First of all, buying a fishing reel isn't really difficult, but you do need to do a little bit of thinking and consider what you're going to be using the reel for. Different types of fishing and different types of fish require different reels. I came up with 6 key points on buying your next reel so that you know what to get and you get exactly what you need.
1) Make sure you look for good grips. Be sure that they're non-slip grips on both the hand-crank and on the arm of the reel (where your non-cranking hand sits). Sometimes the grips are made of a rubber material and sometimes it's a synthetic leather type material. Some even have a wound elevated bump on them sort of like a hockey stick. This makes sure that when your hands get wet (which they will whether from water or sweat depending on how hard your fish fights!!), you can still control the reel and don't have to worry about it slipping out of your hands. Trust me, there's nothing worse than setting the hook and fight to reel that fish in only to lose him becasue you've lost your rod/reel! Been there done that........ bleh!
2) Ball bearings are one of the most important parts of any reel you buy. Basically ball bearings control 2 things, a) the smoothness of the line going thru the reel when you're reeling your fish in, and b) how fast the reel stops. The more ball bearings you have in the reel, the smoother the action will be. Two ball bearings are common in low end reels, 3-4 in mid-range reels, and 5 or more in top end reels. That's one of the reasons you'll see a difference in the price of reels even though they "look" the same. The other factor that ball bearings influence is how much the reel spins backwards after you stop winding in your line. This should be as little as possible since it affects your control over the line and lure. A simple test is to simply reel in a little line, and let go of the crank handle. Now try and pull a little line out of the reel. If the handle turns backwards, you'll have less control. More ball bearings means that this 'unwinding' is reduced - which trust me is very important.
3) You need to check the line capacity, or strength of any reel for 2 points of information. First, the maximum lb. test the reel will hold, and then how many yards/metres of line can be put on the reel. You want to have a reel that is designed for the line weight you are going to use. Trying to put 20 lb. test line on a reel designed for 6 lb. test will only give you headaches.
4) What type of reel you're looking at - level wind (baitcaster) or spinning. The type of reel you use affects the type of fishing you'll be doing. Reels are designed for different purposes and produce different effects on the lures and bait that you use. If you're fishing large plugs and bait style lures, which are commonly used with bass fishing, a baitcasting (or levelwind) reel is probably what you're looking for. These reels don't produce too much action in the lure, and allow very accurate casting control. Spinning reels on the other hand are designed to transfer action into the lure from the reel, and are used commonly with trolling, and casting spoons and spinner type lures.
5) What type of fishing/size of fish are you looking to bring in. Obviously if you're headed out to do some deep-sea / saltwater fishing you won't be wanting to use a 6' bamboo pole! I assume you already are aware of that though....... This points to #4. The type of fishing you plan on doing is important, but so is the size and type of fish you're trying to land. Different fish species aren't only different in size, but also their overall strength and fighting attitude. For example a 3 lb. musky will react differently than a 3 lb. smallmouth bass and so you'll need different reels. Likewise if the areas you fish are loaded with underwater hazzards and structures that will snag hooks, (stumps, fallen trees, big rocks, etc.) you might want to get a sturdier reel than if you always fish in open, clear waters.
6) Size and weight of the rod-reel combo. This isn't overly critical since most reels are usually just a few ounces of each other in weight. But if you're going to be out casting all day long on a regular basis a lighter reel can be a reel blessing. The same holds true if you're buying a reel for your children. Be sure to try it out on a rod in the store to see how it feels. Then make sure that it feels comfortable and you are able to reach the casting mechanisms and tension controls easily and without having to make awkwar
1) Make sure you look for good grips. Be sure that they're non-slip grips on both the hand-crank and on the arm of the reel (where your non-cranking hand sits). Sometimes the grips are made of a rubber material and sometimes it's a synthetic leather type material. Some even have a wound elevated bump on them sort of like a hockey stick. This makes sure that when your hands get wet (which they will whether from water or sweat depending on how hard your fish fights!!), you can still control the reel and don't have to worry about it slipping out of your hands. Trust me, there's nothing worse than setting the hook and fight to reel that fish in only to lose him becasue you've lost your rod/reel! Been there done that........ bleh!
2) Ball bearings are one of the most important parts of any reel you buy. Basically ball bearings control 2 things, a) the smoothness of the line going thru the reel when you're reeling your fish in, and b) how fast the reel stops. The more ball bearings you have in the reel, the smoother the action will be. Two ball bearings are common in low end reels, 3-4 in mid-range reels, and 5 or more in top end reels. That's one of the reasons you'll see a difference in the price of reels even though they "look" the same. The other factor that ball bearings influence is how much the reel spins backwards after you stop winding in your line. This should be as little as possible since it affects your control over the line and lure. A simple test is to simply reel in a little line, and let go of the crank handle. Now try and pull a little line out of the reel. If the handle turns backwards, you'll have less control. More ball bearings means that this 'unwinding' is reduced - which trust me is very important.
3) You need to check the line capacity, or strength of any reel for 2 points of information. First, the maximum lb. test the reel will hold, and then how many yards/metres of line can be put on the reel. You want to have a reel that is designed for the line weight you are going to use. Trying to put 20 lb. test line on a reel designed for 6 lb. test will only give you headaches.
4) What type of reel you're looking at - level wind (baitcaster) or spinning. The type of reel you use affects the type of fishing you'll be doing. Reels are designed for different purposes and produce different effects on the lures and bait that you use. If you're fishing large plugs and bait style lures, which are commonly used with bass fishing, a baitcasting (or levelwind) reel is probably what you're looking for. These reels don't produce too much action in the lure, and allow very accurate casting control. Spinning reels on the other hand are designed to transfer action into the lure from the reel, and are used commonly with trolling, and casting spoons and spinner type lures.
5) What type of fishing/size of fish are you looking to bring in. Obviously if you're headed out to do some deep-sea / saltwater fishing you won't be wanting to use a 6' bamboo pole! I assume you already are aware of that though....... This points to #4. The type of fishing you plan on doing is important, but so is the size and type of fish you're trying to land. Different fish species aren't only different in size, but also their overall strength and fighting attitude. For example a 3 lb. musky will react differently than a 3 lb. smallmouth bass and so you'll need different reels. Likewise if the areas you fish are loaded with underwater hazzards and structures that will snag hooks, (stumps, fallen trees, big rocks, etc.) you might want to get a sturdier reel than if you always fish in open, clear waters.
6) Size and weight of the rod-reel combo. This isn't overly critical since most reels are usually just a few ounces of each other in weight. But if you're going to be out casting all day long on a regular basis a lighter reel can be a reel blessing. The same holds true if you're buying a reel for your children. Be sure to try it out on a rod in the store to see how it feels. Then make sure that it feels comfortable and you are able to reach the casting mechanisms and tension controls easily and without having to make awkwar
