Pro Gear 551CS Knobby Mag Review

[TreednNC]

Well thanks to Newsjeff and a few others, I sent my Pro Gear 551CS to Danville for an adjustable (knobby mag) job.

First of all let me say that Danville is a class act. He is one of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure of talking to. Always taking the time to explain anything and everything you could ask. His work is quick, neat, and professional. If I didnt know better I would have sworn it to be a factory job (if they made one).

Moving on to the practice. Spooled with 17lb Suffix Tri. 50lb Berkley Big Game shock leader. Bimini loop doubled line, no name to connect. Straight tied to an 8oz pyramid (glad the ground was hard).

Rod was a 12' OM Heavy (Will test on Penn Pro Guide when I get it back from loaned out, and also on my Fusion Mag when I get it built...I know I get more distance with the Penn than the OM but the OM is all I had on had at the time)

Measured off and pin flagged 300', 350', 400' markers and measured casts from there.

My version of the Hatteras cast. Poor form. Inconsistancy was consistant. Not sure of the mag sizes, but mags in the knob PLUS 2 stationary mags in the side plate.

1st cast/ lob to get a feel for the reel with mags screwed all the way in just short of 300 feet. Hmmm this thing is holding back...

Backed off 1/2turn, past 300 but not quite to 350'

Backed off one full turn and hit just over 350'. Hmmmm no fluff.

More mmmmph and mags backed off to 2 full turns. Slight fluff but in the comfort zone. Started hitting 375' plus and minus a few feet.

Slowed down a little and pulled off a fluke of a cast at 423'. Bad timing and thumb slipping on a few casts that I tried to muscle resulted on a wide, but long 400'+ (not measured) cast. Went to measure the 423' and casted back from the 400' mark...not thinking I would hit 400' on the way back... and put one over the baseball back stop and into an embankment behind it, which the backstop is even with my standing point when I cast. Im guessing another 420'ish cast. Got tired and called it a day after two good casts.

Numbers werent as well as they could have been.

THINGS LEARNED:
* Im way out of practice. I got used to the Penn Pro Guide rod and very inconsistant with the OM
*The Pro Gear 551CS is a nice casting reel that will hold 350yds of 20lb.
*Even with my big hands,gripping a spool that large is hard. Slippage was a factor in lots of casts.
*Building a little form and slowing down helped alot of the previous mentioned problem
*The reel has ALOT of potential with a little practice and the right rod. I would venture to guess that a knobby 551CS would give the Penn 545/555 and 40 and 50 size Daiwas a run for their money if given a chance. The price is a little higher but theyre built like a tank and have an awesome drag.

Bottom line. I love it. Just going to take some more practice and getting used to.

[trowpa]

Ok stupid question for the newbie caster - who/where is "danville"?

[Newsjeff]

Treed, I'm glad ya like it.

Daville is, indeed, a class act.

The 551 does toss very well for a big reel. Right now mine is on the cobia rod I use in my yak. But I also use it on my Inferno from the beach as well. That's a heavyweight combo fer sure.

It's even better when you get the reel for free at a stripers tourney, ain't it. :p ;)

[TreednNC]

Ok stupid question for the newbie caster - who/where is "danville"?

Danville is a gentleman in Danville, VA that does most excellent work on reels. Im not sure that he would like his info posted in the open, but if you need to get in touch with him, Jeff or I can hook you up.

Treed, I'm glad ya like it.

Daville is, indeed, a class act.

The 551 does toss very well for a big reel. Right now mine is on the cobia rod I use in my yak. But I also use it on my Inferno from the beach as well. That's a heavyweight combo fer sure.

It's even better when you get the reel for free at a stripers tourney, ain't it. :p ;)

I love it. The only thing I dont like is the fact that I spent $20 or $40 ( I cant remember) getting Vinnie at Hatteras Jack to put stationary mags in it. Or else Id only have $79 in it rather than $119 in it. lol

[trowpa]

Treed -thanks. I'll probably be getting a second avet sx before the summer's over - if I need him I'll contact you.

[Mullet Breath]

He does a killer job on all reels. and if you're looking an Avet he does a killer job, he did on mine.

[Mark G]

does get to be a problem on bigger reels, but at what point in the cast does slippage start- if it's early in the cast, the culprit is ALMOST always hitting the rod too hard too early. Assuming your right handed this will cause your casts to be high and right most of the time.

And finally another vote for Danville- good with reels and knows the casting side of the business pretty well too.

[chinookhead]

When I use big reels I use a leather glove (smooth so it doesn't cause too much friction) and this eliminates slippage......especially with a magged reel u shouldn't really need to thumb it much except when it lands so a glove should work perfect. The glove allows me to cast consistently with my sha40.
Enjoy that reel.

[TreednNC]

does get to be a problem on bigger reels, but at what point in the cast does slippage start- if it's early in the cast, the culprit is ALMOST always hitting the rod too hard too early. Assuming your right handed this will cause your casts to be high and right most of the time.

And finally another vote for Danville- good with reels and knows the casting side of the business pretty well too.

Well not so much that, just not feeling comfortable generating much power to load the OM with that particular reel and holding the spool. I may go back today and cast...its my fault. Surprisingly I only had one that was wide and right. Towards the end of the session I slowed it down, concentrated and felt better, but why that time I was getting tired because I put all my energy into bad form earlier in the session.

When I use big reels I use a leather glove (smooth so it doesn't cause too much friction) and this eliminates slippage......especially with a magged reel u shouldn't really need to thumb it much except when it lands so a glove should work perfect. The glove allows me to cast consistently with my sha40.
Enjoy that reel.

I dont touch the spool (line) except during the cast...unless I backlash and get in a panic and dont think:rolleyes: ...which so far hasnt been a problem with this reel. I only touch the metal rim at the side of the spool with the side of my thumb right at touch (splash) down. I'll practice some more. I know Im personally capable of over 500' with that rod and 8 oz and a Hatteras cast. Thats not saying much, but considering how much I practice...or lack there of...its not bad...Was with a 525 though... This thing has alot to offer as far as being a tamable, user friendly 350yd+ 20lb line size reel.

[TreednNC]

Casted today. 439 then big jump to 471' marked that spot so I could see it after I started casting again. 480' is the wood line from where I cast at this field set up the way it is. I could cast diagonally and cast up to 600'. ANYWAY....measured a 471' marked it....had 450' marked as well...had a few more in 430ish then hit a grove that seemed to hang around that 471' mark I had. The more I cast this reel the more I like it. Still getting used to what I can get away with, with it. Not impressive distances by distance standards, but the reel is no 525mag or Abu, so Im impressed thus far. I need to start practicing again a couple times a week and get it up and over 500 like when i first started with the 525mag and OM.....I think Im going to start using this thread as a journal for my progession with this reel.