US Reels

[FlFedAngler]

Just got my new US Reel Supercaster 1000 (what a name) and boy is it different.  It does not have the conventional level wind with worm gear.  It has a bar that rotates and swivels up and down.  And the line comes off from the bottom of the spool not the top.  For lighter lures put the bar in the top position and for heavier lures lower the bar.  You can cast further because the line is always coming straight off the bar and spool without having to go through a level wind (no friction).  I have only used it in the front yard so far but will report on it after this weekends Winter Trail Classic.

http://www.usreel.com/products/BaitCasterFeatures.aspx

[Jared LeBlue]

That's pretty dog gone cool. How much do they cost?

[FlFedAngler]

I believe they are roughly $200 for the 1000 (6.6:1) and $250 for the 1000 pro (7.1:1).  Kind of pricey but most are these days.  They sent me a couple in trade for advertising on my site.  I will be using it in the Winter Trail Classic tomorrow and will report back after using it.  Hopefully I can report on what it feels like to catch a fish on it.  But with the river at over 20 ft, who knows.

[aqualung]

I am interested in what you have to say about them, have been looking into getting one.

[FlFedAngler]

Hey Aqualung, sorry for the late response.  Have not looked at this board in a bit.  I like it just fine.  As far as casting goes it cast as good as anything else I have or have ever used.  They say one of the main reasons for the new design is you can cast it further and it is adjustable for lighter to heavier lures as well as less moving parts.  As far as casting it further, I'm not sure that's necessarily a good thing when it comes to setting the hook.  Not used the heavy lure setting but have been using it so far with 3/16 bullet weight with smaller worms and small top water lures.  It does cast those lures very easily.  But I have to say it sure looks weird to see that bar spinning and rotating up and down.  But it works.  One little thing you might need to get used to:  sometimes before I push the line release bar, I will (with my thumb) pull back on the spool just a bit to take the load off off the gears and make the button easier to push.  If you do that with this reel you will make the bar harder to push because the line is coming off of the bottom of the spool not the top.  So you're putting more pressure rather than less.