F&S Top 10 New Reels

II thought it was an interesting review for those in the market for a new reel or two.

The 20 Best New Fishing Reels, Ranked and Reviewed

This is a good read.

-J.

Just picked up a couple stradic ci4+ reels. Gander has then $229 then turn in any old working reel and get $40 off. Best price i found last week. Sounds like joes might have a sale coming up to.

I don’t really see how the Abu is first and the metainium is second, the Shimano seemed like a better reel and a lot cheaper

It’s all subjective. I like articles like this because it highlights some of the finer points with each reel so I don’t have to go visit a dozen manufacturers websites and then try and compare.

Mike W wrote:

Just picked up a couple stradic ci4+ reels. Gander has then $229 then turn in any old working reel and get $40 off. Best price i found last week. Sounds like joes might have a sale coming up to.

Cabelas is offering 20% off all reels if you bring in a trade. These are donated to kids fishing groups.

-J.

I noticed on Mike’s Ci4+ there was no back reel switch. Is this the way of the future?

-J.

Thanks for sharing this Pug! My son wanted a new casting rod for his birthday. The one he originally wanted is backordered so by looking at this I picked up the Pflueger President casting reel on there and will find a decent rod to match it up. I don’t want to spend $200 for a reel for him since this is his first casting setup, but its clearly better than the Quantum of mine he has been using.

Jon Jordan wrote:

I noticed on Mike’s Ci4+ there was no back reel switch. Is this the way of the future?

-J.

I am guessing so Jon, I bought a few Quantums last year that didn’t have it either. Guessing it is just another way to cut cost on something that the manufactures figure the customers don’t use. No big deal for some and not a good deal for some also.

I used to like the back reel for carp on the ultra light, but to be honest, I forgot all about it. I had a scrappy 2 1/4 bass on with my favorite crappie rapala the other day and I was so afraid I was going to lose it (the lure). I don’t know if switching on the back reel would have helped or hurt.

It’s pretty crazy, the line is 4# Fluoro and it is at least 4 years old. Probably closer to 6+ years.

Am I the only guy who never “intentionally” uses back reel? The only time I use it are the times when I am ice fishing and holding the rod pencil grip style, I inadvertently bump the lever putting it into back reel mode and when I go to set the hook you can about imagine the mess I end up with and no fish.

CaptainMusky wrote:

Am I the only guy who never “intentionally” uses back reel? The only time I use it are the times when I am ice fishing and holding the rod pencil grip style, I inadvertently bump the lever putting it into back reel mode and when I go to set the hook you can about imagine the mess I end up with and no fish.

Only use mine if I run into a situation like Pug mentioned, only when hooked into a fish the equipment was not designed for. It can reduce line twist on long, heavy runs if you use the backreel. Modern reels have such good drags that it is not really necessary unless you run into something unintended and want to keep your lure and reduce some line twist.