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Release "Surf" SM Casting Reel Review

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ged

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I was very interested in this reel, but had difficulty finding any reviews. I am novice with a multiplier in the surf. I have an Abu 7000, but never took a liking to it.

 

So when I finally found one in a shop I had to own it. The fit and finish are quality. The spool spins forever even with the mag tightened down. I was downright scared to unleash this thing and blow up my reel.

 

I lined it with 65# braid and mounted it to my Lamiglas XRA1205 and started with a 2oz crippled herring into a 12 SSW headwind at a local lake. I figured anyone can cast a 2oz crippled herring right? I was surprised how well it casted into the wind. I decided after a dozen casts to try a swim body on a 3oz Joe Baggs jig head. It too casted well and I stayed for about an hour.

 

I found the reel extremely good casting with amazing free spool. I had ZERO issues with backlashes or overruns. The reel is a little noisy with reeling. This is my first release reel so I can't know if this is normal or not.

 

I will update this thread after I give it a try jigging the canal. With 52" per crank this was what I bought it for.

Edited by ged
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Impressively scary gearbox.

 

I'll be interested in how the RR Surf performs with lighter, bulkier loads myself. A minimum recommended casting weight of 3 oz., I think, suggests a heavy spool to me.  OTOH good casters do things beyond what mediocre ones can do, so ... wait and see.  (Not that any fish I've ever met has put my tackle at risk, anyway.) 

 

Man doth not live by jig and tin squid alone.  Sometimes he has to cast a floating Bomber, too.

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Just to be clear, I actually have no intentions of fishing a floating bomber with this thing! That is why I have a canal cruiser, so I have a rod for jigging and one for plugging

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Ged.......great comparative pics with the 7000. Appears the SM sits lower on the rod than the 7000........I was concerned about the size of the reel for surf purposes but appears they may have solved the spool height (when full) problem. Thanks for the update.

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Would be nice to cast 3 to 5 oz metal lips which are uncomfortable to cast with spinning as well as the jigs and tins.

 

You know, if the claimed rate of retrieve is actually correct, this one might be OK in the CCC and even for roosters.  See if RoosterFisher stops by this thread.

 

Nice post.

 

I would bet the noise you hear is due to the fact that the reel uses stainless steel gears and pinion.

 

I'll deal with the noise anytime knowing that the gears won't strip out.

 

You're right, that's got to be it. I think the Newells may also be all SS, they're noisy too.

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I fished the Release SM yesterday. Threw an SS popper, 2 oz magic swimmer and then a savage. Caught my first striper in heavy current. Drag was very smooth (until I locked it and winched in the fish). The fish wasn't really a test, but everything went well.

 

No issue with the 65# digging in, but that is more a function of the braid than the reel. Back at it again today. Going to throw a darter and a needle today.

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