Zeebaas

[Reaux]

Originally Posted by Sea Crappie

gman,

I have several stellas, and definitely love them. The biggest problem I have with the new ones is warranty related, at least until the US version arrives. The points you bring up though about big game vs. surf are exactly why I'm asking about the ZB here. I've heard before that the surf guys love them, but I will be using this reel for popping and jigging offshore, with 20lbs of drag.

Bellyups,

They have a "power handle" with a large oval handle.

The ZB is smooth, but, it'll will never be as smooth as a Stella. It is just the nature of the beast - being water tight requires o-rings and such. You'll notice the difference and I have both reels and can attest to that.

Lifetime warranty on all components and exterior finish, except drag washers, seals and bearings. - ZB warranty.

And then if you should ever, for whatever reason, decide to take it directly into the fishes element you can skish with it.

Reaux

from: Surfcasting.com

[gman]

Originally Posted by Sea Crappie

gman,

I have several stellas, and definitely love them. The biggest problem I have with the new ones is warranty related, at least until the US version arrives. The points you bring up though about big game vs. surf are exactly why I'm asking about the ZB here. I've heard before that the surf guys love them, but I will be using this reel for popping and jigging offshore, with 20lbs of drag.

Bellyups,

They have a "power handle" with a large oval handle.

Agreed and I understand your points perfectly as I struggled 2 years ago buying my first SW Stella ... "what happens if the thing breaks?" luckily I never had to worry because it held up fine and the person i bought my first SW told me he could handle the repairs if necissary

In the end, if you were using the reel in harsh elements, if you were a surf rat I would suggest the Z Bass. I know they work great but honestly if I were making this decision I would opt for the set standard in the industry and go with the SW Stella.

Im sure soon the US models will be updated as the current stocks of domestic Stellas are extremely thin.

[MrBill]

Nobody has investigated the Zeebaas line of reels more than me. I've spent almost a year doing my DD. That so called oval power knob is no good for me. Maybe others. The frame is not as large as the other ones we use for tuna. I have yet to pull the trigger as I'm concerned about the size of the frame holding up to years of use on tuna. Other than that, I see nothing else wrong with the reel.

Daiwa and Shimano build their big boys on a large frame for a reason. When people start snapping frames on their spinners, it tends to piss them off. I've been hearing rumors about a ZX3 size frame but I think it's in the future. Zeebaas is so busy right now with the surf crowd orders. They are all mad at Van Staal because they are now being 100% made in China. Bob the guy who started Van Staal sold out to Zebco and now is making the Zeebaas line of reels in Conn. I'm going to wait for the dust to settle before I buy one.

[gman]

I just figured out your avatar, for at least a week I've couldn't figure it out until i looked at it sideways ... a sailfish sail out of the water. Thank god been driving me nuts

[LEXPRO]

I cant swim so i dont go very deep in the water.. but i cant figure out how the guy in the pic would be that deep in the surf with a fish. Freeing a hangup?

[gman]

if you go to the site there is a video of them skishing, basically they put on wetsuits with floatation devices and float out to sea casting for striped bass. They are completely insane ha ha

Here is an exerpt of the reasoning from another site ...

"Because there were fish out of reach from the surf, so all the other surfcacasters gave up, so he figured, what the heck, I'll just swim out there and drift an eel through them. Instand gratification, Instant results. It was nicknamed the Nantucket Sleighride - like a combination of skiing and fishing, hence the name skishing. Which phrase by the way, was later mutated into "squishing."

[LEXPRO]

Wow that is crazy..!!

[Bellyups]

I need to post this on a Texas shark surf fishing site! LOL. I can see them now on PINS, floating out to see after shark. The prized catch would be a large Tiger shark. In about 20 years, a bunch of grungy old fishermen will be showing pics of the days they had both legs or lacked the half moon scar and dent in their calf.