I am taking a few hours off this afternoon and going "window shopping" for a reel...I know where I can feel/test a VS but where can I look/feel a ZB?

Bad Fish Outfitters, North Falmouth, MA 02556 Tel. 508-563-3474

Powderhorn Outfitters, Hyannis, MA 02601 Tel. 508-775-8975

Red Top Sporting Goods, Inc., Buzzards Bay, MA 02532 Tel. 508-759-3371

Surfland Bait & Tackle, Newbury, MA 01951 Tel. 978-462-4202

This is off the ZeeBaas site I would call first

If you want to try out a Saltiga z4500, I will let you try mine out. I love this reel! Swapped from a Penn to this one, I hesitated buying it but this thing kicks arse. I'm local to you.

Call Surfland 1st....they may be shutdown this weekend for the Funeral and Memorial.

I don't know how it compares, but the VS and saltiga are proven warriors. If it was a 704 or 706 i'd say jump all over it. I have a few of them and love them. But from what ppl have been saying about Penn for the last five years or so I wouldn't buy one. Although I have yet to put a lot of hrs into my VS, I know it was a worthwhile investment just on reputation alone...

It's funny how so many people wanted Penn to build a dunkable reel (that doesn't have to be packed and re-packed w/grease) and when they finally do everyone bitches about the price which is still less than a VS or ZB... If shimano ever decides to get with the dunk-program they'll be even more $$ than a stella or ZB. I bet the owners or the new torque will be satisfied with their purchase..Only time will tell.. and FWIW..I've been a Shimano guy all my life :buds:

Everyone wanted Penn to make a sealed 704z or a 706z, I'm pretty sure no one wanted the Torque

and I'd like a new one for free to test... but there is about the same probability in the 2 happening :)

Just as a FYI--Red Top has no ZB reels in stock currently.

and I think that's the problem, no one has tested the reel to give a full review

$700 reel with a fit & finish sub par to a $299 reel.

No thanks.

After going it over in my mind several thousand times and doing as much research I as I possibly and reading some of the replys here, I have decided to just buy the Torque, fish it and see for myself. Its a new model so not many folks have bought and fished in heavy and alot of what I hear are assumptions. Im sure there will be some opinionated fisherman next year after being on the market a little longer. If its a piece of sh*t then oh well I buy a VS and learn my lesson the hard way, if its a gem all the better. Too bad its this late in the season but probably will get fished a few times this February fishing cod from long beach here in Plymouth. Time will tell.

So what's the word so far?
Did you pull the trigger?
What line did you end up puttin on it?
I always had major issues with braid and Penns. Any so far?
Even more important, any fish on it yet?

Eager to see the reults of this test as it progresses. keep us informed Aaron. You are the guinea pig for us all here with this reel.

Not that many beans in the can.......

There's been a few, but for the most part you are right. I work for a company that sells them and we are having a hard time getting the ones we have promised for customers. I can only hope Pure get's their act together. I might pick one up this winter but only if we get some in stock and they are in front of my face everyday :buds:

Hi Mike,

Havent pulled the trigger on the reel yet. Not because I didnt want too....My fishing season is done for the most part. I wore myself out this year but it was my best year for fish over 40lbs so the time/energy and lack of sleep made it a very worth while fall season for me. Also I have been managing a few controlled burns on Marthas Vineyard in the State Forest which is pretty time consuming to say the least. My wife made it a point that I save some vaca. time for our annual trip to GA to visit the inlaws around Christmas or else. I will be buying the reel soon and during my trip to GA might try my luck at in-laws vaca.house on Lake Hartwell,GA for some land-lock stripers and of course my surf caught cod trips here in Plymouth in late Jan/early Feb. if the weather warm enough to do so. Once I get the reel and fish it for awhile I will be sure to post a review of the findings -likes/dislikes. Might be awhile though.

I dont use braid as I have had bad luck with wind knots and break offs in the rocks. I use Yo-Zuri Hybrid 25lb with 50lb 4' leader with 6/0 Mustad and have had excellent luck with this set-up the last 5 years. You fish braid? If so what kind?

You done for the year or you still fishing?

Take care bro.

-Aaron