Each reel is designed for a specific fishing method. There are no universal models for all situations on a pond and fishing methods. Each fisherman chooses it based on his requirements and for a specific direction in fishing. You can tell about the purpose of a reel only by looking at it, but the markings of fishing reels, which are applied to its body and spool, will help you find out the basic parameters.
In the store, before choosing a specific model, you need to carefully study the labeling in order to understand its main capabilities. It is important for a beginner in fishing to learn to understand what the numbers on fishing reels mean, so as not to waste money on buying fishing products that are later unnecessary. So, on each reel the manufacturer can put the following data:
- Name.
- Coil gear ratio.
- Her size.
- Timber capacity.
- Permissible load.
Size
It is indicated on the spool and indicates the dimensions of the reel and its power. The larger this value, the more severe conditions it can be used for. Each manufacturer uses a different designation for fishing reels. The most popular Daiwa and Shimano indicate sizes ranging from 1000, 2000, 2500, 3000 and onwards. The lower the number, the lighter the spinning rod and is intended for light baits and equipment, and vice versa.
Popular manufacturers and models of spinning reels
Domestic and foreign manufacturers produce spinning reels using different technologies and have a wide range of models. Among them, coils from manufacturers in Japan, China and Europe are especially popular.
Spinning reels from the Japanese company Daiwa , which is the world's leading manufacturer of fishing products, are especially popular among fishing enthusiasts and are considered the main ones of the best High quality and compliance with high standards are what characterizes the company's products. Currently, it produces more than 50 types of spinning reels. The quality of the reels created by this company is determined by:
- correctly selected material;
- precise balancing;
- tolerability and sufficient rigidity of the kinematic pair.
Many fishermen believe that the more bearings there are in a reel, the better it is, but with the advent of a new high-quality anti-friction material, which Japanese manufacturers introduced in the production of their product, this has become less relevant. It is known that the reels of this company can have from 1 to 15 bearings installed, but even with a minimal number of them, the reel works perfectly.
As well as spinning reels produced by Daiwa, they range from inexpensive models to elite ones. They differ in the following characteristics:
- design complexity;
- the material from which they are made;
- by number of elements;
- production technology.
You can buy the products of this company in a fairly wide price range - from 600 rubles to 45,000 rubles and even higher. All models provide:
- maximum long casts;
- sensitivity when wiring;
- smooth running during wiring;
- smooth power drive;
- absence of beating and hum in the coil;
- low weight and dimensions;
- high durability;
- thoughtful design.
Among the cheapest spinning reels from Daiwa, the model of the Sweepfire B series (Sweepfire 2500B) , which has a gear ratio of 5.3:1, 1 bearing, a friction load with a mass of 4 kg, and with one turn of the handle exactly 79 cm of fishing line is wound , and the spool capacity is 0.5 mm/150 m and the gear weighs 306 g. There is a special balancing system, a folding and repositionable handle. Such a reel costs 600 rubles.
The most expensive model from the Saltiga Z series (Saltiga-Z5000) has a gear ratio of 4.3:1, 15 bearings, a friction load with a mass of 30 kg, and with one turn of the handle exactly 101 cm of fishing line is wound, and the spool capacity is 0.35 mm/370 m and the weight of the gear is 825 g. The reels of this series are protected from water and have anti-corrosion protection for all elements. The spool is made of duralumin, has a titanium side, which is coated with metal ceramics. The line guide bearing can withstand loads of up to 80 kg. Can be used for both light and heavy baits. Such a reel costs 45,000 rubles.
The market is replete with reels in a very low price range, with Chinese manufacturers especially standing out. As a rule, such a coil lasts no more than 2 years and cannot be repaired. Reels priced at 450 rubles and below should not be taken into account at all, because... this is not serious.
The reels of the Chinese manufacturer have an attractive appearance, and are also equipped with some of the most modern systems, but are made of very poor quality. They do not last long and often simply fall apart after a short period of use.
