Torque 5 bailless
 

anyone have any experience with this reel? i am in the market for a new reel after my custom penn 704's have litterally crapped out on me. I messed with the torque and liked it smoothness and drag but mostly i liked that its made in The US, although im still considering a vs200, im deferred from the china factor. Im even considering the zee baas zx25for the same reasons as teh torque. Keep in mind what ever I get its gonna be fully submerged while using it much of the time. any suggestions or input on the torque

No experience with the Torque, but you can't go wrong with the Zeebaas imho.
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i do really like it and under new managment i expect greatthings from them. I'd love to get a zeebaas, its just the cost that i dont like. Just curious do you think one get get a used zeebaas zx25 for around 600

600 is possible for a well used ZB. I sold my ZB25 for 700 and a couple plugs last year, it was basically new.
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Many used ZBs will be Made in China versions, which the OP is trying to avoid. ;)

I'd like to hear about the Torque too. There are already plenty of threads about ZBs.

Keep your eyes on ebay, try searching for ZeeBass you might find something under the radar. :)

I received mine late in Aug last year and fished it hard,4-6 times a week with consistent dunking up until the end of Nov during the crazy SOCO run. And had a little back play, sent it a back to Penn and they replaced a few bearings and the drive plate for nothing, Like anything new there will be a few bugs to be worked out, but I think that Penn is fully committed to working with the costumers on this one. I also own a VS 250 and find myself reaching for that reel more than the other, but simply love both. Plus the fact I won it in a little CR contest helps too.

well, i guess its time to decide what I want. gave my 704z its first trip of teh year yesterday, drag is shot and i cracked teh handle. wast even swimming it, handle cracked when i dropped it walking on a jetty. only problem know is I literally have 5 bucks in my bank,so I may have to use my emblem pro for a while until I get enough money in order

Do you have a spare 704 / parts lying around? The one thing they are great for is bring easy to repair and trash them all over. If the bank is light - stick with the Penn until things improve?? I know it is hard to say MUST RESIST TEMPTATION :rotf2:

Early ZBs, thousands of VS were US made - not sure of the serial # cutoffs.

i dont anymore, this was by backup handle lol. i have a friend with some though, jut gotta paint it to match the rest

Pete what part of the handle cracked? I have a 704 handle or two hanging around I will just send you one. PM me your addy and I will get it out this week to you. I have a ton of 704 stuff. I have a couple of Frankenstein creations so the spare handle is all you.
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wow mark thanks. Pretty much the whole thing is shot both pieces.
sending the pm now

I believe the VS cut off was right around 7000. That being said I don't think you are sacrificing anything buying a reel made in china
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LOL Your right jackbass. It's great payin higher taxes so that more out of work Americans can get unemployment an welfare. LOL. Buy American made when you can keeps the money here so it gets spent here more.

I don't disagree with you I am merely stating that the quality of the real is still there. I may be wrong but I believe Z is back in the US now. That is also one of the main reason why my Vs is serial number 3804.
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I know everyone is creaming themselves over the fact that ZB's are american. the hard truth is they're not, almost all their machined parts come from china ppl, they're ASSEMBLED here in america save the few rubber seals and small stuff they include with the reel package. 80% of the VALUE of manufactured parts go to US vendors. in other words zeebaas pays vendors money, and they buy parts in china lol. the labor costs here to assemble the reels are why they are so expensive. I love how ppl make it seem like they're unamerican unless you buy #^&#^&#^&#^&made in america.news flash, nothing is made in america

However this is a brilliant marketing strategy that ZB is doing to get ppl to think they're buying everything american to target their main demographic: probably 30 to 50 yr old white males from new england. well played ZB

btw after drooling over the zb site for a few minutes.... i kinda want one :biglaugh:

As far as the penn goes. thing is FUGLY

I bought a zx22 last year and it is very nice. I am happy with it. And I will say this Jake who some of you know fishes with his reel fully submerged most of the time. Last weekend at RISAA Ron came to get his reel to service it. He opened the case and there was no intrusion. Which is a far cry from years past. Last year it was serviced and pressure tested so what ever they are doing it is working. Regardless of where the parts are made.
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