Tackle Frenzy - Coarse Fishing Reels

The Fixed Spool fishing reel has come on a bundle over the past 10 years without increasing in price! As a coarse angler in my youth I used the Mitchell Match reel which was the Rolls Royce of reels with single hand casting, 3 ball bearings and sensitive drag settings. Now even the cheapest coarse fixed spool reel is smooth with reasonable drag settings and functions admirably.

The term fixed spool means that on these reels the spool is stationary (fixed) and the line is wound around the spool via a bail arm. Simple. There are a number of sizes of fixed spool reel with the smaller numbers 20, 30 and 40 being used for float / match fishing going up to size 60 being used for specialist anglers. In order to cast and allow line to run free the bail arm is cocked, the rod is flicked and the rig cast out then the bail arm is reset either manually or by winding the handle. These reel are easy to master and provide easy maintenance and servicing. The only down side is if the line is allowed to become loose on the spool it can sometimes be wound under the fixed spool. This is easily remedied by taking the spool off, unwinding the line and placing the spool on again - easy!

There are a number of factors to look for in a fixed spool reel such as:

The number of ball bearings
The construction of the case and spools
The rewind ratio
The line capacity
Drag system - spool controlled drag or rear controlled

Ball Bearings	Reels run on ball bearings to provide smooth operation and longevity of life. The higher the number of ball bearings the smoother and longer your reel should operate. As with all advice offered on Fishing Buddy™ there is sensibility about the amount of money spent. There is no point buying a high-end reel if it will be used once a month for a couple of hours but the more money that you can afford to spend within reason you will get a better quality reel that as long as it is maintained will last for many years to come.
Construction	This can be important if you are looking for a low maintenance reel as you will be subjecting the reel to water, sand and dirt, fish slime and the general abuse that reels get during to coarse of fishing. Carbon bodies offer light weight and anti-corrosion properties but these come at a price. Stainless steel also has anti-corrosion properties but at the expense of weight. Most reels will provide years of good use if looked after and once again the budget will dictate. Remember that the products that Fishing Buddy™ has selected offer value for money and even our entry level reels will provide good service to the weekend angler.
Rewind Ratio	This is the speed at which the bail arm rotates around the spool and therefore how much line is retrieved for every turn of the handle. If a fast retrieve rate is required such as long distance casting then a retrieve rate of 4.5:1 or higher is recommended. If however you are ledgering with big baits then a fast retrieve rate may not be an advantage. Faster is not always better but for the weekend angler we recommend a ratio of 4:1 or higher.
Line Capacity	Different reels are designed for different tasks. If you choose a fixed spool for light float fishing then a small reel with a small spool to handle up to 200 yards of 4lb line is required but if species hunting with heavier line then a larger reel with higher capacity spool of 200 yards of 10lb line is better. For general use I recommend that you purchase a reel capable of holding up to 200 yards of 4lb line.
Drag System	This is a very important tool on any fishing reel as when set properly it allows the fish to take line at around 75% of the breaking strain from the reel without the angler needing to let line out. This is most important for hard fighting species such as Carp as they will allow you to bring them in but when they see you or your net they usually make a dash for it and your reel will allow them to do so whilst maintaining pressure on the fish and tiring them out in the process. The choice of drag setting on the spool or at the rear of the reel is personal, I use a spool drag and my sons prefer the drag system operating from the rear.