Fishing reels are a vital component of the gear of any fisherman. Whether fishing for sport or necessity, having the right reel is at least half the battle. Fishing reels come in all shapes and sizes, with different materials, styles, and levels of durability. The decision isn’t always easy because there are so many options available in today’s market. To help make your search easier, we have compiled a list of features that should be considered when shopping for an ideal fishing reel.
Price
Fishing reels range widely in price from $10-1000+. If you plan on using your reel often, it will be worth spending more money upfront to save yourself time and frustration down the road. The price of fishing reels will differ depending on the material it is made from, the number of bearings and the drag system used. The more expensive reels will be lighter weight and have higher quality components that can last for years if properly maintained and will give you a great reeling experience. You can visit Melton Tackle big game reels to view and compare the prices of different reels before making your purchase decision.
Spool design
Consider whether the spool design is traditional or long cast spool. It is best to use a traditional spool as it can be cast far distance with less effort and more accurately. Long cast spools are usually used by those fishing from boats or kayaks with greater casting room. Traditional reels do not offer much advantage over other types, but if you live near the coast, then go ahead and buy this kind of reel, which will give you a better experience than a normal one.
The drag system
A quality drag system is essential in determining whether your new favourite fishing reel will be worth the money spent on it or not. Ensure to check if the function is smooth or not. It should be able to give you enough resistance so that there will be no overrunning.
If your fishing reel has a low-quality drag system, you will likely lose lures and fish. You can test out how much pressure the drag puts on by pulling the line off with one hand while holding onto something stationary like a pole etc., do not move too fast as it may snap your line.
The weight of the fishing reel
Consider the weight to feel what works for you. You can also see how firmly or loosely it sits in your hand to maintain overall comfortability throughout usage. If the reel is too heavy, your arm will start feeling sore after hours of use which means you will not continue fishing. So if you want an easy life- go with lightness but otherwise, consider corrosion risk before buying one of your own.
Number of bearings on the spinning reel
The more the number of bearings on your reel the better because there is less friction and great smoothness to operate. Therefore, this means that reeling in your catch will be easier on your arms and hands and will provide faster retrieval times by making less effort put into reeling them back, eventually leading to catching more fish.
