A spincast reel for all ages and levels of experience, the
mighty Zebco Omega

Date: |
1/16/03 |
Tackle type: |
Rod & Reel Combo |
Manufacturer: |
Zebco |
Reviewer: |
JIP |
Total Score: 7.98
Introduction:
When you thought spincast reels can't get any better, there's always
someone out there to prove you wrong. Zebco, the originators of
spincasting reels proudly welcomes the aggressive Omega that's feature packed
and powerful enough for those serious Anglers.
Zebco Omega
Combo (ZO3C) Specifications |
Omega ZO3
Spincast Reel |
Line
Capacity (lb/yds) |
10/90 |
Gear
Ratio |
3.7:1 |
Bearings |
6 |
Additional Features |
Continuous
anti-reverse, 3X positive line pick-up system, Level wind oscillating
spool, Spare spool, Quick-change spool system, Triple-Cam multi-disk drag
system, Sealed soft-touch rubber thumb button, Pre-spooled with 90 yds. of
10 lb. test line |
MSRP
(Reel only) |
$49.95 |
ZOC601M
Rod |
Material |
IM6
Graphite |
Length |
6'0" |
Color |
Black |
Line
Weight |
8-14
lb. |
Lure
Weight |
1/4-1
oz. |
Power |
Medium |
MSRP (Combo) |
$69.95 |
Spincast Reels: Spincast reels have always been
perceived by Anglers as a beginner's choice due to the simplicity, trouble-free
design, and ease of use. Because of these reasons many current
experienced Anglers grew up using a spincast setup as a child. Today when Anglers
hear about spincast reels they would probably say it's kids stuff and walk away
with their spinning or baitcasting gear. But as technology advances so do
spincast reels. Today's engineers are challenged daily to design a
spincast reel that's packed with more features and power, and the results are
quite impressive to many Anglers and to the Editors at TackleTour. Zebco,
the father of the spincast reels, designed an advanced spincaster that's beyond
any other... the Zebco Omega.
Impressions: For those
who are just starting out in the sport of fishing or the more experienced Anglers who aren't ready
to move into baitcasters but want something more, the Zebco Omega is a perfect
fit. The Omega is the most advanced spincast reel ever made and today
you can get it in a combo that's ready to fish as you walk out of the store.

The
Zebco Omega combo is not just for kids. The Omega is the most advanced
spincast reel on the market today and is rugged enough for any Angler
The Omega ZO3 reel is quite impressive.
You can't even compare it to anything that's on the market of this class of
reels today. The ZO3 is the only spincast reel that contains 6
stainless steel ball bearings. It has an outstanding appearance, solid
die-cast aluminum body and reel foot, and an aircraft aluminum cover. You
won't be disappointed with the overall construction because this spincast reel
uses zero plastics and only premium materials. The solid base of the Omega holds some features like a anti-reverse system, an
all-brass helical-cut worm gear drive, triple-cam multi-disk drag system, and
many more remarkable features that are mentioned in the next few paragraphs.

The
larger components of the Omega. The black spool is the spare
The
rod that comes with this combo is a 1 piece medium power with a moderate to slow
action. It contains 6 metal guides, a cork handle, and a blank-through
reel seat for added sensitivity.
Real World Tests: We take you through a series of lab and real
world tests conducted on the Zebco Omega under stressful loads while obtaining
results in application, performance, reliability, and much more. Below are
the outcome of the experiments.
Notable
Features: Spincast reels are supposed to be simple. That's until Zebco designed the
new Omega reel. They have incorporated some features that deserves some
closer attention.

The
patented sealed rubber thumb button provides good grip and a seal to keep the
guts free of dirt and grit
Thumb
Button: Thumb buttons are thumb buttons. So why is this one so
special? The Zebco Omega utilizes their patented sealed rubber thumb
button that provides outstanding performance. While it's being used the
rubber button delivers superb gripping power dry or wet. During our lab
tests we tried 4 different methods: 1) wet our hands completely, 2) wet just the
rubber thumb button, 3) wet both our hands and button, 4) and having both wet
surfaces with some lubricant/slim on our thumbs. In each of those
situations we proceeded to cast and see if any slipping occurs. The
results are outstanding and can truly say that even with a bass-slimmed thumb,
slipping off the soft rubber button won't be a concern on the field. The rubber seal
not just prevents accidental slips but is also used to prevent any dirt or dust from intruding into the gear system.
While field testing we found this to be especially useful for Anglers who lay
their rod and reel down on the ground while bait fishing.

Cast
after cast and no slippage, not even when the thumb is coated with fish slim
Level
Wind Oscillating Spool: The idea of the oscillating spool was taken from its
cousins in the spinning and baitcasting reels where the spool on the spinning
reel oscillates vertically while the baitcasters use a level-wind to place line
evenly onto the spool. The ZO3 applies this technique to make sure that
the line will be evenly applied on the spool during retrieves. Numerous
times during the lab tests we retrieved the line under a wide range of pressure
and then removed the spool for examination. The level wind oscillating
spool accurately places the line onto the spool everytime.
Ball
Bearings: The Zebco Omega is the only spincast reel to feature 6 stainless
steel ball bearings. That's more than some spinning and baitcasting
reels. During the cranking tests in the lab the reel seemed a little
tight, but after a few more turns the break-in period has been reached.
Now the 6 ball bearing spincast reel cranks smoothly under zero load. Look
below for field test results.
Spare
Spool: Wait a minute. A spare spool for a spincast reel?
Yup! Zebco is the first ones to use a system that allows Anglers to
quickly change spools when needed. The Quick-Change spool system on the
Omega allows you to change the size or type of line without having to re-spool onto
a single fixed spool like other spincast systems. This provides an added
value to save Anglers time and hassle of re-spooling when different fishing
situations call for a different type of line. Here are the simple steps on
how to change the spool: 1) Twist off the aluminum cover, 2) while holding the
handle stationary, turn the spinnerhead counter-clockwise unscrewing it off, 3)
tighten the drag to max, and 4) unlock the spool as indicated on the spool
itself and remove. To replace with the spare spool, repeat these steps in
reverse order.

