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Testing IRT (Innovative Reel Technologies) spinning reel

31K views 49 replies 10 participants last post by  ksong 
#1 ·
I was approached to send a new ree to mel to be tested claiming the reel is truly made in the US.

I told him not to send the reel if the reel is made in China or assemble the reel in the US from the parts made in China as I had a few bad experiences before.

The reel arrived today.

The reel looks solid. I made some research and found the reels are indeed made in PA.

The smoothness of turning handle is very nice and is much better than Van Staal 250 or Zeebass ZX 27.

The weight of the 7000 on the paper is 27 oz, but it weighs 31 oz. I don't know it is 7000 or custom reels as my reel looks different from other 7000 on their website.

The 7000 reel has max drag of 40 lb with bigger body than VS 250, but they say they catch bluefish, striped bass, mahi, salmon or muskie. It doesn't make sense to me because I usually catch big tuna with that size of reel.


The retail price of the 7000 is $650. It looks they target high-end market.

I have yellowtail popping trip to Cedros Island next week and I am going to t20 est the reel along with new Penn Slammer III.

It is not going to be a good test anyway because most yellowtail there are only 20 - 40 lb range.

I have another 9 days trip on a long range boat out of San Diego in early Oct. That will be a good opportunity to test the IRT reel and Penn Slammer III as most tuna are in 50 - 120 lb range.

size comparison ( Penn Slammer III, VS 250, IRT7000 and Stella 10000)



size comparison (VS250, IRT7000 and Zeebass ZX 27)







 
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#4 ·
When they use one single drag washer, I believe they have reason for it.
It is not just drag washer. It looks many things are unique.

Here are posts by IRT on other site.:

"Yes all Sealed Bearings and side Covers, Im not very kind to my equipment nor some of the guys we fish with, Rinse off in Fresh water and there is a Soft Clothe, Reel Oil, and synthetic grease that comes in the Case with the reel. The Clothe is nice if you wanna polish your reel, mine usually gets used as a fish rag though
Very Simple Maintenance."

"Internals are sealed, Drag is not and was designed that way it loses no drag wether above or below water, Heat is the worst enemy of a smooth drag why would you seal it ? I know why the other Guys do it if you have sloppy tolerances in your manufacturing or design you will have catastrophic failure of your internals, the drag is a simple but very effective design that doesn't care if it gets wet, that's an added bonus on long fights with big fish, fishing reels need to be designed around a wet environment , that's where they are used. Simple example are the brakes on your car sealed so they can't dissipate heat?"
 
#6 ·
IRT(Innovative Reel Technologies) 400 reel arrived today just in time for Cedros Island, Mexico trip.

I am going to spool it with 40# Jerry Brown hollow which break at 60#.
Powerful yellowtail in 20 - 50 lb will be a good test for the reel.

weight: 16 oz
max drag: 25 lb
gear ratio: 4.55
line capacity: 350 yards/40# braid



 
#7 ·
I
am in Cedros Island, Mexico and had 40 lb giant seabass on light Black Hole Cape Cod Slow Pitch rod and IRT 400 filled with 40 lb Jerry Brown Hollow yesterday.

IRT 400 is similar to Stella 4000 reel in size.

I tried to catch giant seabass in Mexico for years and this is the first time I landed a giant seabass in Me

I must say I am very impressed with the performance of the reel.

But you can not judge a reel with one fish. I will continue to test the reel extensively.



 
#15 ·
Joe...you mean amongst the

Joe ...you meant amongst the top four or five reel manufacturers right ?
Let's not forget the new MariahKaira, the Twinspin boys and what not ..... the reel might "FEEL" fantastic.....however a $600 price tag to an all Aluminum USA unknown reel , i don't think it wil be a hit .
I am intrigued somewhat by the new Okuma big spinners, as their conventional gear has become revered for its quality/service...they're just a little huge for most of my uses!

The IRT is def gonna be a tough sell, though. I heard on another site that Kil was having a hard time getting drag settings anywhere near the advertised specs on the biggest IRT. Like, not even close settings at max. Curious about that, too...
 
#17 ·
I have different opinion.
The Okuma spinning reel they are developing is about $600 same as IRT reel.
Okuma are made in Taiwan or China and IRT reels are truely made in the US.
The IRT 700 does not give enough drag for me, but it is a testing reel and I don't think it is difficult to make a reel with more drag with that size. The main issue is how the reel can hold the high drag pressure for long period of time.
I think the IRT reel is solid and strong enough based on my short experience. I will test the IRT700 for tuna soon and I will find out.
 
#18 · (Edited)
Mr

Mr Kil Song , with all due respect , you're wrong.
It's a reel been sold and already on some tackle stores shelves.
Saying it's a " testing reel " is somehow miss leading.
That reels has been fished by many Captains and consumers with very little to none feedback.
I know the reels are around for years.
I am testing it. That matters to me.
I am also testing other Chinese reels which are around for years too. but there is no feedback at all. I call it testing.

Same thing with Penn Slammer III. The reels have been tested by Penn pro staff already, but I say I am testing the reel because many angler want to hear about my reviews of the reel and I want to know the Penn or IRT reel really can handle big tuna on high drag which nobody post before.
 
#20 ·
I have no association with Penn or IRT whatsoever.
I have been looking for decent reel with reasonable prices to fight tuna on high drag as I feel Stella and Saltiga are way overpriced as there are no competitors.
Those reel can fail in my hands or exceed my expectations. If those reels performs for big tuna. I am just happy to introduce the reels for other angers who have the same thought as I do.
IRT told me they put 800 spool on my IRT700. It looks they assemble the reel just for me.
While IRT400 give 20 plus lb drag, I don't see any issue the big IRT700 give more drag.
If the reel can not give enough drag over 30 lb, the reel can not be recommended for big tuna or GT.

