Customer Reviews

ZebcoŽ Rhino Spincast Reel

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

 

 

When I started fishing two years ago I bought three reels right off: Two Zebco Omegas, the "Cadillac" of spincast reels in both price and quality and the Rhino RSC3 to bang around with.

The Rhino has worked harder, has a better drag button (the knob on both my Omegas' is loose, this has been a problem with them) and feels smoother than my Omegas which cost twice as much. Now that I no longer use spincast as I've moved on to baitcast the reel I gave my wife who wants to start fishing the Rhino. It is much lighter and easier to work. Having owned two Omegas I think I can safely say I it is no fluke the Rhino I got is better. On paper the Omega should smoke the Rhino - in usage the Rhino wins out. It is just a great reel and will last forever. Don't use in saltwater!

My Omgeas are reel wall decorations compared to the Rhino which gets used.

I will say however that yes, the reel is tightly threaded. Make sure you get in on straight or you could strip it. I have also had a friend that on my recommendation bought two Rhino's - an RSC2 and RSC3. The RSC2 model which I have never used failed right out of the box. The replacement RSC2 lasted about 1 month of hard fishing before it started locking up on the cast. He traded for another RSC3 and has not had any problems for about a year now. Make sure you get a good RSC3 and it will last you a long time.

I use spincast reels predominantly when I fish. When my Zebco Bullet finally wore out, I decided to replace it with what I thought was the best spincast reel on the market, the new Rhino. Unfortunately I was mistaken. The Rhino has some serious problems:

(1) The cap for the reel is so finely threaded that it easily cross threads. Taking off the cap to rethread line becomes a major hassle.

(2) The line release button is covered by a rubber boot. This can hinder casting.

(3) This was the first reel where I've actually had a part break internally. Part of the bait alert system (useless btw) broke and jammed my entire reel. I had to call off my fishing trip in order to go home and work on the reel.

(4) Constant tension must be kept on the line in order for the line pickups to work (and subsequently be able to actually reel in your line). This is especially true if you use the stock line that comes pre-spooled.

In conclusion, this is a finicky reel that must be kept clean and maintained. It can't just be kept in your garage for the occasional usage, unless you are prepared to work on your reel for half the fishing trip.

I've had these two reels for over a year now (since 12/25/06) and they are the best spincast reels I've ever used. I fish at least once a week so I use these reels often. Great casting, plenty of power, and not a minute's trouble. Perhaps the other reviewer bought the RSC2, I haven't used that one.

Tried replacing the good old Zebco 33 with this thing. Looked and felt great till first cast. Something is really wrong with the brake release timing. If you throw it like a child it will function. If not, you may get a hook in the face. Bad ju ju on this one. Heading back to the 33.

I have a reel the same as the picture that has been a great reel.. The ones shipped are slightly different.. Time will tell if they are as good.

I spent most of the day on the lake spincasting with the Rhino RSC3. It appears to be a nice reel and operates very smoothly until the line becomes twisted after about one hour of casting and retreiving. That is the only downside to this reel in my opinion.

I spent the previous day on the lake with a Abu Garcia 476I Abumatic reel. I would say this line twist problem was excessive with the Zebco Rhino reel. I am using the same brand, type and size line in both reels so the comparison should be accurate. After 6 hours of spincasting with the Garcia there was no excessive twisting in the line at all.

I never used the reel with the line that came in it. The original line had so much spool memory that I had to change the line before I could use the reel.

I have broken two for these reels on two separate fishing trips. Also the release is real high on the reel, and you have to depress the release to far to be comfortable when fishing all day.