Reels, deals and headaches!!!

[SWIM JIG]

cool-thumb jump jump USA Well its been a rather unusal past 9 days, I have been playing hooky , looking at reels, runing the repair route, chasing parts and going to the Baumler tackle Show! To start with,I just had to look at these Shiamano Computor reels without a crowd around like last august! Sat we ran the repair route from Amherst to Monroe Mich. A nice day around 48 degrees! We headed for Toledo , my one dealer had some reels he wanted to sell or trade to me, yikes 74 of them, also several rods and tackle boxes, I dont do lures so Mike wohlever will have to take the suburban to pick them up 77 filled tackle boxes! Ok so up to Point Place, picked up more reels, then to Monroe Mich 3 dealers at shopes there! then for a trip over to Cabelas,in DUNDEE, very few cars in the lot , around 11 am and only about 70 people in the store including the help! Yes guys, those 2 big bronze Bears are still out front in a fighting position so we didnt bother them! Got into the doors and was swamped by sales folks! YIKES! I said I want to see the Shiamano Computor reel! they had 3 modles in stock, ( Ok that nice computor item is in , you guesed it the spool on the left side! and the spool has loads of holes in it Like a Langly reel!, You can see the nice computor wires and all! Now thats a BLAST! and they are only $499.99 plus tax! All that nice wet line drops water into that nice computor! HMMMNNN! I mention there is a one year warrenty, how nice! Lets say you buy the reel in july , fish it and set it up in the winter months( note Phil fishes all year long in his back yard!) ok the reel sets all winter you use again in the next summer, and bingo the computor goes out in sept, a few days after you warenty goes out in August! You are OUT! NUTS! well I guess it will still cast ok just wont have the computor working! I did mention they also have a left hand model! People draw your own conclusion, after tax its over $500.00 ! nuf said. Sunday we did the Baumler tackle Show, picked up some cataloges! YIKES! Penn last year was 115 pages , this year its all of 27 pages!) and a lot of modles are now droped! Some of the Mfg. reps had left early, deals were not as nice as last year, and not as much new things for 2006! so much for last week, as for March? I will be going to Tulsa to the ZEBCO Plant 3 very long days of new training us repair people plus we get to see all the new items ZEBCO HAS! I am going to drive as I want to FILL THE VAN! Your Ohio Conection On Lake Erie Playing HOOKY! Col. Milton Lorens aka SWIM JIG

[Reel Geezer]

Milt: I don't know what wires you were seeing in that Shimano reel, but the computer processor is a sealed unit in the backplate. There are no wires. I'll have one at Lake George for you to look at all you wish, and you can even cast with it if you want.

I have read discussions on other message boards questioning the longevity and stability of the processor and have yet to read of the failure of a single one of those reels. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but its been out for 3 years now and there are no reported problems.

Yep, those reels do list for $500, but careful viewing of the eBay "flea market" as you call it, allowed me to buy one for $350 last Spring. And yes, it was new in the box. I just love that giant on-line flea market.

Incidentally, Milt. We have a little tackle shop in an old grocery store here in little ole Nampa, Idaho and the owner told me that he sold 14 of those Shimanos last year. And his do sell for $495 + 5% Idaho sales tax.

[Dan Basore]

Returned from my latest trip to Brazil fishing for those fantastic Peacock Bass. Looking back it probably wasn't the smartest thing to have packed 2 of those Shimano Computer reels, 2 Stellas and several other high end Shimanos in that bag but as most of you know you can't carry on reels with line.

They made it to Miami where we went through Customs and then checked our bags on American Airlines. But at Chicago all bags but the Shimano didn't arrive. Had to wait in a long line, fill out the form etc. with little hope I would ever see them again.

Found out the limit of their liability is $2,800. Kept calling to check in and 2 days later they found it and delivered the bag. What a relief but I wonder where it traveled to?

[Ron Mc]

Dan, you forgot to add whether the reel computers survived their Amazon weathering and airline shock tests.

