What Do You Look For In A Reel? 2024
Slipknot_Fan666 reply :
I thought this may be an interesting subject. I like an all around good, reliable reel. I know some people look for smoothness, some look for reliability, and there's plenty of other things people prefer. So, as the title implies, what do you look for in a reel?
Alonerankin2 reply :
One that says Shimano!
Slipknot_Fan666 reply :
On 11/1/2014 at 4:14 AM, Alonerankin2 said:One that says Shimano!
If only I had the money to afford a good Shimano. Wait, my old bicycle says Shimano, does that count?
gulfcaptain reply :
#1....what am I going to use it for.
#2....what gear ratio do I want
#3.....what is the wieght of the reel
#4.....Drag
#5.....cost
#6.....brand (as long as it doesn't say Shimano, Lews, or Abu) j/k these are great products, just don't prefer not to fish them.
Alonerankin2 reply :
Lol, I'm playing, sorta... Aluminum or magnesium frame is non negotiable Imo.. Probably at least a 5 bearing count reel.. I like centrifugal braking, magnetics are fine too. I think it really does boil down to a budget though.. There are quite a bit of difference in reel company's.. What's your budget or are you just seeking general information? I have used both Shimano & Daiwa. Are we talking baitcasters or spinning?
Raul reply :
On 11/1/2014 at 4:14 AM, Alonerankin2 said:One that says Shimano!
or Daiwa. 
Slipknot_Fan666 reply :
On 11/1/2014 at 4:43 AM, Alonerankin2 said:Lol, I'm playing, sorta... Aluminum or magnesium frame is non negotiable Imo.. Probably at least a 5 bearing count reel.. I like centrifugal braking, magnetics are fine too. I think it really does boil down to a budget though.. There are quite a bit of difference in reel company's.. What's your budget or are you just seeking general information? I have used both Shimano & Daiwa. Are we talking baitcasters or spinning?
I was just wanting to hear everyone's preference. I already have my next two reels picked out. My next one is a Pflueger president and then I want a BPS PQ.
gulfcaptain reply :
I was a Diawa, BPS, and Quantum fisherman, then tried 13's concepts this summer and they have blown away the others.
Slipknot_Fan666 reply :
On 11/1/2014 at 5:00 AM, gulfcaptain said:I was a Diawa, BPS, and Quantum fisherman, then tried 13's concepts this summer and they have blown away the others.
I would love to own a higher quality reel, but with no job I'm on a very strict budget. The best reel I have is a silver Quatum Accurist Burner. I got it on sale for $40.
tomustang reply :
I look for the deal, I find them a lot.
John G reply :
A reel that when I pick it up and palm it and turn the handle and press the clutch bar and then turn the handle again, it screams quality! That reel for me is a Conquest 50!
gulfcaptain reply :
The older Accurists are great, have 2 of them in both gear ratio's as well as 2 Kinetics. Honestly, my opinion on BPS reels, the PQ is a nice reel, but I prefer the Carbonlites (all were purchased on sale when they dropped to $99). I have 4 of them. And the *** is about the $180 price, purchased the C for $210 (on sale) and honestly there really isn't much difference between them. Purchase almost all my reels on sale or save up and then get them. I am a firm believer it isn't the price of the tackle you use that catches the fish, it's the fisherman. For 2 years I fished a H20 rod and reel (reel was $79 and the rod 60) and still use them. Had no problem outfishing my friends with their higher dollar Shimano's, Diawa's, Fenwicks, etc....
War Eagle 44 reply :
On 11/1/2014 at 4:14 AM, Alonerankin2 said:One that says Shimano!
I'm a 100% Shimano guy myself so this was right in my wheel house! 
mjseverson24 reply :
Casting---> I look for at least an aluminum (or magnesium) frame, preferably machined, but cast is good too if done correctly(which most new ones are), I then look at the breaking system, if it is not a daiwa then i like a centrifugal breaking system, and one that has more levels of adjustability is better IMO. The last three things I look at are bearing count, handle length and design(knobs as well) and the overall weight of the reel. Ultimately it comes down to cost though, if I can get most if not all of these things and be at or under the "budgeted amount" great if not I usually spend a little more than I wanted to get the reel I want. If you are on a budget check out the skeet reese victory reels, you can get them for about 50.00 on line, and they are a nice workhorse reel at a great price... otherwise the Daiwa Tatula for about 100 is a great reel...
Spinning---> I look for a box that says Pflueger President then pay the cashier...
