Mr. Pop Cassette Series

[Mike]

When I first started fly fishing, I was basically looking for inexpensive equipment that did the job. The Mr. Pop Cassette Series from STH filled that need. It has an OK drag system and comes with a spare line spool. The actual reel itself seemed to take a reasonable amount of abuse. The only real problem that I ever saw was that the line spool would sometime warp a little bit when it was really hot out. This is probably because the line spools are made out of clear plastic! You can check out the reel specs here:

http://www.sthreels.com/mrpopcassette.html

Fishing as much as I do now I would not consider using one on a day to day basis, but it's definitely a decent, low budget, functional reel. If your funds are really limited and you're not going to be putting in a ton of days on the water, it will probably do the trick admirably.

[BRY]

I agree with Mike. The plastic spools do warp, especially if they are not installed in the reel. I carry three types of sinking line in my pontoon. Last year in the late spring, I went to switch from a sink tip to a type III and both my spare spools had warped badly due to the heat generated by the black gear bags on my Bronco. The spools were useless. Other than that, the reel does perform nicely for a reel in the $65 range. They would make a decent back up reel.

[dpflyfisher]

I also have this reel I have not had the problem with the warped cassettes but I also keep the extras in my chest pack, I try not to leave it in the truck for to long. My only complaint about the real is that the little arm that keeps the cassettes on the reel is not very strong so after tromping though the brush the cassette starts to clank around. For $65 bucks what more could I ask for I haven't been easy on this reel but it has been easy on me.

[Ed Kent]

I have have both the IM Cassette and the Pop. I've had and used the IM for several years and have never had a problem with the cassettes warping or cracking and I have punished this reel. This reel has a reasonaby reliable drag system and is extremely durable.

The pop series I have had some minor problems with, the little thumb nail that clicks over the cassette spool is not very strong and will slide open allowing the cassette to slide of the spindle so your fly line will get caught between the cassette spool and the housing of the reel. Other than that, I think for the price this is the most convenient and durable reels you can buy for the money.