Has anybody seen this reel. Looks like drilled 704. From what I read the price is around 100 dollars.
I have only seen them on FaceBook. Chris Brooks appears to be the only distributor. They were fashioned after the penn Z series reel as I recall. Other than that, that is all I know.
The designer of the reel is a former Penn CEO. I think they said the reels were built in china...but under strict supervision. It's really too early to say good or bad, they've only been out a few months.
I was just discussing this reel with Chris Brook, it appears to be a good value for the money.
Sal
Interesting :
https://www.tackledirect.com/star-rods-s7000-s-series-spinning-reel.html
Probably decent reels, l like the design of the main and pinion gears.
am I reading this right -- bail-less, double-pickup option included?
Hey all,
Don't know if any of you watch Tackle Advisors on YouTube? He puts out some pretty good vids, he's pretty thorough, much like Alan Hawk. He has a video comparison of the Star7000 with a Penn 704Z! Sorry, didn't know how to put a link...it's titled: The Star S7000 review: Who the !@#$ came up with this design?
May be of interest to some!
Brett
Edit: he has a few others on this reel also, regarding bail less install and such
looks pretty cool!!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrm08dXl_mMtfxHPj-llsWA/featured
https://youtu.be/_NafE-Lg2Ac
Thanks for the help boss ;D
Brett
Maybe they will take those critiques and implement them into a version 2.0? The concept of a less expensive Z reel with modern features sounds good. Those deep short spools were never meant for braid either so its hard to knock it for bad line lay. Maybe an intermittent AR system with dogs would be a better option to eliminate back play vs. an IAR bearing.
If adjustments are made along the way, this one could be a heck of a reel, this is how most good reels are born.
You wont get it perfect with the first try.
Funny you've mentioned dogs Yogi, that was my first suggestion to Chris. :)
Line lay wouldn't just be related to the deeper spool, fine tuning the crosswind mechanism and having the bail arm at the correct position could fix that problem.
I give them a lot of credit for trying, they're on the right track, it is now up to them if they want to improve or just drop it.
I'm hoping they'll keep going, I like it so far.
Of course, not with the issues mentioned, but I do believe they could improve and have a fine reel.
Keeping the cost down could probably be an issue though :-\
Sal
If they can get an updated version with improvements into the hands of those east coast striper guys it would be a major success. I'm not sure how big that market is but if Penn saw enough demand to bring back the 704z and 706z I'm sure those guys would jump on another toy if it gains a good reputation. Spring load some double dogs and let guys know they can pack the gear box to the gills with grease if they want. Maybe offer an IAR bearing or bushing that fits in the same spot? Keeping cost down is a big factor but if its works well fishermen never need much persuading to buy a new reel.
Local tackle shop contacted distributor the reels mrsp is 179
IMO --
The spinner that is hard to beat from the standpoint of proven reliability, parts availability, solid US company, made in the USA, simplicity, ruggedness, line capacity, gearing, drag system -- are the Penn 704Z & 706Z.
These were reintroduced by Penn a couple of years ago, back by popular demand -- from consumers who use their reels roughly in the salt and surf.
And they just work.
Price is currently $199 at MysticParts (Scotts), for either reel.
I have crates and crates of Asian reels that are in great shape except for one or two needed parts -- which renders them useless, since parts availability is zilch after a few years.
So given the choice between the slick looking new kid on the block for $179 with a lot of Tupperware parts -- or a proven veteran made out of mostly metal parts for $199 -- IMO, no choice.
Best,
Fred
https://youtu.be/RFGmNGn1jH0
"Edited as per Moderators to correct Scott's Bait & Tackle over to their new store name Mystic Reel Parts / www.mysticparts.com"
You can get the original for about half that. ;)
Quote from: Shark Hunter on January 23, 2018, 12:51:09 AM
You can get the original for about half that. ;)
Not to mention the original Penn version can be found on ebay very cheap. Great reels for fishing 20 - 30 lb. line.
The 704Z and 706z reels are Tanks and will last a lifetime for sure, but are not flawless. Don't get me wrong, I have a bunch and love them.
I don't know everything I would like to know about this reel, I never held one, but reading about it and believe they're on the right track.
Even though the gear train is similar to the Z's, these are much lighter reels with a lot more available drag, that should translate to smoothness.
The Infinite Anti-Reverse System on these would be just what the doctor ordered for the Z's, but I personally wouldn't like it if it didn't have an additional dog for backup.
There are a bunch of guys customizing their 704Z & 706z to add some similar details you see on this reel.
I'm not sure about the Star reels, but If they take care of the issues that have been pointed out and adding a dog as backup, I would definitely buy one, if not...I'm out!
Sal
Sal, I agree regarding this design. The older design of the Penn doesnt make enough drag for it's weight. Now days a reel the size & weight of the Z series should be able to fish 40 lb. line but most in this can do more... Jeff
I hope they stay the course. Competition is a good thing.
Make a good product. Back that product up with good service. Hopefully has leadership that realizes a company can not set record sales/profit every month /quarter.
May be tough to stay the course. If they start becoming successful I am pretty sure Pure Fishing and others will take notice. And would hope they would use their money making better products. Not slinging mud at the new kid on the block.
Last thing I will do is trash a new innovator --
We need new ideas and variety -- for me, it is just hard to leave an old trusted and reliable friend for a new one.
But you guys may be right --
I also question the high drag numbers we seem to need on spinners?
In the old days, say 40 years ago, we seemed to catch even larger fish than we catch today with smaller drag numbers. There is something to be said for developing the skill required to also manipulate and use a rod properly to gain additional line on a fish -- instead of relying on the reel's good gearing and drag numbers to crank in the fish.
