There is a Cabelas tournament zx baitcasting reel for $35 on craigslist near my area.  Im wondering if anyone knows anything about these reels.  Are they good or trash?  If its a good reel I might jump on it if its still available.

Pretty sure they are Daiwa reels as most Cabelas reels are and they are on Cabelas web sight for $39

Haha they are!  Forget that then.

there good, i have one, its pretty light, they do have foam handles, i don't  like those, but thats a personal preference, but overall a solid reel. casts far, reels smoothly. I've never gotten a backlash with it. i have braid on it right now and its held up fine. id say pick it up! just bring a rod with you, that way you can put it on the rod and see how it feels as a combo...

Maybe because they are on sale I might be able to talk the guy into knocking the price down

Pretty sure they are Daiwa reels as most Cabelas reels are and they are on Cabelas web sight for $39

not exactly.  the previous-generation prodigy casting reels (the battleship grey ones) were made for cabelas by daiwa and it says so right on the reel...it was basically a reworked daiwa advantage or tierra and were excellent reels.. the previous-generation prodigy spinning reel (greem with gold trim) and tournament ZX spinning reels (the white ones) were also of daiwa origin and are excellent reels. HOWEVER, none of the tournament ZX casting reels were ever made by daiwa.

 

btw, cabelas club members (of which i am a member) have been able to get the current tournament ZX casting reel for as low as $34.99 new. the externally adjustable centrifugal brakes and the characteristic hump around that dial cause me to believe it is of quantum origin.

Look at the reel your 100% right. Can't really tell who makes it

If you can push the budget closer to $100 for a bait cast reel, you'll get much better longevity and performance. About the only "store" brand I recommend regularly is the BPS Pro Qualifier.

You do not want this reel, not at any bargain price unless you mean to give it to somebody you really don't like at all.  This is an incompetent bass reel for several reasons with most important being the drag is junk.  It is sticky and it is weak but should be ok for sub 3lb fish.  This reel does not have externally adjustable centrifugal brakes, it is a magnetic system.  My comments are based on personal, hands on experience.  My oldest boy bought one new, didn't like it so I bought it from him for my youngest to use and at 11 yrs old even his experience level surpasses this reel.  He gave it back after 2 trips and took up with one of my old CU-200 Curado's instead.  It is very light and nifty looking but it's list of attributes pretty much end there.

 

I will probably give this ZX away when I find somebody who deserves it.

I don't need the reel so ill probably just stay away from it. 

You do not want this reel, not at any bargain price unless you mean to give it to somebody you really don't like at all. This is an incompetent bass reel for several reasons with most important being the drag is junk. It is sticky and it is weak but should be ok for sub 3lb fish. This reel does not have externally adjustable centrifugal brakes, it is a magnetic system. My comments are based on personal, hands on experience. My oldest boy bought one new, didn't like it so I bought it from him for my youngest to use and at 11 yrs old even his experience level surpasses this reel. He gave it back after 2 trips and took up with one of my old CU-200 Curado's instead. It is very light and nifty looking but it's list of attributes pretty much end there.

I will probably give this ZX away when I find somebody who deserves it.

From reading your first and last sentences, what kind of a person according to you would it take to deserve it? LOL.

Somebody that I don't like, somebody who deserves the problems that will come with it.   Somebody like Barack Obama.

 

It is 100% useable reel but that sub-par drag will cost you fish.  The handle grips are really irritating and your thumb rests too close to the spool on the cast, both things that you could probably get used to.  

 Somebody like Barack Obama.

That made me chuckle. 

 

I would also SECOND DVP's recommendation, the BPS Pro Qualifier is awesome and when they go on sale at 79.99 even freaking better. 

I've never used the BPS Pro Qualifier but I really like the $99.99 Lews Speed Spools.