[SWIM JIG]

cool-thumb jump jump yay-banana jump Canadian USA Phil, the reels we saw a played with are the (CALCUTTA TE DC tm ( CTE 201DC, CTE 100Dc, CTE 200DC, and CTE 250DC) the CTE201Dc is the left hand modle, if you look thru the spool on the tail side ie oposite the handle you will see that fantastic little item that has the wires and coil and other minute items, IT CAN GET WET!they list for $499.99) look at cataloge Shimano 2006 page 79! it is 151 pages of reels etc! (NOW as DAN gets all over the World as a field testor for shimano, he most likly can give us a (run down) on the reels!, I still say the one year warrenty is not enough for a complicated reel this expensive) To me its expensive! I have to fix a lot of reels to earn $500.00 with a short warrenty ! 3 years would make it more resonable for people that dont fish over a 100 days out of a year! This thing is a NEW TOY! Lets see how long they last in hard, average, and true fishing service! ( remeber I only see these reels when they need repair!) My thought will be! it must go back to Shiamno for repair, I know the Rod Makers Shop In Strongsville Ohio isnt working on them!( DAN, keep us informed on these reels as you do a lot of Salt water Fishing, Phill you cast a lot so your reel will get worked to its limits! if you people dont have any repair problems, then others will buy the reels! Also what line(brand and type and weight are you using on these reels? the rep at Cabelas couldnt teel us neither did the Rep at the Baumler anual sales show! If its decent it may be the FIRST and Last Reel anyone will need and then $500.00 would be a bargin! your curious repair man On Lake Erie Col. Milton lorens aka SWIM JIG NO ICE YET ! on the Lake!

[Reel Geezer]

Milt: first I know what the reel retails for - and Shimano is very picky about their dealers selling for true retail. However, I was just pointing out that the great flea market (as you call it) can provide you with one from $350 on up.

As I am electronically and mechanically challenged, but a research lover, I talked by email and forums to hundreds of owners of the Shimano DC before I bought mine. $350 is a lot for a reel for me. Of the hundred of reports I got I did not hear one negative about the reel. I'm sure there are reels that have failed - I just didn't find one by last Spring, and still haven't heard a negative thing about the reel.

Finally, I remember when you wrote the same type review in Forest & Stream back in 1910. You said that level wind thingy that Walter Marhoff had invented would never work. "Just look at that exposed worm gear. It will fill up with dirt and fail after the first trip." You reported that ole Bill Shakespeare would lose his shirt buying that patent. No one would ever be able to repair them.

[Harvey]

Good points, Geezer.
I remember reading Milt's assessment of Walt's, we on the inside called him 'Walt", Walt's reel. I also remember Bill hitting the ceiling worrying about sand, dirt etc. I also remember Bill asking Grandpa Howard to come up with some way to get the dirt out of the Level wind shaft.

Thus this brush:



I was down to Bass Pro Shoppes last night buying some shorts getting ready for Lake George (You do wear shorts in upstate New Youk, don't you Jim?) and was looking at the Shimano Computeized reels because of this post. They are neat. I didn't ask any questions because the kids that work there would probably know as much about them as I do. I would think that they would be very reliable or they wouldn't sell them.
Keep fishing yours, Geez, and keep complaining, Milt, and maybe someday, we will know the answer for sure.
"H"

[SWIM JIG]

jump jump USA Ok I made a mistake! the computor is on the tail plate left on the right hand modles! may have been a reflection or my eyes are going bad! I still say a one year warrenty is too short on a high priced reel , 3years or 2 years would be a fair time for average users! Phil, you would know what they can be bought for, as you say on the (FLEA MARKET) they are less! I will be (CHEAP) and use a store demo this summer, strung with POWER PRO 40 lb at 10lb diamintor! ( Phil, what distance are you geting on your reel? aprox! 200 yrds? 150 yrds?) and does the weight of the lure make a differance or can you use any weight? We need a expert user answeres on this! And what is the best rod to match up with one of these reels? your answere will be taken serious as you are not in the business of selling reels! you ar a user of reels!) I thought that artical I did in forest and stream was 1908? hmmmnnn! YUP! that level wind thing still has problems! It would have been nice if they had a wash person washing out and oiling that level wind thing , like folks have gun bearers when hunting tigers etc! also a self oiler would be nice with a small pump squrting a few drops of oil on the (WORM) with each cast!) darn when you think about it reels havent made many advancements from the first level wind with exception to the materials used! Harvy , as for shorts at Lake George, I hear the Moskitoes are larger and have (Nancy Numbers) and running lights on them required by the FAA! Well the temp will be in the high 50s tomoro so I am am Going fishing! The Salmon are runing in the Vermilion river and The Huron River! I have been tieing spawn sacs and riging the rods! Your Ohio conection On a ICE FREE LAKE ERIE Col. Milton Lorens aka SWIM JIG

