ATC jigging reel

[Minnow]

Today I had a chance to test out the drag of the blue ATC Jig Hunter reel, since McGolfer and Ragman were heading to my place. Rick arrived early so I showed him this little reel and it took him a minute to take a good look. But from his expresstion, I could tell he liked what he saw. I pulled out a drag scale and offered Rick to test out how much drag this little bugger can produce. First pull at strike the scale read at 30#. I was thinking this can't be right, but I remembered checking this scale the night before. I had lifted 5# weight and it read 5#. In disbelief I asked rick to pull one more time and the scale read out the same 30# of drag. This really sparked our curiosity, so we pulled several more times to make sure the drag was warmed up.

Mcgolfer stood in the corner of my living room as I pulled the line away from him. He applied extra drag using the special auxilary drag button on the left side of the spool, called the "Assist Side Brake System." At first try he was able to acheive an extra 5# of pressure and that is a whopping 35# at strike. How about button it down? Well we did try and it registered 43# at full drag without palming the auxilary drag button. Wow, what a beast.

We decided to put down the reel and discuss our upcoming product line until Ragman showed up. When Ragman arrived he got quite excited about the reel so we took it outside to the front yard to test it some more. We tested 30# drag setting at strike a few times and then we decided to really push the reel to the limit.

Ragman pulled the level to free spool and dialed a few turns to set more drag. I was at the end of the line attached to a hand-held drag scale, telling Ragman to hang on tight as I'm going to give it all I got. I tried to run as hard as I could but there was something that just wouldn't let me move as fast as I'd like LOL. The scale read 47# at strike, I was thinking Holy sH++ how can it be? Is this a Shimano Torsa with buttom fishing drag cam? Hmmmmmm I don't remmember paying Torsa price for this reel LOL.

Well this time Ragman really buttoned down the drag to full, Mcgolfer was helping him hold the rod and I as usual at the end of the line hanging on to the drag scale with both hands. I tried to run as fast as I could, but once again felt like I was running in slow motion. There was just so much drag.

The 50# scale wasn't enough to measure how much drag this reel can generate. On the scale it exceeded the 50# mark and I believe it still had more in it. And that's not including the extra drag by palming the auxilary drag button.

How smooth is this reel? Well lets ask Ragman and Mcgolfer.......hey guys, how smooth is this reel?

Pro:
1. Insane amount of drag
2. Inexpensive (only about $230)
3. Very nice handle (just like ATD style)
4. Nice color
5. Cast control dial.
6. Auxilary drag button on the left side "Assist Side Brake System"
7. Nice harness lugs


Con
1. Noisy as hell
2. No clicker (it's a jigging reel, for god shake LOL, who need one anyway)
3. Real thin reel clamp.
4. Real thin screws attached to the reel for attaching reel seat.
5. No support and warranty in the State.
6. 2-piece level arm (it concerns me)

[Anglers Pro Shop]

great report Minnow, too bad they don't make lefties.

Randy

[mcgolfer]

i have some nice reel from other manufactures that retail for 3 and 4 times what this reel sells for that can't match it for drag capabilities and feel. the workmanship looked fine and only time will tell if they are durable. i was however impressed with the reel and will have to add one or a dozen to my arsenal.....rick

randy
just turn it over and use it like a spinning reel....lol

[mcgolfer]

one other item is that it has lugs to strap into so you can use all that drag. my torsa's don't so i had to add a get strap bracket so i could effectively use my bottom special cam....

[Ragman]

The reel was really amazing. The drag was really smooth too, no hesitating or jerky movement.

It is a narrow version, holds about 450 yards of 80# spectra, but felt pretty light. It fit my hands really well even though my hands are not the biggest.

[Anglers Pro Shop]

Originally Posted by mcgolfer

i have some nice reel from other manufactures that retail for 3 and 4 times what this reel sells for that can't match it for drag capabilities and feel. the workmanship looked fine and only time will tell if they are durable. i was however impressed with the reel and will have to add one or a dozen to my arsenal.....rick

randy
just turn it over and use it like a spinning reel....lol

Rick,

This is an exact clone of one of the earliest purpose made jigging reel - Ryobi Marfix. The Marfix is one heavy reel but built like a tank and cost twice.

The real test will be when you put the reel on a couple of good fish with prolong runs.

I would have got one if they made them lefty, I am a lefty when it comes to jigging with conventionals so might have to stick to Accurates for quite a while...

Randy

[Gunsmoke]

What's the line capacity on this puppy? I remember owning some Ryobi reels but this one I haven't seen. That button on the left side plate must be the manual drag assist. I remember my Dad had some old reels that had a leather thumb drag. The leather flap covered the spool and you provided the drag pressure with your thumb. Same prinicipal here, but on the side plate. Not a bad idea in case the drags burns out durning a fight. Not getting parts or service would be my biggest concern.

[Minnow]

PE-4 570 yards printed on the manual.

GS why would you worry about parts and service? it's 200 bucks reel, you can buy a dozen of them and use half of it for parts LOL.

[Gunsmoke]

Originally Posted by Minnow

PE-4 570 yards printed on the manual.

GS why would you worry about parts and service? it's 200 bucks reel, you can buy a dozen of them and use half of it for parts LOL.

BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A POT TO PEE IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mcgolfer]

Originally Posted by Gunsmoke

BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A POT TO PEE IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i'll bet you could design and produce one hell of a pot..lol...rick