REELS
If the rod is the backbone for fishing then reels are the guts. Without a good reel I guarantee your fishing expirience will not be as exciting. Reels of all makes and models can be found down at the Mississippi, though we would not recommend any salt water or baitcasting reels. This is due to the expense and practicability. We're not fishing for sharks and if the rod and reel gets sucked in you'd be out a small fortune. We also suggest that you try to purchase a metal reel, if possible. This is due to metal's durability and ease to clean. Plastic can be a bit of a pain to clean, as well as being more susceptible to damage and breakage. As a group, we mostly use the Zebco brand line of reels due to thier, durability, availability, and cost. We have colaborated some of the reels that we have used as well as thier statistics and our opinion on these reels. Once again we have come to these conclusions by trial and error, and differences of opinion may arise. I know they have even amongst our fishing party.
ZEBCO 33 CLASSIC--Very nice reel. Small, but durable. Doesn't hold alot of line, but is inexpensive enough. We definatly recommend this reel to anyone who may not have alot of money to spend, or just a casual river fisher. The great thing is that you also won't get any strange looks if your out on a lake, and it is metal. Great size for the younger river angler. I have had a few times where the trigger (casting button) has fallen off after a season, and I can't figure out why.
ZEBCO CLASSIC ONE--A bit larger than the 33. The classic one is a little more durable and can definatly hold more line. Like the 33 it is an inexpensive metal reel. This is a great bakup or first timer reel. Smooth and easy to maintain. Only drawback is that I have had a problem with the trigger falling off after a season of use. The reason is unknown.
ZEBCO 733 HAWG--This one is debatable. The Hawg is durable, large enough to hold line, and relatively less expensive. This is a good metal medium reel. If you don't want to spend alot but want something a little better this is it. We have used this as a backup as well as a primary reel, and it has done a good job. I personally have not had good luck with this reel. I have had the problem of poor casting and tangles, though my brother is the only other one to have this problem. It may be a family thing.
ZEBCO 808--Very nice. Smooth, durable, and large. Holds plenty of line and reels in nice. Good casting distance and accuracy. I have this model as my primary reel. A little more expensive than the Hawg, but worth it. The biggest problem is that it is a plastic reel and may be a bit of a pain to clean. Being plastic it can crack and break a bit easier, though I have yet to have that problem.
ZEBCO 888 PROSTAFF/GREAT WHITE --One step above the 808 is the 888 series. Smooth, durable, and large. The biggest difference between the 808 and 888 is that the 888 is metal. This makes it a bit easier to clean, and is not as suseptable to damage. Takes a backseat only to the Brute.
ZEBCO 270 BRUTE--This is the mother of all river reels. Definatly should be your primary reel. Large, smooth, metal, and extremely duarble. We have yet to see a better reel for the money. Though it may be a little more pricier, it is well worth every cent spent. Kliff has actually dropped the rod and reel off of a 10' cliff and it work as good as every. He has even gotten it sucked in the river, but retrieved it a few hours later and it worked fine. These may be extreme cases, but they show just how tough this reel is. It may take some searching around. but you'll be happy you did.