[Reel Geezer]

Geeze Milt, there you are in the snow belt and you're going fishing. Here I am in the banana belt of Idaho and it is supposed to snow 6-12" today. Marilyn has gone to a Winter Carnival with her lady friends up in the mountains where it is supposed to snow 18-24".

I have my DC reel mounted on a MH 7' graphite rod with 40 lb PP. I use it mainly for fishing frogs and toads from May-Sep. I have never tried to cast it with lighter line and a rod that will truly load up a 5/8 oz casting plug to see how far it will cast. With a practice plug on my fishing rod it will cast about 10 yards further than most of my other reels/rods. I have thrown it about 60 yards on the average. In testing in Japan they can throw about 100 yards with an out of the box reel. I don't own a rod capable of that type of casting. The reels can be adjusted to cast just about any size weight from 1/4 oz on up. Dan can probably tell you more about distance with his DCs, as he's undoubtedly had more experience.

These reels would make a great crankbait reel, but we have too much brush here on Lake Lowell for me to want to fish crankbaits. I enjoy getting in the heavy junk and fishing weedless baits. I actually prefer the Japanese market Conquest 50 reel over the 100 DC (they are the same design) because it is smaller and lighter.

[SWIM JIG]

jump jump Canadian USA , Phil thats about as honest as we can get! your actual use of the reel! If those wanting to see the reel and others they can go to (www.shimano.com) and then go to fishing and bring up reels and go to page 76! It shaows and explains the compleate working of the reel! I admit this program loads a bit slow, however its worth reading! Phil I see you ae using the Power Pro 40lb with a 10lb diamiter , Is it posible a different line could make some differance? however to date I havent found a easier casting line than (Power Pro tm.) Seemas as if they have droped the (Conquest reels from the 2006 line up) That means a hopfuly a price drop for new last years modle? Phil, I havenot worked a Digital reel of my own, did play around with it last yera at cabelas in Dun Dee Mich in Augest, I donot remember the rod it was on , I do know it was strung with a (PLASTIC) line as I call it, My best cast was 118 yrds, as It was new to me! I have to admit , I thought it would backlash! not so! it worked ok just that its a bit out of my price range! My thoughts are in a few years the novilty will wear off, then as Phil Has found , the price will be lower, as for me? I will work all three sizes this year as store demos, I am also a skeptic as to how much preasure the spool will take, that spool still reminds me of the older Langly spools ie the 340s etc! Thanks Phil for your honest test resualts and yes lets hope Dan will provide us with his findings! This is what ORCA is about! Honesty to help others! Phil , I feel bad about your weqather, this season reminds me of the winter orv1982 -1983! its a duplication! I am off fishing in a few hours at 54 degree temps! Your ohio conection On a ICE LESS Lake Erie Col. Milton Lorens aka SWIM JIG

[Reel Geezer]

Milt: Just to string this out a little longer - Conquest reels are not available in the US catalog. They are a Japanese only reel - and upgrade of the Calcutta TE. They are available on eBay through Japanese dealers and/or eBay sellers who have connections in Japan. I have purchased Japanese models from both dealers in Japan and US sellers and have had no problems. Here is a page showing the Conquest, and lots of other Japanese domestic models of Shimano and Daiwa reels not available in the US.

http://www.japantackle.com/Shimano/Shimano_Conquest.htm

To explain further: The Japanese almost always release improvements in their reels to the Japanese market first. Most of the reels we have available here in the US are not as refined as the Japanese reels. The Japanese version of the Curado (Scorpion 1000) has an external adjustment of the brakes as well as internal. Who knows when we'll see that here on our US reels?

