Super Tune Zebco 33: Can you build a better reel?

For just $5, or less, you can turn your Zebco 33 (model 33K) into a 4 ball bearing reel! Add 3 more ball bearing to your Zebco and make it a better reel!

Parts you need:
3 each: EY030-01 Bearing: From TackleService

From Ebay or other sources
SR188ZZ (1/4"x 1/2"x 3/16") 440C Stainless Steel Ball Bearings

[markt.weston]

I have three of these reels and I did the ball bearings on all three of them they are so much smoother it's like they're a brand new reel all over again thank you for the video

[trevorryan]

Cheers Matt ! Over in the Uk 🇬🇧 . Have just tuned my 33 with stainless bearings .. excellent upgrade ..got a bullet reel from US too ! Both for pike fishing !
Tight lines ! 👌…

[bobbyjoeosborne]

Thank you for your video, I ordered the bearings from amazon and just finished installing them, it went just like you did it, can’t wait to try it out this weekend 🎣

[brianreigle]

Just bought one of these for 3 dollars at a fisherman's flea market and plan of doing this after watching your video. Going to order some ceramic bearings from my local hobby shop and going to polish up the outside case. It's going to be a fun little project. Your video will make it a pretty easy job. Thanks for posting the tutorial.

[mrstangblb]

Very interesting - I plan on ordering some of the bearings for my 4 33s that I use often. Thanks very much for the insight and keep on fishing!

[Jack]

Great video! I ordered my bearings before I finished watching. Looking forward to the upgrade. Thanks Matt!

[rickbrown]

Thank Matt, just ordered those bearings to up grade my reel.

[robertbritton]

Thanks for your time and effort. I super tuned mine. Thanks to you

[casyblincoe]

Nice information . Wish I could’ve seen that tricky area a little more clearly but Im sure I can get by. You should pass this information on to Zebco. I dont know anyone that wouldn’t pay 5 bucks extra for that.

[grimreaper]

I got a 33 tactical i kinda love that little pole and reel i have found 3 zebco 33 poles and reels people just leave stuff on the river and found one up in a tree lmao

[musher]

Excellent video sir, this will be happening to mine asap ! Thank you for your time and effort greatly appreciated.

[timrobinson]

Hello Matthew, love your videos. Like you, I really like fishing with spincast reels. I have several Zebco’s and a couple of others like Johnson and Daiwa, but I definitely prefer Zebco’s, especially the older ones. I have watched many of your videos and been able to “rebuild” many of my reels because of you. I recently rebuilt a couple of vintage 33’s including a Classic Feathertouch and a couple of RL3’s that I have. They all work as good as (or better than) new now. I also watched your video about making a reel “better” by adding additional ball bearings. I like the older Zebco’s better than the new ones even though I own both. My question to you is, which vintage Zebco reel is the “best” reel to do the rebuild on? If you wanted to rebuild or improve a Zebco’s reel by adding ball bearings and you could only do one reel, which reel would you choose? Would it be the 733 or the Omega or the Authentic or some other reel? Or would you choose one of the “newer” reels? As info, I live in Georgia and I fish for bass, crappie, bream and catfish. Thank you again.

[MrBilld]

The Ey030-01 bearing is unavailable, literally everywhere and the alternative kind of pricey SR188ZZ, I had to pay $13 for 5 of them off Amazon and from China. But, I only paid $4 for the reel at a liquidation store, hehehe. It is a good little reel though, absolutely. Casts like a bullet. Great video, I like it.

[SerpentDragonZX]

The Zebco 33 MAX, these bearings do not fit. The bearing on the main shaft that comes on it IS, but all the bushings are smaller, not allowing you to fit the bearings in any other spots, without reeming the holes out... which I'm not too sure on either.

[donnadixon]

yes sir...do you do video's on new and vintage zebco 404's if so i like to see one....thank's

[BumGHTKrew]

So is a platinum the same internals but with factory included steel bearings? I just super tuned a red custom z one right now and it spins so smooth now!

[TexasGreenCows]

Great guide, I did tune mine, an it works great! I was wanting to know if there is a way to super tune a Zebco 404, I just recently bought one at walmart an your vid came up, so I worked on my 33. Thanks for your help!

[jimsundwall]

I have the 33k . I was able to install 2 bearings but tried to replace the one with the bearing clip/retainer with no luck . Wouldn’t fit flush. So kept the plastic bushing on that part.

[Spectt]

What's the Zebco hierarchy between all the 33s? There are SOOO many that I don't know which one to get. I want to get one of the better ones over just the standard. For example, is the "Gold" above "Platinum" or is it the other way around? Are they all the same and its just marketing wank? So many versions!

[trainwatcher]

Hi Matt,
just to let you know that I went to Amason to buy Bearing for the 33j 10 Bearing are 31.00$ now back ordered