Fishing reels

A fishing reel should just do its job. It should feed line without fuss, retrieve evenly and have a drag that feels stable when it matters.

Size and construction affect how the equipment feels in the hand. A reel that is too heavy makes the rod heavy at the back. A reel that is too small can feel flimsy when the stuff gets pushed into it. That's why it's smart to match the reel to the length of the rod and the line you intend to use.

Look at the line capacity, the drag setting and how the crank feels when you spin it. These are things that are immediately noticeable out on the water. A good fishing reel should feel obvious - not something you think about during the session.