Anyone own a weston developments ss2600 reel with there mods fitted? I had a standard ss2600 years ago and it felt horrible so sold it on straight away, just wondering is westons version is better as i still love the look of the ss2600.
Had one and sold it unused. Yes it was smoother than a previous ss2600, however when compared side by side with theory sp's they just felt outdated even with all of the improvements.
In reply to Post #1
Get a Daiwa GS4000 much nicer over the SS2600
Get a Daiwa GS4000 much nicer over the SS2600
In reply to Post #3
agree, although the ss2600 looks decent, the gs4000 is an infinitely better reel at the same size and similar gold and black colouring
agree, although the ss2600 looks decent, the gs4000 is an infinitely better reel at the same size and similar gold and black colouring
Agree with post 3
If you don't like the ss
If you don't like the ss
In reply to Post #4
And cheaper.
And cheaper.
I've had GS recently and SS previously- not the Weston version mine were pimped by Garry back in the day.
Biggest issue I found with both was the poor retrieve ratio. Felt like I was winding for ever and not getting any closer to landing a fish until it was totally exhausted, so got rid.
Never have found a suitable 'mid' sized reel so reverted to the 6010/8010 which had (imo) a better retrieve, just not as cool. I was going to get some SS recently but went back to bait runners instead
Biggest issue I found with both was the poor retrieve ratio. Felt like I was winding for ever and not getting any closer to landing a fish until it was totally exhausted, so got rid.
Never have found a suitable 'mid' sized reel so reverted to the 6010/8010 which had (imo) a better retrieve, just not as cool. I was going to get some SS recently but went back to bait runners instead
In reply to Post #1
SS2600 are just too wobbly and slow. Had a set with the Weston gear on, then bought 3 Okuma Inception 6000 for less than the price of 1 SS and they're just better reels all round. Ended up Flogging the SS feeling a bit of a mug. I've now got 7 of the Okuma and use them on all my Carp and Barbel rods.
I've got a GS3000 on my heavy float rod as well and that's lovely, really smooth with a nice clutch.
SS2600 are just too wobbly and slow. Had a set with the Weston gear on, then bought 3 Okuma Inception 6000 for less than the price of 1 SS and they're just better reels all round. Ended up Flogging the SS feeling a bit of a mug. I've now got 7 of the Okuma and use them on all my Carp and Barbel rods.
I've got a GS3000 on my heavy float rod as well and that's lovely, really smooth with a nice clutch.
Cheers everyone. Had a feeling it wouldnt be much of an improvement. Loved those theory sp reels, wish i never sold them. I think i will just use my little daiwa tournament 20 match reel as love those and save some money.
I actually love the ss2600
In reply to Post #10
A lot of people do.
A lot of people do.
In reply to Post #10
Same as some people loving the SS3000 and Tournies, they're clunky, noisy old things but people seem to like them.
I personally prefer the look and feel of the modern reels.
Same as some people loving the SS3000 and Tournies, they're clunky, noisy old things but people seem to like them.
I personally prefer the look and feel of the modern reels.
You either love SS reels or you don't. If you don't like them already, you'll never modify a set to make you like them. In fact most mods make them worse, I'll never understand peolle buying tournies/SS reels and putting quick drags/new washers on. They completely ruin what the reels are about.
In reply to Post #10
Tbh for Carp fishing where they're sat in rests 99% of the time it doesn't really matter that they're crap. But cranking in 8oz of lead every 30 minutes on the Trent became a chore real quick
Tbh for Carp fishing where they're sat in rests 99% of the time it doesn't really matter that they're crap. But cranking in 8oz of lead every 30 minutes on the Trent became a chore real quick
In reply to Post #1
I've got one, use it on my floater/perching set up.
Is it much different, no not really, carbon washers i suppose make what was already a smooth clutch slightly better but apart from that, a better line clip and a wooden handle there's not a lot between that and an off the shelf version.
If the original felt horrible to you, this one wont feel significantly different enough.
I love it though!
I've got one, use it on my floater/perching set up.
Is it much different, no not really, carbon washers i suppose make what was already a smooth clutch slightly better but apart from that, a better line clip and a wooden handle there's not a lot between that and an off the shelf version.
