Fin-Nor Marquesa Lever Drag Reels

This little MA12 and at least through the MA20 size open top single speed reels have a four pin centrifugal cast control system built it. That's something you never see in the description on any site. This reel is extremely easy to cast. I've practiced casting the little MA12 with all 4 weights on the braking system and can cast a one ounce lure without ever thumbing the spool until splash down with absolutely zero backlash. If you want a bit more distance you can take the weights off two opposing pins for less centrifugal breaking. Fit and finish on all the Marquesa reels I have is splendid and I own several from the little MA12 up to the MA50. Enough of the good and time for the bad. This may make no difference to you but it is of extreme annoyance to me. THEY ALL make a rather loud clicking sound on retrieve from the secondary anti-reverse system. They have spring tension pawl that produces a clicking sound on retrieve. After reading an online review of the little MA12 where the writer complained of the loud clicking sound and he basically removed the secondary anti-reverse pawl and spring from the reel because the sound bothered him so much. Feeling the same way about the clicking noise I did this to an MA12, MA16 and MA20 which leaves you relying only on the AR bearing. I've used the reels quite a bit since and have had no AR bearing failure on any of them. If you decide to do this so so at your own risk as I'm pretty sure the manufacturer would recommend against it. That out of the way the retrieve on these reels is blissfully silent now. I WOULD NOT do this on the larger reels for fear of AR bearing failure. My sizes MA30 through MA50 get very little use because I HATE the clicking sound. Once I got the smaller three models silent I love them and highly recommend them. The centrifugal breaking is a big plus and I have always wondered why this feature is never in the product description as it is a good selling point. I do not think the frames with the top bar have it and I'm not sure if the two speed models have this feature so before you buy one for the centrifugal breaking feature look at an exploded view of the model you are interested in to be sure it's there.

Great reel, took to CR for sails, tuna and mahi mahi. Never missed a beat.

Great little reel for dropping and tossing live baits. Plenty of drag for Kings, snappers & Jacks.

I have 4, two speed reels and this is the one I prefer to use. Reliable and consistent drag system allows you to add just what is needed. Reliable performance instills confidence every time I pick it up.

This is by far one of my favorite reels. The true feel of a quality piece every time I pick it up. Smooth operation and the drag can be added easily and in the proper increment.

trolling and deep dropping

Use the 50 for trolling for dolphin. Reel looks awesome and works the same. Very smooth drag. It will handle a big bull dolphin or wahoo.

Small, Powerful & Good Lookin'... Don't let the size of this Reel fool you. With 45 lbs. of drag, this reel is a powerhouse...

I use this reel for jigging tuna and grouper as well as chunking for yellowfin. Works great, a little noisy but not noticeable on the water. Smooth and strong. Good drag system and awesome capacity

Looks good, but feels cheap in your hand.

Awesome reel for live baiting super smooth drag and high max drag awesome reel to add to your arsenal

I have three of these reels. They excellent light tackle reels. I fish light tackle for Mutton Snapper and other reef fishes (including Red Snapper on the Gulf). I have never had a problem with these reels. The drags are first-rate. On one occasion, one of MA12 was just sticking a bit in free spool. I wrote Fin Nor (expecting a referral to an approved repair facility/dealer); instead, they replaced the reel with no questions asked (the reel that was sticking a bit, was more than two years old!). This surprised me, but it also demonstrates they stick behind their equipment. You really cannot ask for more.

The open top single speed Marquesa models have a centrifugal cast control designed in. This is something you can see in an exploded view but I have never seen this listed in any description on any site. I only own the little MA12 at this time and it is as easy to cast as any freshwater bait-cast reel I own. Even the novice should be able to cast this reel with baits of 1 ounce and over. A real pleasure to use.

😄👍

This is a finely built reel! Attention to detail was obviously in mind when this was designed.

Great for jigging!

Got 4 of these reels for free with Santiago purchases. They are great! Lightweight and very smooth lever drag. Will use for stripers and jigging. For around 500 yards of JB non-hollow, which I was happy with.

I have been using this reel since theday that I recived it. This reel is very easy to cast with and I like the preset strike drag weight.

caught two yellow fin over 80lb and over 100 black fin. reel worked great smooth drag . pered with a fin nor jiging rod.

Absolutely love it. This will be my snapper reel.

2speed reel with it's strong drag,no regrets purchasing this finnor reel.

Love this little reel, came with my bigger Fin nor real, not sure if it is worth 319. But since it was a bundled deal, well worth buy the big reel and get this one for free. Handles very well nonetheless.

Very nice lightweight reel for my vertical jigging

First of all, I bought the two for one deal where I received a free Marquesa with the purchase of a Santiago > $400. After I purchased the Santiago 12, it took about two months to receive the Marquesa 20-2 from Tackle Direct due to unavailability/back order. They offered substitutes, but I wanted what I had orignally purchased. When I finally received and used my Marquesa-2 for the first time, the spool and speed changing gears locked up and jammed. I sent the reel to a Fin Nor (owned by Zebco) repair facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma and it took them over three months fix and return it to me. I got some t-shirts and hats, advertising Fin Nor, from them to try to console my frustration with the repair facility and their product.It didn't. This Chinese made product looks solid on the outside, but the internal quality is questionable. I won't ever buy another Fin Nor reel again even if it cost only a penny.