

Greetings again. I am tim the deaf fisherman from new orleans. I had to drop my old address and have a new sign in name.

I recently began to purchase equipment that was ruined in katrina.

I did get two Master brand Crappie Grabber telescopic poles which I feel are the best. I do like the old bream master.

I recently bought a daiwa millionaire..the old round style since th saltwater ate up my old procaster.

Now I am going to by a new spin cast. I was thinking a Zebco 33 but the Z03 caught my attention. It is very expensive for a spincast..but the guy at Academy says they are impressive.

Does anyone on here have one?

[cal okeefe]

ive allways been a shimano ultra light man but the last couple  reels i have purchased have been mitchell avocets.. ive been real pleased with them and they have held up well for 2 seasons of fishing.. and they only cost 30 dollars..

[Dwayne Denison]

I am a big spincast fan. I have many 33's, great reels. I like the older 33's over the new ones, unless you get platium series. I have heard great things about the z03, but I do not own one. But I plan to purchase one soon.

[jason grimm]

when i was a baby zebco was the 1, but now its all about the abu garcia cardinal 101 series for around 35 bucks at walmart, and havent gone wrong with them and will never fish any other reel for sunfish. dont get me wrong i think zebco is cool, just not for me.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

When it comes to high dollar spincast reels, I confess to knowing little. I go for the vintage stuff.

Among these, I like the Daiwa's, specifically the older "G" series. These were top shelf. I've never been a big fan of the Zebco's, myself, primarily because of the spool impingement drag system they use. I want a star-type, shaft friction drag.

I'll also cast a vote for the Johnson spincasters, specifically the Century series. Both the newer ones, like the 2000, and the older 100 series are good. I also enjoy their value models from the 70's and 80's like the Country Mile, Crappie Pro and any with the large, line exit openings. They really had a good thing going.

If you really want a heavy duty, monster spincast reel , Shakespeare's "Titan" is a winner.

None of this stuff is top shelf and you must look for them used - you will not find them at WalMart. But they all work, and work well.

[Timbaux65]

I had ONE Johnson spincast reel, long ago, it was green with a white button. I loved that reel. It stayed at my grandmother's in Mississippi. One day i went up there and it was gone. Darn it. I loved that thing.

I am going to spring for the Z03 and probly use it wednesday or thursday.

I do love the ultralight Shimano reels, but i have an old kmart rod for spin cast that i am trying to get the reel for and get some use out of it.

will let yall know how it goes

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Green Johnson with white button was most likely a Century 100 series. Good old reel.

[Lord of the Fly , Rods]

I'm glad to hear say good things about the old Johnson century, I recieved one as a graduation present in high school, I put it on a shelf as a spare because I had just purchased a Heddon 180 reel, so when my Heddon finally gives out I'll give that Johnson I put on the shelf 38 years ago a real work out and let you know what I think about it.    LOFR

[Timbaux65]

Excellent reels. I have a problem with my right hand..have had several surgeries and trying to find something as friction free as possible. Hopin th Z03 works. I love the old johnson though.

[John Sheehan]

Johnson Country Mile .

[Vic Tankersley]

I have a buddy which bought new Zebco 33's and they were junk. Not made in America. I bought my little girl a new ABU Garcia 276 spincast also made in CHINA. Seems to be a lot better reel for about the same money..It seems that our American companies have a problem with keeping our craftmanship and also the Quality here in America. Most every reel on the market is made in CHINA..Can Greed for the cheaper labor and more profit keep america from collapseing one day. I don't think so............Try to buy Quality..Just about impossible now days..I too think Johnson is still made here and are great little reels

[dick tabbert]

Johnson Century reel is what I grew up with that was many reels ago. For the money they were nice reel I think made in Japan. I'm sure it's made in China now and I don't expect the quality is near the quality when in was made in Japan. I don't know if there is a reel made in the USA I don't know of any. Now I use Pfluger reels. They again are not made in the US but I've been happy with the one's I own. I think I must have a dozen and I do have others but always end up using the Plugers. I really can't say much about the 33's cause I haven't use one for so long but I did buy the grand kids all a Zebco Synergy's. No serious problem other than new line. They seem to like them we have had them for about 6 years. All I do is oil and new line yearly. Hope I didn't confuse you if this will help that is the purpose in mind. There are many to choose from I would go to the sporting goods store take them off the rack turn the handles to see how smooth they are. Don't stop there pull the drag and see how smooth it pulls off. Have fun and GOOD FISHIN..

[Timbaux65]

I am with yall on the Made In China stuff. I really was disappointed with the last shakespeare reel i bought and gave it to someone i knew couldnt afford a new pole.

Supposedly, the rear cap of the zebco Z03 is made in china only. I dont think that is the case.. maybe they did sub that part of the reel out, but I bought the Z03 last night./

I finished my work for the day and heading out to the water,, will give yall a report on it.