Alphamar 12

[Keta]

Has anyone used or worked on a Alphamar 12? 

[redsetta]

Haven't seen one in NZ yet, but understand they're fairly new.
They're s'posed to have been field-tested and refined in Oz, which would generally be a good sign.
27lbs of drag seems unusually high, which could indicate a Revo Toro-esque overstatement. But I doubt anyone would actually try to fish a reel of this type at those kind of pressures. Nearly 500 yards of 30# braid is good, though.
I'd be keen to hear how it fishes too Keta!
Cheers, Justin

[alantani]

reminds me of a daiwa saltist!

[Keta]

 I ordered one and a Penn Fathom 25N and will try to take some photos of them when I tear them apart to grease the things that need it.

[redpaulhus]

Has anybody pulled apart the Alphamar yet ?
the one I handled at BassPro felt (and looked) alot like a graphite version of my Fin Nor ofc16L (although my Fin Nor isn't a level wind).

I just picked up a "reconditioned" one on Ebay for about half of retail, and I'm trying to decide if I want to use it as my first foray into servicing my own reels (everything I know about cars and houses is from "DIY" and breaking more than I fix until I've fixed 300% more than was originally broken - I figure this will be similar, 'doh ! )

It will eventually be my wife's reel for tautog, seabass, haddock, etc here in the northeast - she did well with a similar Diawa Seagate on a recent charter but isn't comfortable thumbing the line across the spool herself.

[0119]

Blinged out Shakespeare Tidewater.  Lots of negative comments on the catfishing forums, can't recall specific's but you could search for them at catfish1.

[Keta]

I haven't used mine for larger fish but so far it has performed well.   I like what it looks like inside too.

[fisher480]

I have a new Alphamar 16 and yes it is in pieces as we speak. The most interesting thing is the drag. ABU specify a carbontex drag yet the washer below the main gear is not a carbontex washer. It looks the same as the old drag washer material used in the old ABU baitcasters. The washer dimensions are OD 27mm/ ID 12.75mm and the thickness is 0.84mm. Smooth drag washer No 38 is very close. I will be getting one before the spanish mackerel start running.

I'll do some pictures when I get home. Overall very happy with the reel. My friend has one and he owns a tackle shop. He did say initially the drag was a little sticky but now OK. The washer may be the problem. Note that the carbon washers were all dry.

[fisher480]

Now for a few pictures. The first one shows the drag washers

[fisher480]

Overall picture. Similar design to a Tekota but no bushes.

[fisher480]

Same back up anti reverse system as the Shimano. Good beefy set of gears.