Thoughts on Newell Reels

Pacific Fisher · 02-23-2008, 06:43 PM

I have reviewed many of the reel posts and have not seen Newell's mentioned.
I have had very good service from a Newell 447 for Dorado, small Tuna, and Striped Marlin.
Any known problems with thees reels should I tangle with Tuna to 100 pounds?
I like the fast retrieve ratio, lightness, and reasonable price of these reels.

BretABaker · 02-24-2008, 11:05 AM

Well - if you look at charkbait, they claim the large newells can do 45#s of drag, and the medium ones can do 35#s. I want to see an illstration of this, because I think it's total BS. I'd also love to see how they
d hold up under that drag pressure on a fish that could pull that drag and fight for a long time. on fsh to 100#s I think you could do it, but it would be a challenge.

To answer your question, I'm sure you could use it to fight a 100# tuna on it. plus if you already have one, why not try it.

TarponDaddy · 02-24-2008, 04:21 PM

Well think about it,
Most reels they use in cali. is Newells.
Myself own about 10 newells, for as casting wise they are the best so for I also own jigmaster witch I love, I have also converted the gears to 5.1 in them. The 447 will be great for the tuna and the 344 and the 454 will also will do the job. Actully any reel will do the trick as long you fight with the right drag, and try not to hoist it in to fast, thats if you are in for the fight.
And we do here in Galveston, Texas like to fight the fish. I have caught a bull shark with my 344 and it weighed about 90 lbs. Well I guess thats all I can say about that...
Live,Love,Die Fishing, But most of all Love you wife.
TarponDaddy

LT1 · 02-25-2008, 01:52 PM

400 series Newells have the same drags as the 200 and 300 series. Essentially jigmaster drags. Have to go up to the 500 series for 4/0 drags. Newells have a lot of advantages. Very easy to cast, easy maintenance and very resistant to corrosion. Need to replace the drags with HT 100's in order to get the drag up to acceptable standards. Otherwise, easy to fry. Not sure I would use my Newells for tuna up to 100lbs, but for sure up to 60.

LT

getsome · 02-25-2008, 08:01 PM

I live in California and grew up fishing Newell reels. I've caught plenty of tuna ranging up to 125 lbs on Newells and they didn't blow up.
That being said, I haven't owned a Newell in the last 8 years.
The day I picked up my first Trinidad, I knew that every one of my Newells was going on ebay.
Newells are known for their superior casting ability.
I believe that this is out of date information based on comparisons to the Jigmaster and other reels like it.

Newells do have a lot of problems.
Here are some that I've experienced.
- Snapping off the "graphite" handle during a fight.
- Anti-reverse failure causing knuckle buster.
- Spool to frame is slightly off causing reel to eat line (especially spectra)
- Graphite Spool will burst from pressure of packing line too tightly.
- Screw holes on aluminum parts tend to strip out if not heavily greased.
- Drags are wasted after one day of heavy fishing (for example 10-20 yellowtail or small tuna in a day)
- Bearings get REALLY loud and rattley if not properly maintained.

Other than that it's a great reel...

If you're on a budget, get a Torium or Saltist you'll be much happier.

If your not on a budget, go with a Trinidad or Saltiga.

BretABaker · 02-25-2008, 09:03 PM

I love my Saltist - so I agree.

I think Newells have many uses, but for big game offshore gear, I don't think that's the place to cut corners. Get an accurate or similar.

bunile · 03-04-2008, 10:27 PM

Other than that it's a great reel...
You are one heck of a salesman charlie !!!!!

ksong · 03-04-2008, 11:19 PM

Newell reels were very popular before Trinidad/Saltiga era on the East Coast.
I must owned more than 10 Newell from 200 series to 600 series.
When I couldn't find right light tuna jigging reels then, I used Newell 600 series and caught tons of tuna incuding a few blueifn over 200 lbs. The strange drag sound gives you uncomfortable feeling, but it is functional. The only time I saw Newell 600 series reel failed was when line was screaming from the reel when my friend had a big tuna, probably over 200 lbs bigeye on a tuna party boat.

BretABaker · 03-05-2008, 07:36 AM

wow you got some over 200?!? looks like i underestimated newells.

ksong · 03-05-2008, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BretABaker

wow you got some over 200?!? looks like i underestimated newells.

I dont' know how small Newell reels perform for tuna, as I used only 600 series reels for tuna jigging.

