How to Service a Zebco 888 Pro Staff

[@edarroyo1680]

Another great video. I started super tuning my zebco reels thanks to your videos! And that Lucas oil works great! Lookin' forward to more content!

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@dennissmith1649]

My 89 808 is very similar this vidio saved me thanks

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching

[@danespey3488]

Matthew, Excellent instructional video. Thanks for posting.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

You are welcome. Thanks for watching

[@mikedurhan9941]

Thank you. That was most helpful and easy to comprehend. Much obliged.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

You are welcome. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@raymyers6522]

I have one of them, they pretty nice reels

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

I use mine for catfishing

[@neomasck8438]

Tnks for this video

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

YW!

[@zorvakpower8533]

I have my original 888 pro staff exactly like this the foot broke off and i JB welded it back on I fished it like 30 years. It caught so many fish even reeled in an alligator once. I actually bought another one new in the clamshell a few years ago but dont use it yet lol. Wish the zebco's was still made in the usa like they used to be.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

I have been using my older 808 (1968) a lot recently. I need to get this one mounted up and use it on my next trip. They are great reels.

[@mjpena53]

Thank you this looks like my 808 SE.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

You're welcome! The 808 came in a number of different iterations over the years. The 888 is basically the luxury edition to the 808. Now they are basically the same reel.

[@mjpena53]

@@OutFishing13Matthew you are the best love these videos.

[@kc8hyg]

I have one of these late 60 early 70.time to clean.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

They are great reels and cleaning does wonders.

[@andrewhondo]

hoping to find one of them older made 888 when the flee markets open in may great video mat

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

hope your find a good one. The only problem I see with these is the line brakes could crumble and fall apart.

[@steveb3308]

Matthew, another interesting video of Zebco repairs. Thanks again. I am curious..are you a former rep/employee of Zebco? Your knowledge of Zebco reels is amazing.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

No. Never worked for Zebco. But I have studied the schematics for most of the reels I have and enjoy repairing them. Self taught.

[@jerrymulholland5752]

great video, whats the purpose of the plastic/rubber ring on th spinner head? mine is totally gone.line seems to hold ok without it. just wondering if it's really needed.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

That plastic ring traps the line between to spinner cone and the front cap for casting. They still work without it, but you may damage your line some. Often the rubber rotted away.

[@kimmulholland6772]

@@OutFishing13Matthew , thanks. Figured as much. I'm a new owner of an old 888. Really like it, just checking while I'm cleaning it up. Thank you

[@markdavis1363]

Hello Matthew, hoping your doing well. Hey what is the drag lb for a zebco 888or the 808 reel? Thank you

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Hey Mark, That is a good question. Zebco doesn't actually rate their reel drag by pounds of drag. I would guess it is upwards of 12-15 pounds though. It would be interesting to test with a scale.

[@markdavis1363]

Thank you for your help and quick response to my question. Lol now for the biggie question ..do you think these reels can handle big blues or flat head cat fish of 50 lbs or more? I fish by a dam and in very deep waters. Thanks again

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

@@markdavis1363 I am sure they will. I saw a video of a popular catfish fisherman bring in a big flathead with an 888. It was pushing 50 pounds

[@markdavis1363]

Hello to you!!! Hey can you use braided line on the ,80 or the 888 reels??? Will the casting be affected at all? Thank you so much for all your videos and your knowledge.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Honestly I have never tried braid on a Zebco spincast. I like braid on my spinning and level wind reels. Here's what I have heard. You should only fill your spool about 1/2 to 3/4s full. Otherwise it has problems. Also it will cut into the spinner cone much faster making grooves. You can use it, but there may not be an advantage. Braid is used on 808s for bowfishing reels.

[@markdavis1363]

@@OutFishing13Matthew hey once again thank you for your expertise in the reels. You just saved me a lot of hassel about changing lines.Lol .

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

@@markdavis1363 No problem. Good luck!

[@FrankLadd]

Nice Video. I think the reels without ball bearings often last longer. Maybe when the spinner cone goes bad one from another model might fit. I have a cheap Zebco Max and the spinner cones do not last in salt water. But new ones are available. I wonder if a spinner cone from and 888 Salt will fit my 33 max?

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

That may be true about the ball bearing reels if the bearings are not stainless. The 888 cone will not fit on a 33 Max.

[@FrankLadd]

@@OutFishing13Matthew Thanks! good to know.

[@darwincarter2015]

Do you have any video one on bait alet repair

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Do you mean the electronic bait alert reels? I don't have a video, but I do have an electronic bait alert 33. I can do a repair on it. Mine just needs a new battery.

[@RM-ks8pp]

Great video. I'm cleaning up aZebco 888 Pro Staff made in the USA that my father had. It looks to be the same as yours. I noticed you didn't lubricate the shaft on the gear that turns the center shaft gear with oil like you did on the big gear shaft for the drag. Just to clarify the drive gear shaft turns inside the drag gear shaft. The schematic I found for the 888 doing a search does not show the same working order as this one. Must be for a newer model. Should I oil this big drive gear shaft like you did on the drag gear shaft or use grease ?. If you need to replace the O rings like I have to on my reel , # 7 O ring is the size you need. Picked a couple up at my local ACE hardware... Ron

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Ron, thanks for the comment. I am pretty sure I lubed everything, but I may have accidentally edited it out when redoing a certain part. I plan on getting some new o-rings. I have some green ones.

