Zee Baas, are they worth the money?

[Casting Z's]

Yes-!! They are more fishable than fashionable believe it or not?
A new rough version is now available at $850-900.

Been using this reel now for two months without any problems what so ever. It is mounted to my walking/wading stick, I use to guide my way through 4' of water, as I climb over 3' boulders. I rarely rinse it and find it's performance to be light years ahead of VS and yet, as consistently smooth as a Stella. The crank power is like nothing before it. The drag adjustment is flawless with a precise liner control that prevents the accidental, over tightened drag, that leads to line break.
At this time last year, two separate VS's failed with basket bearings froze with rust from saltwater intrusion. Apples to apples! In total for this past year, that makes 5 VS's that I have held in my hands, that have failed for one reason or another and all where used in the exact same manor. VS"s are tough, but they are not ZB's

I'm not associated with ZB in any way except that I meet the owner of one of the few truly american made fishing products still available to us. You all wonder why everything is being made in China and hate it. But ZB is a reflection of what top quality products truly cost to design and build here in the good old USA. I support this man for his determination to deliver without compromise a product that will perform and outlast several generations just as old reels like Penn once did and to keep it here at home. Rob, the creator of VS sold the company only to start ZB. He doesn't come across as a wealthy person who just sold a company, even though we all might think he should be. My impression is that what ever he made from that transaction, is being dumped into his new product and at great risk as production cost in America put these reels just out of reach to most fishermen and therefore the risk is even greater.
No one here seems to have any problem dishing out $20 per wooden plug that is built in the USA. But that's what it takes for an individual to afford a meager livelihood in America these days. We must all do our part to support our local gear builders and lovers of our sport who are at risk.
So save any bashing for a more worthy cause, Please?

[steve]

Is this cheaper version of the reel you mentioned in this post the same size as the 1300.00 dollar model? Also, where can you buy this reel.

[basswipe]

There's only reason the "rough" was made:the need to compete with VS.The Original ZB was way beyond almost anyone's ability to purchase.Hopefully the competition will drive the prices of both reels down and I can finally afford one or the other!

This is a good thing.

[ChiefLinesider]

Just got off the phone with someone from zeebaas. You dont get a fancy box and they found a finish that is nearly identical to the titanium oxide coating they were using on the Zeebaas premium.

So they are able to offer the Z rough @ 859 with a single line roller and the small 2 inch spool. The 899 from what I understand is the 2.25 (150 VS size, just slightly larger) spool with 2 line rollers.

And it gets better. Come mid September you can swap out the rotor in the future along with larger spools. 2.5 & 2.3/4 size spools. Which are equivalent to a 200 & 250 VS. But will also be lighter than the VS. & all parts will work with one body. You can even swap out different rotors yourself with 3 screws. You can purchase different handle lengths as well. Schoolie stripers to Bluefin with one reel.

Im definately excited about maybe getting myself one with a 2.5 spool come September since the current 2 & 2.25 inch spools are too small for what I want to use them for

[Flaptail]

This will put Numbskull over the top.

[Terence]

Good move by Rob creating the Rough. It puts it in the reach of more hard core surf guys. So far so good with mine. Nightly dunkings and a few rock to reel bashes and no water intake or foul ups. I love this reel. Finally got some good bass that peeled line off the spool and the drag worked great. Will give a full review in November.

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by Flaptail

This will put Numbskull over the top.

Nah. The cost isn't a big deal. It's just that it is hard to balance those big spinners on top of the rod, and I don't like reeling backwards.

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by Casting Z's

Rob, the creator of VS sold the company only to start ZB. He doesn't come across as a wealthy person who just sold a company, even though we all might think he should be. My impression is that what ever he made from that transaction, is being dumped into his new product and at great risk as production cost in America put these reels just out of reach to most fishermen and therefore the risk is even greater.

Um, you're a little wrong on your facts there

Van Staal was sold because it went under. Tits-up, toes-up, however you like to refer to it. It was an aerospace contractor that made fishing reels as a sideline. The whole company went into Chapter 11 many years before Zee Baas was even a blip on the horizon. Reel Ventures LLC bought the fishing reel line. They made the reels in Mass. somewhere for several years Then they sold to WC Bradley, the parent compnay of Zebco/Quantum/Finnor et al. That sale had nothing to do with Rob, and I doubt he got anything out of it, including the start-up capital to start Zee Baas. I don't know what he did after VS, but obviously, it had something to do with engineering. He's always loved fishing, and I think he got a bigger kick out of making the reels than he ever did making aircraft parts.

