I and my clients used the new Zebco crappie reels the last 3 days and they are working good so far. The spincast has better gears, bearings, and drag than the old ones. The spinning reels have 2 pins on the spool that lock in the depth and they have been working well. You just have to keep the drag fairly tight so that it will not disengage the set pins. Yesterday I had my 2 most experienced clients and each used a depth locator reel and regular reel side by side. The depth locator reels outcaught the others 3 to 1. We fished 3 brush piles for them to get a limit of 50 big keeper crappie with another 50 throw backs. On Friday I did a short 5:00 to 7:30 trip ($100) using them and we had 35 big keepers. By the way, I still have some openings for the short afternoon trips on Mon, Wed, and Fridays. I will be showing the reels at my seminars at the Texas Wildlife Expo on Oct. 2 and 3 at 10:30 each day.

what's the model # on that Zebco?

Kevin, the spincast is just called Crappie Depth Locator. The spinning reel is called the Crappie Seeker. Brad called to set up a trip so if you come you can look at them and use them. They are not on the market yet. I am just field testing them. I may be using the only ones that are out in the field. I have been a field tester for Zebco-Quantum for 10 or 12 years now.

I have a couple of the old one's I think 20-20 was the model number but don't hold me to that.
Have really used them and seem to have held up well but getting a little worn now. Will have to get 2 replacements when they come on the market.

How many times have you tried to cast them yet without taking off the depth locator?

I cant wait either, I still use two compac RF-17's that Ive had for 20 years. When you need them, you need them. I use them for my customers when we fish brush so I dont have to re-tie all day.

Tommy -- Good deal - see you Friday

when and where can we purchase these reels

Check out the above post. I am just field testing them right now. They are not out on the market yet.