I am also likely being old-fashioned and naive -- but just take a look at the fish caught with fly rods and tiny reels with almost no drag.
Then there is the price of 575 yards of quality braid -- compared to the cost of a reel, at least for me.
Plus, will the spinner frame and other components hold up to 40 pounds of drag? We will see, I guess.
Alan Hawk has a recent small blurb on his website -- it will be interesting to read his take on the Star reels when he reviews them further.
* (29 November 2017) The "Star Fishing Tackle" S7000 & S8000 reels have rubbish advertised drag figures. They claim 28lbs for the 7000 and 25lbs for the 8000, in reality the 7000 does 18.7lbs, and the 8000 does 17.5lbs. Figured it weeks ago but needed time to examine several pieces before I post. Full evaluation later, this is just a quick heads up. As usual be wary of efforts to prove otherwise.
Hope that when Sal examines and tests one of these as thoroughly as he does so well -- that my cautions are proved wrong.
Just my personal opinions --
In the meantime, back to the bench to work on more old reels.
Best,
Fred
I don't know if any of you watched that video Alan posted, but after I watched that, well, they're gonna have to do some work. Fred mentioned something I always think about. Those crazy high drag numbers they put on spinning reels now. I love big numbers...who doesn't??...but hanging on to just 20lbs. of drag is tough. Especially stradlin' a big rock in the riprap...in the real world. ;D
well, i wasn't going to say anything, but there is no way i'd fish with a spinner and that much drag. i actually did put together a harness for a big spinner but never used it. 45 pound of drag with a rail rod and a decent rail to lay it on is no problem, but a spinner, mano a mano? no, thanks! :-\
Quote from: alantani on January 23, 2018, 06:21:25 PM
well, i wasn't going to say anything, but there is no way i'd fish with a spinner and that much drag. i actually did put together a harness for a big spinner but never used it. 45 pound of drag with a rail rod and a decent rail to lay it on is no problem, but a spinner, mano a mano? no, thanks! :-\
Just my two cents worth on drags.(and that's about all my opinion is worth) I rate drags on how smooth they are. Not how much they "hold". This is based on many years of catfishing in the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers. Certainly not the same as catching sw fish. But a 30+ pound blue cat in strong current will test your equipment pretty good.
Quote from: Chuck750ss on January 23, 2018, 07:13:45 PM
Just my two cents worth on drags. I rate drags on how smooth they are.
Yep, jerky drags at all drag ranges lose more fish than anything else -- because they can lead to either impatience, risks, or line failure.
That is why a thin coat of Cal's on the CF's, with SS discs, and sometimes a Delrin under spool washer -- are essential when fishing for larger fish in tough conditions.
With average or smaller fish -- we can get by with almost anything.
Best,
Fred
Quote from: Chuck750ss on January 23, 2018, 07:13:45 PM
Just my two cents worth on drags.(and that's about all my opinion is worth) I rate drags on how smooth they are. Not how much they "hold".
Yup, this is what I call fishable drag. You have what the reels max drag is & you have what I have come to call "Fishable Drag". Two different things.
While I enjoy at times using a few of my older reels I would not purchase a spinning reel for the majority of my fishing that weighed more than 20 oz . & produced less than 15 lbs. of fishable drag. I dont fish most of my reels any where near ther max usable drag as a practice. However knowing that my reels can produce far more drag is reasurring, brings confidence that my gear will be enduring, last & is up to any task that I use it for when called upon... Jeff
I believe you guys are getting mixed up with conventional reels vs spinning reels. Drag numbers work differently on spinners.
Now back to the original posting and try to stay focused men ;D.
Sharkman has asked if anyone has seen this reel, no need for speculations if anyone could hold 50lb of drag, last time I looked this reel was rated at 28lbs...perfect for these if you ask me.
Many things need to be taken in cosideration when trying to get smoother drag.
A Delrin washer for under the main gear does do wonders, and I happen to know the guy that came up with that idea really really good.
Looking at this reel some more, I'm starting to believe that the designer was Penn CEO.
Best!
Sal
The market place will deside if this reel will be a success or failure.
Quote from: Alto Mare on January 23, 2018, 10:39:00 PM
I believe you guys are getting mixed up with conventional reels vs spinning reels. Drag numbers work differently on spinners.
Now back to the original posting and try to stay focused men ;D.
Sharkman has asked if anyone has seen this reel, no need for speculations if anyone could hold 50lb of drag, last time I looked this reel was rated at 28lbs...perfect for these if you ask me.
Many things need to be taken in cosideration when trying to get smoother drag.
A Delrin washer for under the main gear does do wonders, and I happen to know the guy that came up with that idea really really good.
Looking at this reel some more, I'm starting to believe that the designer was Penn CEO.
Chris mentioned a couple of weeks ago that some smaller Star reels were in the works.
Best!
Sal
Sal, some how or another my post got caught up in yours when I replied.
Chris mentioned that some smaller Star reels are in the works.
As to the drag thing, all I meant is that I pay little attention to drag numbers. Seems a lot of people are hung up on max drag numbers. That's all.
I would love to see one in person. A lot of times once you hold the reel you decide to purchase or not. The reel reminded me of the modified 704 and 706 seen on many forums. When I heard the price point was going to be around 100 dollars I thought you couldn't buy the custom parts for that amount. It will be very interesting to see how the market plays out.
I saw this comment addressing that video review. It's from the reel's designer, posted on Facebook's Star Reel Group. The more I think about it...he's right...this reel is very capable at it's price point. I'd just be more interested in one at the 3-4000 size. 8)
Somehow I missed this post. Interesting reel here.