New Shimano Baitcasters...

[Slazmo]

While all these new models are coming out faster than people can buy them / fish them, it seems that a few of the new smaller 70 size platforms which are very popular with BFS and skipping etc, this being a evolutionary next step to the 50 platform's that everyone loved.

They're being made with certain internal parts out of plastic, traditionally they were hard chromed brass, then to everyone's protest turned to Tuffram coated aluminium which lasted pretty damn long...

Now I've been reading that the level wind worms drive and pawl is a plastic replacement to the once aluminium worm shaft and brass pawl part, people are loosing their biscuits over it now.

Line guides have been notoriously sloppy from factory with movement in the actual guide on the worm protector sheath and slides, they don't seem to have much tolerance and wobble about under finger pressure. Another movement is the worm shaft itself with left to tight horizontal play which can be cancelled out with shims on both sides if needed.

While I haven't gone through a new 70 size shimano it's quiet interesting that they've put so much trust in a mechanically formed plastic for such a critical job... Not much of an issue overall with that worm drive swapped out with a similar reels metal part.

Anyone with a 70 size platforms that can comment so far as to line guide slop or wear?

[Avet4life]

it seems most company are changing out the metal/alum to plastic

[seanh]

Glad you mentioned that Slazmo because I got a Curado 70 a while back and just had a look at it and noticed the wormgear on the level wind is a black colour and could well be plastic. I hope not. It was a 300 dollar reel and I'm not sure I like the idea of that particular part being plastic. So far though the reel has performed very well.

[Bait Caster]

Got my 70 locally for well under $300. Used it almost exclusively for several months and no problems.