Fishing Reels Buying Guidelines

Which fishing reel to buy will hinge, not surprisingly, on a number of factors: cost, reliability, favorite brand and other factors. But the most important and basic criterion will remain application. The reel has to work well for what it was designed to do.

There are four basic types of fishing reels: The spincasting reel, the spinning reel, the baitcasting reel and the fly reel.

Experience level plays a part. A spincasting reel is recommended for novices. A spinning reel will be better for a wider variety of levels and circumstances. A baitcasting reel is recommended only for those who have a bit more experience. A fly reel as you probably guessed is for fly fishing.

One of the main differences among the fishing reels is the type of spooling mechanism used.

A direct-drive or center-pin reel, now mainly used for fly fishing is the simplest form. In this type, the spool and handle are directly coupled so that as the handle moves forward so does the spool and vice-versa. When you have a fast running fish on the line, make sure your knuckles are out of the way of the handle. Ouch!

The Anti-Reverse reel uses a mechanism that allows line to pay out while the handle remains stationary. Modern fishing reels may have the Instant Anti-Reverse design (IAR) which uses a one-way clutch bearing on the handle shaft that restricts the handle from going backwards at all.

Gearing is important in a fishing reel, too. A direct-drive reel has a 1:1 ratio. A 3:1 gear ratio turns the spool three times for every turn of the handle through 360 degrees. By comparison, a 6:1 ratio saves a lot of unnecessary effort on an empty line, as it provides more crank for the effort. But the lower ratio provides more torque, which is helpful for reeling in those big beauties.

You can tell how good a reel is by the quality or to some extent the quantity of bearings used. Avoid fishing reels that are noisy or have a lot of vibration when cranking. This is a sign of poor construction. Generally the more bearings used the smoother the operation. Although a reel with five quality bearings will serve you better than a reel with ten not so good quality bearings.

Apart from the spooling mechanism, other factors play a role that is dictated by the type of fishing you favor.

Fishing reels may be made of aluminum, stainless steel or in some cases even special composites. Something lightweight like aluminum can be perfect for those smaller outings where the angler is standing near the lake shoreline. Stainless steel works better on heavy-duty trips where a big marlin is your target. Aluminum makes for a little easier time of things but stainless steel will stand up to saltwater and hard use much better.

Last, the drag mechanism should be easy to use and appropriate for the species and landscape in which you fish. The drag mechanism makes it difficult for the fish to pull additional line out, but most are designed to allow some pay out in order to avoid snapping the line (unless the angler locks it down intentionally).

The drag is the mechanical device that applies pressure to the spool and acts as a brake to slow down or stop a running fish. Generally you should set your drag to about half of the lines breaking strength. You can adjust the setting while playing the fish.

A spincasting reel uses a wheel or dial to set the drag. The drag on these fishing reels are generally not as advanced as on other types of reels. However if you purchase a quality spincasting reel it should handle most situations you encounter.

A baitcasting reel uses a star drag system. You set this drag using the five pointed wheel attached to the handle. Due to the positioning, it is fairly easy to adjust the drag while playing your fish. These are for the most part excellent systems that allow a wide range of adjustment from very light to total lockdown.

If your fly fishing for small trout on a small stream you don't need an elaborate drag system. A simple click-and-pawl will work fine. If you do hook a large fish most fly reels have an exposed rim where you can apply pressure with the palm of your hand. If your going after larger fish or use extremely light tippets (leaders) you'll want a more sophisticated drag system. There are a lot of quality fly reels that uses a disc drag where you turn a large knob to apply pressure to an internal disc. This works like the disc brakes on your car. These discs can be made out of cork, rulon or even carbon fiber.

On spinning reels a front drag system puts the controls in front and usually offers greater durability and increased friction. Rear drag controls are easier for some to use, which is handy when you've got that fighting fish on the line and you need to play him. They tend not be quite as sturdy when faced with that large one, though, creating a convenient occasion for that traditional fisherman's fib about the one that got away.

But, then, no true angler would blame his gear.

Fly Rods and Reels

Shimano Saros

The Saros brings new meaning to light tackle, but do not mistake its small size for timidness. Utilizing the new Paladin Gear Durability Enhancement and Propulsion Spool Lip, durability, reliability and performance are nothing to worry about. Add in Shielded A-RB® bearings, a sealed Maintenance Port, and thread-in machined Aluminum handle, along with many other features, and the Saros will be a performer for years to come.
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Shimano Curado

A total redesign of the most popular low-pro baitcaster on the market the Shimano Curado E Series combines high performance quality and value. The Curado Es 200 size reels are smaller than the previous Curado D 100 but offer the same line capacities. The Curado Es 300 size reels give you the power and line capacity of a round baitcaster in a sleek low-pro design perfect for heavy braids big baits and big fish. Fishing Gear Tips and Advice Store

Spooling Station

Fill reels anywhere, anytime with the Portable Spooling Station. This convenient spooling device helps ensure level filling with constant line tension on spinning and casting reels. Includes line stripper and built-in cutter. Sets up and stores easily.
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