[el Lawrence]

Ok I think I missed it in all that banter but WHAT does the computer do? I don't need to figure out my taxes while fishing so...

Geez! You mean ya'll hunt without gun bearers? I guess things have gotten pretty sparse/rough outside of Texas... Next you will be saying there isn't BBQ and cocktails in the blinds...

[SWIM JIG]

cool-thumb jump jump USA Taxes? what taxes? the computor as I understand it controls the over run to eliminate back lashes ( that is what Bill Peters told me at his house last summer, So you can go fishing with your on board computor, just take the TAX MAN WITH YOU! The Gun Bearers make too much noise , they eat and drink to much, so leave them HOME! As for BBQs? and Coctails? we still have Cock Tails when I shoot those nice birds called phesents! we use the (Cock Tails) to make flies to catch fish with, hmmmnnn! I hope thats what you meant? As for BBQs? We have them when we have a rib burn off after we filet those 18 lb Walleyes, the closer to the bone the more tender the meat! Once in a while we Smoke the ribs with good old maple wood! HMN UM GOOD! You Know EL, I thought I had been in every county in Kentucky , must have Missed TEXAS!? Is it near BELL COUNTY near Claiborne County TENN? that small sliver of land we need two sets of hunnting and fishing tags for as a 4oz blue gill laps over that county Ha Ha HO! You thinks things is big in TEXAS? heck we got Moskitoes in Ohio that the FAA requires to have NANCY #s on their tails! Yup, I got my oldest kid living in TEXAS, in Clifton TX, and she and the boys fish Whittly lake or Tank as You Texans calls those ponds! Your Ohio Conection on Lake Erie at 57 degrees today, You gota belive in somthing I belive I will go Fishing today! Col. Milton lorens aka SWIM JIG

[el Lawrence]

Thought your thumb was suppose to do that (stop overrun and controll backlash) the computer doesn't get in the way? Be my luck the computer would need to be re-booted about the time I got a big one on... then I would be fighting with that when I should be fighting the fish.

Don't know but I would put some of these Blackbuck antelope backstraps up against any cut of walleye and give you a run for your money (though redfish on the half-shell aint too shabby either). I think a few of the folks sampled some Hill Country Axis Deer off the grill at Tom's at the Columbia lakes 05 convention too.
Of course any good wild fish or game is hard to beat...best organic grown going!

[Reel Geezer]

El: The computer allows the spool to spin at greater RPM than do magnetic or centrifugal brakes which are on all modern baitcasters, thus increasing the distance you can cast (if casting great distances means anything to you). It really means nothing to me. I purchased one to those reels to try it out. And it has been very interesting - mostly the comments on this message board. And I have found it to be a fine, high quality reel.

However, as I pointed out above, I remember all the other geezers saying the same things you said about some old mechanism called a level wind. Next thing you know you Texans will be serving wine in your boats.

I will have two other baitcasting reels that used computer chips in them before the turn of this century on display at Lake George. This one solves the problem those reels had in that it is slick looking and needs no batterys. The spinning spool charges the chip. Like it or not, there will be more reels using this type of technology in the future.

Incidentally, El, I'm pretty sure I saw one of these reels in Texas Tom's display at Columbia Lakes...

And Idaho elk, bighorn sheep, or fat mule deer do pretty well on the grill. The Rubber Reel Lady and I fed ourselves and kids on fish and game for over 20 years. Bear and Mt. Goat weren't too good, and I really didn't care for antelope.

I guess when started I can ramble almost as much as Milt...

[Tom E.]

You guys bring back some great memories. The bass and crappie have really turned on down here. Phil, you are right, I do have one of Shimano's computer chip DC reels. It is very impressive throwing a light lure or plastic worm into a 10-20 mph wind. Better than anything I've fished with. Plus, the little "whir" emitted by the computer chip is pretty neat.

I'll volunteer to be the judge in the taste test.

Tom

[clinton_beeler]

Hi Milt,

When are you going to be in Tulsa and how many of you are coming?

