Zebco 733 Hawg: How to Service a Fishing Reel

Learn how to service and repair a Zebco 733 Hawg (China) reel.
Details on how the drag system goes back together.
You can find schematics here:
733 Hawg www.mikesreelrepair.com/zebco...
733 Platinum www.mikesreelrepair.com/zebco...
Super Tune Kit: www.etsy.com/listing/13134850...
Zebco still lists parts for the 733 Platinum. Look in the Platinum reels for the 733PL. Many parts are interchangeable. However, the PL has a different type of anti reverse.
Use the 733 Hawg schematics to do a parts search using the Search feature on Tackle Services.
Use the generic bearing. 8x14x4 mm SMR148-ZZ

[@terrydees5998]

Matthew you did a super job on this reel. It is so smooth. It caught and landed a nice channel catfish this week. Thanks again.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Glad you enjoyed it! You are so welcome. Thanks for lending your reel for the video!

[@timadams3975]

Caught 2 of my pb's on that reel. The drag works awesome on them. You can bring in 25 to 35 lb fish with 20 lb line pretty easy if you use a net to get them out of the water.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

That is awesome! These are great reels and one of the best drag designs by Zebco. Most of the heavy reels after this (808, 888 etc.) used the same sort of drag.

[@catfish-jl5go]

@@OutFishing13Matthew you

[@catfish-jl5go]

What. Do. You. Mean. The. Same. Drag.

[@edwardroberts2997]

Hello Matthew, Happy New Year, 2023, Here I am Sunday, 22 January, been up all night watching all your old videos; how are things coming with the new home? There's no snow so far this year; there's lots of rain through this old man can't wait for spring guess I'll hit the bed.🙂

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Good to hear from you, Ed. Hang in there. Spring is around the corner of that snow bank.

[@andrewhondo]

i just got the 33 max i had the ol 733 platinum back in the day there outstanding reels with a good price i caught Meany of big ol bass and carp and redfish snook and black drum catfish with the one i had Meany moons ago

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

I'd like to fiind a 733 platinum

[@FishfearmeStudios]

Good you are posting again. Next time I have reel trouble I'm bringing it to you instead of throwing it away

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Sometimes the cheep reels can't be repaired or just aren't worth repairing, but yes, bring them by and let's see what can be done to repair them.

[@andrewhondo]

great job i love them hawgs

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

They are great reels. What replaced them is the Zebco 33 Max which are also very nice.

[@paDdywitha]

Thanks for making these.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

My pleasure! happy to help!

[@edwardroberts2997]

Hi Matthew Ed Here keep them coming I'll keep watching.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

thanks!

[@jcfarrell86]

Thank you!

[@lindajones1592]

Hey Matthew...first i wanted to say thanks for all the vids...we really enjoy them. I have a question for you...I happen to have 2 of these 733 Hawgs new never used and i also have 2 new 33 Max. Both are pre-spooled with 20lb line although i plan on switching it out to Berkley Big Game anyway but i want to do some catfishing this summer and hate to buy any more reels since i already have these so which would be the better/stronger reel for catfishing between the two? Thanks in advance!

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

They are both about the same. Zebco stopped making the 733 and replaced it with the 33 Max. Just use the one you like the most.

[@johnniehiggins2556]

Johnnie Higgins Hey Mathew, thanks for all of the great videos, they are very well done and so helpful, I have started to service all of my reels after watching, so again thanks. I have two zebcos that I have not used for a while because they had stop working and after watching your videos I felt confortable enough to take a closer look and found that the plastic stops were broken in both of them besides needing some serious cleaning. I call Tackle service today but they cannot help without part numbers. I am hoping that you can help. They are both Zebco product, 733 Hawg model 733F-CKL2 and the 33 Max model 33MXK-CKB9. If I am unable to get the replacement parts do yo think super glue will work? thanks again

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Does the 733 Hawg, look like this one in the video? Zebco will have parts for the 33 Max, but may not for the 733. I am pretty sure they will though since it seems I bought one a few years back. Send me an email and I will send you a schematic for those. [e-mail]

[@earlgallup5223]

World class 👏

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Thank you! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@tripplebeards3427]

Thanks for the video. I just went through one for my dad and am having issues with the drag locking up. I took it apart a 30 times, switched the washers around, bent the bottom spring washer because it flat. It seemed to help a little. I also as a last effort put a bunch petroleum jelly between the washers because I ran out of grease. When I push the spool down to install the “C” clip it seems that the spool is seizing up when pushed down. I tried some Emory cloth on the inside of spool and where it mates to the shaft. Thought I had it and just tried it after sitting…it locked up again. Any suggestions? The reel looks like it’s in 99.9% condition. Don’t think he hardly ever used it.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Can you send me some photos to [e-mail]? Make sure that the drag is set all the way to loose. Also, make sure the cupped washer next to the drag wheel is installed correctly. It should be installed with the cupped side next to the drag wheel. I am sure we can figure it out.

[@markdavis1363]

Hello Matthew! Hope your doing great.. question for you do all spin cast reels cause line twist? If so is it hard to get the line untwisted? Thank you.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

All spinning reels, regular or spin cast, create line twist. The worst way to twist the line is to reel when the drag is working. Technically when you cast it, the twist goes out and when you reel back in, the twist goes the opposite way. One way to get it out is to tie on a swivel, walk out the line a ways and hook it to something stationary and put some pressure on it. Or cast a lure out with a swivel.

