| Remember to always do your homework before | | | | much, but you'll usually get a better reel if you |
| spending your hard-earned money on anything, | | | | spend a little more money on it. |
| including fishing reels. There are hundreds to | | | | 4 - Smoothness of Operation |
| choose from, so it takes some diligence to spend | | | | A reel should operate smoothly. It shouldn't be |
| your money wisely. | | | | noisy or rough when you're using it. |
| Below you'll find 7 important factors that you | | | | This is directly affected by the components used |
| need to consider when shopping for a new reel. I | | | | to build the reel. |
| hope they'll help you find a great deal on the best | | | | Cheaper reels will typically use more plastic parts |
| reel for your angling needs. | | | | internally, which give the reel a rougher feel and |
| 1 - Price | | | | action when in use. It also shortens the life span |
| The first and most obvious consideration for | | | | of the reel, as these plastic parts will wear out |
| most anglers when they shop for a new reel is | | | | more quickly. |
| the price of the reel. Most people have a budget | | | | On the other hand, reels that use metal internal |
| they have to work within or a price in mind, | | | | parts will operate more smoothly. Some reels will |
| before they even start looking for a new reel. | | | | use brass, while others will use aluminum. Stainless |
| This is understandable and makes sense, | | | | steel is also used frequently in higher quality reels. |
| regardless of your income level. | | | | Keep this in mind and read the reel's specifications |
| Buying the cheapest reel available shouldn't be an | | | | to find out more. |
| option unless you absolutely can't afford anything | | | | 5 - Weight |
| more. As with most other things you buy, you | | | | A reel's weight is more important than most |
| get what you pay for when buying a new reel. | | | | people realize. If a reel is too heavy, it'll be |
| This obviously doesn't mean you have to buy the | | | | uncomfortable to fish with and will cause you to |
| most expensive reel in its class either. That's just | | | | become fatigued over several hours of fishing. |
| foolish spending and does nothing but give you an | | | | A reel that's too heavy will also cause you to use |
| empty wallet! | | | | it less. This means you've wasted your money on |
| Decide ahead of time how much you're willing or | | | | something that ends up collecting dust on a shelf |
| able to spend and then shop for reels within that | | | | instead of being used for what it was intended. |
| price range. Don't let fancy advertisements for | | | | Read a reel's description and specifications to see |
| more expensive reels convince you to buy | | | | how much they weigh before making a buying |
| something that you can't afford or don't need. | | | | decision. |
| Once you've decided on a price range, spend | | | | 6 - Number of Ball Bearings |
| some time shopping around, comparing prices | | | | This is one of the most important factors to take |
| between the different retailers. You'd be surprised | | | | into consideration when looking for a new reel. |
| how much you can save by spending 30 minutes | | | | The more ball bearings a reel has, the smoother it |
| or less doing price comparisons online. | | | | will typically operate. There are exceptions to this, |
| You can also check local retailers for sale prices. | | | | but it's a good rule of thumb to follow. |
| Many retailers will match or beat competing | | | | Some reels can have fewer ball bearings than |
| store's prices, so be sure to check this option. | | | | another model, but yet they operate more |
| Either way, be sure you get what you need, but | | | | smoothly. This is typically due to the placement of |
| not more or less. | | | | those bearings in the reel. Strategic placement of |
| 2 - Level of Angling Expertise | | | | ball bearings can make a reel operate smoothly, |
| Buying a new reel doesn't mean buying the same | | | | even if the reel only has 3 or 4 ball bearings. |
| reel that the pros use, just because they use it | | | | Some reels manufacturers will also use lower |
| or endorse it. Remember... this is marketing at its | | | | grade ball bearings to save money. All ball bearings |
| finest and their goal is to convince you that you | | | | are not created equal. |
| need this reel because so and so uses it and | | | | If a reel boasts 7 ball bearings or more, it will |
| catches big bass and wins tournaments. | | | | probably be extremely smooth to use, regardless |
| If you're a beginning angler, it makes no sense to | | | | of the brand name on it. It still pays to take the |
| spend $200 on a reel, unless of course you have | | | | price into consideration, though, because a reel |
| more money than you know what to do with. | | | | that has 7 or more ball bearings, yet costs less |
| Even then, it still makes no sense to buy the | | | | than a reel with 4 ball bearings is probably lacking |
| most expensive, just because you can afford to. | | | | in quality in another area of construction. |
| Anglers who fish only a few times per year can | | | | 7 - Reel Reviews |
| get by with a beginner level reel and never skip a | | | | This is the clincher for everyone shopping for a |
| beat, but this still doesn't mean you should buy | | | | new reel. |
| the cheapest reel available. If you're a beginner, | | | | Reel reviews written by real anglers who've |
| buy a good beginner reel and it will last you | | | | actually bought and used a particular reel model |
| several years and you'll be happy with what you | | | | are worth more than anything else and any other |
| bought. | | | | information that you gather. |
| Intermediate anglers will obviously need and want | | | | All of the items mentioned above are important, |
| a reel that's geared more toward being used a | | | | but if a reel has all the right components & |
| couple of times per month, or more. This means | | | | still gets lousy reviews, there's obviously |
| spending a bit more money. | | | | something wrong with it. |
| The same goes for more advanced anglers. But | | | | Keep in mind that not all reel reviews are created |
| what will suit your use. You'll be glad you did. | | | | equal. Some angler may have an axe to grind |
| 3 - Intended Use | | | | with a reel manufacturer due to a bad experience |
| What do you intend to use your reel for? | | | | with a previous purchase. Reels that give a 1 star |
| Will you be stream fishing for small trout? Will you | | | | rating should be looked at closely. Most times, if a |
| be catching panfish? Will you be chasing bass on | | | | low rating like this is given, the angler might have |
| large bodies of water? | | | | bought a reel and had trouble with it right out of |
| All of these things will influence your buying | | | | the box. Instead of waiting to see if the company |
| decision and should be taken into account when | | | | replaces it for them, with a working model, the |
| deciding which reel to buy. | | | | angler gets frustrated and writes a bad review. |
| If you're a casual angler who fishes for anything | | | | A great reel review will be written by an angler |
| that'll bite, and you only fish a few times per | | | | who has actually bought a reel and spent time |
| year, you obviously don't need to spend $100 - | | | | using it before the review was written. Their |
| $200 on a reel. In fact, you don't even need to | | | | feedback is constructive and covers many |
| spend $75 on a reel. A combo in the $50 price | | | | aspects of the reel, giving the reader useful |
| range will suit you fine for many years. | | | | information. |
| If, however, you fish several times per month or | | | | Reading these types of fishing reel reviews gives |
| more, you'll want to invest the money in a reel | | | | you lots of good information and helps you make |
| that will last you more than a few months. In this | | | | an informed buying decision. |
| case, spending $100 or more on a reel is a better | | | | Here's hoping you find the reel that's just right for |
| bet. You obviously don't need to spend that | | | | you! |