Cabela's Megaroyal Plus Casting Reels Review

NEED TO FIND PARTS TO FIX MY REEL, 2005-09-20
Reviewer: Mike

I PURCHASED THE CABELA'S MEGAROYAL PLUS CASTING REEL MODEL #MRP200 THE CAM IN THE REEL BROKE AND I NEED TO FIND OUT WHERE I CAN PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT PART. CABELA'S SAYS THEY'VE DISCONTINUE THE REEL SO THEY CAN NOT HELP ME WITH FINDING PARTS. IF ANYONE KNOW WHERE I CAN PLEASE E-MAIL ME AT garvin4399@msn.com

Better if it's on sale, 2005-02-23
Reviewer: James -Gyozadude- Liu

The Cabela's MRP reels are made by Banax Corp in Korea. The same company OEMs lots of famous name reels. What's attractive is the precision 5 BB + 1 roller bearing system in a solid aluminum, gold-anodized casting reel at a price-point of just $90.

The reel is obviously targetted at budget conscious anglers looking at the Shimano Calcutta line which starts with 2BB + 1 roller bearing reel. The Cabela's MRP is just half the price, with more bearings. Model 200 has a bait clicker.

Out-of-the-box, this reel cranks smoothly, and casts well and has a smooth drag. The MRP200's clicker is neither loud nor strong. The tight tolerances are unforgiving of fouling. This isn't a problem on a boat when casting short distances or dropping straight down. But shore casters will be wanting a better clicker and less maintenance.

Quickly, we find flaws. The most critical is the IAR bearing which comes pre-lubed with a grease that hardens in saltwater. This fouls the IAR and sometimes allows the reel to reverse suddenly causing backlash.

Other flaws include a loose, wobbly levelwind, jamming stuck in freespool (similar to Calcutta) when grit gets into the thumbar tracks, and mismanufactured brake blocks for the 6-pin centrifugal cast control, which don't allow some of the blocks to even fit.

Banax rough casts the 1 pc body then partially machine it to make drill outs for the spool and gear housing. Some parts are left rough. Polished side plates look sharp. But, the reel scratches easily.

I've used one for 3 years now. It works reliably, but I clean and re-lube the roller bearing, levelwind worm gear and thumbar slots often. I've also redrilled the cast control brake blocks. Well maintained, this reel casts as well as an Abu C-series.

If you like doing reel maintenance and can buy this reel on sale for $60, then I think it's a great buy worth 4-stars. I bought 3 this way. But know that the reel needs work before fishing out in saltwater conditions.