Wanna see some reels? I'll tell father you're coming.

Regards,
Clinton

[SWIM JIG]

cool-thumb jump jump yay-banana jump USA Clinton, I am driving to Tulsa, the Warrenty school starts 1 march a WED. at 7:45 am your time! and goes thru Friday march 3rd. at 2:30 pm your time! I certainly will except that (REEL visit) yes I want to see some reels, I am most hungry to see the proto types you and your dad have! I may want to get your advise as to what motel is closest to the center? Naturaly I am going to BUG Mark about the FIN NOR situation, cant wait to see the new larger cans of HOT SAUCE and the clear Sauce! I will be getting a lot of up to date parts so we can work on the 2006-08 reels! I am going to call Carol in the morning and advise her for certain of my arivial! Also I need your expert advise on the best food in the resturants, generaly the lessor known ones have the best food! This is going to be a most enjoyable trip as I have been with ZEBCO as a Warrenty center from 1995, never had time to go to the Factory! I will have my cameras and want to talk reels with you and your DAD! As far as I know I will be by myself as I like to take my time! most of the others are flying in! See you march first! snow or no snow! Your ohio Conection On lake Erie at 54 degres today Col. M. Lorens aka SWIM JIG

[Reel Geezer]

Tom: Your comment on the whirrrrrrr is interesting. Many people have mentioned it to me, but my old ears are unable to detect the sound.

However, I've been in the boat a couple of times with only Bert the Boykin along and have turned and asked "Eh? What's that you said?" after making a cast with mine. Maybe that's why. I thought it was just senility.

[el Lawrence]

Just an aside... Wine usually only served in canoes and kayaks, beer and other spirits sometimes on boats (with designated drivers).

Blackbuck antelope don't taste like pronghorn antelope... whole diffrent animal. Same as Aaoudad don't taste like bighorn or mountain goat as they are not really either but a class unto itself. Blackbuck and Aaoudad both have meat that is worth the effort if you ever get the chance!

I am wondering what sort of great regional fare Lake George has to offer...

OH AND my reel news showed up yesterday... will savor that later tonight.

[clinton_beeler]

Hi Milt,

Hope you like fishing reels! Be sure to have father show you the R.D. Hull museum at Zebco. I have fridays off so if you like we can wander over to the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks. I hear that's where Kurt White's collection is.

If you'd like to see something really cool I'll set up an appointment with the Tulsa Historical Society so you can look at (and probably handle) the 'beer can reel' (first prototype of the spincast reel) and the famed 'Folgers Coffee Can Lid'. They also have R.D.'s Lashmaster and I don't know what else. I have been meaning to go by there so this is an excellent excuse.

I've got this one prototype that I took to nationals and nobody can figure out how to get the back cover off.

By the way, I just found out that sometime between 1974 and 1977 ABU was almost sold to Zebco.

Regards,
Clinton

[clinton_beeler]

Blackbuck antelope? I hear that tasts like giant sea otter.

[SWIM JIG]

cool-thumb jump jump jump USA Clinton , the closing is 2:30pm friday march third! natuarly I will see if my parts order etc is ready to load in the Windstar, I will bring a few of my CLUNCKS for you to look at! Yes I would like to see a take a pic of the famous coffee can reel! thanks, also A tour of Whites museum will be a nice look see, This is one business trip thats sound as if it will be a lot of fun! I am going to stay Friday night then leave for the east! a rather nice 2 or 3 day trip as I am not in a hury! I will stop at Dixie gun works in TENN, then wander over and vist with the kids in TENN and KY, then point the Windstar North back to Lake ERIE! I cannot thank you enough for setting up the visits! I would Like to Know what motel is near the ZEBCO Plant? they list Comfot Inn on archer street, Super 8 tulsa air port (I-224 exit sheridan road, Hilton Garden Inn tulsa Airpror 7728 E Virgin CT. and Radison Inn Tulsa airport 2201 N77th E ave. As I am driving I want close to the ZEBCO factory on 6101E Apache , if you know of one near there please advise! Thanks In advance Col. Milton Lorens aka SWIM JIG your ohio Conection on a 44 degree Lake erie