Customer Reviews

Shakespeare Medium Heavy Action Alpha Bigwater Combo

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Reel handle and associated parts were just thrown in box - there was no owner's manual. You cannot connect the handle with parts sent, so I am going to have to send it to Shakespeare and pay for them to put it together for me. I suspect the handle is incorrect one and the packager couldn't put it together so it was just all thrown in the box to become the buyers problem. Would not buy again! Save your money and buy one you can see what you are getting in a retail store.

Picked this guy up mostly to bait fish for stripers in the CA delta, not made of the best materials and its drag isn't that great but for the $20 bucks I paid for mine its done its job quite well and more than paid for itself. I also occasionally chuck bigger swimbaits with it and it handles well in this respect also, although it can get tiring. Caught numerous stripers and a few big bass with it. I would recommend this combo for somebody who wants a rod/reel that can hold up to bigger fish but is on a limited budget.

it's really a very basic rod. thrown together with the cheapest materials. the reel is probably the most primitive thing I've ever fished with. it BOASTS having just 1 ball bearing! the handle doesn't turn in reverse (I'll just unscrew it self) and there's no pin that holds everything in place, that knob on the other side of the handle is just a hub cap.
All that being said, this is my primary pier and surf fishing rod, and I have caught enough fish with it no to doubt it's capabilities. I've gotten used it it's clunky "all or nothing" drag, it's super low gear ratio, and clumsy action. It sort of makes each fish I catch more of an achievement. I'll be hanging onto this combo for as long as it holds out, and when it finally breaks, I may consider getting another one.