There was some unpleasantness surrounding the sale of VS to Zebco, but again, that had nothing to do with Rob.

[Casting Z's]

Originally Posted by Mike P

Um, you're a little wrong on your facts there

Van Staal was sold because it went under. Tits-up, toes-up, however you like to refer to it. It was an aerospace contractor that made fishing reels as a sideline. The whole company went into Chapter 11 many years before Zee Baas was even a blip on the horizon. Reel Ventures LLC bought the fishing reel line. They made the reels in Mass. somewhere for several years Then they sold to WC Bradley, the parent compnay of Zebco/Quantum/Finnor et al. That sale had nothing to do with Rob, and I doubt he got anything out of it, including the start-up capital to start Zee Baas. I don't know what he did after VS, but obviously, it had something to do with engineering. He's always loved fishing, and I think he got a bigger kick out of making the reels than he ever did making aircraft parts.

There was some unpleasantness surrounding the sale of VS to Zebco, but again, that had nothing to do with Rob.

Had no idea those where the facts! But then again, I try to fish more than researching a manufacturers history.

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by Casting Z's

Had no idea those where the facts! But then again, I try to fish more than researching a manufacturers history.

Just a long running story that has been around for years and most are familiar with it... Van Staal, and its varying ownership over the years, has been a staple of winter conversation

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by Casting Z's

Had no idea those where the facts! But then again, I try to fish more than researching a manufacturers history.

Uh--you wouldn't happen to own a black lab named Lughead, would you? You remind me of someone I ran into a few years back, that's why I asked

[Casting Z's]

Originally Posted by Mike P

Uh--you wouldn't happen to own a black lab named Lughead, would you? You remind me of someone I ran into a few years back, that's why I asked

I do not Mike.
Do you live near the NH seacoast?

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by Mike P

Uh--you wouldn't happen to own a black lab named Lughead, would you? You remind me of someone I ran into a few years back, that's why I asked

No, no, no - Lughead was from ASSateague Island, remember?

Ben - you got one? Which specifications??

[fishpoopoo]

John -

After speaking with Rob Koelwyn on the phone, I lost all my willpower and picked up a ZB Rough last week. The lower price point at ~$900 was too much to resist. I had hocked several Van Staal's to save up for this purchase.

The ZeeBaas was on the shelf for just a day, according to the guys at the shop.

Mine has two line rollers on it.

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by JohnR

No, no, no - Lughead was from ASSateague Island, remember?

Ben - you got one? Which specifications??

Sorry, CZ. Major brain fart. I thought I might have run into you once or twice on the north shore. John just reminded me. Besides, Lughead's master LOVED to do research, now that I think about it.

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

[bassbudda]

you noted you've had five VS failures. Were your reels mfgd in Stratford Ct? or were they MA or OK variants.?
I have two 100's,two 150's and two 200's. two are still in the original boxes.
all were stratford ct reels, never a problem , never sent back. jason and ron worked on all of them.
i'd be interested in your response.

gw

Originally Posted by Casting Z's

Yes-!! They are more fishable than fashionable believe it or not?
A new rough version is now available at $850-900.

Been using this reel now for two months without any problems what so ever. It is mounted to my walking/wading stick, I use to guide my way through 4' of water, as I climb over 3' boulders. I rarely rinse it and find it's performance to be light years ahead of VS and yet, as consistently smooth as a Stella. The crank power is like nothing before it. The drag adjustment is flawless with a precise liner control that prevents the accidental, over tightened drag, that leads to line break.
At this time last year, two separate VS's failed with basket bearings froze with rust from saltwater intrusion. Apples to apples! In total for this past year, that makes 5 VS's that I have held in my hands, that have failed for one reason or another and all where used in the exact same manor. VS"s are tough, but they are not ZB's

I'm not associated with ZB in any way except that I meet the owner of one of the few truly american made fishing products still available to us. You all wonder why everything is being made in China and hate it. But ZB is a reflection of what top quality products truly cost to design and build here in the good old USA. I support this man for his determination to deliver without compromise a product that will perform and outlast several generations just as old reels like Penn once did and to keep it here at home. Rob, the creator of VS sold the company only to start ZB. He doesn't come across as a wealthy person who just sold a company, even though we all might think he should be. My impression is that what ever he made from that transaction, is being dumped into his new product and at great risk as production cost in America put these reels just out of reach to most fishermen and therefore the risk is even greater.
No one here seems to have any problem dishing out $20 per wooden plug that is built in the USA. But that's what it takes for an individual to afford a meager livelihood in America these days. We must all do our part to support our local gear builders and lovers of our sport who are at risk.
So save any bashing for a more worthy cause, Please?

