Reels

Reels for bottom and float fishing

Reels for bottom and float fishing are exclusively spinless reels, inertia - multiplier reels are not used for such fishing. It is difficult to say whether this is because float and bottom fishing are completely ignored across the Atlantic, i.e. in the USA and Japan, where the cult of multiplier reels reigns supreme, and where the multiplier reel trend in spinning has come from here. Or perhaps it is simply because it is more comfortable to fish for peaceful fish with a reel without inertia. Nobody knows the answer to that, so it is what it is, and we are going to talk only about inertia reels for bottom fishing and float fishing.

Reel for bottom fishing

The classic reel for bottom fishing (not feeder fishing), with several rods on stakes or on a rod rack, has a double drag, also known as a baitrunner. These reels have been very popular in both carp and bottom fishing because of the ability to activate a second brake with minimal force, allowing the fish to pull the bait freely and activate the main brake at the push of a button. This way there is no risk of a large catch dragging the whole rod into the water. However, these reels are slowly losing popularity due to their heavier weight and more baitrunner failures. Single drag reels with a quick drag have also appeared, where the drag can be tightened or loosened very quickly.

Another very important aspect of bottom fishing is the reel clip. In spin fishing, the purpose of the clip is simply to hold the line during transport. When bottom fishing, the clip is also used to fix the distance. Although this is more relevant for feeder fishing, it is also useful for bottom fishing to scan the bottom and drop the bait in more promising places.

Reel for float fishing

A reel for float fishing is not much different from a basic spinning reel. There are no major requirements for it, as light weights are thrown and the float is pulled without resistance when fishing with a float rod. So it is natural that float fishermen like higher-gear reels. Float fishing also does not use thick lines, so the reel can be quite shallow. The size of the reel chosen depends on the type of fishing. If you are fishing in a river and hold a floating rod in your hand, you should choose a lighter, i.e. smaller, reel size. If you are fishing in still water and want to cast further away, a wider reel, i.e. a larger and heavier reel, is more common. A wider reel is more likely to slip the line and cast further. Also, more line is picked up in one turn and the float can be retrieved and cast faster. In summary, this float reel can be sized from 1000 to 4000 with a faster ratio (6:1 or even 7:1) and a shallow drum.

Reels for feeder

Special reels for the feeder, like the modern feeder itself, are relatively recent. Initially, such reels were made for faster transmissions, as feeder fishing was considered to be fast fishing with light weights. However, it very quickly became clear that the faster retrieve was not suitable for feeder at all and, unlike match reels, had to be much slower retrieves. In Lithuania, feeder fishing is mainly in rivers and large ponds, where really heavy feeders are used. Casting is also quite frequent and dozens or hundreds of casts can be made during a fishing trip. Pulling a heavy feeder out of the current 50 times is a huge strain on the reel, and fast-transfer reels simply cannot cope with such loads for a year, especially if the cost of the reel is not high. Feeder reels are now also available in very slow 4.4:1 ratio. They are much more powerful and last a long time even under the toughest conditions. Another very important feature of a feeder reel is a good quality clip. Feeder fishing is inseparable from distance fixations thanks to the clip. When fishing with a feeder, it is very important to bait and fish at the same point, so that the fish concentrate exactly where you drop the bait. The clip on the feeder reel must therefore be very strong and must not cut the line. The clip has to be able to withstand a lot of impact, especially when fishing with a braided reel. And at least in Lithuania, nine out of ten feeder anglers and sportsmen use braided line. Another important aspect of feeder fishing is the protection of the reel from water, or rather the protection from salts, which are used quite a lot in the baits we throw into the feeder. Reels, whether they want it or not, are covered with bait from which salts can get inside the reel. This is a problem that Daiwa reel enthusiasts have to deal with very often. They are not well protected against water getting inside and very often there are extraneous noises when turning the reel, and when the reel is dismantled, the reason for this is the rusty needle bearing. This is where Shimano reels perform best. Even in the economy class they have very good water protection and are completely free of this problem.

Feeder reel sizes range from 3000 to 7000, depending on the length and power of the feeder rod. The more powerful and longer the feeder, the bigger the reel. For the shortest picker shafts, a reel size 3000 according to the Shimano classification can be used. But for powerful feeder rods, a 5000 reel may not be enough, 6000 or even 7000 reels are needed. Feeder reels, like float reels, are now mostly made with shallow reels, because feeder fishing uses a thin braided line and a deep reel is practically unnecessary.

Which reels are the most popular at the moment?

For bottom fishing, the most popular reels are the economy reels. It is a rather low-intensity fishery with few casts and a high quality reel is not really necessary, especially as it is often fished with 3 rods and three reels are needed. Quality and inexpensive reels are produced by Nytro and are designed for feeder fishing, but are also suitable for general bottom fishing. Okuma reels are also durable.

For float fishing, you can choose reels from practically any manufacturer. As we said before, float fishing is very reel friendly and practically all reels are suitable for it. Just look for a faster transfer reel with a shallower spool. This can be Nytro, Okuma, Shimano or other brands. You can buy them online because you don't really need to look at the clip or the strength of the reel. Just choose lighter reels as far as your budget allows.

Feeder reels need to be chosen much more carefully. If you are looking for a reel for the river, look for a reel that weighs at least 400g and has a transmission of no more than 5.2:1. If you are looking for an inexpensive reel, it is better to go for an even lower gear ratio, because the lower the gear ratio, the less the reel teeth will suffer from the loads. There are some reels that work very well with quite fast gearing, but they are very high quality and not cheap. Shimano Ultegra 5500, for example, but collects more than 1 metre of line per revolution, but is virtually unkillable. But you have to pay for this pleasure. The price of Ultegra ranges from 160 to 240eur, depending on the model. Thus, for feeder fishing, anglers often opt for higher quality reels. These are Shimano, Daiwa, Nytro in the more expensive segment or Preston reels. The Okuma company also has quality reels for those looking for a cheaper alternative. We have very frequent promotions for Shimano reels online, so you'll never overpay and probably won't find them cheaper anywhere else.