I think I need a sealed reel

[tobiasfrost]

After two days of a little cooler temperatures and getting a bit too cold and wet I dropped into a local surf shop and walked out with the first wetsuit I've ever owned.  Today I had to abandon the rock I had picked a good hour before high tide because of the rough surf and higher surge.  Getting back required wading through a bit over waist deep water on a boulder field and I'm pretty sure I dunked my reel at least once when I stumbled on the uneven bottom.  I never fell in but my surf bag was floating at least once or twice.

 

I have a couple 20+ year old Quantum reels that I cleaned up and put fresh grease in.  The last couple trips I had a bit of trouble with the bail closing mid cast and I'm not sure why.  I didn't bump it, and didn't cast overly forcefully or anything.

 

I'm not sure if I should get something "sealed" on the cheaper side or a real reel like a VS.  I don't really envision myself holding the rod and reel submerged and fishing like that.  I'm closest to the Plum Island area, Cape Ann, and the NH seacoast.  I suppose there are some places there I could wade into deeper water and potentially fish with the reel submerged but I'm not sure I want to do that.

 

I would appreciate any thoughts or recommendations as I am not a wealthy man.

[FalmouthFisher]

If you got 20+ years out of your quantum reels, why are you thinking you need something different?

 

Bail closing issue is probably a warn out bail spring.  You’ve never had to replace them in 20 years?

[phishallways]

2 hours ago, FalmouthFisher said:

If you got 20+ years out of your quantum reels, why are you thinking you need something different?

 

Bail closing issue is probably a warn out bail spring.  You’ve never had to replace them in 20 years?

Well, ive never owned a wet suit, but ive required sealed reels. If only for a walking stick at times. Everyone should own at least one coffee grinder.

[zpanaro]

If you can spend the money and get a VS, you'll never look back. When you're not constantly worried about your reel staying dry, you can just focus on fishing. As a bonus your rod becomes a wading stick which is really nice in the boulder fields.

[Sandbar1]

Have you considered packing a Penn 704 or 706 with grease. It's a solution with the quirks you would expect of an old Penn but very reliable and rugged in the boulders. A true VS is an excellent option and the top choice for wetsuiting but it obviously comes at a premium.

 

I would avoid "sealed" reels like the SaltX.

[bbfish]

If you can afford the VS go for it.  It’s the solution here.

[zpanaro]

1 hour ago, Sandbar1 said:

I would avoid "sealed" reels like the SaltX.

Agree. Bought the 4k and 6k and had problems with both. Some people love them so it's a quality control gamble I guess. VS if you can swing it.

[Rwb1500]

1 hour ago, Sandbar1 said:

Have you considered packing a Penn 704 or 706 with grease. It's a solution with the quirks you would expect of an old Penn but very reliable and rugged in the boulders. A true VS is an excellent option and the top choice for wetsuiting but it obviously comes at a premium.

 

I would avoid "sealed" reels like the SaltX.

 

This is great advice on a budget,  which I certainly understand. If you think you'll be dunking reels regularly you only have a few options; 

 

1. Get a VS. Buy once, cry once,  etc

 

2. Go the greasy Penn route. 

 

3. Ruin reels on a semi-regular basis. 

 

 

I dunk a reel about once a year, so a good rinse and I'm fine.  I also have an aversion to being in water over my waist in the dark,  call me a sissy, that's just me. 

 

[Joe Paranee]

I love the high end Japanese reels for boat and some inshore stuff but when I am on the beach and especially rock hopping my reel gets dunked so i like sealed reels for that application 

 

i prefer my Vr’s and Vissers to my VS’s these days 

Edited October 3 by Joe Paranee

[Popasilov]

3 mins ago, Rwb1500 said:

I also have an aversion to being in water over my waist in the dark,  call me a sissy, that's just me. 

 

I think there are more than few in the same boat as you.

Me, being one of them.

