.

Just did Bama

That's why all my Zebco 33's come from Garage Sales or off Ebay. My kids like using them and I keep a few on nice rods for my novice fishing friends. Those New 33s made in China are'nt worth leaving the store with.

All of my big fish reels are old American made Penns. I have several 5500 and 6500 abus also, all Swedish made. I trust all of the reels that I use to land whatever fish I can catch. I think the older Abus and Penns are quite a lot alike, they are both tough as nails. I have had folks in my boat land many big blues on china made equipment, I just don't know if they can stand the abuse of doing it week in and week out. I wouldnt buy the newer 7000's for the same reason I wouldnt buy the newer Penn 209's, made in China. I guess now that I have a little more info I will have to look into the 7000's when my Penn's die, which could be a long time.

just for the fact that your wife bought it for you, keep it, my wife would never buy me fishing gear.

guess you are divorced

Keep it. Wouldn't wanna hurt the wifes feelings.

Here is a plug for Bass Pro. I have a bait caster with Bass Pro's name on it, cost about $35.00. I got it about 4 years ago and it has been well used. It is smooth, long casting and very durable. I had to have a replacement for one of "BETTER" reels not too long ago and I thought I would try another one of the Bass Pro reels. This time I got the same reel but with the wider spool. I think it holds about 9 miles of 20# test mono.

Kerry I think your wrong. There is nothing wrong with his reel. Not all of us are BIG TIME guides, nor do we have the engineering and manufacturing insight that you do.

Howdy fellas!

Thanks for all the input. Now that I think of it, I am pretty sure the model number had an "i" in it, so I would be pretty interested to know if that is a designation for either being made or assembled in China. I think I will call some of the Academy stores here in Austin to see what they have in the Garcia 7000. I am not a guide and don't get to fish near as much as I'd like. I already have some Garcias in the 5000, 6000, and 6500 series. I had read about how much farther that the 7000 casts compared to the smaller Garcias and dropped a hint to the wife so that I'd also have a "long chunker" in my arsenal for surf fishing or doing what Damfisherman does (yellows below a dam). I have a buddy with a place on the San Antonio river, so I'd like to some day catch about a 5 or 6 foot gator gar for the heck of it.

I'll post later what I find out. There's also a Cabelas south of Austin, so I'll see what they have. I don't think the wife would mind if I take this one back and get a Swedish one. It's all going to depend on how much hassle it would be to change this one out. I won't mind keeping this one since I won't use it that often, but this is like doing an even trade turning in a Force outboard motor for the same horsepower Honda.

That is where you're going to see the difference in the Higher and lower quality is when you present that reel to a Saltwater environment. Even exposure over night will start to whittle away at the guts of that reel. Not because of where it's made but because of the parts it's made of.

Well, I have checked the local Academies and they carry the ones from China. I think it goes back and I will take a rain check and wait until I uncover one from Sweden. I want that reel to outlive me.

If it is made in Sweeden, it will be stamped on the right side Made in Sweeden, after you find out for sure you will never trust it if it is made in china, because these posts will always stick in your mind, If your wife is like most of our wives, she couldn't pick out the one she bought you anyway, as long as it is the same color, she will never know the difference!!!

Go ahead and take it back!!!

And good Luck to Ya!!!

i just wanted it to be know that i didn't say "I know she meant well, mine does too.......BUT.....Teach her right or send her packing! " that was someone else . if my wife goes and gets me anything to do with fishin, i know shes trying , and i just keep it because she tried

Some say "engineered in Sweden", at a glance it may look different.