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Baitcaster Reels Explained
In times gone by, Baitcaster Reels were reserved for only the most serious and professional angler, one who had perfect technique, tremendous skill and a knack for getting pressure and timing just right. Only sighted in Competition fishing or by the professionals on TV, Baitcasters were expensive, hard to use and even harder to learn. Thankfully for the majority who are not quite as perfect, those days are long gone and with the modern advancements from all the leading brands, Baitcasters now have a great set of features and advantages to be used by even the most casual fishing fan who is just out to have a great day. Whether you're interested in an upgrade to your existing kit or fresh into the market and want to know where to start your search for the best reel for you, read on below as we discuss and reveal some of the best Baitcaster Reels available, and what really sets them apart from your more traditional Spinning Reel counterpart.
Quick Links
- Different Types Of Baitcaster Reels
- How To Use Baitcaster Reels
- Baitcasting Reel Sizes Explained
- What Rods To Pair With
- Best Baitcaster Reels For Beginners Vs Experienced
- Best Brands For Baitcaster Reels
- Baitcasting Reels Pros & Cons
Different Types Of Baitcaster Reels Explained
First and foremost, within the Baitcaster range there are 2 distinct styles, either Round or Low-Profile.
Round Baitcaster Reels
As their names suggest the Round Baitcaster Reels are larger, holding a lot more line than a low profile reel and housing some larger internal equipment, capable of dealing with larger, stronger fish and giving you the power to battle time and time again. They often balance and sit better on a longer, heavier rod and suit chasing game fish or where longer casting may be required especially off the bank.
Low Profile Baitcaster Reels
A Low-Profile Baitcast reel is the opposite, much easier to hold and use throughout the full day thanks to an ergonomic design that fits comfortably in the hand of the user, and the reduced weight thanks to their smaller size. Although generally not as powerful they excel in circumstances where the angler is focused on technique, excellent for fishing jigs and soft plastics where the angler can twitch and pause the lure with a quick flick of the wrist.
How To Use Baitcaster Reels
With both styles, you get significant benefits when compared with a traditional spinning reel, and with the trade-off becoming less and less about how long you want to spend untangling a dreaded bird nest, Baitcasters are becoming ever more popular. The supreme accuracy of a cast thanks to the central spool eliminates plenty of friction and line twist which basically results in a more accurate, more efficient and more consistent casting performance. They also have the ability to hold a heavier class of Braid line and have a faster gearing system to accommodate this.
Updates to technology haven't eliminated the backlash possibility, but they have greatly reduced these occurrences. Brands are implementing Casting Controls and Braking Systems on even the most entry-level Baitcasters capable of keeping the line under tension and preventing a huge entanglement without having to hold or release the line manually at the perfect moment to avoid disaster. Alternatively, some brands have introduced fully digitally controlled backlash prevention systems into their top-of-the-line models, such as the Shimano DC Baitcaster, completely automating this process.
Baitcasting Reel Sizes Explained
When it comes to choosing a Baitcaster for you, it really depends on your main fishing activity, and what species you are targeting to find out which Baitcaster will suit you. If you automatically know you are going for larger species that need the extra strength and power you will definitely be looking into the round profile style. In other scenarios where technique and finesse may be the preference, a low profile will be much more widely used and create an easier fishing experience.
- Along with these styles, a smaller Baitcaster reel will allow for more finesse and feel and is lightweight for less stress on your arms throughout a full day.
- A larger reel will hold more strength and be able to catch larger fish without the pressure on the reel components.
Secondly to that, Technique also plays a big part in determining Gear Ratios, which is the relationship between the handle and the spool. The higher the ratio, the faster the spool will spin.
A couple of easy rules to use to help narrow down the search are listed below. All Purpose anglers, who want a reel to best suit a number of techniques and circumstances should focus around a 7:1.1 ratio. A real mid-range speed that is fast enough for an easy hook set but slow enough not to get away from the fish trying to bite it. For a topwater lure focus, a faster ratio of 8:1.1 allows clearing the slack from the line before the fish has a chance to spit the lure out. When fishing moving baits such as spinnerbaits, a ratio closer to 6:1.1 will keep the bait in striking distance of the fish without it being reeled in too quickly before the fish can take a bite.
