As an Alaska fishing guide I can tell you the Z33 Platinum will hold its own against any other spincast reel in its class and it is less that half the cost of the Omega or Bullet.
@@CastFromTheHip It seems like a lot of people have problems with their bullet and say they never have any problems with their omegas. Do you still like the bullet better?
You sir have earned my respect I hate when people turn thier noses up at push buttons I sell fishing gear and while I can use bait casters, people find it odd I tell them I rock a push button every now and again it’s just easier and simper in high wind situations
I put a Zebco 888 on my 8'6" casting rod because I got tired of D-bags that ALWAYS leave empty handed judging my wife who only likes spincasters. Come to find out, I like it more than my Lews baitcaster! It's hilarious, I can launch a lure or rig out so much further than the baitcaster and it's so much simpler to use. I'm getting a shorter rod for the baitcaster and I'm gonna use the 888 as my main combo. (I've got 13 different combo's, all spinner's or baitcasters. I've loved the 888 and it's been just good fun so far.)
Due to arthritis in my hands I had to give up baitcasters. Zebco reels are great. I have several. This Omega is really nice. I love to fish for smallmouth in the upper James River in Va.
I'm 37 years old but the arthritis is getting bad, I was thinking of doing the same as you. Is it easier on your hands? I've never owned a spincast reel but I always loved how the old ones look from back in the 60's... I was thinking of getting an oldschool one..
The ball bearings you couldn't find - there are two ball bearings in the single knob, inner and outer, and the dual knob handle has a single inner ball bearing and outer nylon bushing in each knob. Nice reel, and a steal with current Amazon pricing.
As an owner/user of three (3), forty+ year old Garcia Abumatic 170s, with the ORIGINAL "Synchro-Drag," I'm totally spoiled and these newer spincast reels just can't touch 'em. But I'll add this; these all-metal spincast reels of today are surely much better than the plastic ones I remember. Also, an oscillating spool does make a huge difference.
For 2023 I got Zebco's latest Delta 30 reel. I think it's great well made all metal spincast reel. I think most places sell it for 65 dollars but I got mine for less than 50.
Nice reel. I’ve been using a vintage all metal abu-matic 170 lately that was my wife’s grandpa’s. My son and I have been loving it’s easy use and maintenance.
I have 3 Omega Z03's. Excellent spincasts. It's basically the same reel, except all polished aluminum front cover and maybe a little heavier than the Pro model. I suspect that has to do with the Pro models lightened front cover vs. the Omega Z03's solid front cover. They also have the smaller Omega Z02 as well.
Hey, another great review of a Zebco reel. And congratulations on your new PB. I have been using the ZO3 for over 6 years now. (maybe 8). I got a pair when they first came onto the market. The only complaint I have is when you are trying to really reach out with a cast, you can actually feel the line coming out of the slots in the front cap. That means there may be a little drag on that line, slowing it down and limiting your distance. I hope that Zebco makes a correction when they come out with their next ZO3. I don't have an Omega, but it would be interesting to put them to a casting contest to see which will cast the farthest. Also, the 8+1 bearing on the Bullet. Here is how they can claim that. 2 on the handle shaft. 2 on the main shaft (+1 for the AR) 2 on the spinner cone (pick-up pins) and 2 on the handle knobs. Yup, the knobs have ball bearing. Worth it? I think so. The handles will last for years.
Thanks for breaking down the bearing counts! I was looking over the exploded view diagram and only a few items were listed as “bearings.” Others said “bushing” which may be what you’re talking about. The Z03 is a great reel, but I think the Bullet is a superior reel in terms of range, smoothness, and functionality. With braid and a big spoon, I could almost de-spool the Bullet (all the way down to the mono-backer line) on long casts. The Z03 always seemed to give me a little more attitude with my line choices. Thanks for stopping by!
Been a mechanic for over 40 years manufacturing company's will call a brass or aluminum bushing a bearing, because it has a bearing surface. Think that's how claim 8
I recently bought my mother the Z03. I’ve found the drag to be one of the best I’ve seen on a spin cast. Cheaper models definitely are more of a too little to snap in a turn but I didn’t find that to be the case with this model. Is it as good as my baitcasters? No. But it’s pretty much the same principal. Just a couple clicks at a time while fighting fish after you’ve dialed it in.
Bullet for the win, gear ratio allows it to be more versatile. The Pro is great if you’re casting an extended period of time since it’s lighter though. Perhaps the new Platinum can bridge the gap.
Thanks for stopping by, I have the Platinum and its currently undergoing testing. I'd say the Pro and Bullet have substantially better build quality, but the Platinum is impressive for the price point. It's nowhere near the bullet, but its giving the Pro a run for its money.
@@CastFromTheHip awesome, look forward to your review. Also, I agree with you on bearing counts, schematics don’t equates what box/manual claims. All in all, awesome fishing tools.
Love the Omega Z03's ! I now own 3 of them, and have landed fish weighing as much as 15lbs (lake Erie lake trout, channel cats, carp) and it works like a champ! However, just recently had one of mine , where the anti reverse stopped working (there is no switch on these) any idea as to why the handle goes in the opposite direction? Doesn't do it all the time, but a good amount. Any suggestions? I always grease my gears and take good care of it as well. Thanks, and great video!
