I bought the reel by itself, on sale right now for $60. Before I go any further, I would buy another one this moment if I had an extra $60 but my fishn funds are low at the moment.

 

The reel itself, very easy to service, no little clicker pins in the external drag disc like in the shimano curado. Entire clicker comes off as basically three washers and an assembly.

 

Inside, flooded with grease but I have seen worse. Not complex at all whats going on in there if you have ever seen the inside of baitcaster. Felt in the drag which I may upgrade someday. The cover to get to the levelwind pawl is held on by three tiny screws, not behind e-clips.

 

Overall, I am impressed with how this reel was built. The internals were all very highly polished, no need to do that yourself. Stripped out all their grease and oils. Greased the internals with purple cals and the bearings with hot sauce.

 

Dont even have a rod to fish it yet but like I said, quality to price, looks pretty good to me.

Would you say it is better built than the PQ since this line (Bionic) has been updated?

I have not had my PQ open yet. I just got one of those for christmas. I only flushed the bearings of it I didnt open the gear side. I opened the gear side on this one cause time is on my side, I dont have a rod for it yet.

 

So, I cant compare the internals, you really cant go wrong for the price. The PQ sideplate button is definitely a more solid system than on the bionic. They both have the dual brake system, I think the PQ has six centrifical where the bionic only has 4.

 

The PQ seems more solid but this reel having an aluminum frame, drilled spool, dual brakes is not far behind. When you can get them for $60 Ill buy them every chance I get.

Ahh thanks for the comment.  Not that I'll buy one anytime soon as I have a budget to get 3 more rods..not reels.  Maybe the next time they go on sale I'll give it a try.  I would be looking forward to hear some feedback though!

I should get to fish it when topwater starts being productive. That will be around may, Ill have a rod for it before then and might try it out. I rigged up my PQ for pitchn/flipn and I have only gotten to fish ONE brutal day so far so i didnt even have it out.

 

Ill give my thoughts on both since they are both new to me asap.