Thursday, June 9, 2011

A Guide To Bait Casting Reels

By John Smith


This article will set out and examine bait casting reels. There is a huge variety of fishing gear out there these days and just a simple trip to a fishing supply store can be confusing not only for a beginner fisherman but even to the most seasoned ones.

Knowing a few things about fishing equipment can make selecting the proper gear a bit less of a hassle. When it comes to bait casting reels there are a few things that can help both novice and expert anglers in selecting a proper reel. The two single most important characteristics are material by which the body is made from and the quality of construction; to be even more specific the bearing material and the turn ratio of the crank.

You don't have to be experienced in using fishing reels to be able to use a bait casting reel. Although they are a bit more difficult to use than regular reels if you spend some time and learn the basic techniques and combine that with a bit of practice you will be able to get the hang of using a bait casting reel even if you are relatively inexperienced.

In most cases the bodies of bait casting reels are manufactured using either aluminium or graphite. Graphite is considered a more durable metal, light weight and resistant to wear and tear as well as to corrosion. That is why graphite bait casting reels are more suitable for salt water fishing. On the other hand, even though aluminum is less resistant to corrosion it is a bit more flexible and strong than graphite. On the other hand, if you are only after smaller fish like crappie or other fish known as pan-fish a graphite bodied reel might just do the job.

If you have decided to get a bait casting reel then there are a few things you should keep an eye out for. After you decide which reel you are going to get, or at least from which manufacturer you should be able to check the reel and make sure everything is in place. The ball bearings are an important component of your reel because they will determine how smooth the reel will be. Keep in mind that it is better to use steel ball bearings just because they last longer.

Reels with more ball bearings are usually better because they are much smoother when cranking. The smoother the cranking is the better the reel because when fishing you will be able to sense movements on the other end of the line easier. This way you will know when fish bit and start hooking fish better. The minimum number of ball bearings a reel should have is two and the maximum is usually six.

The turn ratio of the crank is also something you would like to look out for when purchasing a bait casting reel. There are many different turn ratios bait casting reels come with. These ratios vary from 2:1, all the way to 1:6. The first number refers to the number of turns of the crank, while the second number refers to the number of times the spool rotates. To give you an example a reel that has a turn ratio of 1:6 has a crank that turns once for every 6 turns of the spool. This will give the reel a lot of cranking power. High cranking reels are good for trolling, bottom bouncing, and jig working whereas reels that have lower turn ratios, like a 4:1 ratio for example are better for bank fishing and general line hanging.

After you do your research and find a bait casting reel that has the features you are looking for then you shouldnt settle for the first one you come across. You should always shop around for your fishing gear and especially for reels. Go online check a few websites and you will find a great price for your bait casting reel.




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