casts_by_fly Posted March 7 Share Posted March 7 Hi All, I searched this forum but didn't see a concise review and comparison on this reel (lots of spread out info) so I thought I'd start one. I just picked up a barely (if at all) used one from the classifieds here to dip my toe in the BFS arena. I have a 6'6" Lamiglas that I built 15 years ago that is more or less a ML/MF rated for 1/8-1/2 oz. The year before last I tried my best with a Revo SX and this rod to throw really light neds and equivalent but it end up more of a chore than pleasure. I hate fishing a spinning rod for bass since it takes up a slot in the kayak that can't be used for anything else. So this year, when I think I might want to throw a small finesse jig/worm I'll throw this rod in which can double duty as a 3/8 oz crankbait rod and lighter. I put some trilene sensation 8 lb (0.010 diameter) on for trial purposes now. It will ultimately get 10 lb 832 braid when it arrives. Now for the reel: It looks fine on the outside. It is black gloss plastic and comparable to a lot of other reels in the sub $75 price bracket. Tolerances on things like the reel handles, drag knob, and spool release button are a little loose. The drag star can move 5-10 degrees without engaging the actual drag stack below it. It's a $70 retail reel, so some level of fit and finish like that is expected. The inside is very plastic. Basically everything that is a 'housing' type part is plastic. Some look 3D printed, but I suspect its just the type of molding. I have no problem with engineered plastics in reels, but this doesn't seem that based on my experience in molding plastic parts for similar sized widgets. Only time will tell how it holds up and since this will be a 4 lb test reel for most of the time I can't imagine I'll be putting that much force on the reel to break it inside. Casting is pretty smooth. On receipt, I did a rough clean on the moving parts I could access through the side plate (not the handle side) and took of excess grease and relubed with light oil. I'll do that again in a couple days after the oil has distributed internally. The spool definitely doesn't spin as freely as lot of my other reels which will spin for 10-15 seconds with an empty spool. That said, the light weight of the spool means it doesn't take much to get it going in the first place. This is a constant comparison with centerpin reels- startup inertia vs continuous momentum. In this case, I'll let the casting do the talking and if it meets my needs so be it. My goal was to get down to the smaller end of Ned type rigs, so 1/20 head and a TRD ticklerz or TRD bugz, both around 0.1 oz for a total weight of just over 1/8 oz. If I could go lighter then great, but that would be pushing the rod's limits I think. If I couldn't get that far but could at least fish a standard finesse TRD on a 1/20 (about 3/16 oz total weight) then that would still expand my finesse sphere. I started with a ned on a 1/15 because I had one rigged and it pitched well inside the house. I tied on just a 1/8 oz weight and made for outside. After dialing in for wind, I was getting a good 20-25 yards with a light sidearm cast and plenty of accuracy so well on the right path. Back inside, I tied on a bobby garland crappie shad on a 1/16oz head (just over 5/64 oz total weight) and started pitching it around the room. It is okay up to about 20', but that's about it. I'll be able to use it for pitching close docks for spring crappie, but not much more. It might overhead lob a little better. Either way it will save me carrying a spinning rod for a couple trips. Overall, I'm pretty confident this setup will fish a 1/20 TRD ned well enough and might just work fine for some smaller stuff. Reeling is just okay. Its pretty geary and plasticy. I suspect the gear train is largely plastic based on the rest of the reel. Some grease might help it, but again, this is a dip my toes purchase. If I find that I like it and want to fish it more, I'll do a teardown and clean/lube. If I find a really like it, then I probably just grab a shimano BFS reel. As I get some time on the water with this reel, I'll update this thread so there is a complete impression. thanks, rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ska4fun Posted March 7 Share Posted March 7 I had one between 2021 and 2022. Casts like hell, somewhat under braked, plastic frame... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted March 13 Author Share Posted March 13 Hi all, Just a minor update. I got in the 10 lb 832 today and swapped the line over. Not sure if its because its new braid or why, but it does not come off the spool nearly as well as the 8 lb monofilament. The little crappy jig (5/64 total weight) isn't easily pitchable anymore. I've taken out all spool tension and magnets. I can still get 20' but you have to work hard. You have to let the lure start dropping and the spool rotating before you start the rod action. A more sidearm pitch seems to help as you can get a little more swing and lure speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