[Casting Z's]

Originally Posted by bassbudda

you noted you've had five VS failures. Were your reels mfgd in Stratford Ct? or were they MA or OK variants.?
I have two 100's,two 150's and two 200's. two are still in the original boxes.
all were stratford ct reels, never a problem , never sent back. jason and ron worked on all of them.
i'd be interested in your response.

gw

I have no idea where my reels where actually made. It shouldn't be long before they're made in China.
I do know they cost a lot of cash.
Three reels, 2-150 and a 250 took on water and seized the bearing under the basket. A 100 stripped its gears. A 250 developed spool to basket contact at the top of the spools ocilation.

[fishpoopoo]

Originally Posted by Casting Z's

It shouldn't be long before they're made in China.

It shouldn't be long before more VS owners become ZeeBaas users, at least in the Northeast.

I've made several calls to several dealers.

Anecdotally, they can't keep ZeeBaas' on the shelves. Not that there are that many to start with.

Hope this reel performs as many say it is.

[ChiefLinesider]

Originally Posted by Casting Z's

No one here seems to have any problem dishing out $20 per wooden plug that is built in the USA. But that's what it takes for an individual to afford a meager livelihood in America these days. We must all do our part to support our local gear builders and lovers of our sport who are at risk.
So save any bashing for a more worthy cause, Please?

Boo Hoo. "...So find it in your heart to come up with $995 & get yourself a ZB. If not for yourself for the sake of humanity!"

[hbenlulu]

There is not reason in the world to pay so much for a reel. Unless you are Bill Gates ....

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by hbenlulu

There is not reason in the world to pay so much for a reel. Unless you are Bill Gates ....

There's no reason in the world to pay $70 grand for a 'Vette, either, when a $12,000 Toyota Yaris or Honda Fit will get you there just as quickly, just as comfortably, and even more reliably

Here are the only two reasons anyone needs to buy anything:

1. I want it.
2. I can afford it.

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by Mike P

There's no reason in the world to pay $70 grand for a 'Vette, either, when a $12,000 Toyota Yaris or Honda Fit will get you there just as quickly, just as comfortably, and even more reliably

Here are the only two reasons anyone needs to buy anything:

1. I want it.
2. I can afford it.

And this reel fits at least one of those 2 questions for most when you look at the nuts and bolts, err. I mean titanium nitrate coatings and beveled gearing. It is a very nice, precise reel that looks as though it can be the king of the hill in its class - the uberbuilt submergeable spinning reel - time will tell. Added bonus for those that can afford it.

[Mike P]

It used to be that you could spend $70 on a Penn 704 and beat the piss out of it for 20-30 years, and keep it going year after year with about $5 worth of parts.

You can't do that any more.

Now you spend $100-$150 on a reel that'll last you a season if you fish it hard. You'll spend $2 grand replacing it over the next 20 years.

Or you can spend the 700-900 clams once for a VS, ZB rough, Saltiga or the new Stella.

Or, you can learn to fish conventional, and spend $180 on a P-series Newell. But if you swim with your reels, there isn't a waterproof conventional out there and the prospects are pretty dim for there ever being one.

[Casting Z's]

Originally Posted by ChiefLinesider

Boo Hoo. "...So find it in your heart to come up with $995 & get yourself a ZB. If not for yourself for the sake of humanity!"

[ducman]

hey just want you all to know somethings i have the 22 and 27 Z the new model , it an good reel , and there is ONE BIG problem, when WENDY with zeebaas costumer service she was great service and deal with problem fast and nice..... BUT now that they got the new guy doing cust. service his name is TIM, let me tell you all something he is the WORST cust. that i ever come across with, HE don't care about the zeebaas at all , seen that he do not care what kind of problem or issue you got . it too long for me to explain.....Any way if you have an alright product but and BAD cust. service what it make that company is ???? if there is an score for this company. 1 to 10 i will RATE this company ----------NEG.-10 i mean an NEG. -10..... i even trying to contact ROB. but seen that he busy or he don't care too...BUT oh well i know that i WILL NOT SPEND any moneys and i will tell any one and everybody how bad and worst this company of zeebaas is , and they are on the way to bank rob any way, just like he sell VAN STALL to zeppco ... who next......i now buy shimano and daiwa....bye bye zeebaas......