Pinnacle Fishing Reaches for New Heights

Introduction: New reel manufacturers are always a treat for us here at TackleTour. Last year, we met the folks over at Pinnacle Fishing for the very first time and were intrigued at their value priced product. This year, we caught up with pro-staff John Crews who took us through the new Pinnacle reels.

Introducing Pinnacle's Optimus Xi Casting Reel.

This reel features a metal frame and sideplates.

Optimus Xi: We've spent time with Crews before out on Lake Lanier Georgia earlier this year and have come to know him as a very friendly and cool character. He could hardly contain his excitement over Pinnacle's new Optimus Xi reel, so we knew we had to pay extra attention to what this reel was all about.

Yet it still only weights 7.1 ounces.

Carbon handle and dragstar.

What is it about you ask? Well, how about a full metal frame and sideplate low profile baitcaster weighing in at 7.1 ounces with 10+1 bearings, an 8 disc caron fiber drag system, a carbon fiber drag star, flipping switch, tandem magnetic and centrifugal brake system, EVA knobs, a duralumin spool and drivetrain with each and every reel hand tuned before it leaves the main office for distrubtion?

Introducing the Optimus Xi Spinning Reel.

Yes, we had the same question. "Hand Tuned"? What happens is, each and every Optimus reel from Pinnacle is individually inspected, tested, and tuned to meet certain performance specifications. They are then shipped with a card providing each owner with a 1.800 number. Should anything go wrong with the reel, all one has to do is call the number and make arrangements to send the reel back in for a one time, free, re-tuning of the reel to those same exacting specifications. It's like getting one complimentary tuneup with your purchase.

Optimus Spinning: Joining the Xi casting reel is a new spinning reel with the same, unique, hand tuned service option. The Optimus Spinning reel will be available in two sizes and feature 7+1 bearings, a reinforced graphite body and rotor, Pinnacle's own "Cross Wrap" oscillation system for flast line lay, a waterproof multi-stack drag, a titanium coated line roller, and a carbon fiber handle with an EVA knob. The Optimus Spinning reel will retail for $149.99.

The Optimus Spinning reel features a waterproof multi stack drag.

Performa XT: For the more value minded angler, Crews highligted for us, Pinnacle's Performa XT spinning reel. These reels retail for $99.99 and feature an aluminum body and rotor, the same 7+1 bearings, and waterproof multi-stack drag. Pinnacle has positioned this reel as a great tool for dropshotting, shaky-head fishing and other "what-the-finesse" applications!

The Optimus Spinning reel also features a part carbon handle and full EVA knob.