Mitch
ABW reply :
Like the others have said, one that has a good strong frame, and one that you can find the best bang for your buck for me.
CarolinaBoy4Life reply :
I look for durability, weight, cost, and ratio. I have 13 ***'s, Abu revo's, Orra, Shimano Cardiffs for my big bait setups and BPS reel's. To be honest I love my BPS PQ and Carbonlite reel's the most. The carbonlite is LIGHT. I mean LIGHT. The PQ is a darn good reel I have fell in love with cause it's just a tank and cover's alot of aspects or situations and presentations. I just look for a reel I have confidence in and all the reel's I stated above I have no doubt's in. To each his own
new2BC4bass reply :
I look for 3 things. Price....................................................................price.......................................................and did I mention........wait.........wait..........price?
Partially kidding, I read reviews and opinions of others. Choose a reel that interests me. One that I can actually afford since a lot of reels that interest me are way beyond my budget. Then wait for closeouts and watch the classifieds. Bearing count isn't critical to me. Decent quality is. A metal frame is. Gear ratio has some importance, but as long as it is in the 6's or higher I'm okay with it. I don't need a low ratio reel for any of my fishing. Name has very little bearing on my choice although I do seem to gravitate towards Daiwa, Shimano, Abu and Pfluegers.
EvanT123 reply :
It needs to match my shoes 
bootytrain reply :
If I was limited to just one reel then it would be one that could cast far and have a wide casting range that can handle light lures as well as heavy. Right now the metanium does that best out of all my reels.
ww2farmer reply :
#1...be available in LH retrieve, beyond that.....externally adjustable brakes, long handle for leverage, less than 8 oz, multiple gear ratio options, and palms well. The current reels I am infatuated with are the Daiwa Lexa's and Exceler's.
primetime reply :
I look for good reviews, reels that have been in production for at least a year, love to buy last years model of a new reel, and I only buy a reel when it is on clearance and is a steel of a price. I will buy a reel from Okuma just as fast as I will from Daiwa or Cabela's if the price is right and I am getting a great VALUE since I hold my reels and do not sell them to upgrade after a year or two...If you like to have the latest or greatest, then I would suggest buying Shimano,Daiwa, Abu Garcia, and Lew's as they seem to hold their value the most and it blows my mind what people pay for used reels from those companies.
Okuma makes some nice baitcasting reels that rarely get mentioned, and that is simply because they never looked to make a name in the low profile casting market or Bass fishing market until roughly 2010 so it takes time, but you can find the Citrix, Komodo, Serranno, as well as the Helios and Cedros for crazy cheap right now. All are good reels with warrraties that will get honored and I am now a fan of Okuma since they have great customer service, have gone way above and beyond to help me out with issues, so I am alway's looking to find a great deal on a new Okuma reel. Used, they lose 50-70% of value once you make a cast.
Jaheff reply :
1- Frame
2- Braking system
3- Drag and drag material
4- Price, and how what, I need to upgrade.
BasshunterJGH reply :
I look for a reel that is tight, the knobs don't move in and out and there's minimal handle backplay. I also look for good casting distance like the tatula. I don't care as much about light weight I feel like most reels in the 6-8 1/2 ounce balance well on rods I've never had a rod that isn't tip-heavy.
Poolshark reply :
Durability, castability, simplicity and value for myself. Shimano curado, calcutta, etc. I like these reels because they are built very well, handle light lures well and they are easy to service. Also, not that I would, I could get a great resale out of them if I really wanted to. I still own a curado super free from 12 years ago and I still use it on every trip. I actually had the reel repair guy at my local shop order me a rebuild kit with gears and everything. Totaled at 59 dollars. So, for the price of a new reel, plus rebuild at 15 years for 59 bucks. That's sounds like a great value.
Arv reply :
Quality material, palmable, deal
xanadu reply :
Price. I can take any reel and spend a few hours going through it and smoke any reel on the market. It sounds conceded to say that, but even shimano's are slapped together by a Korean lady making $8.00 a day to build them. Too many people here think shimanos are built by God. They ain't.
John G reply :
On 11/1/2014 at 5:52 PM, xanadu said:Price. I can take any reel and spend a few hours going through it and smoke any reel on the market. It sounds conceded to say that, but even shimano's are slapped together by a Korean lady making $8.00 a day to build them. Too many people here think shimanos are built by God. They ain't.
Who tinkled in your Corn Flakes this morning?
masterbass reply :
1. LH
2. prefer daiwa or shimano
3. on sale or used
4. comfortable to palm, fairly light
5. if used, I don't mind some rash because I want to fish it not put it on a shelf and you get better deals on a reel that may have retailed for over $400 for less than half the price (love these deals).
