I had a chance to talk with Montauk Fishing Gear CEO Bret Rankin a few weeks back to get to know more about this up-and-coming fishing reel manufacturer and tackle company. Bret has been in the CNC business for the better part of two decades and has been manufacturing parts for old and out-of-date fishing reels for various tackle distributors. Back in 2009, he hooked-up with a few other partners and hired some veteran product engineers from Okuma and Shimano to get things started and then set out to design some new wave, high-tech fishing reels from a blank sheet of paper.
The products that are currently in the MFG lineup have been rigorously tested before being offered to consumers. Their research and development process includes countless discussions with reel repair centers, fishing gear designers, and charter boat captains, as well as numerous fishermen in sport fishing and commercial fishing applications around the globe, to make certain the designs offered fit the “new” standards for high-tech fishing reels (lightweight, strong, comfortable and downsized).
The focus of Montauk Fishing Gear’s business plan is to be the biggest name at your local tackle shop, so they will not sell their products through regional or national chain stores and faceless internet vendors. The concept is to support both the local tackle shop owners and consumers by offering a great product at a fair price and one that you can get your hands on to inspect close to home. Tackle shops are an important part of the coastal sport fishing fabric and are still the best places to learn new things and find out where the fish are biting and on what tides and baits. Currently, Montauk Fishing Gear is sold direct through 40-plus local tackle shops in the NY, NJ, CT, MA region, with more signing up each week.
Named for the famous shoals north and west of the Point, the Cerebus CNC aluminum bodied level wind and conventional reels are new for 2012 and offered in seven different models, three with convenient level winds and a quartet in the classic open frame conventional format. With the main bodies machined from solid aluminum stock, combined with a robust stainless steel main gear, this high-quality yet moderately priced reel will appeal to a wide swath of the coastal sport fishing community, from recreational anglers to charter boat captains. If you get your line stuck on the bottom, the Cerebus machined aluminum frame, with its massive strength and solid stainless steel gears, won’t bend or twist out of shape – the frame and gears will hold rock steady until the line breaks or you work it free. Each Cerebus aluminum framed reel is offered with 6+1 ball bearings and is reasonably priced. The smallest models, the 3200 (level wind) and 3210 (open top) have an MSRP of $129; the 3300 (level wind) and 3310 (open top) are sold for $139; and the 3400 (level wind), 3410 (open top) and 3510 (open top) are $149 each.
Last season’s original model Cerebus composite body reel has also received some upgrades for 2012, including a metal gear lever, an upgraded torpedo handle and an attractive color scheme. These composite reels are equipped with 3 + 1 ball bearings and brass gears and are offered in three sizes and two versions. The model 200 features a levelwind with a topside frame, while the 210 is a conventional open, with each at $89; the larger capacity 300 levelwind and 310 open reels cost $99; the 400 levelwind and 410 conventional reels are $109 each.
The QC folks at Montauk Fishing Gear quality inspect every reel at critical stages during the assembly process. The reels are then lubricated with Cal’s Drag Grease and calibrated before being packaged. Montauk Fishing Gear reels are covered by one of the best warranties in the industry, with offshore reels being backed by a three-year warranty and a two-year warranty covering inshore model reels. In comparison, most competitors offer only a one-year warranty. Your local stocking dealer is usually the one who will actually service your reel if it ever needs fixing under the warranty, so no need to ship it out halfway across the USA for repairs.
But the good stuff doesn’t stop there. MFG will be releasing a complete line of new products over the next 12 months, including the ZR series of jigging reels (four single-speed and two-speed models); the MJR series of H/D jigging reels (four single-speed and two-speed models); the BTR series of big game reels (nine two-speed models); custom fishing rods; fishing line (monofilament, fluorocarbon and braid); a full line-up of big game trolling lures; plus a variety of terminal tackle.
Montauk Fishing Gear will also distribute the ARC fish de-hooker, an item that I have been using with great success on my shark and tuna charters over the past few seasons. Their 25-foot wind-on leaders are also new and are made with Dacron loops, high-quality servings and are offered in your choice of either clear monofilament or fluorocarbon (80- to 600-pound), or 49-strand wire for sharkers (275-pound and 400-pound). The sample wind-ons they sent me are some of the nicest that I have seen to date.
If all of this sounds appealing, get on down to your local tackle shop and check it out.
