What Do You Know About Reels?
The Reel Guide
Any Angler or any one in the fly fishing industry cannot stress the importance of a quality reel. You can the most expensive rod but its full potential will never be reached if it doesn’t have a reel that goes in harmony with it.
Not many persons really put much thought into buying a reel. Its human nature to just pick the pretty, flashy object but the pretties reel doesn’t mean it’s the best reel for you or the rod you have.
Here are some things you should think about and ask yourself when looking at reels.
1. What material is it made of? I put this as number 1 because of course you want to know your reel is going to last and not the first sign of strain something happens to it and you have to get a new one. This will also apply to what type of waters you will be fishing in. Does it have anti rust material in it with you planned to fish in saltwater.
2. And with that follows, will it have to require a lot of maintenance?
3. What is the size of the arbor AND does it match what you are looking for?
4. Will it hold the line you want to use?
5. Does the drag have enough power?
How Was It Made?
If you plan to fish in rough, rushing waters, try looking to machined reels. These reels are made to handle more abuse then the other selections. There are more corrosion- resistant, thus better for saltwater and harsh environments. Machining produces the more durable reels around also, more expensive.
Now, if you are looking for a more economical reel that still performs well a Die Cast reel is a good option. Over the years have been manufactured lighter and strong but until the Machined reels, its more susceptible to corrosion, so this wouldn’t be the best pick for saltwater anglers.
If you want to go even cheaper because you on are on a budget and you still have your wader, your nets, your scale and other accessories to buy your next selection is the Stamped-metal fly reels. Naturally much sell durable then the others but much heavier. So if you just plan to fish for simple bluegill this is the pick for you.
Size
Size of your reel should mainly be dependent on the fly line. The standard fly line is 90’ in length but it varies in weight. Naturally, a 6-weight fly line will take up more room than a 4 weight and Larger, farther-running fish need a lot more backing than farm-pond bluegill, requiring a larger spool.
Arbor Size
Arbor come in Small, Mid and Large. Persons go with the large because it retrieves more line with every crank or in simpler terms you draw the fish closer to you faster everything you turn the reel. It’s extremely helpful when picking up slack line when the fish tires to fish away. A larger arbor means that the fly line is wound on the spool in looser, more-open coils. These more-open coils create less line memory, causing the line to lay out straighter on the water. The larger coils also lead to longer line life, as the line endures less stress over time.
Mid-Arbor have recently come on the scene because not much is announced about the benefits of having one. These reels are a combination of all the positive qualities both the small and large but that’s all we know.
Small Arbor of course are smaller and smaller means lighter. Best used with smaller rods because it balances out better. Considering that the fish you will be catching with smaller rods and reels are probably themselves smaller, not having the benefits of a more consistent drag or faster line retrieval is negligible.
Drag
You want a reel with a drag system that can last a lifetime or as long as it can.
There are two predominant drag systems in today’s reels. A click-and-pawl system is often found in traditional reels. It’s simply a toothed gear that is slowed by a spring-loaded clip. Disc-drag systems are found more often in today’s technologically advanced reels and have many variations. Two or more discs are pressed together, either by a spring or on their own accord (cork), creating friction and producing fish-stopping power.
Reels with the Cork drag systems have very low startup inertia. Cork compresses the force it takes to get the drag going is lessened, protecting tippets from hard-running fish. As the fish runs, the cork expands and pressure is quickly ramped up to fish-stopping levels. It is important to manually lubricate cork drags, so sealed cork drags are not an option. If not maintained, cork will dry out and rot. Also, if it is constantly compressed, if you crank down the drag and just leave it the cork will eventually lose its memory.
Stop right here in The Fly Fishing Central for our variety of Reels. You are sure to find one perfect for you.
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