detroit1 Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 Yikes. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tatulatard Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 The main gear is likely aluminum and lacking grease. I'm sure the clutch parts are plastic though. That's the way my little piscifun carbon x is. I had the same issue with small diameter 832 in the past. The stuff will stick to itself like velcro and slow line coming off the spool. Not noticeable with normal sized baits but I definitely noticed it with little crappie baits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PressuredFishing Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 On 3/7/2023 at 11:52 AM, casts_by_fly said: Reeling is just okay. Its pretty geary and plasticy. I Yeah sadly KK reels are like that, NY one crixus I have fished to a bloody pulp feels more geary than a zebco 33, but the one thing KK does really good is build a cheap reel with good features. I don't think you can find a 14g deep spool reel that isn't cdm for 40 bucks on their seasonal sales, and is pretty light. I own a krestel elite bfs, UT is also beco.ing more geary but the 5.9g spool is fun... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted March 14 Author Share Posted March 14 Like I said at the start, this rod is more for me to fish a Ned or similar finesse type bait that isn’t necessarily true bfs so it’s not the biggest deal with the crappie jig. Also, I was able to cast the crappie jig sidearm so if I really want to fish it I can. It’s only about twice a year that I would do that anyway. I also imagine that a little bit of use plus maybe some kvs l&l would soften it up just a little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lead Head Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 832 is a little tacky when new (not anywhere close to as bad as PP) and the light spool and lure make it way more noticeable than it normally is with more traditional bass tackle. It will get better with use as the coating wears off. You could try stripping some line off and reeling it back on through a wet cloth to try and speed up the process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted March 14 Author Share Posted March 14 1 hour ago, Lead Head said: 832 is a little tacky when new (not anywhere close to as bad as PP) and the light spool and lure make it way more noticeable than it normally is with more traditional bass tackle. It will get better with use as the coating wears off. You could try stripping some line off and reeling it back on through a wet cloth to try and speed up the process. yeah, that’s what I was thinking. I use 30 and 50 lb 832 for other things. Brand new it’s even a little stiff and wiry, but my 30 lb is nicely broken in and super soft. I figure this 10 lb should break in quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lead Head Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 I recently jumped into semi-bfs just like you. My bottom end weight is a 1/16oz jig with a TRD. I grabbed a couple of the cheapo (under $20 shipped) Chinese bfs spools off the express site. One for a Fuego CT, and one 34mm for a Steez 100. They are heavy for bfs spools (I think around 11g) and have actual SV breaking instead of the typical fixed inductor you see on most Daiwa bfs spools. Both have served me well so far, allowing me to cast both the 1/16oz ned and a 1/16oz chatterbait mini with more distance and accuracy than I had with a ML spinning setup. The rods are a MHX mb842 (1/8-1/2oz, fast) and a NFC delta ds6107 (1/8-3/8oz, extra-fast). I will mention that upgraded spool bearings made a noticeable difference for me. I suggest a unlubed hybrid bearing. I have no idea what is in your zephyr but some decent unlubed hybrid spool bearings may help with spool start-up. (I went cheap on this as well, ordering $3 hybrids from the express site. Of the 10 I ordered, 3 would barely free-spin but the rest performed similar to boca hybrids I have purchased in the past. I can't speak to longevity yet.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User WIGuide Posted March 14 Super User Share Posted March 14 If the 832 doesn't break in enough, you could take a look at some Suffix Nanobraid. I haven't used it on a baitcaster before, but I've been really impressed with it on spinning gear and gained noticeable casting distance after switching to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.