Reels from China?

Ultramatrix · May 28, 2019, 09:50:03 PM

Hi everyone,

While searching for reals online I came across some reels from China. Please before anyone start bashing China and made in China products. At least give it a chance. Has anyone purchased any of these reels and did a taredown?

I saw reels made or sold by different vendors.

There's these lurekiller reel I saw on YouTube. And on eBay and amazon. Under $150.

Also these 2 speed reel. With no name and also gomexus 2 speed trolling reels.

Anyone have any experience with these reels?

One of them advertised as cnc stainless steel gear and shaft and some are brass shaft.

Spinning -

2 speed reel -

Spinning -

Spinning -

conchydong · May 28, 2019, 10:51:23 PM

They may work fine......for a while. If there isn't a mechanism in place to get parts in the future, than it is a gamble. Just my opinion. Most of my reels are 20-30+ years old and I can still obtain parts for them.

RowdyW · May 28, 2019, 11:08:06 PM

That blue & silver Lurekiller is NOT a Saltist. I bought a 11000 to use as a trolly reel from the beach & pier for $32.00. When it breaks I'll just trash it. Lots of plastic & die cast metal. Rudy

sabaman1 · May 29, 2019, 12:28:03 AM

Proof would be to give them a try on some big game, hard fighting fish like bluefin tuna, or large yellowfin even a big shark or two and the abuse of repeated saltwater trips where the reels get wet. I would be concerned with parts and warranty also.

bill19803 · May 29, 2019, 03:29:30 AM

I made the mistake of buying one of those made in china 50 w reel Nothing but a nightmare. Drag went from not much to lock down in about 1/4 inch on lever. Exterior parts started rusting first trip stainless they were not. Just plain carbon steel. Drag locked up solid when put into gear the smallest amount. Couldnt get consistant drag settings. One time high next low Kept taking it back and back and back but a 200 mile round trip each time. Finally lost my patience and sold it to a guy who doesnt take care of his gear at all. Hes happy with it locked down permanently and i bought an atd 80 .
Ya get what you pay for pretty much especially in the new equipment market.

Ultramatrix · June 08, 2019, 06:49:06 AM

Quote from: RowdyW on May 28, 2019, 11:08:06 PM
That blue & silver Lurekiller is NOT a Saltist. I bought a 11000 to use as a trolly reel from the beach & pier for $32.00. When it breaks I'll just trash it. Lots of plastic & die cast metal. Rudy

Picture?

Ultramatrix · June 08, 2019, 06:49:37 AM

Quote from: bill19803 on May 29, 2019, 03:29:30 AM
I made the mistake of buying one of those made in china 50 w reel Nothing but a nightmare. Drag went from not much to lock down in about 1/4 inch on lever. Exterior parts started rusting first trip stainless they were not. Just plain carbon steel. Drag locked up solid when put into gear the smallest amount. Couldnt get consistant drag settings. One time high next low Kept taking it back and back and back but a 200 mile round trip each time. Finally lost my patience and sold it to a guy who doesnt take care of his gear at all. Hes happy with it locked down permanently and i bought an atd 80 .
Ya get what you pay for pretty much especially in the new equipment market.

Picture?

philaroman · June 08, 2019, 10:10:24 AM

very pretty, but some reels are not meant to catch fish...
they're meant to catch cheap fishermen

conchydong · June 08, 2019, 11:27:19 AM

Ultramix, Are you affiliated with these reels in any way? I think you should post in the Welcome section of the forum and tell us a little about yourself. That is the place for us to welcome you to the site.

Scott

oc1 · June 08, 2019, 06:43:59 PM

Reels made in China get a bad rap. However, China is beginning to feel the pinch of a higher standard of living and, thus, higher costs of production just like in the West. Chinese companies are doing most of their reel manufacturing in Indonesia and Malaysia now. Mainland China, Taiwan, Korea and, indeed, most Asian countries are completely capable of producing a higher quality reel if the consumer were willing to pay for it.

What the hobby needs is a return to good old-fashioned elitism where only the rich can afford the equipment and time to go fishing

-steve

The Fishing Hobby · June 08, 2019, 11:38:04 PM

Country of origin isn't the problem typically. The problem is the company backing the production/quality control and being able to obtain replacement parts as needed. Daiwa makes reels in China and my kids have 2 of them. They work fine and I can get genuine Daiwa parts if I need to. I don't think "Gomexus" and "Lurekiller" parts are going to be readily available.

Tile · April 15, 2020, 03:31:44 PM

I have to say that some chinese reels are well designed. The build quality on them is ok-ish but some areas leave a bit to be desired. I bought a Camekoon WT4000 spinning reel. Its design is well done but there are some minor imperfections in the build quality but not sufficient to detract from its functionality. For instance the sideplate screws I replaced with some left over from my first frame mod on my GTO 220, cleaned and greased the internals and reassembled correctly the drag stack which surprisingly had carbonfiber washers.

I was surprised that the pinion gear, oscillating gear and crosswind block are made of stainless steel, the main gear is made of bronze, The stainless alloy and bronze may not be of premium quality but are far superior then brass and pot metal used in 95% of spinners today.

I took some pics showing the internals of my Camekoon WT400

Cor · April 15, 2020, 07:31:12 PM

I keep a record of my reels service & repair history. Some reels have over 200 entries. I did not date my final comment, but remember it was very corroded.

BANNEX ZEST 100

5-Apr-08
Bought this tiny chinese reel for squid for $30
Loaded some 12lb line, had a cast with a 25 gr sinker and it worked well
Its got some features of a more expensive reel, and works well.
Will it last?
7-Dec-08
How do you open it?
prize" it appart! Not good.
Right side plate "twists" off.

This is and has always been a "LOUSY" reel
~ T H E E N D ~

Tile · April 15, 2020, 08:24:39 PM

As far as I know Banax is a south korean company with decent products. My first multiplier is a Banax OW7300 which so far served me well and not excluding that they may have some lemons as all the other makers fishing tackle.

nelz · April 15, 2020, 08:34:42 PM

Quote from: Tile on April 15, 2020, 08:24:39 PMAs far as I know Banax is a south korean company with decent products. My first multiplier is a Banax OW7300 which so far served me well and not excluding that they may have some lemons as all the other makers fishing tackle.

I've heard good things about Banax. I believe they made the older Millionaires for Daiwa (or was it vice-versa?).