But here you can find an acceptable option. T ica brand products (models Tica Cambria LZ2050 7+1bb, Tica Caiman CA205, etc.) ; they are reliable and durable. The reels of this company have also gained worldwide fame thanks to many years of cooperation with Daiwa. But the quality of such reels is unstable. You can buy a good copy, or you can run into an obvious hack.
Perhaps we can name another Chinese manufacturer that produces good reels at low prices. This is the Okuma company (models Okuma Citrix 273-VLX, Okuma Tormenta TT-260WLX, etc.) . The disadvantages are winding and the inconvenience of switching the reverse stop (from below, not from behind). The bearings are excellent, the overrunning clutch is modern, and the line roller has a large diameter bearing.
The products of the European manufacturer are represented by the German company DAM (models FIGHTER PRO MET. 160 FD 1283160, QUICK A-HEAD 100 1095100 coil, etc.) - excellent quality and good quality. Excellent performance, the most modern materials, the price is above average. But they're worth it. By purchasing such a reel, you can be sure that it will last for a long time without any repairs.
Another manufacturer of reliable reels is the Mitchell , located in France and specializing in the production of fishing products. Among them are world-famous spinning reels such as Tuff-Body Spro ZaltArc XS . They are of good quality, have protection from salt water, protection of the clutch from dirt and water, a cross-shaped line winding mechanism, spools with line clips and a special front clutch system with fine tuning. If we add to this the original design, then these reels are rightfully considered the most reliable, despite their price, which corresponds to the quality.
It must be remembered that many manufacturers transfer their production to other countries and there such a reel is already produced under the trademark of another manufacturer, which does not always correspond to the quality of the original. Sometimes you can see reels without a logo. Hence the conclusion - look at what you are purchasing and focus on buying goods from well-known companies.
Gear ratio
These numbers mean how much the rotor turns in one revolution of the handle. It is designated as the ratio of one to the other, for example 4.8:1. It is believed that if the gear ratio of a fishing reel is less than 5, then it is a power reel. If it’s in the range of 5.0–5.5, then it’s universal, and if it’s over 5.5, then it’s high-speed. In addition, knowing this parameter, you can calculate how long the fishing line is wound onto the spool in one turn of the handle. To do this, measure the circumference of the spool and multiply by the gear ratio. It would seem that such a trifle, but when fishing, it allows you to determine the casting distance or calculate how far from the shore or boat the bite occurred, etc.
Basic parameters of a spinning reel
Currently, fishermen require a reel to increase the sensitivity of the gear when retrieving the bait, as well as to provide assistance when landing large fish.
The choice of a spinning reel should be made by assessing its following parameters:
- Smooth ride. This parameter not only ensures uniform winding of the fishing line, but also allows you to feel the bait. The smooth running of the reel affects the quality of the vein laying, which subsequently affects the flight range of the nozzle.
- Spool size. Determined depending on the size of the fish that will be hunted. On the reels, a numerical designation of the spool size is indicated, for example, 1000, 1500, 2000, etc., which is deciphered as follows. A spool with the designation 1000 will fit 100 m of fishing line with a diameter of 0.1 mm, and a spool with a size of 2000 will be able to wind 200 m of 0.1 fishing line or 100 m of 0.2 fishing line. If you plan to catch perch, it is recommended to equip the spinning reel with a 2000 designation, and for pike hunting you will need a 3000 model.
- Line handle. The quality of manufacture of this component of the coil affects the accuracy of the laying of the core. When opening (throwing back) the bow, it should not spontaneously return to its original position, and when closing it, it is important that the fishing line falls on the line roller. If there is a gap between the bail and the winding roller, the fishing line may get stuck in it, which in the future will invariably lead to rupture of the equipment.
- Friction brake. This parameter allows you to catch a large predator on a thin fishing line. This is achieved by bleeding the line during sudden jerks of the fish. But first, it is important to properly adjust the clutch. For this house, you need to find the line where the brake will work before the line breaks. The drag adjustment handle can be located behind or in front (on the spool) of the reel. Front clutches are characterized by greater sensitivity, but during fishing it is more convenient to adjust the parameter in reels with a rear brake.
