zebco zebco33 Review

What a funny name - Zebco.  How and why did this name ever catch on?  Believe it or not...it all started back in WW II when Zebco stood for the Zero Hour Bomb Company.  A watchmaker from Texas presented them with a contraption he had designed to help fishermen solve the problem of backlashes.  Why not?  The war was over and all this metal was lying around - not making bombs anymore.

The Zebco 33 is the reel that taught America how to fish.  Anyone can use it...literally.  Even blind people have fished & caught fish using a Zebco 33.  To cast, all one has to do is depress a button and as the rod travels forward - release the button.  Of course, this may take a small amount of practice for someone that has never fished before.  But, a very small amount. 

The concept of the Zebco 33 is - No More Backlashes!  A baitcast, or level-wind reel reel requires a level of proficiency from the angler not to have an over-run or backlash in the line.  This is commonly called a "birds nest" because that's exactly what it looks like; a tangled mess of line that may not be fixable without completely stripping or cutting all the line from the reel.

On the downside - the Zebco 33 can & often does twist the line, resulting in weaker line.  The line is wrapped around a spool perpendicular to the ground when held in a normal position.  As the line leaves the reel or is cranked back in, it must turn 90 degrees.  On the retrieve, the line is picked up by a pin & turned 90 degrees to wrap it back around the spool.  This twisting action will eventually result in weaker line.  Which is why it's important - on any reel - to change the line often.  What good is it to have the "catch of a lifetime" break the line right at the boat or shore?  Also, a Zebco 33 or any spin-cast reel, (to my knowledge) will not accept the newer "Superlines" such as FireLine.

Bottom line: For around $20 to $30 you can own a reel that will last a lifetime - if taken care of properly.  Match a Zebco 33 up with a quality rod and you can catch almost any species of freshwater fish - from Bass to Crappie to Catfish.