Fishing tackle: Reels

Reels:

The type of reels currently used by anglers can be classified in two main groups (the Scarborough reel is not discussed in this article):

• The multiplying reel:

Shimano Trinidad

Shimano Torium 30



Shimano Speed Master IV



This group includes a number of makes, but if one would like to start a “war” between the anglers in RSA, he does not need to steal "The Beautiful Helena", but simply pose the question: Which make of multiplying rock & surf reels are better: Shimano or Daiwa? The answer to this question in South Africa is not straight forward, as many of the master anglers, have commercial interests in one or the other of the makes. I own number of reels and I use both makes extensively and have formed my opinion and preference. I’m sure that every beginner will do the same over a period of time too.

However;it is important to point out that some angling websites use unscrupulous blackmailing and extortion tactics in order to generate revenue from advertising and very often purposefully misguide anglers and novices in choice of reel.

Question: How do the websites make money?

Answer: (One of the ways.)

"...My free site makes money through advertising.

When the ads get clicked on, the companies that use adsense to put the ads up on my site pay google, who then pay me!..."



Unscrupulous angling website moderators and owners may try to blackmail one of the brands not advertising on their website, by posting all sorts of information in favor of the companies advertising on their site.

You should remember one thing when it comes to reels - the reel does not always have to be expensive to be able to do the job. And some of the less expensive reels may last twice as the more expensive reel.

Daiwa Saltist 50



The line in this group of reels feeds directly off the drum, there is a clutch which must be disengaged for casting, and most importantly there is a brake which allows one to vary the tension on the line and will help you in fighting large fish.

The adjustment of the drag is a subject for discussion on its own and it is recommended that it is set to the 1/3 of the braking strength of the main line in use. However; important rule of thumb for beginners and occasional anglers is to tighten the drag of the reel in such way as to allow you to strike a fish without causing a “bird nest” on your reel, and also to allow a fair size fish to “take a line” from your reel if you have a run. If the fish is running and taking line from your reel “Keep cranking the knob until the fishi stops running.”



Once you gain fair amount of experience you will be able to determine the level of adjustment of your drag required by releasing the knob and pulling some line with your hand from the reel.

NB: If you are fishing with more than one rod, or making use of rod holders, always release the drag of your reel to such an extent that fish can take a line from the reel and engage the click control lever in order to produce a loud warning noise. In accordance with the prevailing sea conditions, release the drug to such an extent that you do not allow waives or the currents to pull line from your reel.

Many rods a lost due to fisherman forgetting to release their drag and leaving the rod in a rod holders. It is one of the most sickening feelings for one to see his rod and reel pop out of the rod holder and disappear in the sea at speed. Even if you leave the rod in the rod holder for few seconds in order for you to attend to something in your tackle bag or bait box, remember to release the drag of your reel.

It is important to mention that this type of reels is designed to fit on top of the rod and allow for the use of one’s thumb to control the speed of the drum while casting.
Casting with multipliers require fair amount of skill before they can be used effectively. It is not uncommon to see anglers living in Johannesburg or the interior of the Country utilizing rugby fields, dams and other open areas to improve their casting skills and prepare for the upcoming dream fishing trip to the cost. However; nothing can replace the experience gained when casting at the sea and having to do it for “real”, with bait, wading considerable distance in the sea, waives, wind etc.
A distance of 120 – 140 m with good wading will allow you to reach most of the productive spots, where fish may be feeding. A long casts are not required at all the time, but when the fish is feeding on a sand bank situated at about 120m, your ability to reach it may be the difference, between you being rewarded with a fish and the fellow fishing next to you, fowling short of the bank, catching none.

Word of caution: Before one reaches the above mentioned distances consistently when casting with a multiplier reel, it should be expected that:

• number of “bird nests” will occur on your reel and considerable amount of line wasted;

• burned thumb and/or line;
• and in some instances fairly serious injuries as deeply cut thumbs have been known to occur;

Setting of the spool tension:



Setting of the spool tension is achieved through turning the cast control cap of your reel to the right (clock wise). Achieving of maximum casting distance is a subject for discussion on its own and the good advice will be that, in the beginning of your casting carrier; it is recommended that you keep the cap almost to a fully tight position in order to avoid possible dreaded “bird nests”. This will decrease the distance of your casts, but as you build confidence and experience with your casting you may be able to release the cast control knob on you real further and achieve greater distances.

Word of caution: Do not excessively loosen the cap as water may seep inside. Always observe what experienced anglers using multipliers do, if they happen to fish in close proximity to you.

Even and under tension spooling of your main fishing line on the reel is a must if you intend to produce a good cast.

Many anglers, once they connect their leader, trace and sinker if fishing from a sandy beach before their first cast, will let a line of about 100m on the beach and then carefully spool the line on their reel, to ensure good tension, before their first cast.

Use of line lubricants, sold at tackle shops, helps a lot (rocket fuel etc.), but if your casting technique and experience are not at the required level, do not expect miracles only because you are using this type of products. Moisturizing your line with a normal drinking water (not sea/salt water), will definitely help for a smoother and further cast.
Do not give up, keep trying and you will learn to “shake hands” with the drum of your reel and your rod to perfection on almost every cast.

The experienced fisherman laughing at you, because you are getting a “bird nest” or hitting the 25m mark, was not born with the skill of casting multiplying reels. Believe me he has gone through the same frustration, pain and humiliation at one or another stage of his life. Even the most experienced anglers are not immune to a “bird nests”.

My advice will be to walk straight to him and ask him to show you how to bait, and cast you rod for you. I guarantee you that most of the experienced anglers will show you with pleasure how to do it, and will give you even more useful tips. Look, listen and memorise their advice.

Proper “loading” of your road while casting is extremely important for achieving good casting distance.

Make sure that before casting your clutch lever is released and that the STRIKE ALARM CLICK is in off position.



• The spinning reel (coffee grinder):



These reels are designed to fit under the rod and there is no need for control of the speed of the drum with once thumb.
On this type of reel the drum or spool faces sideways and the line feeds from a fixed spool through a “bale arm”.

Generally they are much easier to cast with, as one just opens the “bale arm” and casts. It is virtually impossible the dreaded “bird nests” to occur. These types of reels are extremely popular amongst occasional anglers and very often are used for shad fishing.

As it is the case with the multiplier reels there is number of manufactures competing for share of the market in South Africa.