- Coil weight. The choice of reel for this parameter should be based on the characteristics of the fishing rod. To find the center of gravity of the reel and rod, you should place the finished tackle on your finger. If the rod is balanced correctly, the center of gravity will be at the grip point. Fishing with such a spinning rod will be comfortable throughout the day, without feeling tired in the joints and muscles.
- Lever. The main requirement for this part of the reel is easy and smooth rotation. The method of fastening does not play a special role. It is only important that the fasteners are made reliably and efficiently.
In addition to the topic, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with, which includes models of various price categories.
Marking a spinning reel is a super important topic when choosing spinning tackle. The question of choosing this part of the equipment determines almost half of the success in fishing.
Forestry capacity
With this parameter, everything is simple - it shows how much fishing line/cord of a certain diameter can be wound on the spool. It is usually customary to indicate the capacity in meters, and the diameter of the line is usually in millimeters. For example, 0.30/180 means it can hold 180 meters of 0.30mm thick monofilament. For cords, the diameter is often indicated either in “libras” (lb), or according to Japanese markings with the # symbol.
Entrance
Manufacturers constantly indicate their characteristics on modern fishing gear. It often happens that they are written in foreign letters and in a foreign dimension. This confuses beginners when choosing gear. For example: 1/2-3/4 oz or Length 7′, means nothing to many fishermen. For the correct selection of cord or fishing line, bait, rod, etc. necessary in these notations. Below I would like to give a selection of translations into Russian and some foreign notations into Russian dimensions.
Let's start with the rod:
Length is the length of the rod, expressed in feet. For example, if the form says Length 7′, then this means that the rod is 7 feet long (1 ft = 30.48 cm). Accordingly: Length 7′ = 2.1 m. The rod structure is sometimes designated as follows: Extra Fast - ultra-fast; Fast – fast; Moderate Fast - average; Moderate – slow.
Line Weight is a line or line test. Usually indicate the permissible limits for using the cord. It is measured in pounds and has the dimension Lb or Lbs. 1 Lbs = 454 grams. For example, with a rod with ratings of 2-8 Lbs, you can use a line with a breaking load of 0.91 - 3.63 kg. Lure Weight – these are rods based on the weight of lures. Indicated in ounces (oz). 1 oz = 28 grams. For example: 1/2-3/4 oz = 14 – 21 grams. Type of material used to make the form. Graphite – carbon fiber; Composite – a mixture of carbon fiber and fiberglass; E-Glass – fiberglass.
Although today each manufacturer gives its own marking to the material used to make fishing rods. Therefore, it is very difficult to understand what this form is made of.
Having understood the designations using the example of a fishing rod, and understanding this, you can easily understand the designations of cords, lines, baits, weights, etc. For example, on a cord or fishing line its breaking load is written and indicated in Lb (1 Lb = 454 g), and on baits the weight is indicated in ounces and length in feet, on weights the weight is in ounces, etc. Everything is interconnected here.
You just have to learn the conversions of ounces to grams, feet to centimeters, and in the store everything will become clear right away
Markings on the reels.
The following inscriptions can be applied to imported spinning reels:
Gear ratio – denotes the gear ratio, which indicates the ratio of the handle rotation to the line guide rotations and the higher it is, the higher the reeling speed;
Match Spool, Long Cast - these inscriptions indicate that you can make long casts;
Ball bearing – this determines the number of bearings;
ATS, or Anti-Twis - the presence of an anti-twist (anti-twist) system that reduces line twist;
Fightin' Drag – the presence of two-stage adjustment of the friction brake;
Continuous anti-reverse – the presence of a special system that is necessary to ensure that there is no strong impact on the gears;
Avto Cast, or Speed Cast – the presence of a semi-automatic casting system;
AVS, dyna balance – the reel is equipped with an anti-vibration system;
Ergonomic design – indicates that an ergonomic design has been applied. It is mandatory to indicate the ratio of the diameter of the fishing line and its quantity (spool capacity).
