Capt.ChrisLembo
11-24-2005, 11:03 AM
I have been using the Quantum Cabo PT60 and PT40 spinning reels for about 9 months now. I run a charter business and the reels get a good workout. I use 4 PT60's spooled with about 50 yds of 15 # Ande backcountry blue and then loaded with 300+ yds of PowerPro 30. The Rods are All Star 12-25 Elite series graphite spin blanks with Fuji guides and reel seats. Rods are custom made by Versitex. These are my main rods and are used for almost all bottom fishing, reef fishing, Tarpon fishing, Tuna fishing, Kingfishing. Pretty much everything but trolling when I do it and when targeting Grouper over 25 pounds. I usually just rinse the reels with fresh water a good amount after each use. I have not lubed or cleaned the reels at all other than the daily rinse. I have only changed the PowerPro once in the 9 months as the stuff lasts forever. I only changed it when it got low due to breakoffs.
The PT40's are loaded with 15 pound PowerPro and the same rods but one size lighter.
My original reels were shipped from Quantum prior to to redesign of the bail trip. I have beat these reels to hell and have everyone from complete novices to expert fishermen do the same. The original 4 PT60's were used until the old bail trip mechanism failed and I then returned them to Quantum and the reels were replaced. They malfunctioned at various times from 2 months after I started using and the last one went 3 weeks ago. I shipped out the reels and a new one was received within 2 weeks. I paid to ship out old reeel and nothing else. I would say that the customer service is excellent.
Performance: I have used these reels on some serious fish and they have performed flawlessly. The drag system is top of the line. It is very smooth, has a good startup and the adjustment knob has very slight adjustment. I have some Shim. Baitrunners that adjust the drag quite a bit with just a slight turn of the knob. They PT60's hold a lot of line and are good for almost anything as they are fairly light. For Stripers/Blues/Albies/Bonito in the NE I would go with the PT50. Spool it with POwerPro or other braid.
The anti-reverse is solid and is infinite so there is no play when you try to crank the wrong way. The bail trip is magnetic so there is no big clunk when you start cranking and it is fast and instantaneous. The bail wire is titanium and I have had a running Blackfin Tuna start ripping line when the line was not all the way in the roller and the bail wire did not bend at all. The reel is overall smooth and an excellent functioning reel. The handle itself is large and extremely comfortable. I can't even use the Baitrunners anymore as the handle is small and uncomfortable to use.
Issues: The original bail trip design has been re designed so that problem is solved. The only issues have been cosmetic. The Blue plastic cover on the butt of the frame has popped off and they should probably beef that up. Also the logo that is in the handle knob seems to come unglued and fall off after heavy use. Not an issue as I don't care it it is there or not. They should just imprint it in the handle and that would also provide some grip, although you don't need it with the size of the knob.
The PT40's I am using as my 12# setups and have not had any issues including no bail trip problems. I have caught 15# Mutton Snapper and a 45# Kingfish as well as tons of Bonito (Albies) and big Cudas on these setups. I target Yellowtail with them but they get picked up by other species from time to time. They could do for stripers/blues/albies/bonito but the 50 is beefier.
Overall I rate these reels as excellent. The are mid priced at $around $200. I would say $120 and under is low, $125-200 is mid and above $200 is high priced.
Thanks
Capt. Chris Lembo
(http://www.incognitolighttackle.com)
The PT40's are loaded with 15 pound PowerPro and the same rods but one size lighter.
My original reels were shipped from Quantum prior to to redesign of the bail trip. I have beat these reels to hell and have everyone from complete novices to expert fishermen do the same. The original 4 PT60's were used until the old bail trip mechanism failed and I then returned them to Quantum and the reels were replaced. They malfunctioned at various times from 2 months after I started using and the last one went 3 weeks ago. I shipped out the reels and a new one was received within 2 weeks. I paid to ship out old reeel and nothing else. I would say that the customer service is excellent.
Performance: I have used these reels on some serious fish and they have performed flawlessly. The drag system is top of the line. It is very smooth, has a good startup and the adjustment knob has very slight adjustment. I have some Shim. Baitrunners that adjust the drag quite a bit with just a slight turn of the knob. They PT60's hold a lot of line and are good for almost anything as they are fairly light. For Stripers/Blues/Albies/Bonito in the NE I would go with the PT50. Spool it with POwerPro or other braid.
The anti-reverse is solid and is infinite so there is no play when you try to crank the wrong way. The bail trip is magnetic so there is no big clunk when you start cranking and it is fast and instantaneous. The bail wire is titanium and I have had a running Blackfin Tuna start ripping line when the line was not all the way in the roller and the bail wire did not bend at all. The reel is overall smooth and an excellent functioning reel. The handle itself is large and extremely comfortable. I can't even use the Baitrunners anymore as the handle is small and uncomfortable to use.
Issues: The original bail trip design has been re designed so that problem is solved. The only issues have been cosmetic. The Blue plastic cover on the butt of the frame has popped off and they should probably beef that up. Also the logo that is in the handle knob seems to come unglued and fall off after heavy use. Not an issue as I don't care it it is there or not. They should just imprint it in the handle and that would also provide some grip, although you don't need it with the size of the knob.
The PT40's I am using as my 12# setups and have not had any issues including no bail trip problems. I have caught 15# Mutton Snapper and a 45# Kingfish as well as tons of Bonito (Albies) and big Cudas on these setups. I target Yellowtail with them but they get picked up by other species from time to time. They could do for stripers/blues/albies/bonito but the 50 is beefier.
Overall I rate these reels as excellent. The are mid priced at $around $200. I would say $120 and under is low, $125-200 is mid and above $200 is high priced.
Thanks
Capt. Chris Lembo
(http://www.incognitolighttackle.com)