What fishing reel should i buy

These examples would be all considered the same sized reel. These big reels are also good for lure fishing using big poppers for giant trevally and other pelagic sport fish. Baitcasting reels are designed specifically for baitcasting rods and, while versatile, should be reserved for seasoned anglers.

Though notorious for tangles, when mastered these reels offer high levels of accuracy and control. Baitcasters come with braking systems which can be adjusted with a spool tensioning knob. When buying a baitcaster, it is important to be aware of the gear ratio and suggested line class, as this will help you balance the reel to the rod. A gear ratio is written with two sets of numbers, for example: 7. The first set of numbers represent the number of revolutions the spool makes for each turn of the handle.

In this example, the spool would revolve 7. A higher number indicates quicker retrieval, ideal for lure fishing where the lure requires a fast retrieval action. Line class for example: yards. Our example set of figures 7. Overhead reels are designed for overhead rods and are targeted at lure or bait fishing where the intention is not to cast but to either troll or feed out the line below the boat or kayak.

Like the baitcasting reel, the overhead reel sits on top of the rod. Having immediate line contact and spool control can be favourable when dropping or jigging baits and lures directly under a boat or kayak.

Overhead and baitcasting reels are very similar in design. A baitcasting reel is essentially a modernised version of the traditional overhead concept, with a lower profile that maks it better balanced for casting. Most traditional overhead reels on the market are aimed at ocean fishing and suit game fishing rods.

Because of this, you can tire out an 8 pound bass on a spinning reel without any problems. Surf casting reels are usually in the range of to size spinning reels, with the most common choice being a size spinning reel. This puts surf casting reels right at the transition from medium to large sized spinning reels.

One reason why surf casting reels need to be on the larger side is that they require a large spool with large line capacity, in order to allow greater casting distance.

Surf fishing can encompass a wide range of applications, ranging from the pursuit of small snappers to big and strong fish like striped bass, or even sharks that come close to the shore. The ideal reel size for ultralight rods is to A reel comes with the advantage of being the most lightweight option, but also has a significantly smaller line capacity, which tends to limit your casting distance.

So while a reel is a little heavier, the extra line capacity of its spool makes it a better choice if you need to cast lures in open water, where casting distance can be of critical importance. This concludes our fishing reel sizes guide.

We hope it will help you to choose the perfect size reel for your purpose, and enable you to reel in some trophy sized fish! What size spinning reel do I need? Among the most important things to consider are: Will you be fishing in freshwater or saltwater? What size fish are you planning to catch? Reels come in three basic styles: casting, spinning and fly fishing. Baitcasting Reels: These reels work with the weight of your bait or lure as it pulls on the line and turns the spool.

More experienced anglers typically prefer baitcasting reels, especially when using heavier lures and lines for large game fish. Handles are usually located on the right-hand side of the reel. Spinning Reels: These devices are great for beginners or novice anglers.

They are simple to use and mount on the underside of a spinning rod. The handle of a spinning reel is usually located on the left-hand side instead of the right.

Spincast Reels: With these reels, the line comes off the top of the spool while casting. The spool, which runs parallel with the rod, remains enclosed by a cover that features a port, where the end of your fishing line exits the reel. The spool remains stationary until you use a thumb button to cast. A heavier reel means fatigue for the angler when fished for long periods of time. Each reel should state the recommended line sizes on the spool, but generally medium size reels will use lb mono or fluoro line.

Just make sure the reel seat on the rod you choose will accommodate the bigger foot on the reel. The Shimano Thunnus Ci4 is a killer reel and comes with the added bonus of a baitrunner feature. It's made of reinforced carbon so it's light, the baitrunner feature disengages the spool so your bait can run uninterrupted.

When you get bit simply turn the handle and the spool is reengaged with your preset drag amount. Note: Some more expensive reels are made with carbon making them lighter for their size. They also have more bearings and better components giving them greater longevity.

The better reels also have more durable gears with more refined teeth on on the gear, allowing you to catch bigger fish without failure. Now we are getting into some bigger reels that are designed for bigger line in the lb class.

Keep in mind, these are big reels that are designed for big fish. Often times newer anglers think they are saltwater fishing and a bigger reel is necessary. Just make sure you match the reel and rod size to the size of fish you are targeting and not to the bigger fish you might accidentally catch. As always, make sure the rod matches the reel you select. A longer rod with a lighter tip will allow for better casting. A light tip and stiff backbone generally makes a great rod even on bigger fish.

Penn makes great reels in this size and the more expensive flavors will hold up to a lifetime of abuse. The Penn Battle 2 is a great budget reel but the Penn Slammer 3 is top of the line and is fully sealed. These reels are no joke and are for the serious angler who wants to catch really big fish! We are talking lb mono or fluoro line and a high end rod to match. See the guys or gals at your local tackle shop and make sure you are setup properly.