[@iwantosavemoney]

I think that’s the best reel zebco made

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

It is a good one. One of the only issues is the line brake can rot.

[@glennmcleod4751]

Nice video ...my zebco 888 is a different color a light brown and dark brown are they basically the same as for your video..

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

It could be. They didnt change them much.

[@glennmcleod4751]

@@OutFishing13Matthew also found a real gem in my fathers old reels an Abu-matic 290...perfect working condition..

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

@@glennmcleod4751 those are nice reels. My neighbor gave me one. I will do a service video on it sometime soon.

[@zorvakpower8533]

the brown ones are slightly older i believe.

[@markdavis1363]

Hey is the drag on top of the reel better than the drag on the side by the handle,. On the 888 rf

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

All of the newer 888s and 808s have the drag wheel on the top. It is a better drag system that the spur wheel on the older ones, IMO.

[@markdavis1363]

@@OutFishing13Matthew thank you do much for your input

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

@@markdavis1363 You are welcome!

[@FatherSonFishing-xo3cm]

Matthew, do you happen to know what year the saltwater 888 reels were made? I got my hands on one I want to try and service.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

I am sorry, I am not sure.

[@kyokomachiodorikotai]

Matthew, very nice video. I have a question regarding with the plastic ring inside the nose cone. I got the same reel from ebay but the ring is corrupted. I checked some other videos as well but couldn't the video how you fix it. How did you fix it? Thank you.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

That is a problem with these older reels with this style of line brake. The rubber gets hard and falls apart. Here is a video on how I repaired one of the spinners. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5-zeKZsZaaId9E You will need to find some sort of rubber o-ring or grommet that is big enough to work.

[@kyokomachiodorikotai]

@@OutFishing13Matthew Thank you for your quick reply and nice idea. I will try to find something similar to what you done on omega 154. I was thinking to make something with 3d printer, but since this is for breaking, get rubber or silicon ring. Again thank you and continue watching your interesting videos.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

@@kyokomachiodorikotai 3d printed with plastic would be perfect. The modern line brakes are made of hard plastic. I would love to see that.

[@adnacraigo6590]

Can you still get ball bearings to update older American made 808 and 888s? I checked on tackle service but it looked to me like they don't support them anymore. I am thinking about buying a couple off ebay or flea markets but wanted to be sure that parts are available first.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

The older USA made Zebcos cannot be super tuned with ball bearings. The didnt have bushings that can be replaced with a ball bearing

[@edwardroberts2997]

Hello Matthew, Thanks how are things with you these days, Ed

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

All good. How are you doing? Have you gone fishing yet?

[@rogergriffis6788]

Can you glue a 888 frame where the clip goes that you didnt take out on the brake adjustment?

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Is yours cracked? You might be able to do thar successfully. I have never tried tried

[@adnacraigo6590]

I have an 888 Great White. Have you ever worked on one of those? There seems to be nothing wrong with it but I wanted to clean it and it looks a lot different from a normal 888. Does it have ball bearings or bushings?

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

The 888 Great White is a cool reel. I have never worked on one, but I have seen photos. It is basically just like the one in this video, just a different color and different decals. It only has bushings in it, but it is still a great reel. The bushings cannot be replaced with bearings. Servicing it with new grease and oil will help in last for years to come. Thanks for sharing!

[@tmac6593]

Where can i find parts for a 888 pro staff like that one

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

That model has not been made in over 30 years, so Zebco will not have any parts. What parts are you looking for? I recommend you join the Zebco Shop and Swap Facebook group here (facebook.com/groups/387880111984612) or buy a parts reel on Ebay. You might have some luck with Mike's Reel Repair here (www.mikesreelrepair.com/schematics) Look up the Zebco schematics and find your part number and see if they have it in stock.

[@kattstanley4337]

Do you by chance take requests? I have a zebco pro staff 888 made in 1987 that i inherited from my Dad and there's a little wire that i cannot figure out where it goes. I can tell you that i haven't seen it on any of the models ive watched so far. Would really like to get Dads reel back together lol

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Not too often. Can you email me some photos?

[@edwardroberts2997]

Hi Matthew, No still weather not to good hear yet pulling hair out of head I can't make up my mind which way to go spinning or spin-cast its been so long that my body has changed can't use my hands like I use to because of the arthritis pain lots of that Matthew Best Wishs

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Hope the weather changes soon and you get out and catch a good one. Stick with the Spincasts. I think they will be easier on old hands.

[@edwardroberts2997]

@@OutFishing13Matthew Guess you are right Matthew, would you please show me how you make up the float and fly rig thanks.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

@@edwardroberts2997 I show the fly and bubble rig at the beginning of this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppS2gX96erh7fpo

[@edwardroberts2997]

Thanks, Matthew 4/12/21

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Thanks for watching.

[@mjpena53]

Do you still service reels?

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

@mjpena53 it depends. If it needs parts I may not be able to help you.

[@raymyers6522]

I don't like reels with plastic foot

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Thanks for your input and comment!