A push-button fishing reel goes back to the beginning of standard day fishing. The reel uniqueness of the reel is the fact that it is easy to have line control even for a beginner. This is the reason many people begin fishing with one. I was not different with my first Zebco reel. However, I taught my son on a spinning reel because I saw no reason to have to learn an extra step to modern-day fishing.
If you are interested in push-button reels, which I guess you are since you are here, this is the lowdown. Everybody knows that Zebco 33 is the original best of class. That is a given. However, there are many other companies that make high-quality versions today. You should look into different versions from Zebco, Daiwa, Pflueger, and Abu Garcia. One of these should be your next push-button fishing reel for your or your child. It is one of the best ways to get started without any real instruction.
What Is A Push Button Reel Called?
This fishing reel is made to be simple and give inexperienced anglers the ability to go fishing without much instruction. When a family vacation happens and you are on a lake filled with fish, everybody has a chance of catching the big one! Using it is simple so I will lay it out in the steps below:
- Push Button and Hold: This releases the bail and holding it keeps it from letting out the fishing line
- Cast and Release Button: When you cast and release the button at the apex the weight of the lure and the torque of your cast propel the lure forward.
- Reel In (Audible Locking Sound): When you start your retrieve you will hear the click of the bail closing within the reel.
Zebco 33 Max Spincast Reel
When it comes to who was first in the spincast reel market, you don’t go any further than the Zebco model 33. It is the same reel I used and probably many others. To this day people still look to spincast reels to begin their education or the education of a loved one.
Above you will see how these reels function, but what has changed since the one-dimensional utility of these reels? Somethings are the same and some things are new. Check them out below:
Specifications | Results |
|---|---|
Price | $32.99 |
Model # | 33MXK |
Gear Ratio | 2.6:1 |
Product Weight (oz) | 12.4 |
Bearings | 1 |
Anti-Reverse | Quickset |
Hand Retrieve | Left/Right |
Pre-Spooled | 20lb |
Mono Capacity | 100/20 |
IPT (in) | 16 |
Product Color | Silver/Black |
Built-In Bite Alert | Cell |
MicroFine Dial-Adjustable Drag | Cell |
All-Metal Gears | Cell |
Dual Ceramic Pick-Up Pins | Cell |
Stainless Steel Covers | Cell |
Lightweight Graphite Frame | Cell |
Changeable Right or Left Hand Retrieve | Cell |
Ball-Bearing System | Cell |
Patented No-Tangle Design | ​ |
Daiwa Goldcast Spincast Reel
Daiwa is a well-known brand when it comes to fishing. I particularly have a lot of experience with them when it comes to saltwater fishing. Few people know that they make high quality spincast reels. The goldcast version is just a level of them. You can get other colors that are lower grade because not everybody wants the best or can afford it.
One of the main differences in this particular reel is the fast retrieve ratio and the high-quality line it is pre-spooled with. I always wished that when you got a new fishing reel they would come with a fantastic line and promote who that is or just not give you fishing line at all. Most people who use spincast reels need to see how it was done the first time then they are able to replicate the process. I guess you could always use YouTube as well.
Below are some of the great features that you will find with the Daiwa Goldcast and is another reason that you should consider this as your first push-button fishing reel.
Specifications | Results |
|---|---|
Price | $57.95 |
Rotating Tungsten Carbide Line Pick-Up | ​ |
Metal Fishing Reel | Body, Gearing and Nose Cone |
Gear Ratio | 4.1:1 |
Right/Left Hand Retrieve | Cell |
Oscillating Spool Levelwind | Oscillation provides even line winding. This keeps the line from cutting into itself and for smooth casting |
Line Aperture Perfected For | Provides Maximum Casting Distance |
Pre-Spooled With High-Quality Fishing Line | Cell |
Multi-Disc Drag | Creates smooth drag system for spincast reels. You are also able to easily adjust. |
Corrosion Resistant Ball Bearing | Cell |
Model Number | Ball Bearings | Gear Ratio | Line Retrieval Per Rotation | Weight (oz) | Line Capacity (lb. Test / Yards) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  GC80 | 1 | 4.1:1 | 18.3" | 9.2 | Mono (8/75) |
  GC100 | 1 | 4.1:1 | 20.8" | 9.9 | Mono (10/80) |
 GC120 | 1 | 4.1:1 | 21.3" | 12 | Mono (12/100) |
Abu Garcia Abumatic
You will find that Abu Garcia has two spincast versions. One is affordable and the other is higher quality and double the price. I for one have had my fair share of the bottom of the barrel fishing gear. I will personally tell you it’s a waste of money. One will last you a season. The other will last you a lifetime!
