I was cracking up yesterday. So here's the story.....
My sabiki rig spinner was completely shot, would not even spin. Had to throw it away.... it was a junk spinner anyway.
So I remember somewhere here reading about these sweepfires, and how Alan landed a 300 lb. tuna on one... ::) and how people were saying for a throw away reel they were quite good. So I bought a 4000 model for like 20 bucks just for my sabiki rig.
WOW-- I was expecting throw away quality......but actually was quite shocked at how great they are. I actually think I will buy two more for my light tackle setup. A little yamalube and they will last forever? Even if I get 3 years (since i do take care of my reels) I feel like at 20 bucks, you just can't go wrong since these are really above average reels for the money.
Now I need to find an equally GREAT but way inexpensive rod to match them up with....any ideas? I was thinking you cant beat the ugly stik for longevity?
yes, the sweepfire is my favorite spinning reel. pull all the bearings and pack them with grease, switch out the felt drag washers for greased carbon fiber load it with 20 yards of 200 pound spectra. when you drop a bait in the corner and it get's inhaled by that 300 pound yellowfin, jump overboard and go for a ride. you will eventually float to the surface and they can tag both of you. ;D
heh.....
yeah
so when is the tutorial coming :) lol.... (but still somehow strangely sort of serious!)
I also have three sweepfires for my kayak and inshore and freshwater fishing. I just fished them strait out of the box.
I second the nomination for a tutorial on these low budget wonders.
Mines a tank. Favorite sabiki/bait reel
lol.... ok alan time to humble yourself and do a full write up on the sweepfire.... lol.
O AND BTW.....
I am taking nominations for the cheapest 6'6" rod to pair with the sweepfire... not looking for super thin.... still need to be able to land a 10 -15 lb fish with confidence. (only must is that it has to have double braced guides).
lets see how CHEAP we can get this combo for...... give me your ideas..... i was looking at an ugly stick its hard to beat the price.....
I will second the Ugly Stick...
I have 2 of them..
1 - Ultra Light & 1 - 50# class...
Love them both.....
Don't know much about the sweepfire but the ugly stick would also be my choice...best $30 I ever spent. Most of my spinners are mounted on ugly sticks, they've been good to me.
well there u have it guys....
I suppose you could put this down as the cheapest rod reel combo that doesn't leave you feeling like you bought a load of junk.
Sweepfire + Ugly stik.
now which one should i get..... i like a beefier rod.... and with a 4000 sweepfire.... not sure..... i do prefer a 6'6" i guess amazon is the best price.....
Quote from: lyt on October 23, 2012, 02:44:59 PM
So I remember somewhere here reading about these sweepfires, and how Alan landed a 300 lb. tuna on one... ::)
Alan, which model was that with, the 2B or RA? ;)
George
yes, the sweepfire is my favorite spinning reel. pull all the bearings and pack them with grease, switch out the felt drag washers for greased carbon fiber load it with 20 yards of 200 pound spectra. when you drop a bait in the corner and it get's inhaled by that 300 pound yellowfin, jump overboard and go for a ride. you will eventually float to the surface and they can tag both of you. Alan
I can't seem to get this right. Do you have pictures and a tutorial for this??
Tom
heheh ;D
Sweepfires pwnz all!
lol I thought I was the only cheap skate that picked one up for $20 when an old trout reel crapped out. I think I put about 100 yards of 4 lb test on it.
Fished it once up in the Sierras this fall. A massive 12" stocker actually took a nice run on it (zzzzt) at least a yard or so but it sure was awsome to hear the drag chirp (if only for second ;D). I popped the cover just for kicks and found one drag washer (ubercarbonultratech) and one (count'em one) bearing a lot of plastic, some pot metal gears and ...wait for it...a mechanical dog! Sal will be happy! ;D.
Some one has to take one for the team and do a 50 image photo epic tutorial :).
Great info. What size carbon fiber drag washer do I need?
not sure. it's a tiny one, though. probably a #56-7000, but measure yours and check the list. http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=21.0
ok...someone please answer the following question......I'm trying to figure this out.
The sweepfires are great reels because:
a) It's the same quality as other cheap reels, but it costs less than the other cheap reels, and therefore better value for money.
b) There are actually better/decent components in the sweepfire, and therefore it's better quality.
c) It looks pretty, so it must be good.
d) There is a reason, but no one knows why.
e) Alan likes it, therefore it must be good.
f) It's a Daiwa thing ....you wouldn't understand.
g) It is poor quality, and we have all been duped into liking them by taking the blue pill.
