Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating - View Single Post

Bob Senior · 11-12-2002, 08:31 PM

Frank:

I have 2 Sustain 4000s and a Sustain 6000. The only difference between the 6000 and the 5000 is spool size.

I have used the 4000s for three years with absolutely no problems. The 1-year-6000 is on a 13.5 foot breakaway ultra-lite distance machine w/ 20# Power Pro. I use 10, 20, and 30# Power Pro on the 4000s depending on time of season and which rod it's attached to.

I think they're fantastic reels. I am thinking about sending one of the 4000s, the oldest one, out to get a factory tune-up--it had a couple of busy seasons. But it's working just fine.

I got them because I got sick of field-stripping my Penns every feew weeks, and especially bail snap-back problems. I typically used two 4400s and two 4500s, all of which I have given to grandchildren and sons! Let them wrestle with them!

I had a lot of rats nest problems with the Penns when I switched to braid. I think the braid problems stem from the roller bearing in the bail being bushing mounted rather than bearing mounted like the Sustains. Consequently, the roller turns harder and, with braid, often doesn't turn at all thus creating a twist outside the bail when reeling in. This twist quickly turns into a rats nest on my Penns because most braids have an at least slightly flat profile. Maybe it's only me, but that's what got me to spend the $ for the Sustains and I've never looked back. The braided Power Pro has worked out very well on the Sustains and gives me the sensitivity, capacity, and casting distance I want. Compared to other braids (I've used SpiderWire, FireLine, Cabela's RipCord, and MagiBraid), Power Pro, in my opinion, is far better because (I think) it has a rounder profile--the others are like ribbon--more like mono.

One warning, though: Clean out the Sustains at the end of the season. They can get bunged up pretty well and due to their complexity can get sticky, fast. Mine are outdoors all season from February through December, rain, snow, sleet, shine.

I also use a couple of mid-sized Calcuttas that I also like.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth on Sustains.

If the price bothers you, you might take a look at the Okuma line. They are CHEAP and look and feel really good. I need a smaller (than the Sus 4000) and am thinking about trying an Okuma for about $50. They are beautiful machines. Anyone have one?????

11-12-2002, 08:31 PM	#4
Bob Senior Registered User iTrader: (0) Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Wakefield, RI Posts: 298	Frank: I have 2 Sustain 4000s and a Sustain 6000. The only difference between the 6000 and the 5000 is spool size. I have used the 4000s for three years with absolutely no problems. The 1-year-6000 is on a 13.5 foot breakaway ultra-lite distance machine w/ 20# Power Pro. I use 10, 20, and 30# Power Pro on the 4000s depending on time of season and which rod it's attached to. I think they're fantastic reels. I am thinking about sending one of the 4000s, the oldest one, out to get a factory tune-up--it had a couple of busy seasons. But it's working just fine. I got them because I got sick of field-stripping my Penns every feew weeks, and especially bail snap-back problems. I typically used two 4400s and two 4500s, all of which I have given to grandchildren and sons! Let them wrestle with them! I had a lot of rats nest problems with the Penns when I switched to braid. I think the braid problems stem from the roller bearing in the bail being bushing mounted rather than bearing mounted like the Sustains. Consequently, the roller turns harder and, with braid, often doesn't turn at all thus creating a twist outside the bail when reeling in. This twist quickly turns into a rats nest on my Penns because most braids have an at least slightly flat profile. Maybe it's only me, but that's what got me to spend the $ for the Sustains and I've never looked back. The braided Power Pro has worked out very well on the Sustains and gives me the sensitivity, capacity, and casting distance I want. Compared to other braids (I've used SpiderWire, FireLine, Cabela's RipCord, and MagiBraid), Power Pro, in my opinion, is far better because (I think) it has a rounder profile--the others are like ribbon--more like mono. One warning, though: Clean out the Sustains at the end of the season. They can get bunged up pretty well and due to their complexity can get sticky, fast. Mine are outdoors all season from February through December, rain, snow, sleet, shine. I also use a couple of mid-sized Calcuttas that I also like. Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth on Sustains. If the price bothers you, you might take a look at the Okuma line. They are CHEAP and look and feel really good. I need a smaller (than the Sus 4000) and am thinking about trying an Okuma for about $50. They are beautiful machines. Anyone have one?????