I own lots of reels from ultralight spinners to heaving baitcasters and these sit somewhere in the middle. I use spincasts when kayaking down rivers because I can operate them with 1 hand leaving my other hand free to control the yak, etc. They never tangle and work with any lure weight (i.e. light stuff for streams). Unfortunately, the cheaper Zebco models simply do not hold up over time when used in frequent casting applications. I've gone through too many 33's (and micros) to count and could barely make it through a summer with the cheaper models before cranking/casting became so rough as to be unusable.
Enter the Omega line! The bearing system and brass drive is built to last even when used heavily in casting applications. Out of the box, these reels are just as smooth as my expensive Shimano baitcasters. Plus, they cast a country mile and never tangle or catch on the edge of the spool cover (no plastic!).
Pros:
The oscillating spool actually does work. With the cheaper models, landing any fish over a pound (or getting snagged) would screw up the line on the spool. The Omega does a much better job keeping the line nice and even for long, smooth casts in between fish.
The ball bearings and metal gears are silky smooth (not unlike a baitcaster) making it much easier to detect bites and get the fish in.
The drag works smoother than the cheaper models (although still not as good as a baitcaster). Dialing in the correct setting on the cheaper models can be frustrating (and hard on the finger). The drag roller and the drag itself works much smoother on the Omega.
These are relatively lightweight.
The push button is sealed (rubber cover) so dirt and sand cannot get into the gear chamber like it did/does on the 33's and cheaper models.
As with all Zebco's, these are very easy to disassemble for cleaning and service.
Cons:
I wish the gear ratio were just a tad higher. The 3.4 actually does a decent job and is a good middle ground and very versatile, but I would prefer something right around 4 to 4.5. That said, the Bullet with the higher ratio is not as smooth as the Omega, so given the choice, I would prefer to keep the smoothness of the Omega over the higher ratio.
The drag, while smooth, is a little on the weak side. Even at the max setting on the dial I cannot get the line to fully lock to the point I can break the line without the drag activating. Technically, some might see this as a Pro since we don't want our line breaking while on a fish right? I personally would prefer a slightly stronger drag.
Overall, these have a quality feel and there really isn't anything else out there better in a push button spincaster.
| Brand | Zebco |
|---|---|
| Hand Orientation | Ambidextrous |
| Color | Black |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Fishing Technique | Spincast |
| Item Weight | 12.32 ounces |
| Model Name | OMEGA PRO 20SZ SC REEL 6# |
| Handle Material | Aluminum |
| Fishing Line Type | Monofilament, Braided |
| Bearing Material | Aluminum |
| Product Dimensions | 1"L x 1"W x 1"H |
| Fishing Reel Maximum Drag | 15 Pounds |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 4.96 x 4.49 x 2.76 inches |
| Package Weight | 0.36 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 1 x 1 x 1 inches |
| Brand Name | Zebco |
| Warranty Description | Zebco products are warranted for a period of (1) year from date of original retail purchase against defects in workmanship and/or materials |
| Suggested Users | unisex-adult |
| Manufacturer | Zebco |
| Part Number | ZO20PRO.BX3 |
| Model Year | 2023 |
| Style | Size 20 Reel |
| Included Components | Fishing Reel |
| Size | Size 20 Reel |
| Sport Type | Fishing |
| Skill Level | All |