I was ask the same thing about the kastking brutus I own the bullet, omega pro, platinum 33 and the brutus and I agree I would take the bullet over the omega pro it's quicker retrieve smoother and cast farther now the brutus I would definitely take over the 33 but it would be tough over the omega pro it's got a slightly faster retrieve over the omega pro but it is a little noisier and not as smooth and refined but it cast the farthest of all the reels so if you want a video good caster can't go by wrong with the brutus
can you do a review on the Deep Muddy Spincast Reel by Qualia ? this spincast reel holds 180yds of 20lb mono. I wanted to buy it as a survival reel for chinook salmon fishing here in Canada.
I just subscribed…. I like the way you break everything down making it understandable, and your not scared to admit to liking a spin cast reel. I am wondering what kinda rods you prefer using with your reels, for like crappie size fish?
Thanks for stopping by and sharing the kind words. I've never targeted crappie, that seems like an entire sub-culture of fishing that certain folks have dialed-in. I run 7ft medium to medium-heavy bass rods for my Zebcos. I feel like a medium heavy would have better performance setting the hook when you're looking for the crappie bites over the brush piles. I follow a couple of crappie legends on RU-vid and that is the extent of my crappie knowledge. Good luck out there!
The 33 in my opinion isn't what it used to be but I still love them. This review had helped me regain confidence in them. I bought the women's camo 33 for my wife. She loved it while we were in Texas. We moved back to NC and I told her about Bowfin, my favorite fish. She was very skeptical until she hooked her first one. It stripped the drag, snapped the camp rod and bye bye camo 33 before she could say, "What in the h$@# was that!? Lol. It's's no good now. She hooked on bowfin fishing now. Going to surprise her with the Delta ZD3 in the morning. Great review again by the way
Not sure how it could “strip” the drag. I’ve had a bunch of them apart and there’s nothing to “strip”. These reels are designed for 10 lb line so if you’re fishing for something stronger, yeah, your reel is undersized.
With the 33 models, “gold” usually means there are 3 ball bearings and I think the anti-reverse is not selectable. I’m not as familiar with the micro models, but for cheap you can upgrade the regular 33s with sealed ball bearings to replace the nylon bushings and you essentially have a platform 33 but with selectable anti-reverse. The only thing the platinum will have that the regular ones don’t is an aluminum frame/mount. The platinum may have a slightly faster gear ratio but the 33 is pretty fast
Thanks for stopping by, typically the oscillating spools provide for a more even/predictable distribution of line about the spool. They should help with not allowing the line to bury itself and cause malfunctions.
On my Omega Pro I use a qualty mono line but get awful kinking or twisting of the line after 3 to 4 uses. I end up having to re-spool often. Any suggestions on how to remdey this?
Its such a good project, problem is when you want to make it in USA you need to produce tooling first in order to be able to make all the parts for the reel. And the tooling investment will probably be in range of 500K - 1 mio $, so in order to pay the tooling you would need to sell many many reels per each month...this is the problem ppl. The key to bring the production to USA, EUROPE is good quality and inexpensive tooling ans a solid base of decent suppliers for parts..ppl have become to lazy to selfish oriented here and there...
Great videos and information! Im new to fishing and looking into the zebco bullet or omega pro. what Would you recommend for a 6'- 6'6" ft medium action rod ? Im trying for a "all around" quick grab n go set up. Thanks in advance, Cheers!
The Zebco bullet and a 6.5 - 7ft medium-action rod with a finger grip (trigger) would be the ultimate grab and go. The Bullet can handle pretty much anything freshwater will throw at it. If you're looking at salt water, the Penn Fierce 3 is my grab-n-go recommendation. Thanks for stopping by, good luck fishing and have a Happy New Year!
@@CastFromTheHip Thank you for your reply. The Zebco Omega Pro is a great reel! Definitely not the same Zebco my dad got me when I was 6. The, "Favorite" made rod I purchased turned out to be a great match. Casting 50+ yards is no problem.
My fisher buddy bought three of em and the casting distance really sucks but the pro reel has nice smooth retrieval but my old MADE IN USA 33's out casts this pro everyday in the lakes with using the same size weight and my poles are 1' shorter. I would never ever buy one.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experience. I wasn't a big fan of the Omega Pro. I thought the Bullet was way better. I have heard good things about the old US 33s.
I have this and the bullet, and this will easily cast as far as my bullet. The retrieval is nowhere near as good though, even landing a six inch bluegill can be challenging
In terms of overall fish ability, below is how I rate them: 1. Bullet 2. 33 platinum (best value overall however) 3. Omega Pro I’d much rather fish all day with a platinum 33 over an Omega. The Omega caught fish though…it was a lucky reel haha.
@@CastFromTheHip I loved the way the omega fits in my hand, but ended up with the 33 platinum. Put it on a 6'6" rod and it's pretty nice. Thanks for the videos and reply.