Maybe the sweepfire is Alan's favorite spinner because at $20.00 people just buy another one instead of sending it in to him to service. :o I know how much he likes to service spinners. ;D Bob
busted..... ;D
Alan, cheap price aside, is it worth upgrading to carbon fiber drags?
absolutely! they are great little reels!
After reading this thread I vote for d). :-\ Dominick
Quote from: Pescachaser on October 27, 2012, 04:23:33 AM
After reading this thread I vote for d). :-\ Dominick
;D ;D
yeah.....
"d" is very profound.
Anyway.... unless those new drag washers are seriously inexpensive, i can't see how justified they would be. any further thoughts on that guys?
Those drag washers may be exspensive but I say their still a must. If it keeps your start up drag down and keeps you from losing fish. If your reel lasts 2-3 years at 20.00 The drags are probably still good and may transfer to the replacement 20.00 reel. JMO Bob
Seriously...what model and size? or is this generically applied to the Sweepfire range.
I'm skeptic.
Model Number Action Bearings Gear Ratio Line Per Handle Turn Wt. Line Capacity Max Drag
SW1000-2B UL / - 2BB 4.9:1 21.2′ 6.7 2/240, 4/120, 6/80 4.4
SW1500-2B L / UL 2BB 5.3:1 26.8′ 9.9 4/155, 6/100, 8/80 4.4
SW2000-2B ML / L 2BB 5.3:1 27.6′ 9.9 6/135, 8/110, 10/90 4.4
SW2500-2B M / ML 2BB 5.3:1 31.1′ 10.9 6/210, 8/170, 10/140 8.8
SW3000-2B M / ML 2BB 5.3:1 31.1′ 10.9 8/240, 10/200, 12/170 8.8
SW3500-2B MH / M 2BB 5.3:1 35.8′ 14.5 10/240, 12/210, 14/170 13.2
SW4000-2B H / MH 2BB 5.3:1 37.0′ 14.5 10/300, 12/260, 14/210 13.2
Pretty awesome specs for a reel under $25.00. Personally have three.
13 #s of drag!
Who's fished 40 pound braid on a Sweepfire?
Ron
Ron,
On Alan's Sweepfires, he has 50# braid. They have caught a lot of RockFish here in California.
Bryan
"On Alan's Sweepfires, he has 50# braid."
that is AWESOME.
I actually put a gimble on the end of my 6' 6" 7 lb. rod/sweepfire combo with 75 lb. braid. The guys tend to look at me funny when I jump up on the railing of my local bridge and lock into the fighting belt as I strike full with carbon fiber and launch the 2 lb. sheepshead over the road and into the other side of the Intracoastal.
I think we have 20# test on the others for pier and rock fishing.
Quote from: lyt on November 15, 2012, 11:13:14 PM
"On Alan's Sweepfires, he has 50# braid."
that is AWESOME.
I actually put a gimble on the end of my 6' 6" 7 lb. rod/sweepfire combo with 75 lb. braid. The guys tend to look at me funny when I jump up on the railing of my local bridge and lock into the fighting belt as I strike full with carbon fiber and launch the 2 lb. sheepshead over the road and into the other side of the Intracoastal.
Let me guess, this is some where in nc, maybe the bonner bridge? And i found the perfect spinner for Mr.Tani, the really old shakesperes. All SS internals, simpler than most conventionals, the stock drags are small and suck, but rough cut CF washers help a ton ;D
My co-worker got this reel for me as a christmas gift, since it was free im thinking on upgrading the washers. Anyone know what the dimensions are for a 3500b?
Sorry, not sure I know for the 3500. I bought 5 of the Sweepfire 4000 and serviced them and replaced drag washers and gave them as Christmas presents. The demensions of the stock 4000 drag washers are .6mm thick, 18.2mm OD, and 5.7mm ID. There were 3 drag wahers in each one. I cut my own using some carbon fiber sheets. Note that these demensions were taken by a shaky old man using a cheap digital caliper. :D Hope these help
Tom
I have the CF drags for the Sweepfire 1500 through 4000 B and 2B series, and the 1000B
Set # E13-6001
Dawn
Smooooth Drag