Should have listened to some of you guys
When bowfishing today shot 2 gar when we first got there then spent the rest of the time working on my reel....Had a zebco reel several years ago never a problem with it for several years..  
 Bought a new 808 been 3 times and the line  hangs when shooting.. I can push the butting and line won't even pull out easy by hand seems to be hanging on something..also it pops when reeling in... I got a piece of junk    Lost 2 Arrows also..  :mad:  
Probably take forever to get it fixed


 Guess I'll have to get a AMS...

I went for the first time today all i had was a tape on reel from 3Rivers. It was OK the guy that took us let me shoot his AMS that is the way to go smooth and fast to retrieve.

... is better than a good day at work!

WW, check and make sure there isn't too much line on the reel.  Sometimes that will make them hang.

My first thought was the same as Gregg's.  At least you got a couple of fish!  Hand wrap reels shoot OK, but are slow.  They are the ultimate in simplicity: no moving parts and you do all the work.  Spincast reels shoot OK, are the fastest to retrieve and you can kinda fight the fish with them.  I like them in a boat for their better line control, but reliability can be an issue.  The Retriever shoots great and retrieves OK.  Shot quality is important to me and this is the reel I prefer, esp when wading or walking the bank.

.. is better than a good day at work!
 Yea it was...

But those gar were laying all over the river..
And some pretty good sized for around here
I'll be better equipped next time  :D

What river was you on?

Go to Walmart and get you a Synergy reel and take the line of the zebco and spool it up.You won't have as many problems and can keep fishing next time.The 4003sa works much better than the zebco and the line comes out good. jmo

ok, what did i tell yall?


i dont believe that the spin-cast reels retrieve the line faster than the AMS reels, and personally, i think you can fight fish BETTER with a AMS reel. just my opinion and opinons are like butt holes, weve all got them...

get a AMS and youll never look back!

and the reason that it catches is because the pick-up pins fall down and catch the string. i guess the old Zebcos were better made than the new ones...

Call me "Old Fashioned" LOL

I like the old tape-on drum reels  

I have an old Bear drum reel that screws righ into the front of my riser. Continues to do me well for many years now. Man I love shooting fish!

I have used the 808 and the Synergy reel from walmart.With 200# fastflight they work for awhile several seasons in fact however on mine it seems like as the line got older there where more and more hang up's inside the reel.I've since gotten the AMS retriever and IMO it's the cats meow or the double bull of the bowfishin reels ya know the cadalac

It'd most likely be a one time life time investment and while I had lots of fun with the others and they did work I highly recommend the retriever you won't be sorry I wasn,t cept for spendin money on the others first.

Good luck!!

The 808 was the first spincaster I tried, and I had a bad experience as well. None of the normal tricks worked, ie, Brownie FF, full spool, wet line, etc. One hang-up after another. I had just about given up on spincasters, but thought I'd try the Synergy this year. All the tricks still apply, but so far this reel has performed beautifully.

So far, the best deal I've found on an AMS Retriever Reel, is at Sportsmans Warehouse!!! I don't have one close by, but was in Wichita this past weekend, bought the bro in law one, for $59.99 +tax!!!