Did you get my message of Saragosa reel ?
I am holding one for you. If you don't need it, I am going to return it.

02-23-2008, 06:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
Pacific Fisher Junior member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gualala, CA Posts: 5	Thoughts on Newell Reels I have reviewed many of the reel posts and have not seen Newell's mentioned. I have had very good service from a Newell 447 for Dorado, small Tuna, and Striped Marlin. Any known problems with thees reels should I tangle with Tuna to 100 pounds? I like the fast retrieve ratio, lightness, and reasonable price of these reels.

03-04-2008, 10:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
bunile Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: surf Posts: 108	Other than that it's a great reel... You are one heck of a salesman charlie !!!!! __________________ IT STAYS WITH YOU

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02-24-2008, 11:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
BretABaker Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pearland, TX Posts: 983	Well - if you look at charkbait, they claim the large newells can do 45#s of drag, and the medium ones can do 35#s. I want to see an illstration of this, because I think it's total BS. I'd also love to see how they d hold up under that drag pressure on a fish that could pull that drag and fight for a long time. on fsh to 100#s I think you could do it, but it would be a challenge. To answer your question, I'm sure you could use it to fight a 100# tuna on it. plus if you already have one, why not try it.

02-24-2008, 04:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
TarponDaddy Junior member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 4	Well think about it, Most reels they use in cali. is Newells. Myself own about 10 newells, for as casting wise they are the best so for I also own jigmaster witch I love, I have also converted the gears to 5.1 in them. The 447 will be great for the tuna and the 344 and the 454 will also will do the job. Actully any reel will do the trick as long you fight with the right drag, and try not to hoist it in to fast, thats if you are in for the fight. And we do here in Galveston, Texas like to fight the fish. I have caught a bull shark with my 344 and it weighed about 90 lbs. Well I guess thats all I can say about that... Live,Love,Die Fishing, But most of all Love you wife. TarponDaddy

02-25-2008, 01:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
LT1 Junior member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 13	400 series Newells have the same drags as the 200 and 300 series. Essentially jigmaster drags. Have to go up to the 500 series for 4/0 drags. Newells have a lot of advantages. Very easy to cast, easy maintenance and very resistant to corrosion. Need to replace the drags with HT 100's in order to get the drag up to acceptable standards. Otherwise, easy to fry. Not sure I would use my Newells for tuna up to 100lbs, but for sure up to 60. LT

02-25-2008, 08:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
getsome Junior member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 27	I live in California and grew up fishing Newell reels. I've caught plenty of tuna ranging up to 125 lbs on Newells and they didn't blow up. That being said, I haven't owned a Newell in the last 8 years. The day I picked up my first Trinidad, I knew that every one of my Newells was going on ebay. Newells are known for their superior casting ability. I believe that this is out of date information based on comparisons to the Jigmaster and other reels like it. Newells do have a lot of problems. Here are some that I've experienced. - Snapping off the "graphite" handle during a fight. - Anti-reverse failure causing knuckle buster. - Spool to frame is slightly off causing reel to eat line (especially spectra) - Graphite Spool will burst from pressure of packing line too tightly. - Screw holes on aluminum parts tend to strip out if not heavily greased. - Drags are wasted after one day of heavy fishing (for example 10-20 yellowtail or small tuna in a day) - Bearings get REALLY loud and rattley if not properly maintained. Other than that it's a great reel... If you're on a budget, get a Torium or Saltist you'll be much happier. If your not on a budget, go with a Trinidad or Saltiga.

02-25-2008, 09:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
BretABaker Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pearland, TX Posts: 983	I love my Saltist - so I agree. I think Newells have many uses, but for big game offshore gear, I don't think that's the place to cut corners. Get an accurate or similar.

03-04-2008, 11:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
ksong Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,131	Newell reels were very popular before Trinidad/Saltiga era on the East Coast. I must owned more than 10 Newell from 200 series to 600 series. When I couldn't find right light tuna jigging reels then, I used Newell 600 series and caught tons of tuna incuding a few blueifn over 200 lbs. The strange drag sound gives you uncomfortable feeling, but it is functional. The only time I saw Newell 600 series reel failed was when line was screaming from the reel when my friend had a big tuna, probably over 200 lbs bigeye on a tuna party boat.

03-05-2008, 07:36 AM	#9 (permalink)
BretABaker Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pearland, TX Posts: 983	wow you got some over 200?!? looks like i underestimated newells.

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