ShakespeareAlpha Spinning Reel

I have this installed on a air powered device that launches a 2 oz sinker over the top of 70' trees for the installation of amateur radio wire antennas. I am not a fisherman, but this reel is well made and I have had no problems with it. With each use it pays out about 150' of line and then has to reel a piece of nylon twine back over the tree to attach the final antenna rope to, so it gets a workout on dry land.

Look, this is not a high-end reel. You want high end, you have to spend the $$ on Penn or the upper tier Daiwa's. It's a very good value for lake and inshore fishing. But, I recommend washing and oiling the reel if you will use it in salt or brackish water. My kids have a heavier, saltwater Shakespeare to use.I wanted the Alpha 50, but Amazon had it through third-party sellers for a higher price than Dick's Sporting Goods. Dicks had it for the same price as the Alpha 40 I bought. But, I would have to pay for shipping.Anyway, I'll deal with the slightly smaller one. It's replacing a Shakespeare I bought in the 1990s - also a lower-end one.

I used to have an old alpha reel from 2008 or so which was great. It lasted for quite a while before it seized the drag completely. I was using it every summer 3-5 times a year for about 7 years for saltwater fishing from the beach. This new version is a complete disaster, it’s very flimsy, you never know when drag is engaged because it virtually makes no sound, so you will be turning the handle and adding twist to the line without bringing the fish in. You have to look at the reel to understand what is happening all time. Like I said the reason for 3 stars is the price. You can’t find anything cheaper for this size reel.

I have bought 4 of these reels (35, 40, 50, and 70) and I gotta say they may be some of the best "bang for your buck" reels I've ever used. Perfect for the beginner or occasional fisherman, though I go about 3 times a week and still enjoy them.I will say the 70 is a VERY big reel and the mono is a very thick mono that requires a heavy weight...feels more like 50# than 20# haha

Very happy with this. Quite heavy duty. I have removed the supplied line and loaded it up with KastKing SuperPower Braid Fishing Line, 30lb test. I have only used it a few times but it appears to be well built and it should be reliable.

I bought two of these reels ,,They're very lightweight and they cast surprisingly pretty far for their size,,

I use this for saltwater fishing off rocks Beach Pier inshore I haven't tried it on a boat yet.it brings in lots of different fish here in California all different sizes

However when i received the reel, the crank handle did not come with it. I don't know if it was a 1 time mess up or all they come like that.

En relación calidad-precio es buen reel, buen tamaño para práctica de la pesca mediana, muy apto para el bagre, mojarra, carpa, suave, bien construido, bobina de buen tamaño.Muy recomendable.

Entiendo que el precio es poco, pero no lo compren, se traba mucho, lo entiendo porque es un balero, mejor gasten un poco mas pero compre otro de mejor calidad. This reel is not good, when you try to reel in the line it gets stock all the time, please waste your money in a different reel.

Es lo que pagas , no puedes pedir más , es una marca “barata y accesible” incluso duro más de lo esperado….

MUY BUEN PRODUCTO SELECCIONA DE UN TAMAÑO 20 Y ES LO QUE TE VENDEN TAL CUAL FUE ECONOMICO Y LLEGO EN PERFECTAS CONDICIONES CON LINEA YA PUESTA EN EL COMO 8 LB

No. I prefer a closed face reel. Gave it to my nephew