Wright & McGill Skeet Reese Victory Reels

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A  few months ago, Dick's Sporting Goods was doing a special where you could buy one of their Wright & McGill Skeet Reese Victory Rods and get a free reel. Now, I have owned several of the rods and they seem to be fantastic rods for the money. They run under $100 and have lived under my abuse. Well, I jumped all over it and so did everyone else. In fact, I had to go to two different stores in order to get both. I bought the 7.0:1 ratio.

• Aluminum frame for durability and weight reduction.
• Infinite anti-reverse.
• One-touch removable aluminum spool.
• Centrifugal anti-backlash braking system.
• Powerful and smooth Teflon® drag system.
• Audible click star drag.
• Precision cut brass gears.
• Extra-large power handle and oversized rubber paddles.
• Available in right & left hand retrieve.
• Weight 7.76 ounces.
• Includes neoprene reel case.

Price Point: Right at $100

Initially, I was very impressed by it. I put it on a reel with 30 pound braid and only used it for soft plastics. I liked the high ratio for quickly getting fish out of the weeds. 

Things I Liked:

• The handles are nice and wide, allowing you to impart a lot of force without much effort
• The grips are very nice and comfortable
• The braking system and casting control are very easy to use

Things I Dislike:

• Something about it isn't quite as ergonomic as I would like. I don't know if it is the shape or size. It doesn't fit quite right in my hand
• The braking system is flawed. If you cast it hard, like a top water plug or crank bait, the brakes will reset or loosen up. So, your next cast will be a nightmare
• The side cover isn't attached to the main body. So, if you are adjusting it, keep a hand on it! It might fall in the drink! 

Overall, the reel is a great way to spend a little cash and get decent quality. Especially if it's free. However, the inability to really cast plugs reliably without having to mess with the brake system is a deal breaker for top water or cranking. Literally, every cast I had to redo the brakes. Now, it will be fine for plastics or other baits similar. But, if you are casting for distance, you will be in trouble. Additionally, with a coupon or two, I could buy a Shimano Citica that will outperform it in all regards. But, if you can find it on special and need a plastics reel, this is a solid choice.