Guide to Fishing Reel Types
Welcome to our fishing reels guide! Read on to find out about the different types of fishing reels and what they are used for. Alternatively look at our reduced fishing reel collections on the right.
Fishing Reels Explained
Fishing reels are constantly evolving and improving, particularly in terms of performance and construction. With new materials and technology always being developed, the industry has taken a huge step forward over the last few decades producing an expansive range of manufacturers and different types of reels available to buy. Here is a brief introduction to the different fishing reel types:
Free Spool / Baitrunner Fishing Reels
Size/Weight: Medium/Large
Use: Carp/Specimen fishing, effective with self hooking and anti-eject methods (hair rigs)
Price Range: We offer bargain baitrunners starting at less than £10!
The term baitrunner owes its origins to Shimano, however more recently ‘baitrunner’ has become generally used to describe reels with a freespool function. Shimano’s original freespool fishing reel, The Aero Baitrunner, was released in the 1980′s quickly establishing itself as a firm favourite and consequently the design has been inherited and refined by many other manufacturers.
The idea of a baitrunner or freespool fishing reel is that it brings another drag system into the reel setup which can be manually switched on and off. Switching it on while the bait is in the water allows a fish to hook itself and swim away freely, by allowing line to be released/dragged out from the spool, avoiding the rod from being pulled into the water! Switching off the baitrunner function then allows you to strike and play the fish on the standard drag system which you have on the majority of fishing reels.
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Big Pit Fishing Reels
Size/Weight: Large
Use: Larger Venues, Larger Fish, Spodding, Marker Float
Price Range: We offer quality Big Pit Reels from less than £30!
The origins of big pit fishing reels lead back to sea fishing, where angling from the beach required huge distance casting to get the bait out into the right place. Since then they have become very popular in coarse fishing for a number of reasons. The extra power that these fishing reels hold makes them ideal specimen reels for big fish such as carp, pike and catfish with improved playing power, gear ratio, and distance casting. Often they have a freespool function too which further improves their usability. These attributes also mean big pits are fantastic reels for larger venues and are extremely effective for spodding and marker float work with fast retrieve and casting potential. Their popularity is undeniable and many manufacturers have looked to expand their big pit fishing reels range over the last few years.
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Match Fishing Reels
Size/Weight: Small/Medium
Use: Float, Feeder, Spinning
Price Range: Starts at £19.99 (Daiwa Sweepfire)
There is a huge choice of match fishing reels available on the market from a wide range of manufacturers. At CFR when it comes to match reels we are a huge fan of Daiwa offering in our opinion some of the highest quality reels, along with providing a generally extensive range to fit all budgets, however there are many superb reels from several other manufacturers.
Match Fishing Reels are generally used for short to medium distances and offer great control for float fishing, spinning, and as feeder reels.
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Centrepin Fishing Reels
Size / Weight: Averagely 11.5 CM in diameter with varying weight.
Use: Float fishing particularly trotting, Flys
Price Range: NA
The body and drum of these fishing reels revolves around a central pin aptly giving the centrepin its title. An initial glance of the quality of centrepin reels can be gained by studying the length and smoothness of the drum rotation when spun. Their design allows line to leave the spool more easily then other types of fishing reels enhancing their ability for trotting floats down rivers, particularly where the current is strong-flowing. Coarse fishing centrepins are averagely about 4.5 inches in diameter and vary in weight. They require a certain level of mastery to use efficiently but once you get to grips with centrepin reels, they can be great fun and extremely effective.
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Multiplier Fishing Reels / Baitcaster Reels
Size / Weight: Small – Large.
Use: Jigs, Lures, Trolling particularly for Pike/ Catfish
Price Range: NA
Multiplier Reels, often called baitcaster reels, have been widely used in sea fishing and their presence in the coarse scene is growing. Their geared design means they are especially effective for handling larger fish such as Pike and Catfish, and this combined with their spool size and capacity to hold various types of line, means they are fantastic for lure fishing, and trolling dead baits and other baits over large areas. Some models can be prone to tangles and so a degree of practice and experience is needed to get the best out of your reel.
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Check out our Unbelievable Offers on many of these fishing reels with discounts & codes to save you hundreds!!!
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