 

[C.Robin]

I’ve considered a VS since I’m not shy about getting my reel wet,  but honestly a saragosa can more than handle dunks and heavy splashes, is a much smoother reel,a much cheaper reel (in cost but not quality) and if you overdo it it’s easy to self service or cheaper to have serviced. I take care not to crank under water, but I don’t even think twice when it takes a swim.

[Sea Of Atlas]

1 hour ago, C.Robin said:

I’ve considered a VS since I’m not shy about getting my reel wet,  but honestly a saragosa can more than handle dunks and heavy splashes, is a much smoother reel,a much cheaper reel (in cost but not quality) and if you overdo it it’s easy to self service or cheaper to have serviced. I take care not to crank under water, but I don’t even think twice when it takes a swim.

Absolutely. I dunk my Saragosa on the regular. I don’t do much more then a light cleaning and send it away for a good cleaning once a year. This reel is perfect for ME/NH.

Edited October 3 by Sea Of Atlas

[EricDice]

I have dunked my SW Shimanos. (Gosa, Spheros, even a pair of Nascis. Lol.) I checked them often and never found intrusion. 

 

But sports & life killed my right shoulder. Until it’s fixed, I have to do everything possible to lighten the load. The VR75 I got last year (with a lucky/timely class action check) has taken my biggest fish up to roughly 30 lbs. 

 

At 9 ounces, it’s roughly half the weight of the Gosa. My fishing hours were decent last year but will be less this season so that reel will last me pretty much a lifetime.
 

If you have healthier casting limbs, sounds like the Gosa 6k or the Spheros SW 6k would suffice given your needs. The gearing is also potentially better than a VR75 but I fight fish with the rod not the reel so I’m not too concerned there. (Some people will probably test the gearing more if they’re “the cranking fish in” types. If ya managed 20 yrs on Quantum reels, I guess you’re fine either way.)
 

————

 

I will add that the jury seems to be out on the long term reliability & sealing on the VRs compared to VS/VSX if you really abuse them. I’ve been hard on mine but no cranking underwater. Per a suggestion here on SOL, the crank case is filled with motor oil. Check it occasionally for the salad dressing look that happens to oil & water mixed and churned together. No issues thus far. Good luck!!

[riverside_eng]

7 hours ago, EricDice said:

I have dunked my SW Shimanos. (Gosa, Spheros, even a pair of Nascis. Lol.) I checked them often and never found intrusion. 

 

But sports & life killed my right shoulder. Until it’s fixed, I have to do everything possible to lighten the load. The VR75 I got last year (with a lucky/timely class action check) has taken my biggest fish up to roughly 30 lbs. 

 

At 9 ounces, it’s roughly half the weight of the Gosa. My fishing hours were decent last year but will be less this season so that reel will last me pretty much a lifetime.
 

If you have healthier casting limbs, sounds like the Gosa 6k or the Spheros SW 6k would suffice given your needs. The gearing is also potentially better than a VR75 but I fight fish with the rod not the reel so I’m not too concerned there. (Some people will probably test the gearing more if they’re “the cranking fish in” types. If ya managed 20 yrs on Quantum reels, I guess you’re fine either way.)
 

————

 

I will add that the jury seems to be out on the long term reliability & sealing on the VRs compared to VS/VSX if you really abuse them. I’ve been hard on mine but no cranking underwater. Per a suggestion here on SOL, the crank case is filled with motor oil. Check it occasionally for the salad dressing look that happens to oil & water mixed and churned together. No issues thus far. Good luck!!

 

That is good to hear about the SW Shimanos, I have a Spheros and was looking at adding a Saragosa to the arsenal in the off season.  The spheros has treated me well so far.

[sandworm]

i used to fish with a shimano symetre 4000 for years , purchasing a reel every year was getting expensive with my luck i had a friend both  a VS and couldn' t get used to a bail less reel and sat above his chimney to make the story short he sold me the reel best investment ever did . Then that reel was a gold vs100 gold and got it for 350.00. used it for a good 15 years and sold it to a friend for 500.00. save a little money and get one