If the original felt horrible to you, this one wont feel significantly different enough.
I love it though!
In reply to Post #1
Got 2 out of my 3 SS2600 reels modified by Gary from Custom reels in the time he was in business.
-Wooden Handles.
-Worm Bush bearing upgrade.
-Weston line clips.
-Rotor balancing.
-Black ball kicker.
IMO it makes the reel about 20% better compared to the original. Mainly prefer the improved line clips, the bearing upgrade make them more smooth steady with retrieve. The bearing upgrade is easy to do by yourself.
In the end prefer Tournaments. Easy to maintain reels, nothing complicated. Prefer the original felt drag washers, they are fine as what they are. Non of my Tournaments have the carbon ones.
A Nice upgrade on the original square drive SS-3000 is the Weston Developments titanium line roller. The re-released SS-3000 version already have an upgrade in the line roller.
If you didn't like the the SS2600 in the past, you shouldn't expect any major difference with the upgrades.
Got 2 out of my 3 SS2600 reels modified by Gary from Custom reels in the time he was in business.
-Wooden Handles.
-Worm Bush bearing upgrade.
-Weston line clips.
-Rotor balancing.
-Black ball kicker.
IMO it makes the reel about 20% better compared to the original. Mainly prefer the improved line clips, the bearing upgrade make them more smooth steady with retrieve. The bearing upgrade is easy to do by yourself.
In the end prefer Tournaments. Easy to maintain reels, nothing complicated. Prefer the original felt drag washers, they are fine as what they are. Non of my Tournaments have the carbon ones.
A Nice upgrade on the original square drive SS-3000 is the Weston Developments titanium line roller. The re-released SS-3000 version already have an upgrade in the line roller.
If you didn't like the the SS2600 in the past, you shouldn't expect any major difference with the upgrades.
The old emblem is a much better reel.
Old school chic, light, fast, no wobble or squeaks, bombproof.
Just quick drag and add proper line clips.
My big reels are old Shimano XT Ultegra though.
Three on my light 2.75lb carp rods...
Spod and marker...
Trent barbel rods...
Spopper...
Old school chic, light, fast, no wobble or squeaks, bombproof.
Just quick drag and add proper line clips.
My big reels are old Shimano XT Ultegra though.
Three on my light 2.75lb carp rods...
Spod and marker...
Trent barbel rods...
Spopper...
In reply to Post #17
I use emblem 5500ts on my pike rods but you cant compare them to ss 2600 much bigger and yes they are solid . I bought gs 4000s when they came out sold them after using for a week and put my ss2600s back on rods.
I use emblem 5500ts on my pike rods but you cant compare them to ss 2600 much bigger and yes they are solid . I bought gs 4000s when they came out sold them after using for a week and put my ss2600s back on rods.
Only crappy old modified SS reels for me, all the newer 'better' reels just feel cheap and delicate to me. 
have an SS2600 on my floater and stalking rods, and to be honest it's my least favorite reel, the anti reverse is too good, it doesn't feel normal to me
have an SS2600 on my floater and stalking rods, and to be honest it's my least favorite reel, the anti reverse is too good, it doesn't feel normal to me 
In reply to Post #19
Love the SS2600 for light rods & smaller waters, solid build, good clutch & the wobbles not really noticeable when on a rod.
Emblem Z or X 4500 when bigger reels needed, still going strong..bombproof.
Have tried some newer reels notably the awful Shimano XT something 5500 with the flappy handle that had a lump of plastic on the handle to try to stop it knocking lumps out of the paint & a line guard that was anything but.
Fox FX something, smallish jobs where the line spent more time behind the spool than in front, all of which got moved on sharpish so its the old faithful's all the way for me.
Love the SS2600 for light rods & smaller waters, solid build, good clutch & the wobbles not really noticeable when on a rod.
Emblem Z or X 4500 when bigger reels needed, still going strong..bombproof.
Have tried some newer reels notably the awful Shimano XT something 5500 with the flappy handle that had a lump of plastic on the handle to try to stop it knocking lumps out of the paint & a line guard that was anything but.
Fox FX something, smallish jobs where the line spent more time behind the spool than in front, all of which got moved on sharpish so its the old faithful's all the way for me.
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