Beef,

I owned a Convector years ago and wasn't impressed. Now all I use is Coldwaters, especially in the Low Profile...I really like them....

NRS

 

I blew up several Convectors back in the day; they used to have stupid nylon idler gears that Ollie Damon couldn’t get replacements for. This new low-pro is supposed to be completely redesigned with all metal gears. Plus their warranty and customer service seem to be noticeably better now. I’m scared to be the Guinea Pig on a newly designed low-end reel, but it seems to be the only model with the quick-drop feature (one hand deployment). For the price ($85-ish), I might roll the dice on one and see if it holds up (I’m hard on reels, and I don’t think I have time to get my broken ones fixed before Buoy 10).


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I've have one of the new generation Convector lo-pro lc's since they first came out a couple of months ago. Not the same as the old ones by a long shot.

Decent build, a lot similar to the ColdWater lo-pro's. Plastic housing cover, but decent quality. I bought it for walleye plug fishing. I have it mounted on a Cousins Columbia 802 rod. I did hook and land a 15ish pound chinook on it that took several long runs and it handled it just fine (springer fishing was closed then and it was a hatchery fish I had to release). No issues to date with the reel.

Not sure how it would hold up to 16 ounce lead pro-trolling or B10. Lighter trolling, no problem. If you want to do heavy trolling, get the Coldwater.

 

From what I read, they are a Coldwater LowPro with a plastic body and would have no relation to the Convector Round reels. Unless that quick drop features is a make or break for you, it seems like waiting for the typical sales when the colwater lowpro goes for 90 would be a better value. One would think the Convector LP would start getting some pretty good sales too, but you never know.

 

That "Quick Drop" feature is very handy for trolling and bumping bottom. When you dip your rod back and see you have lost bottom contact, hit the spool release and hold until you touch back down, then simply release the spool button. You do not have to re-engage the spool again by cranking the handle. Might be a lazy step, but convenient. Very helpful in walleye bottom bouncing. I've been using the Quantum Accurist level wind reels for this for years. Nice to see a new reel with this.

 

Yeah it seems like a nice feature for bottom fishing too. I immitate this with my current low prows by flicking the thumb bar back up. Certainly not as quick..

 

I’ve been running 3 on my steelhead plug rods for the last few month. They seem to be solidly built and drags smooth. Time will tell after a few more fish and wear and tear. So far 2 thumbs up.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I’m going to pick one up and see if it survives this fall season before buying more.


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Another thought would be to talk to your local gear shop and see if they'll be willing to extend a deal to you. Sometimes they'll meet you at least half way.

 

I’m not above negotiating for a deal, but I don’t expect retailers to be very motivated to deal right now with the severe lack of inventory. Has anyone else noticed the empty reel displays at Cabela’s, Sportsman’s, etc? This COVID crap is getting in the way of my tackle addiction!


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Oh Beefcake, a true gear addict wouldn’t let anything get in their way!


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How does the New Convector low-pro compare in quality and durability with the ColdWater low-pros?????

 

I’ll let you know after Buoy 10! I just picked one up this morning. I’m sure the plastic body will be prone to boat rash, but I like the feel of the reel. If it holds up to a couple weeks of dragging 12-16 oz weights and fighting ticked off kings without feeling like a coffee grinder, I’ll be excited. If it doesn’t hold up, I’ll use the warranty to get it fixed and then move it to a walleye rod.


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Fisherman's has the Convector and Coldwater on sale. New Convectors are better than old, but I like the Coldwaters better. Personally I switched all my salmon rods to Tekotas, but if your budget will allow go Coldwater.

 

I’m afraid to ask what they’re on sale for at Fisherman’s, but I had a gift card and $40 worth of loyalty points to burn at Sportsman’s. I paid full price ($85). The other reels you mentioned don’t have the Quick Drop feature, which was the whole point of this purchase.


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Do they make the low profile Convector line counter reels with paddle handles like low profile reels are supposed to?

 

Update: Since we’re coming into Sportsman Show sales and Springer Season, I thought I’d share my findings with this reel to hopefully save others some headaches. My experimental purchase of a Convector Low-Pro reel survived the 4 days I used it at Buoy 10 that year plus 3-4 days of the following Springer season before it failed. I sent it in for warranty repair in May of 2021, and it still hasn’t come back. In a discussion with the head of warranty service for Okuma, he said these were designed for walleye fishing with up to 3 ounce weights and shouldn’t be used for salmon trolling with heavy weights or divers. I wish I had known this before wasting my money. I really liked the reel and especially the quick-drop feature, but it isn’t a salmon reel.

