[mcwrestler]

I had a Zebco and loved how it casted, untill I hooked a big grass carp and stipped out the anti reverse, it now only works part of the time and sits in my trunk. The 733 Hawg looks good, but I will stick with my Abu Baitcasters and if I want cheap I will go Shakespear, the Quantums re good, I am just referring to the 33, 733, 808 type reels. My best cat rod as far as bringing in the big ones is a south bend rod reel combo from 4 years ago. 8 foot MH action, hauled in 42in flathead and a bigger blue, if my friend had netted it. Ilike the cheaper ones like shakespear and south bend just for having more rods in the water, but for the real hogs out there I look to my abu baitcasters and my Penn Senator Rodd with 33o gti reel. Big heavy, and a hand winch. Slings out 8oz weights like nothing, but if you aren't careful that line coming off will burn up your fingers.

 

[dex]

I have used both 33's and the old zebco 1's with good results

 

[thomas]

Yes they are fine. Watch Walk the Line movie, Reese Withspon dad talk about it there too.

 

[tnkatman]

I've Had Zebco Rod & Reel Combo's All My Life From Ultra Lite To The Classic Zebco 33. I Have A Zebco Predator Spinning Combo. That I Use Now On My Fishing Trips. I Have A Zebco Micro 11 Ultra Lite Combo. That I Use Now For Catching Bait. I've Never Serviced Or Oiled Mine & They Last A Long Time Although I Think They Were Made Better In Years Past. They're Well Worth What You Pay For Them.

 

[Cherokee]

caught my bigges cat on a Zebco 33's right at 20 lbs or more.

 

[Crispy Critter]

I agree they were probably better in the past.I still have the first rod I ever got it was a little 1pc zebco and still works great for panfish,I wouldn't want to try to bring in a hawg with it but after 40 years it's paid for it's self.lol! I just got through buying a Zebco combo for company to use when they come up,it's a zebco "Hawg" combo 808 with a med/heavy rod that resembles an ugly stick but I don't know yet how it will work but for $24 for the set I will find out.I have an old 808 on a 7'montague true temper rod that I have landed 30 lb fish on before,I've had it around for many years.

I have a couple Abu baitcasters but for me they're more work than pleasure I'm about to give up on them. I usually use a large cheap shakespeare spinning combo.

 

[DM1975]

I have had a zebco 33 as long as I can remember, it is my bait rod. My first rod and reel was an old 404 combo bought from Gibsons department store.

I now have a Zebco 808 HAWG that I use for catfish, along with my old as dirt 33 for bait. Good thing about Zebco is if it messes up or gums up on you, just dunk it in the water and it will work again.

 

[dannybcc]

Hello guys,
I have seen alot of Zebco bashing on here along with the good comments alot have said. I for one em glad Zebco has produced the great affordable products they have and do. I still have very capable Zebco reels I had 40+ years ago my dad bought me when I was a kid. I could go out and use them today and not have any problems with them. You can have problems with any gear. Are they the best out there, no. Do they have there place, yes. I would not be surprised if more cat have bean caught on Zebco products than all others combined. They have brought smiles to the faces of most all of us.
If there was a Catfish hall of fame, Zebco would be in it. Would I take my bow to a gunfight, No. But is it lethal, very. My children are grown and gone so I can now afford to buy higher quality and more specific gear for its use, but Zebco will always have a place in my heart.

Tight Lines
Danny J

 

[Quackcephus]

There has probabally been more fish caught on Zebco products than all the other fishing rod/reel manufactures combined.

I wonder how many kid's got introduced to fishin' with a Zebco 404 Combo.

My Grandmomma wouldn't fish with anything but... she had an 888 on a medium action boat rod & she'd wear 'em catfish out.

I won a bass tourney with Zebco 33's on Lew's Speed Stick's back in the day.

 

[shortshank]

Depending upon its application, Zebco products are generally good. When I fished the Chesapeake Bay for flounder, the Zebco 202 was my choice. Plastic reel, plastic gears...no worry from salt water. When my boys started fishing, we all outfitted out with the Zebco 33's. Lots of fish caught and lots of fishing techniques learned on these little outfits. Kids are all grown now (except possibly for me) and they have graduated up to their penns and stuff. I'm still a kid and everytime I see something new, I have a tendency to get one. The rods were matched to the reels and everyone in heaven was smiling. Zebco's are OK.

I still have a 202 in the box, old 66 metal, 404 in the plastic, How many 33s, 808 solid dark green(faded kinda white now) Ever toast a drag on those 202s? Hello mr. carp.
Lots of memories,
Don

 

[nuthinlikeacat]

I'm also not a huge Zebco fan, but they also have a place in my heart. Off the top of my head I cannot think of anyone I know personally who wasnt brought up using a Zebco....
My 2 daughters are old enough now where we can get rid of the snoopy poles and get them their first big fishing poles...a couple of zebcos.

 

[IL Hunter]

My Childhood rod was a Zebco 404 combo and it served me well for many different fish.

 

[caatstalker]

my brother god bless him he wont use any thing else , he lives in huston fishes with them in the salt water for trout an bone. reds, (hes crazy) but he catches as many as every one else . so i keep 5or6 in the garage for him when he comes up . good stuff

 

[eogden]

I have 2 of the large Zebco XBL baitcasters spooled with 350 yds of 20lb test on them. I have caught flatties 40=lbs on them s well as a 5 1/2 ft Black Tip shark & have had no problem. I've owned these over 3 years. They cast well, have a large line capacity, no problem with the drags. Best selling point - $38.00 each.
I just bought a Penn 320 GT2 this year so now I will be able to give an informed comparrison between the 2.

As far as the rods, there is nothing wrong with the Rhinos. My son has 2 of them with the closed face Rhino reels spooled with 12lb Cajun Red & has caught channels up to 15lbs with them. This is a GREAT combo for kids that are too young for baitcasters.
Eric

 

[Catfish Pursuit]

I use the Big Cat rods with 808 and 888's. The rods are great but the reels have some to be desired if you are looking to catch big fish. Biggest fish to date on an 808 is a 62 pound flathead on 30 pound Trilene big game. The bigger fish are kind of hard on the gears and if you're fishing in a lot of current then they wont last long. I just got an 888 and it seems to be a little smoother. Chris

 

[mjbarby]

great no nosence reel. as soon as the grandkids out grow snoopy, i move them up to 33's. they can take the beating

 

[JustCats]

New to the site here. Lots of great advice and opinions. I have one smaller Zebco rod that has held up well for pond fishing. One thing I noticed about these replies is that 90 % of them are about reels, when you actually asked about rods.:lol:

 

[DM1975]

Well, it is posted in the fishing "REEL" review and not the rod review forum :big_smile:

 

[JustCats]

Ok, you got me. I think I'll just mind my own business and go fishin!!!!!

 

[tehrealmccoy]

Went over to the bass pro shops today to buy a 733 Hawg reel, found a 733 combo with a zebco rod, seemed pretty sturdy and for only $10 more I couldn't pass it up. Seems pretty good, can't wait to catch some stuff with it. Only thing I dislike about it is the cork handle.