So far, it looks like Garcia's best effort since the Mitchell 3000 and some of the older Cardinals. Lots of really nice features and it is a really good looking reel. If it lives up to its hype, it will serve me the rest of the time I have left.

One thing that impressed me most (from the hype) is that this tiny reel generates 22# of drag. Unfortunately, it only holds a little over 200 yards of 10# braid, making it not quite a Tarpon reel.

Why they ever did away with the old style reels with deep spools and lots of line capacity eludes me. I haven't come to love skirted spools yet. The old 300 with the deep spool would probably hold a half mile of 20# braid. Unfortunately, the drag was weak and it didn't have much of a line roller. Beyond that, the old 300 was a wonderful reel.

I'm going to load the Soron with 20# Fireline today, mount it on a 7' Fenwick rod and try to beat up on Tarpon and Snook with it this afternoon. If it holds up to this initial test, maybe we have something here.

The last reel I posted a Products Evaluation on, The Penn Sargos 2000, is a year old now, has been used hard and put up wet the entire time, abused by lack of maintenence and it it has performed flawlessly the entire time. The only care it has received is a spray down, shake off, Penn reel lube on bail, roller, drag, anti reverse and handle. A little silicone grease on the main shaft where it exits the gear case is all of the greasing it has had to it. Of course, I waxed the entire external surface of the reel with Simonize Paste Wax, including inside the rotor and inside the rear of the spool before use.

If the Soron performs as well as the Sargus, it will be a darn good reel. If it performs up to its advertised rating, it will be hard to beat.

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First cast this evening I caught a nice Spanish on a Mirrodine. I had the drag set about 8# for hooking Tarpon and the Spanish didn't have a chance.

About 15 minutes later, about 20 Tarpon came right by my yak less than 20' out. Instant hook-up and darn near as quick two jumps and a flying Mirrodine. About 2 minutes later, the school of Tarpon passed again even closer. I hooked up on a fish about 15' out. The first fish was about 60# and the 2nd was 120 or so. I saw both of the fish eat the bait even though it was down at least a foot. I didn't set the hook on these fish until they turned sideways.

I dumped my anchor and prepared for a ride. The ride was about 200' then he came unhooked after maybe 6 jumps.

No more bites for about an hour and then, right at full dark, I hooked up again and took a ride all the way out to the far end of the island right across from the ramp. After more than 30 minutes I realized it was a big Jack and not a Tarpon. This Jack was really big, maybe 35#. He really kicked my butt but I was able to land him. This was the biggest JC I've caught in 30 or more years.

Evidently I had the flash turned off on the camera and I couldn't figure how to get it on so no pic. It got worse.

I couldn't find my "Flare-Up Light" in the dark so I paddled close to a mile in total darkness against a screaming tide and 15kt wind. It gets even worse.

I sent my favorite paddle back to the manufacturer for refinishing today. I bought a serious el-cheapo at Quality marine Surplus. (Sea-Sense brand)
This paddle is absolutely worthless. It took me almost an hour of very hard paddling to get to redneck beach. I am totally wiped out.

The Soron took a helluva beating today and never grumbled a bit. I gave it a serious acid test. The jack made the yak haulass with 8 or more pounds of drag on the reel. I couldn't have put nearly that much heat on the fish with any other light spinning reel I own.

I hope the Jack survived so he can kick somebody elses butt.

Modified by capt ken at 10:57 PM 9/11/2009

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