Robert “Scott” Johnson


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Pretty much as I stated in post #4 above. It would be fine trolling 5-6 ounces and triangles in the Willamette for springers. Not 12-16 ounces and 360’s.

 

Convector low profile line counter reels come in two sizes. I use the small ones to troll for trout. I use a larger one to pull plugs, along side a similar sized Coldwater. No problems with mine so far. I don’t ask them to drag big weight, unless it’s a fish.

 

Thanks for the update Beefcake. As I make sure all of my salmon rods have line counter reels, I don't mind paying for quality, saving money is great but getting a great reel is my ultimate goal.

Thanks again.

 

I've bought 3 for kokanee but have not got them wet yet. I feel that the low profile ones will be fine for kokes, but I don't feel that the quality is there for salmon or steelhead.

 

I bought one last fall for walleye. It’s light and for jigging with a pole in your hand all day…lighter is better. I thought I would use the push button line release more but I use it like a normal baitcaster And just wind it to close the bail. When your dropping a jig into deep water it’s more hassle for me to keep my thumb on the bar to continually release line. The line counter is really helpful for deep water jigging…let’s you know when your getting near bottom and allows for a lighter jig. I haven’t used it for worm harness trolling yet but it should be good. I just ordered my second one

 

Update: I finally called the head of Okuma customer service again this week, and we came to a resolution. Nobody knows what happened to the reel I returned 2 years ago (Fisherman’s shows they shipped it, Okuma doesn’t show they ever received it, etc.). Every time I checked on the status, it caused multiple emails back and forth between Fisherman’s and Okuma, but no resolution until now (and no communication to me from either company). I don’t think we’ll ever know if my reel was lost by Fisherman’s, Okuma, or USPS (not likely USPS; my reel was supposedly shipped with another reel that did arrive). Anyway, Okuma did the standup thing and took responsibility. Okuma has given me a credit for the full price of the reel toward a different reel more suited to salmon fishing (low-pro stainless steel Coldwater), and I gladly paid the difference.

My point of this thread was that the reel is salmon-sized, and two salespeople and one Okuma rep had told me it was stronger than the older convectors and definitely suitable for salmon, and the website doesn’t say anything about it being designed for light weights. It seems bulky for walleye, but it is light enough to balance with lighter rods, and I liked feel. I just wanted to save others from mistakenly buying one for salmon trolling.


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I found that out the hard way too...so much slippage! From the drag to the line counter, everything was just...off.

 

I guess we all have experiences and opinions. I have several and have used them since they first came out. I now have two of the stainless steel models too. I give them very high (good) marks. Although I am probably more like a STANLEY TOOL TESTER and try different reels these are whar you will be using if using my gear and salmon fishing, ocean or river with me. I don't want to jinx myself but the only challenge I have had is when a guest tries a float test one--they don't float! or someone loosens the reel seat and we land a fish with the reel in one hand (loose) and the rod in the other.

 

Are you sure yours aren’t “Coldwater” rather than “Convector”? They don’t make a stainless Convector.


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For what it’s worth, I fish my Convector line counter for kokanee and have never had an issue. The most lead I use is 3-4oz in the summertime. No issues and it’s brought quite a few fish to the boat including a 23” brooder rainbow which was really fun on lighter gear. Only used the reel for 1 season so far but a rod/reel combo at Fisherman’s for $95 on sale seems like a bargain to me.


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"the only challenge I have had is when a guest tries a float test one--they don't float! or someone loosens the reel seat and we land a fish with the reel in one hand (loose) and the rod in the other."

Now THAT is funny.... "Float test" LOL

 

I have one Convector LP, several Coldwater LP‘s and Komado LP’s in 350 and 450 sizes. The line out feature is neat and works well if you need it, I’ve failed to turn it off when casting, my bad as it sounds like you stripped the gears! So far it still works fine. The Convertor LP does have plastic side plates so it feels a bit flimsy compared to the others.

Wish I’d have bought all the Coldwater 450 LP’s when they discontinued/clearanced them, they are a beast of a reel.