Wanted Advice / Opinion Cisco versus Big Jon Planer reels manual.

[Trorun]

Please advise. Cisco or Big Jon planer reels to mount to tower rails on Grady White Gulfstream

 

 

 

Edited January 24, 2019 by Trorun

[rhorst77]

Im in the same boat right now.  Interested to see other's recommendations.  I think you have to look at how often you will be using the planers and how much you want to spend. The ciscos are more expensive but a better product.  they are also upgradeable to electric pretty easily. I am not sure about the big jons.  I a also considering the great lakes planers brand as well.   

[Trorun]

Okay let's wait and see. There is never any shortage of opinions here. That's what makes this forum so good.

[minion]

All I can say is after 3 big jon reels I bought cisco and will never buy anything else ever again

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[wet the net]

My experience with Big Jon reels on my manual planer mast is the plastic reels are prone to crack and break when under pressure. You have to turn into the boards and relive all the pressure before starting to crank the handle. They are cheaper but you get what you pay for. If you can afford the ciscoes you wont look back.

Edited January 24, 2019 by wet the net

[Rookie Fisherman]

Big Jon on the old boat, did the job. When I rigged the new boat I didn't consider anything but the Cisco's

Spent the money and went with electrics, rail mounted on the pilot house roof. Simply awesome! 

No regrets.

 

[Roys Boys]

Don’t consider a big john reel their junk.. i used mine 3 times and the reel cracked.. best luck I had is cannon but I’m sure Cisco’s would be better

[tlombardozzi]

I purchased the aluminum traxstech for my boat last year and they are mint to use.  Not cheap but pay for the equipment once and you don't have to worry about the issues listed above down the road which ends up costing you just as much in the long run. IMO.

[Trorun]

Thanks to all.  I figured most would advise Cisco.  Did you also purchase the additional rail attached pulley system or just run off the reels high on the tower.

[Roys Boys]

Don’t consider a big john reel their junk.. i used mine 3 times and the reel cracked.. best luck I had is cannon but I’m sure Cisco’s would be better

[K Gonefishin]

Cisco hands down. 

[Trorun]

Ordering Cisco tonight.  Thanks to all.

[Rookie Fisherman]

Call and ask to Speak to Dave. They were running some discounts for the Niagara show, I am sure he would probably extend those to you. 

[John E Powell]

Since it’s good to hear the good and bad, I’ll share some bad. Cisco, like many things in life, are not bulletproof. A set of Amish boards burnt up the motors on a friend’s boat in couple years of weekend fishing. You can’t use them like a rigger and just haul in a set of the really big boards at trolling speed, they will fail.

 

Having said that, I still intend on buying a set for my next boat because I think it’s a great product at a decent price. If you’re going to use boards that pull hard, you should put the boat in neutral or turn towards each board and bring them in one at a time.

 

 

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[Silver Fox]

Their is no way I'm say "I've never had a cracking problem with my big johns". I'm not gonna jinx myself!

Silverfoxcharters.net

[Trorun]

5 hours ago, rookie fisherman said:

Call and ask to Speak to Dave. They were running some discounts for the Niagara show, I am sure he would probably extend those to you. 

Are you talking diet to Cisco. Do you have their contact info.? Thanks

[Bozeman Bob]

5 hours ago, John E Powell said:

Since it’s good to hear the good and bad, I’ll share some bad. Cisco, like many things in life, are not bulletproof. A set of Amish boards burnt up the motors on a friend’s boat in couple years of weekend fishing. You can’t use them like a rigger and just haul in a set of the really big boards at trolling speed, they will fail.

 

Having said that, I still intend on buying a set for my next boat because I think it’s a great product at a decent price. If you’re going to use boards that pull hard, you should put the boat in neutral or turn towards each board and bring them in one at a time.

 

 

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 According to there website they are using new motors that have twice the torque  compared to there previous ones. 

 

 

 

[Rookie Fisherman]

15 minutes ago, Trorun said:

Are you talking diet to Cisco. Do you have their contact info.? Thanks

[email protected] or 216-881-4559 Talk to Dave Logan

Dave is in charge of sales & marketing. Very nice guy ands knows his product well.

His father is the founder of the company.

[Rookie Fisherman]

5 hours ago, John E Powell said:

Since it’s good to hear the good and bad, I’ll share some bad. Cisco, like many things in life, are not bulletproof. A set of Amish boards burnt up the motors on a friend’s boat in couple years of weekend fishing. You can’t use them like a rigger and just haul in a set of the really big boards at trolling speed, they will fail.

 

Having said that, I still intend on buying a set for my next boat because I think it’s a great product at a decent price. If you’re going to use boards that pull hard, you should put the boat in neutral or turn towards each board and bring them in one at a time.

 

 

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They have recently upgraded the motors. I have the newer motors and they pull the Amish boards without issue.

Hopefully no issues long term. 

[John E Powell]

 

Yes, friends boat is running new motors, but as per Cisco owner you’re still not supposed to drag in the really big boards, like the Amish boards, while trolling.

 

Boat in neutral or turn into each board one at a time to take the pressure off.

 

 

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[John E Powell]

 
They have recently upgraded the motors. I have the newer motors and they pull the Amish boards without issue.
Hopefully no issues long term. 

As per Cisco owner, even with new motors do not bring in the really big boards like the Amish while trolling. The boat should be in neutral or turn towards each board and bring them in one at a time.

If you drag in the big boards while trolling you will eventually burn up the new more capable motors, it will likely take longer to happen though.


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[Rookie Fisherman]

2 minutes ago, John E Powell said:

As per Cisco owner, even with new motors do not bring in the really big boards like the Amish while trolling. The boat should be in neutral or turn towards each board and bring them in one at a time.

If you drag in the big boards while trolling you will eventually burn up the new more capable motors, it will likely take longer to happen though.


Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

Good advice.  We do slow the boat when bringing them in and turn towards the board we are retrieving. Don't usually put it in neutral as typically my riggers are the last lines to get pulled in. 

[252gw]

We bought the Cisco reels and ordered the clamps to fit them on the Arch of our GW Sailfish. There stuff is great.