[@Q2bFF]

Does Zebco make a reel that’s “super tuned”

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Yes, the Omega Pro ZO3, ZO2, 33 Platinum, Bullet. Zebco makes some very nice reels. It's fun to take your old common reel and give it a nice tune up for just a few bucks.

[@timrobinson2863]

Would there be a problem using an ultrasonic cleaner like a jewelry cleaner? There are lots of small places that dirt, sand, grit could be and the ultrasonic cleaner would help get that debris out. I know this is not as precise as a watch or anything but I would think every little bit of foreign matter you can get out would help. Just a thought.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

that would work very well. Glad you mentioned it.

[@N2RI1]

can you do one of these fixes on a made in USA 888 with star drag?

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Yes! I would love to do a service video on a vintage USA made Zebco 888, commonly called a Pro Staff 888. However, I don't have one right now. I have been watching ebay for one, but have not found one at a price I am willing to pay. Do you have one you would allow me to service for a video? Send me a private email.

[@lindajones1592]

Hey Matthew...i have 2 of these brand new never used. If i sent them to you how much to super tune them both before i start using them? Not sure if it matters but mine are the titanium version so they say on them.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Contact me at [e-mail] --- One downside for those 733 is I can't get the nose bearing anymore from Zebco. Those are on backorder and generally that means they are out and I cannot find a generic source for the bearing, since it is such a strange size. It may mean that only one or two bearings can be replaced at this point. Take the back off yours and check it to see if if has a bearing on the handle side.

[@jasonrunyon2663]

What is the difference between 733 and 808?? Thanks for your help!!!

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

The 808 is more along the 202, 404 line of reels. The 733 is basically a big 33.

[@davidjackson47]

I want to know why my 733 will not cast when the button is pushed you cant even pull line out. Ive oiled snd cleaned and still the same

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Take the front off and inspect the spinner cone. Push the button and let it go. Do the pins retract? If they don't then that is the problem. Take the cone off and inspect the underside. Check the little springs that retract the pick-up pins.

[@shelleyhatton986]

Can you tell me a good place to order parts for this reel is? Or if you have what I am needing could I purchase from you?

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

What part do you need? Many parts are available, but some are not. You can order parts from TackleService.com. But you will need a schematic since they will not have the 733 Hawg listed in their Spincast reel parts. Use the parts "Search" on the website and enter the part number. You can find the schematic here: www.mikesreelrepair.com/zebco-733hawgchina/ I will also put the schematic link in the description for the 733 Platinum.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Update: I installed the Wedge, Bearing Retainer correctly in this video..... I could be wrong about how to install the Wedge, Bearing Retainer. It seems to reason the flat part would go up against the bushing and the wedge to the outside.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

The flat should go against the bearing. That is the correct way.

[@johnwelsch6783]

I tried to order parts on tackle service in Oklahoma and they said they r no longer stocking parts for reels older than 5 yrs. other suggestions

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

wow, thanks for letting me know. That is a letdown. For the last couple of years I have been able to get many old parts. I wonder if they have a limited number of old parts in stock. What part are you looking for? I know they don't seem to ever carry gear sets.

[@marsialmendoza4568]

Hi I have 4 👉808 reels it looks easy but I rather have some one with experience to do the service i was wondering what price will you give me to service my 808 reels i dont want to mess up my reel so let me know if you can do the job for me hope to here from you soon thank you for your time 👍

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Generally I don't do work on other reels. Plus the shipping is really expensive. I am sure you could do a simple service on them. What year of model are they?

[@jerryees]

Any idea where I can find a spool for this reel?

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

It is nearly impossible to get new parts. You will need to find a parts reel. Check ebay.

[@johnwelsch6783]

The gear part is VZ030-01 and u said to put one on each side

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Okay. I checked tackleservice and they show that bearing on backorder. It was used in a 33Max Platinum and the 733 Platinum and is an all stainless ball bearing. Which means they may never stock it again unless they make a platinum 33 Max, which is possible. That same size of bearing is used on a 33Max. You can use a LY030-01 instead of a VZ030-01. Or you can buy a 8x14x4 mm bearing generic number SMR148-ZZ on Amazon or Ebay and get the all stainless steel bearings. Good luck.

[@brockhamilton3255]

Will you rebuild a couple reels for me?

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Send me a PM. See my About page.

[@joejudson5941]

How about the 733 Hawg direct drive American

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

I dont have one of those. I would love to service one though.

[@johnwelsch6783]

Is the 733 hawk the same as the 733 titanium

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Yes, essentially they are the same. Zebco made the Titanium model in the 733, the 33 Authentic and maybe a 22 Authentic. I think the only difference was the pick up pins were name from a titanium nitride ceramic (super tough). I have a 33 Authentic and that is the only difference I can see between it and the 33 Authentics I have.

[@BriBeast8566]

Are there parts available to fix up my dad's old 733 Titanium Ball Bearing?

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

@@BriBeast8566 some parts are still available. What do you need? The 733gold has many interchangeable parts. www.tackleservice.com/Consumer/Product_detail_m.aspx?ProductID=2599

[@edwardroberts2997]

Hi Matthew, Ed here

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Hey Ed. Thanks for watching!

[@robertosilva3515]

👍👍👍👍👍👍🤝🤝👏👏

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Gracias!

[@edwardroberts2997]

what's the big deal with this reel Matthew is heavy for what kind of fish

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

It's a little bigger than a 33. For catfish, bass, etc. It holds 20 lb test line. Nice reel. Zebco doesn't make them anymore. Now they call it a 33 Max.