Top 3 features to look for in a baitcasting reel

For anyone that hasnt used baitcasting reels before, they have probably been told many stories that could put them of, such as problems with ‘birdnests’.

The truth is, these are the fishing reels that you will get the most enjoyment out of. Of course, the first thing to do is to try and assess what you need from a reel and this usually revolves around the fish you are after and what the reel does.

Here are the most important 3 features you should look for; 1.

Retrieve Ratio - This is represented as a ratio and usually looks like 2:1, 6:1, 7:3:1 and so on. It is there to show the amount of line you get back on the spool in one turn of the handle. Most modern day baitcasting reels will be around 5:1 or greater, which means you will get 5 reels of spool every time you turn the handle. If you end up getting anything faster than this it obviously makes the retrieve a lot easier and less tiring. 2.

Bearings - All reels will come with a number of these and most of them will be classified as anti-friction bearings. Their job is to stop friction in the reel which will slow it down. Of course, this also makes it harder to get good distances on your casts. The number of bearings will differ between reels and a higher number does not always mean it will be smoother although it is a good indicator. 3.

The frame - Several different materials are used in baitcasting reels although today you will usually find either aluminum, graphite or a combination of the two. The best is of course aluminum although there are different grades available too - look out for cold forged aluminum frames (and spools).

These are the 3 more important things to bear in mind when looking for baitcasting reels. There are indeed a lot more than these that make up the reel, and all manufacturers will add their own features and systems. These will however serve to be a good starting point.