What Rods To Pair With Baitcaster Reels
Once a reel is decided, you need to find the right rod to complement all of the features in your newest piece of fishing gear. Similar to the reels, a Baitcaster rod is different to a spinning rod as they have a different reel seat to suit the reel style. Each of the leading brands has an abundance of choices to suit each and every need for all anglers with plenty of options across brands, ranges and price points that will all be a great outfit for fishing. Focus on rod length, strength and material when picking your set-up, a large round Baitcaster on a lightweight rod will be useless to haul in a big cod, and a heavy 5 to 10kg rod paired with a smaller Baitcaster reel will not have the finesse and feeling required for smaller and faster species. Pair each and every set-up with a corresponding weight of line or suitable Braid and you'll be ready and out on the water in no time catching fish.
Best Baitcaster Reels For Beginners Vs Experienced
Although there are plenty of styles, prices and brands that can confuse and create uncertainty when looking for a new Baitcaster, try to narrow it down with some key rules that will help find you the right reel.
Budget is step number one, given that Baitcaster reels can range from as little as $100 all the way to models that reach and exceed the $1,000 price tag. Find a price point that is right for you and narrow down your search from there. Next would be technology included, as all the leading brands include the main braking and control technology that can aid learning and using the reel. For a beginner, you may want a reel that does a few things automatically as opposed to a more manual set-up for an experienced angler. Alternatively, as a beginner, you may want a reel that's more comfortable and suits the size of your hand so that it feels natural and easy, as opposed to one that's too small or too large and feels clunky.
Best Brands For Baitcaster Reels
Finally, choosing a brand will cut the search down to a manageable size and you can then select the right reel. Some anglers may automatically have a preference, whether they have grown up using only one brand, have had good experiences before with a certain setup or alternatively want to pick based on colour and tech that will lead them in the direction of a specific model or range. In this space each brand is pushing the boundaries previously thought unbreakable to be a leader in the market, and with such a competitive arena and growing fan base, the Baitcaster market shows no signs of slowing down in terms of innovation and cutting-edge technology.
Offerings from Shimano, Daiwa, Penn, Abu Garcia and 13 Fishing all provide great options across a full scope of scenarios. Each has the most advanced technology in the fishing industry and whether you are chasing the esteemed 10-year warranty from a Shimano Reel, the striking visual colours of a 13 Fishing Baitcaster to stand out from the crowd, or the premium feel of an Abu Garcia Baitcaster, Anaconda will have all of the ranges, sizes and styles that you need to find the Baitcaster Reel to suit your fishing needs.
Baitcasting Reels Pros & Cons
Pros Of Baitcaster Reels | Cons Of Baitcaster Reels |
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Find All Your Baitcaster Needs At Anaconda Today
In conclusion, the Baitcaster Reel market and fishing experience is definitely a growing area for anglers both beginner and experienced. With vast technological improvements, fishing is becoming more user-friendly and costs are definitely coming down to a much more affordable level for anglers to be able to give a Baitcaster a go. Whether it's a first set-up, improvements to an existing rod and reel, or even just a look into what's available, head into your local Anaconda store and chat with one of our Fishing Experts or look online to find out the best of our range and get yourself catching fish in a set up right for you. As with everything practice and patience make a world of difference so don't stress if you don't get it right on day one, and with the preconceived ideas that Baitcasters are only for the experienced being as far from the truth as possible, don't think that you need a degree in fishing to be able to have success with a Baitcaster Setup.
Explore our entire fishing gear range including Baitcaster reels, Baitcaster combos and Baitcaster rods, and make sure you also check out our Adventure Centre for more helpful tips and exciting destinations that you can visit with your friends and family.
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