Pro Gear vs Accurate?

[mythosbeer]

Anyone use Pro Gear reels for jigging? I'm sure some people use them on the west coast. I'm interested in possibly the CS600. How do they compare to accurates, which I am currently using. Any opinions are welcome.
Mitch

[SeaBiscuit]

Hey Mitch, I have not used pro gear, but Alan Tani recommended them to me as the "best star drag reel on the market". I, obviously respect Alan and his opinion on reels a great deal. Being star drags the pro gears would not really compare to the lever drag accurates, but are supposed to be well put together with carbon fiber drags and at a price point lower than the saltigas, trinidads and torques.
Problem is the factory is closed and the reels are very hard to find. Please let me know if you manage to find a reliable source for them.

Cheers,
SeaBiscuit

[mythosbeer]

Thanks SeaBiscuit! I have been keeping my eye out for one that would be in my size range, but it is difficult to find them because, like you said, they aren't being made right now. If I go the ebay route and they are what to be expected...I'll let you know.

In the meantime, anyone have a used one they want to unload?

Mitch

[kilsong]

Bunny Clark regular guys first started to use Pro Gear reels for cod jigging when the reels were introduced to the East Coast.
Still some of them use the reels. The reels are good for jigging, but the reels became out of favor quickly because it requires constant maintenance. All my friends around me purchased the reels at my recommendation a few years ago and I don't see anyone still use the reel.

[mythosbeer]

Bunny Clark regular guys first started to use Pro Gear reels for cod jigging when the reels were introduced to the East Coast.
Still some of them use the reels. The reels are good for jigging, but the reels became out of favor quickly because it requires constant maintenance. All my friends around me purchased the reels at my recommendation a few years ago and I don't see anyone still use the reel.

Thanks Kilsong! Constant maintenance is not something I want to mess with...especially not knowing how readily available the parts are with the company not in production right now.

Mitch

[bigg09]

I bought one a few years back and wills econd the maintenance factor. i would compare them to an abu garcia. my reel hit the bucket and no one could find parts to fix it. i would not purchase another. i am here on teh east coast and would definately go for the company that is still manufacturing.

[bmac]

Accurate is the better reel, but the Pro Gear has some great qualities. First off they're very solidly built with a rugged frame & handle, great freespool, big gears and very smooth drags. They are very nicely machined but they're based on an older design. The newer smaller reels designed for fishing braid seems to be the preference these days. Pro Gears do require regular maintenance if fished hard, but it's a star drag, fairly easy to take down and put back together. They aren't finicky or trouble prone at all, but you need to get in and lube the bearings, clean up the gears and replace drag washers on a routine basis. As far as I know you can still buy parts on their web site.
http://progearreelsllc.com/

You can also get replacement bearings from Boca Bearings on the web. Down side of Pro Gear is they are a bit too heavy for deep vertical jigging and depending on the model, I don't think the handle design is good for that application either. They are a great reel for slinging surface iron west coast style or for live bait fishing. Many models don't have a clicker though if that's a feature you want.

Daiwa Saltist is a moderately priced star drag reel well suited for jigging. I've been pretty happy with mine. Only gripe is the finish is poor. The functionality is great, and it seemed much smoother than the Torium when I compared. It ain't a Saltiga or Trinidad though.

Edit: Oops I didn't notice you referenced the CS 600 which is an entirely different design than the PG 541 I've fished for years. No experience with the CS 600. It looks nice and appears like it would be a great jigging reel, but I wouldn't spend more than a little bit of pocket money on one given the dismal outlook for Pro Gear ever getting back into the business again.

[scarecrow86]

I live on the west coast and they are junk. Never bought one but my friends have, you have to take them apart alot and keep the screws to the sideplates well greased as they are cheap pot metal at least in the first ones and they fuse to the aluminum sideplates after a few solid weeks of fishing. After being sponsored by accurate reels on the last boat I was on a 58' Miller in Cabo. I 'd have to say without a doubt accurate is the best with shimano being second. But Avet reels have become popular and have a great drag curve for spectra backing. Do youself a favor and stay away from progear....

[mythosbeer]

Thanks for the info guys! I'll just stick with my accurates. I was thinking about trying a star drag reel while also checking out a company I hadn't used before. Maybe in the future...but I'll stick to what I know works for now. Thanks!

Mitch

[bmac]

Mitch: Probably a good call. Don't think you'll find a better reel than Accurate, but they're a bit pricey. I'll have to disagree that Pro Gear is junk. Great reels for the money but there are simply better products out there and it doesn't make a lot of sense in putting your money down if the company's future is doubtful. By the way, I noticed further down the jigging page a post by SeaDraggin. I think I need a minute alone
Check out that Saltist two speed lever drag. If that reel will give you some freespool with the drag cranked down all the way, then it just might be the ticket. Sweet looking reel for a very competitive price. Would like to get some feedback from those who have bought one.