6. reels that stand the test of time and have good reviews with plenty of after market parts available (tdz, 51e, alphas, sol etc)
new2BC4bass reply :
On 11/1/2014 at 5:52 PM, xanadu said:Price. I can take any reel and spend a few hours going through it and smoke any reel on the market. It sounds conceded to say that, but even shimano's are slapped together by a Korean lady making $8.00 a day to build them. Too many people here think shimanos are built by God. They ain't.
conceded: To acknowledge, often reluctantly, as being true, just, or proper; admit
conceited: having an excessively favorable opinion of one's abilities, appearance, etc.
Sorry. Just yanking your chain. Done similar too many times to be in earnest. 
Need a little humor to brighten up this very dreary day.
Poolshark reply :
Xanadu. Lol. Absolutely. They are assembled in a factory, the new ones in a Malaysian factory, the old ones in a Japanese factory. Gotcha. But I know they are most definitely great reels that all have lasted me a long, long, time. Giving me the absolutely best value possible. My calcutta d was built in japan though, as was my curados. Not that that should make a big difference. I also like my abu c3. It looks cool and is easy to breakdown.
Alonerankin2 reply :
On 11/1/2014 at 5:52 PM, xanadu said:Price. I can take any reel and spend a few hours going through it and smoke any reel on the market. It sounds conceded to say that, but even shimano's are slapped together by a Korean lady making $8.00 a day to build them. Too many people here think shimanos are built by God. They ain't.
Hmm, all my shimanos are made in Japan or Malay, which is Not Korea, Korea is over 4,000 km away.. Shimano has a state of the art facility in Malay, as well as Japan, the work out of Malay is very good, however they employ men there in Malay, as far as wages, I couldn't say.. My question is what reels can you supertune and what reel company do you use?
Jaheff reply :
Agree Xanadu, just can't vote for you, cause your not politically correct...
Ozark_Basser reply :
Lightweight, feels good in my hands, magnetic brakes (easier to change than centrifugal on the water), and gear ratio depends on what I'm gonna use it for
Keiran Beam reply :
When I'm looking for a reel I always get a reel for a specific reason (mainly looking for gear ratio). Gear ratio plays an important role in what kind of baits you will be throwing; for example I use either a 7.3:1 or a 8.0:1 if I'm throwing a frog so I have speed behind the line to catch up with the fish coming strait at me when it takes my frog. Secondly I look for the number of bearings, I have had experience with this. I had a reel with only 5 bearings and after a year things got noisy. Go with 7 bearings and up, it won't disappoint. Lastly the cost. I'm not a millionaire so I find one between the $100 to $200 range. My favorite reel that has been super dependable for me is the Quantum Accurist PT series, never disappoints.
*Hootie reply :
On 11/1/2014 at 5:52 PM, xanadu said:Price. I can take any reel and spend a few hours going through it and smoke any reel on the market. It sounds conceded to say that, but even shimano's are slapped together by a Korean lady making $8.00 a day to build them. Too many people here think shimanos are built by God. They ain't.
How do you spell conceited?
Xanadon't know.
Hootie
HoosierHawgs reply :
Bang for the buck is the biggest thing I look for. I'm definitely willing to sacrifice certain things to get others. I prefer an aluminum frame, but I have fished with Graphite frames, and they work just fine. I like a reel to have at least 8 bearings. I prefer to stay w/ one brand, that way I can go from one to the other w/ ease.
J Francho reply :
Profile, retrieve, materials, fit and finish.
roadwarrior reply :
On 11/1/2014 at 5:52 PM, xanadu said:Price. I can take any reel and spend a few hours going through it and smoke any reel on the market. It sounds conceded to say that, but even shimano's are slapped together by a Korean lady making $8.00 a day to build them. Too many people here think shimanos are built by God. They ain't.
Well, I suppose any reel can usually land a fish, but it's the "Fun Factor" that counts. I have been VERY impressed with
a number of Pinnacle Reels as well as the Okuma Helious Air. Still, all of my "old" reels are Shimano. None were built in
Korea and although I doubt God was involved in assembly, He probably keeps an eye on quality control.
Strong, silent and reliant.
*Hootie reply :
Among other things,.....REPUTATION.
Hootie
Jeff H reply :
On 11/1/2014 at 4:49 AM, Raul said:or Daiwa.
This works for me too!
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