ZeeBaas reels

[EugeneC]

I'm looking at buying a 14 - 18k size reel to tackle larger pelagics and use off boats after GT's and so forth. The Stella is an obvious contender, but I've also been toying the idea of a ZeeBaas ZX2 series.

The main reasons for thinking of the ZB reels is that they are waterproof and my reels take regular swims, so that's a nice feature, they are very light compared to similar reels of other brands and they have interchangeable spools, which appeals to me.

Anyone use these reels? Any feedback? First prize would be someone that's fished the ZeeBaas and Stella and could give me a comparative input.

Tight lines,
Eugene

 

[aquadementia]

havent fished them but played around with their kin (van staal) and I have to agree with the general consensus one reads online - for a reel of that price, one would expect something smoother

 

[Dr halibut hoffman]

Check out a finnor lethal 100 for the heavy gear as a backup to the one you get, its a a big and reasonably heavy reel but built for the purpose, also much more reasonably priced..I wouldn't cast all day with it but its a tank that I would feel comfortable using on anything I'd feel comfortable tackling..Felt and used the 60 size on some proper fish now and it is fit for my purpose of reasonably heavy work, spinning and scratching, still feels nice and solid and smooth enough with a really good drag and good stainless gearing etc..The 80 size may even be fine for your purpose. But, if you have the bucks maybe look at you upper midrange shimanos, twinpower etc.. I don't know them but am very happy with lower range shimanos..

 

[EugeneC]

Thanks for the input guys. I managed to chat to some friends in the US and they've helped me make my mind up - Stella 14000 it is. Can't wait to get my new baby.

 

[fishersteve1972]

VS reels are expensive and even more so when you convert to Rands.

But, they weren't build to be smooth etc they were built for this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf7OQmfOkxU

and after all of that still virtually maintenance free

 

[BulkCarrier]

Problem is the handle is on the wrong side or is that the right side. LOL

 

[Cam Mundy]

You made the right choice getting a Stella bud.

 

[frank22]

hahaha , i just ordered my stella swb 14000 xg yesterday. it will be with me on friday , cannot wait.

i have used the van staal before and not much to rave about , very rough reel only good thing is that it is simple in design and easy to clean, drag not so great.

if the spheros was a 6:1 ratio it would be perfect for spinning but its not .

got some 80lb power pro 500 yards for stella and made some twisted 180lb leaders this morning . placing new hooks and split rings on all my poppers and stickbaits. just getting things ready , you never know.

 

[frank22]

where did you order yours from , i got mine from www.tackledirect.com

 

[Nepptune]

Stella for the win....

Unless you are going to be using the reel in the way the Van Staal/Zee Baas were designed, i.e standing in the freezing cold surf with continual submerging of the reel for hours on end... in a situation like that, the van Staal/Zee Baas is the answer...

But very few places in the world demand that kind of fishing... those reels were designed and built on the US North East coast beaches, and there they are king.... but everywhere else, for us fishing relatively normal conditions, Stella is King... or the new Saltiga is getting absolutely rave reviews... the cost is a little ridiculous though ( even more than the already ridiculous price on Stellas )....

The Stella 14000 is pretty much the perfect popping reel in my opinion...

 

[smiley6996]

Just out of interest what sort of prices are we talking on theses reels or should I not ask

 

[EugeneC]

Thanks for the replies guys, I'm confident I made the right choice. @Frank, I'm also buying from tackle direct, I'm a big fan, their service is outstanding.

@Smiley, not much difference in price between a Stella and ZB, both are around $1,1k. I don't know about the Saltiga, I'm not a fan of Daiwa.

 

[fishersteve1972]

great for surf fishing but over priced Smiley

 

[frank22]

Tackle direct are the best, get all my tackle from them. Great bunch of people.

 

[Ninja-Nic]

Howsit guys. Been reading up on reels a bit lately and saw that some of the ZeeBaas spinning reels have no bail. Im wondering what advantages or disadvantages this would present.

Check the link below. Somewhere in there is a pic of an optional bail.

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewicast08reelszeebaas.html

Also found some Penn reels with no bail eg the Penn Spinfisher...


What are your thoughts guys?

 

[frank22]

when fishing in conditions like the americans do (up to you eyeballs in the surf) then a reel needs to be sealed and the bail arm is option but if your reel in under water and you flip the bail arm back to reel , the resistance of the water sometimes does not let the bail arm click back to its full position so bit of a pain.

you just grip the line after your cast with you forefinger and start reeling and line will get onto roller bearing.

 

[Stephen.JG]

Ninja-Nic wrote:

Im wondering what advantages or disadvantages this would present.


What are your thoughts guys?

they pack away a LOT easier in your tackle bag !

 

[Ninja-Nic]

frank22 wrote:

when fishing in conditions like the americans do (up to you eyeballs in the surf) then a reel needs to be sealed and the bail arm is option but if your reel in under water and you flip the bail arm back to reel , the resistance of the water sometimes does not let the bail arm click back to its full position so bit of a pain.

you just grip the line after your cast with you forefinger and start reeling and line will get onto roller bearing.

Interesting. You learn something new every day.

 

[Ninja-Nic]

Stephen.JG wrote:

Ninja-Nic wrote:

Im wondering what advantages or disadvantages this would present.


What are your thoughts guys?

they pack away a LOT easier in your tackle bag !

Makes sense. I read that no bail can also contribute to a massive reduction in weight.. In some cases as much as 4oz on the bigger reels.

Some other points i discovered online:

There are fewer line tangles because there's no bail to
throw loops of slack line against the spool. You won't snap off any
lures when casting, either, because there's no bail to close
prematurely and unpredictably.

 

[EugeneC]

I don't recall ever breaking off because the bail arm closed prematurely...maybe I was just lucky. Another reason though is the less working parts you have the less can go wrong.