So far the IRT400 is a real deal. It is as good as any other small reel, but I got to see the durability while testing the reel for a long period time.
 
#22 · (Edited)
With all due respect .
Why waste your time with relabel China reels & unproven $650 U.S. reels.
When you can purchase a Quantun Cabo 120ptse, for half the price & put the savings towards an offshore trip ?
If that's to big a reel get a Cabo 80ptse, or 100ptse.

The Cabo 60ptse,& 80ptse. Share the same frame, 80,w/larger spool.
The Cabo 100ptse, & 120ptse share the same frame, 120,w/larger spool.
That's is the PTSE Model NOT the old PTSD!
I'd say they have a reasonable drag & line capacity.

Just putting out the obvious

Dan
 
#23 ·
With all due respect .
Why waste your time with relabel China reels & unproven $600 U.S. reels.
When you can purchase a Quantun Cabo 120ptse, for half the price & put the savings towards an offshore trip ?
If that's to big a reel get a Cabo 80ptse, or 100ptse.

The Cabo 60ptse,& 80ptse. Share the same fram, w/larger spool.
The Cabo 100ptse, & 120ptse share the same frame, w/larger spool.
That's is the PTSE Model NOT the old PTSD!
I'd say they have a reasonable drag & line capacity.

Just putting out the obvious

Dan
I think you have little idea about IRT reels.
They are not made in China. They are made in the US using all parts made in the US.
There were lots of issue of Cabo reels in the past. I hope new Cabo reels get rid of all issues.
 
#25 · (Edited)
You said " I am testing other Chinese reel that have been around for years too"

Yes I know exactly where they are made they've been around for about 3 yrs
I believe I called them "unproven Reels at $650 U.S.

I believe I specified Cabo PTSE
Yes there have been issues with Cabo PTSD as I pointed out.

"That is the PTSE Model Not The Old PTSD Model"

Yes they are Creative, Innovative & Unproven $650
It's a great thing that you are Trying this reel, I'm very interested in your opinion,
Hopefully you have the grand tour & will take lots of pictures for your
"Tour of IRT". Thread!

I also appreciate your informing me of my knowledge on IRT,
Without asuming what you may or may not know about Cabo PTSE,
I'll ask you to read Alan's review on the Cabo 100/120 on alanhawk.com.
He tears it apart so to say!

Keep up the great work Ksong
 
#26 ·
I have very good feeling about new Penn Slammer III which I am testing.
Sept is tuna time. I test the reel in Cape Cod as well as in Canyons intensively along with IRT 700 reel.
The Penn Slammer III is about $350.
IF any spinning reels can handle big tuna or GT on 30 plus lb drag in $300 - $400 range, it will be big winner as there are lots of fishermen who are looking for quality reels for big tuna with reasonable prices.
Claiming is one thing and testing is another.
 
#28 · (Edited)
Ksong,
That sounds great, I can't wait to hear how the Cabo does
Please make sure your testing Cabo PTSE: Model's
Cabo, 60/80 & 100/120 have metal rotors
I know th Cabo 40/50 PTSD have plastic rotor,
Not sure but possible 40/50 PTSE might also have plastic rotors

Post it on a new thread: IRT vs Quantum vs Penn

IRT-400 30lb drag $??? Vs quantum Cabo 50 PTSE 35lb drag $200

IRT-700 40lb drag $600 vs
Quantum Cabo Cabo 80 PTS 55lb drag, $320 vs
Penn Slammer lll 9500 60lb drag $350.

With the hype & specs of the Slammer it should be tested against
IRT 800 & Qantum Cabo 120 PTSE
 
#29 ·
Claimed max drag is meaningless unless you use them.
IRT400 has about 25 lb max drag. That is good enough because you can not use heavier than 40 lb braid due to line capacity. With 40 lb line, you can use about 15 lb drag.
For spinning reel, you rarely use over 40 lb drag and most fishermen fight tuna using 25 lb - 30 lb drag.
As long as a tuna reel can produce 40 lb drag, I will be happy.
 
#30 · (Edited)
Quote:
(Claimed max drag is meaningless unless you use them.)

Exactly, so use it &flats see how it holds up !

How on earth are you going to give a review of a reel unless you've used it
to maximum potenti
Yes I'll never use the posted 65lb (tested by Alan Hawk at 68.5lb) Cabo 120,
But it's nice to have the headroom of knowing your never maxed out
I'm guilty of Sharking, from shore & catching the odd Goliath Grouper from boat
where we need to lock down & pull them out of their lair ,

Quote:
(That is good enough because you can not use heavier than 40 lb braid due to line capacity)

So your not testing this reel for brute all around use,
You're simply fishing a specific technic of cast retrieve.
With a light 15lb drag which truthfully does not tell us anything other than
How it, Cast's, Feels & How Smooth it is.
For a mere $650

With sustained drag does it fall apart ?
We will never know & neither will you if you don't use it !
If you do put it to the test will you disassemble it afterwards to see the wear on the gear/rotor teeth.
Give use the results ? Post pics ?
If not then this is truly not a test, it's a "Show & Tell"

I use my spinning reels for everything fully tortureing the drags.
Haven't had problem with Cabo PTSE yet.

It won't surprise me in the least when the Penn Slammer turns out to be a better value reel than the IRT
I do like the idea of the IRT open/exposed drag (interesting)
 
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