High Dollar Reels
04/01/08
A higher-end reel complements a new, high-dollar rod for the perfect, balanced fish combination.
Recently we talked about the value of investing your hard-earned sports dollars into a more sensitive fishing rod – one of the models priced at over a hundred bucks. When those funds have been replenished, I suggest that you put them toward a new, lighter weight fishing reel. As when choosing the right rod for a specific technique, the same rules apply for reels. Match fishing technique and rod performance with line weight. The right reel will provide the balance needed to bring out the sensitivity of your new fish catching system. 
Determine a budget when shopping for that next reel. “Any time you go sixty dollars or more you’re getting an aluminum frame which will keep everything lined up, meaning your gears and your handle will be inline to work smoothly,” says Dan Smith, tackle expert for Fish Tech in Holladay, Utah. “This reel class should last you a long time.”
To some extent, reel selection can be purely based on preference, spinning versus baitcaster. As a general rule, Smith suggests dividing your rods and reels according to technique. “Anytime you throw 10-pound test line and a quarter ounce or lighter lure use a spinning reel,” Smith says. With heavy lures and line, the baitcaster will perform better.
“When I’m throwing a crankbait or spinnerbait I use a baitcaster reel because it acts as a winch and pulls the line back in almost effortlessly,” Smith said. A spinning reel is different. Here it pulls the line and wraps it back onto the spool. It is harder to do with heavier line and lures than lighter tackle. “It’s simply easier to pull the lure in rather than wrap it around the spool as you retrieve it,” Smith said. That adds up quickly when you fish all day or throw thousands of casts during a weekend tournament.
On a spinning reel, the lure pulls the line off when you cast it. “When you cast a lure using a baitcaster,” Smith continued, “the inertia of the lure moving toward the target gets the spool to spin. The lure must keep up with the turning spool. If you have a light lure and cast it the spool will begin turning faster than the lure is moving and you end up with backlash.”
Reel components and drag systems are the keys to selecting a good quality, high performance, long-lasting reel. The same high-quality components are available in both spinning reels and baitcasting reels.
DRAG SYSTEMS
When considering a spinning reel Smith suggests a front drag system as compared to a rear drag reel. “The diameter of the washers is bigger on the front drag so it slows the line much more smoothly.”
To get an idea of just how smooth a drag system is on a prospective reel, tighten down the drag a few turns. Then grab the spool with two fingers and try to turn it. How does it feel? Is it smooth and fluid or does it jerk and jump around? A good quality drag will work smoothly.
GEAR COMPONENTS
Reels contain either machined gears or stamped gears. “A machined gear will mesh with 
the other gears in the reel to work smoothly,” Smith said. “If the gears are stamped out, one gear might be high and the other low and the two do not work well together, especially over time.”
BEARINGS
Smith suggests that four ball bearings are essential for good performance.
“Everyone’s stuck on bearings and that’s not necessary. A reel with better gears will mesh better and perform better so it doesn’t need the extra bearings to make up for any deficiencies.”
Budget-wise, more bearings equates to more money for a given reel. Let your budget guide your decision once the prospective reel meets the other requirements.
LINE WEIGHT
Match the line weight with lure size and rod capabilities. For 10-pound test line consider a large arbor reel. A smaller spool will not be able to hold the same line capacity. Also, there is a greater risk of line memory. Eighty yards of monofilament packed onto a small arbor may mean twists and coils when casting as well as line memory problems.
Smith does not recommend using backing on any size of spinning or baitcasting reel as you might use with fly reels. “Keep all of the line on the reel,” Smith said. “If you’re out fishing and you have the fish of a lifetime on, you want all of the line you can get on that reel.”
There is a wide array of line choices from monofilament to fluorocarbon to braided lines. Not all reels will accommodate all types of line. Check with your local tackle shop or 
manufacturer to ensure that the line chosen will work with your new reel.
REEL CLEANING
Use high quality oil like Quantuum Hot Sauce or other brands that are especially designed for fishing reels. Take your reel apart and oil every moving part. “Do not dismantle your reel,” Smith warns. “You don’t want to get in there and start pulling gears and bearings apart. Just oil everything and put it back to together. Do it at least once a year.” If you fish hard and regularly, it would be best to oil and maintain your reels every couple of months.
“Don’t cheat on equipment, it costs too much to go fishing,” Smith says. “If you’re planning a big trip, perhaps one time trips to a big lake in Alaska, or the ocean, get good gear to withstand the pounding it’s likely to take.” There is a lot of time and money invested in the trip why not invest in the gear to get the job done. “If you’re going to scrimp, don’t buy the beer.”
You do yourself a disservice to get a heavy rod and put a lighter spinning reel on it. Match the reel to the technique, bait and rod length and action. When it all comes together it makes all of the difference on the lake.
Read Mike's High Dollar Rods article!