Rod & Reel

I bought a new Quantum Energy E760PT based on having good service out of two older reels that I got with a new trolling motor and also the new $50 rebate. I liked it so well, I bought another from Cabelas, E770. I used it the first time yesterday and it sounded like a worn out reel. Real noisey. I brought it back home and was going to lube the new reel. It has a new screw-on handle and when I tried to turn it counter clockwise to remove the handle, it would not buldge. Rather than destroy the reel, I call Quantum and a lady answered. She told me to tighten the drag all the way down, move a geared washer away from the handle and it would un-screw. Why was that little tidbit not in the instruction pamlet? Then, following the instructions in the pamlet, I pushed a spring-loaded button under the left side of the reel and attempted to turn the side plate counter-clockwise to remove the side plate and it would not buldge. I have followed this proceedure on the two older reels and the side plate comes off easy. I am totally flustrated. Of course when I called back, I get a message to leave my number and they will call back. They didnt. Anyone have an answer for getting the side plate off, or should I return the new reel, made in China, to Cabelas? Skipjack (I hope this is appropriate for this post. I did not want to take away from it. ) Maybe I should have ordered a Bass Pro Extreme.

I have used only shimano for the past 15 years now. My stradic spinning reels were over 10 years old before I replaced them. My neighbors kid is still using them 3 years later! I just switched out my oldest cronarch reels(over 12 years old) for new models. With a little care they worked great and my buddy will still get many good years out of them.You get what you pay for, so pay a little more for a quality product.

Wow,surprised you have issues with those reels. I have at least 15 of the 760 and 770 reels on JB Custom Rods. Not the first issue with any of them. They are on their second year of usage also. I called Quantum to ask about pulling maintance on them,sending them in for service and they asked amount of time estimated on each reel. I told them and they said not to even worry about maintance yet. On a side note,like anything you build a bunch of there are going to be some that just fail or dont do right. Just my two cents worth. I agree with the above on how my E760pt feels and casts. Have you had any problem geting the side plates off. I pushed the button and turned counter clockwise and clockwise. Any thing else I could have done? Skipjack