The
ZO3 and its spare spool. Now changing line types are quick and easy
The Reel: As you can tell from what you read above the Zebco
Omega seems to be a pretty outstanding reel of its class. We take you
further into our real world tests as our Editors gear up for some
Omega action.
Casting:
Spincast reels are one of the easiest reels to cast. The ZO3 shows good
casting abilities with lures/bait of different varieties. While fishing
with the Omega we compared the casting distances with
baitcast reels by other well known brands and the results were shocking.
At times the Omega cast further then the baitcast reels that had near-frictionless spool designs.

Zebco
designed the Omega with features that reduce line friction as much as
possible. You see here a ceramic line guide that provides a smoother cast
and retrieve by helping the line to flow more freely
What
makes the Omega outstanding in this category are the design features that Zebco
engineered on the reel that targets fishing line friction points when they were
challenged to design the most advanced spincast reel on the market. First
the level wind oscillating spool. The ability to be able to place line
evenly back onto the spool each time allows easy and smooth casts. Then
there's the spinnerhead with the retractable pick-up pins. Being able to
produce a solid and uniform circular spinnerhead that the line flows off of is
important in casting. With little friction when the line touches the lip
of the spinnerhead, casting goes the distance. Lastly and just as
important as the other features that improve casting is the aircraft aluminum
cover. This featherweight cover is machine forged with quality and
precision, and at the line exit hole is a ceramic line guide, just like a rod
guide eyelet. The ceramic guide provides a way for the line to flow
freely. So if you follow the process from when the line is placed onto the
spool and to the time you cast, the design of the Omega ensures that the line
flows as frictionless as possible.

The
die-cast aluminum cover is lightweight and machined with precision. Also
notice the inside view of the ceramic line guide in the center
Retrieving & Power: There aren't any other spincast reels out
there today that sports 6 stainless steel ball bearings. As mentioned
above, during the lab tests the Omega required a few minutes of break-in
time. After that the reel retrieved smoothly. On the water when we
tossed various lures and retrieved them at different speeds the Omega ran as
expected. The 6 ball bearing, all brass helical cut worm gear drive
system, ceramic line guide and pick-up pins, a powerful and solid crank handle,
plus the solid construction of the Omega base all contribute to the ability to
be able to retrieve smoothly. To compare we used both spinning and
baitcasting reels that had 2 to 8 bearings. The Omega had better retrieval
performance than reels that had less bearings, but still cannot outperform the
ones that contained more bearings. When going head to head with reels of a
different class with the same amount of bearings there were mixed results.

The
spinnerhead contains three retractable cut-proof hardened ceramic pick-up
pins. The head piece is solid to prevent any warping
The
name Omega says it all for the power of the reel. This spincast reel has a
strong foundation as its base, along with a zero plastic construction, the ZO3
is powerful enough for the most experienced Anglers targeting the huge
ones. This spincast reel also contains a continuous anti-reverse system
that provides a firm hookset each time.

A
simple yet functional screw that can be taken off by a coin, this designed
allows an easy and quick way to switch retrieving hands
The
ZO3 has an easy and quick way to change the handle from one side to the other,
allowing left or right hand retrievals. Without any tools, just a coin
like a dime or nickel will do the job. Unscrew a cap, the screw holding
the handle, and switch. As easy as that. This process can be done by
anyone and in less than one minute.
The Drag: Spincast reels have a drag that is
designed so the line cannot run freely even when it's set to the lowest drag
level. This is a design feature that is used still today to allow
beginners to have a trouble free day fishing. If the drag allowed line to
come loose, inexperienced Anglers might have trouble figuring out the
problem. The Omega followed this old design because this reel can be used
by people who never fished before to the most experienced Anglers out
there. At the lowest drag setting there is still pressure that keeps the
line from coming out freely. At maximum the drag does the job well
preventing any slipping whatsoever. The drag settings in-between can be
finely adjusted and the clicking allows you to hear each turn of the knob.
If you find yourself palming the Omega like I was, the design actually allows
this, and at the same time you can use the same hand to adjust the drag.

The
Omega is built more solid than any other spincast reels out there
The
Construction: The Zebco Omega ZO3 is nothing I have ever seen in a spincast
reel. The quality is very sound. The base is solid and the materials
used are definitely not just the plain stuff you see used in other spincast
products. Inside and out the Omega uses components that will prolong the
life of the product.
No plastics are used on this reel. The rubber used on the release button
is flexible and won't easily dry up and break down on you. After many days of use
the ZO3 showed no signs of weakness. The rock hard outer body is great for
the kids who place or drop it on the dirt, and tough enough for the hardcore
Anglers that need a non-flex chassis for powerful retrieves and a reliable reel
that won't be disappointing.
The Rod: The Omega ZO3 reel is mated with a 6 foot long rod that makes a
good match for a low budget combo that will do the job. The rod uses
stainless steel D-guides along with a contoured cork handle for added
comfort. The sensitivity on the rod is marginal with the help of the
exposed reel seat that allows your finger to come in direct contact with the
blank. The power of the rod is medium and can accommodate most fishing
types that does not require extra heavy loads. For the more advanced
Anglers that require additional power, they can match the Zebco Omega spincast reel with one of your
favorite baitcast rods for enhanced performance.
Even
though this is a low budget rod, it still contains features that improve its
performance like an exposed reel seat for additional sensitivity