The best one is the Abu Garcia Abumatic 170 Spincast reel. It is obviously higher quality than the counterpart and is made to compete with the spincast reels that I have previously listed. One of the cool things I like about it is that they are not ashamed to talk about who they have joined forces with (Berkley). They know that people want the best and not some knock off brand from who knows where.
Below are some of the great features that you will find with the Abu Garcia Abumatic 170. Abu Garcia is my favorite fishing reel manufacturer and there is a reason for that. Check out why yourself!
Specifications | Results |
|---|---|
Ball Bearings | 1 |
Anti-Reverse Bearing | ​ |
Duragear Brass Gear | ​ |
Aluminum Body and Front Cone | ​ |
Carbon Matrix Drag System | Cell |
Pre-Spooled Fishing Line | Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament - 12lb |
Oscillating Spool | Oscillation provides even line winding. This keeps the line from cutting into itself and for smooth casting |
Abu Garcia Abumatic Styles | Gear Ratio | Retrieve Rate | Bearings | Weight (oz) | Hand Retrieve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abu Garcia Abumatic 170 | 3.9:1 | 25" | 4 | 12.5 | Right |
 Abu Garcia Abumatic SX | 3.6:1 | 23" | 3 | 8.4 | Left/Right |
Best Spincast Reel For Saltwater
In my mind, I know what should be the best spincast reel and that is the Zebco Omega Pro, but personally I am just a fan of Abu Garcia. I believe that the Abu Garcia Abumatic 170 can hold itself toe to toe with that spincast reel. We have seen through the ages that the number of ball bearings helps, but it doesn’t mean your reel will stand the test of time. I for one won’t jump on the bandwagon, but believe the Zebco is a top quality company that is worth buying any day at whatever level you can afford.
Just to let you see the difference, check the comparison table below. This should help you visualize the difference between them and why it may or may not matter to you. Everybody has a particular way they want to fish and when you are talking about saltwater, you have a few more elements to your style of fishing.
Specifications | Zebco Omega Pro | Abu Garcia Abumatic 170 |
|---|---|---|
Price | $89.99 | $54.99 |
Ball Bearings | 7 | 4 |
Gear Ratio | 3.4:1 | 3.9:1 |
Weight (oz) | 10.6 | 12.5 |
Anti-Reverse | Yes | Yes |
Hand Retrieve | Left/Right | Right |
Pre-Spooled Fishing Line | 10lb | Berkley Trilene XL - 12lb |
Line Capacity (yards / lbs test) | 85 / 10 | 140 / 12 |
IPT (in) | 19 | 25 |
Oscillating Spool | Yes | Yes |
Pick-Up Pin | 3x | 1x |
Adjustable Disc Drag | Yes | Yes |
Metal Body | Yes | Yes |
Ratings |
Dwight Norris
Inshore fishing is the most popular method of catching saltwater fish. Millions of fishermen target inshore species due to easy ...
Dwight Norris
The switch to braided fishing line back in the 1990s was a big thing. However, the overall price of the ...
Dwight Norris
For those battle-hardened carp fishermen, using the best carp fishing reels brings a sense of confidence that when that elusive ...
Dwight Norris
Most people give ultra light gear a bad reputation. They believe it’s only for kids. They think you can only ...
Dwight Norris
When you have gathered all your specialized backpacking gear and are ready to hit the ground running remember not to ...
Dwight Norris
When fishermen get to introduce their young children to the sport of fishing it is a great day. We are ...