Zebco Omega Pro

I almost feel embarrassed to ask this, but does anyone use a Zebco Omega Pro (20 size)? I got on a spincast kick this last fall and started by buying an old (late 60's to early 70's) Johnson Century 110B off ebay. Took it apart, cleaned it, lubricated it, and put it back together. Gotta admit, I was impressed by how smooth it was and how well it worked. Had so much fun catching fishing with it, I bought a Zebco Omega Pro in the 20 size. This is the newer style silver and black version. This thing was quite impressive and worked really well. I was looking online today and saw the older style Omega Pro's with the all black aluminum housing going real cheap ($30) Is there any real difference between the older and newer style?

I normally use Diawa Legalis reels. Fishing in the fall when it is 36-40 degrees my hands get real cold quick. By using the spincast setups, I could wear gloves and fish a lot longer.

No need to be embarrassed! Whatever works and is catching you fish, Zebco makes good stuff

I have a couple of them .
When I get frustrated with my BFS combos , I pull the baitcasting reels and replaced them with Zebco Omegas .
One of these days I’m going to try some braid on mine , I’ve read they’re ok to use braid .

How do you like them overall?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by peshtigost

How do you like them overall?

---

I cut my teeth on Zebco 33’s .
It took a few years before I made the transition over to “open face” reels .
The way the 33 was attached to the foot , would work loose in about a years use .
We would try to JB weld them in place , but it wouldn’t last long .
So I have a history with closed face reels .

But once I went totally ultralight , the spinning equipment rules . The drag, which to me , is the most important part of a reel , is far superior in most spinning reels over open face reels .
I have three Omegas and the drags are different on each one .

The Omegas are the best closed faced reels available IMO .
I use them now for something different.
I like the slower gear ratios the closed face reels have .
Nothing wrong with them , they have a following.

I wish Zebco could/would make one with the same quality of the Omega , but with a clicking star drag and weigh in around six ounces.

I don't anything about the Zebco reels but that Johnson Century was the first reel I ever purchased myself back in the 60's and still have it. Really liked the johnson reels growing up, had their Citation, Commander and 710 as well. Still have a couple left , been giving them to grand kids to use. You can fish the Century with a spin cast rod or spinning rod by just turning the line spool over. Caught a lot of big carp as a kid with those reels. Great memories.

Have Zebco's and like Jim the first reel I ever bought with my lawn mowing money was a Johnson Century!! I used 33's, One Classic and even have some old 202's and 404's and somewhere a couple of 606's. If it makes it easier to fish them in the winter go for it!! Fishing is supposed to relaxing!!

we use a few in these parts ,women's and kids rods mostly , pretty durable and easy to use and cheap ....not a bad deal if you ask me

I grew up Johnson reels because that is what Virgil Ward used. I still us spincast reels when pinpoint accuracy casting is required. I can cast around heavy timber and undercast under docks with the best of them with a spincast setup. They certainly have place in my arsenal.

I have several. I originally bought them for guests who haven't used spinning or bait cast reels before to use as a quicker option for them to master. But... I now catch myself using them some too - especially for a quick trip to a nearby pond.

There was a time not all that long ago I only used Spincast. IMO the top two spincast are the Zebco Omega Pro ( have both ZO2 and ZO3 black models) and the Diawa Gold Cast.

The Omega Pro reels are still on the boat on ugly sticks for loner rods. One downside to the Omega is the push button. The hinge is a plastic/teflon part. If it breaks the reel is done. I got one for amazon on a warehouse deal that came broken, it sat in the box till after the return period. I couldn't find a place to get the part.

I've used most all the reels mentioned one time or an other. The one closed face reel I really liked, for the life of me I can't remember the make, had the biggest line hole I ever remember seeing. Shot line out when casting like it came out a cannon. if I remember right it was available back in the mid to late 70's. Anyone else remember these reels??? Runs to mind it had a light metallic green frame on it.

I have a couple Diawa goldcast reels, they have the bigger line hole opening, I'd guess the opening is close to dime size, they work well when using a slip bobber line stopper. The tie on knows and small plastic ones don't seem to catch. I don't use the rubber football style stoppers.

Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

I was looking around on line and Abu has one similar to what I remember, but theirs seems to have the cast button (if I'm seeing this right) center front. The one I remember had the traditional one in the rear. Just wish I could remember the name, but that was a really long time ago.