Fishing is an interesting activity that requires focus, precision skills, and the use of the right tools to ensure a positive outcome. While knowing the right fishing tools may be confusing for the beginner, they are an absolute necessity if one’s fishing expedition is to be successful. One of the most popular tools for fishing, especially for those who do it for leisure, is the fishing rod.
The fishing rod is the angler’s best friend. As an angler, you have a choice between a rod with a spinning reel and one with a baitcasting reel. Without delving into discussing the merits and demerits of either, we will just state here that if you are thinking of going bass fishing, then you should seriously consider going with the best baitcasting reel on the market.
The baitcasting reel simply describes a type of reel that is positioned such that the spool is in a parallel position to the rod. This is different from the perpendicular positioning of a spinning reel. This reel type is usually stronger and lighter than a spinning reel, offering a firmness and flexibility that makes it a favorite with many professional fishermen.
Baitcasters are very easy to use though you may find some anglers who are still indecisive about going for it or not. While both types offer some good qualities, when it comes to bass fishing and learning how to bass fish, your choice is pretty clear.
With this clarification made, we will in this article be looking at how you can get the best baitcasting reels on the market; whether online or in physical stores. If this is something you will be interesting in learning about, then stay with us as we quickly examine some important points that will help you through the process.
Factors to Consider Before Selecting a Baitcasting Reel
Before shopping, it is important that you understand what you are looking for. In this section, we will be looking at some of the factors to consider when selecting a baitcaster reel. These includes the following:
Brand
There are so many products from different brands available in the market today. When making your choice, endeavor to verify that the product brand you are opting for is a reliable one. Knowing and choosing a brand that has established itself as one that consistently offers top quality products can be the easiest way to ensure you make the right choice. Note however that buying strictly on the basis of brand may mean paying more.
Gear Ratio
One major factor to look out for is gear ratio. This is important because it determines the pace of the spool. The options that you are likely to find will range from 4:1 to 6:1, with 4:1 being the slowest and 6:1 being the fastest. The choice of gear ratio you make should be determined, among other things, by the type of lure you intend to use. You may want to learn more about this here.
Still on the subject of the gear, it may be helpful to try to find out the material it is made of. Some material types will include plastic, brass, or other metals. Needless to say, the type of material used will directly affect both the price and performance of the product.
Fishing Line
Since baitcasters cannot be used without a line, it is important to consider the length it covers. Some reels can take up 200 to 500 yards of the line depending on the type, size, and quality of the particular product.
Additionally, the weight of a line affects the efficiency of the spool. Therefore, be sure to pay close attention to the line length and strength.
Brake System
The brake system is a feature that is built-in to save anglers the heartache that a backlash can cause. The two types of braking systems you are likely to come across will either be magnetic or centrifugal systems. In some cases, some products may be equipped with the two types.
Understanding these two systems will require some study. You can find some materials that will help you understand them better here: https://amateuranglers.wordpress.com/2016/01/22/braking-the-confusion-on-baitcaster-brakes/.
Level of Expertise
Your level of expertise should be an important consideration point when considering the choice of reel, you should go for. Before you make any purchase, be sure you have a full understanding of the product or can take the time to understand how to use it properly.
Finding the Best Baitcaster Reels
It’s one thing to know what to look for in a product but an entirely different thing to know where to look for the said product. In this section, we will be laying out a few steps you can take to ensure you find the quality of products you want.
Ask for Recommendations
Recommendations from friends and family members who are fishing experts can go a long way to help you select a good tool. Getting the right recommendations will save you time and the stress of searching by yourself. You should therefore ask around from your friends and family before taking any other steps.
Check Online for Relevant Information
The internet has a wealth of information that you can tap from at any time. Regardless of your location, you can check for and find relevant information on practically any product. A quick search will be sure to provide both possible purchase points and other information that can prove helpful.
Compare Features
It is always a good idea to look at a number of products before settling for anyone. When you pick an option, focus on finding out the features it offers and then compare them with what others offer. By so doing, you will not only learn more about the products, but will also furnish yourself with enough data to make an informed decision.
Check for Warranty
A warranty on any product offers you some form of protection as well as assurance of quality. A good warranty period to have on your baitcasting reel should be between 6 months to 1 year. As with most warranties, be sure to look at the fine prints so as to be sure you are okay with the terms of the warranty.
Read Reviews
Reading reviews from other customers can give you first-hand information about any product even before you make a purchase. Since reviews can be manipulated, especially those found on a manufacturer’s website, focus on product reviews that you find on third-party review sites.
Compare Prices
We left this for last for a reason. Price should not be the foremost thing you consider before making a purchase. This is especially so if you really want to get something of good quality. That said, it is important to compare prices across a number of products you’ve shortlisted. Comparing both their features and prices will help ensure you get the best for whatever budget you have chosen to work with.
The above are some useful tips to help you get a baitcaster reel that is right for you. Having found the right tool, the next thing to do is find materials that will show you how to use a baitcaster reel to ensure you get the best from your purchase.
Conclusion
From all we’ve looked at above, it should be clear that choosing the right tool for your fishing endeavor is not as difficult as it may have first appeared. You should however also note that aside from the tools, you also require a level of skill. So, as you make your purchase, invest in honing your skill and perfecting your techniques so that the tools can meet a skilled hand.
Finally, don’t be in a hurry to make a choice, take your time and you will surely get the one that is right for you.