Reel for feeder. How to choose?

Which reel to choose for a feeder, how not to miss with the choice? In this article, we will consider the main factors that you should pay attention to when choosing the right feeder reel. And we will break them down so that the angler has a deeper understanding in this matter.

Before I start listing the factors to consider when choosing a feeder reel. I will deviate a little into lyrical reflections and express my opinion that whether it is a feeder, whether it is spinning, the reel should be treated as a very important node of your fishing mechanism. A lot depends on the reel – it is and the range of throwing, and its smooth operation (no dropped loops and beard), and long-term use of the line wound on the spool, and other equally important factors. Therefore, on this element of the equipment should not be saved, and now to the details!

Perhaps immediately I will explain for beginners such a moment. As an example in this article I will cite such brands as Daiwa and Shimano. Since these brands are the ancestors of all modern reels. The firms have their own technological base, patents and technical staff, which every year improve technology. That is why I most often turn to mentioning reels of these brands.

Reel size

The standard size of a feeder reel is 4000 according to the Japanese classification. As a reference point for understanding, you can take such brands as Daiwa and Shimano. This is not an axiom, but a reference point, because different manufacturers number the size of their reels slightly differently. For example, at Daiwa you can find such markings as 3000, 3012, 4000, 4012, 4500, etc. In terms of size they are plus/minus very similar, and more detailed explanations, for example, why the marking has this or that value, are specified in the description to the reel. The main thing we must understand: feeder fishing is work with large weights (feeders + feed) and with throws to long distances. Therefore, the mechanism must be large.

In order to quickly reel out the line after casting, you need a large bobbin. Due to the large bobbin we select about 80 – 100 cm of fishing line per revolution. If we were fishing with a 2000 or 2500 size reel, the process of fishing line selection would be 2 times longer than with a 4000 size spool. Thus, we save the time to reel the line out of the water. It is also worth mentioning the reverse process, dropping the line when casting from a large spool is more efficient than from a small one, i.e. a reel with a large spool will contribute to the casting range. Well, and the last logical argument in favor of a large size reel is that a large reel has a large mechanism that can hold the loads of working with heavy feeders.

Usually a 4000 size reel is the gold standard and is quite versatile. Great for all beginners. But for a more complete disclosure of the topic, perhaps I will also write about the fact that the reel is selected for the rod, and rods come in different lengths and tests. The four-thousandth size is perfect for rods 360 – 390 cm tall. This is the typical range from which to start learning the feeder. But there are short and light rods, which are called pikers. And powerful and long rods that belong to the class of extra-heavy feeder. Therefore, on piker rods it makes sense to put a reel of a slightly smaller size like 3000, and on powerful rods, which are sometimes bought for long distance throwing, it makes sense to choose more powerful and large reels of size from 4500 to 6000 according to the Japanese classification.

Spool capacity

The second important factor that I personally pay attention to is the capacity of the spool. Let me start a little bit from afar. Reel manufacturers have not long ago started to get into what a feeder is. And reels were mostly produced for the needs of spinning anglers. And spinners from different parts of the world, where they catch pike in the river and tarpon in the ocean. Thus, the reels were divided into models with a deep profile of the spool, ie, which includes a lot of thick line for fishing, for example, on the sea. And on reels with a low profile, aimed, as a rule, to work with braided cords. Since braided cords have increased strength compared to monofilament fishing lines, they also take up less space on the spool, because you can use cords much thinner than fishing lines to achieve a certain strength.

Now to the point, when choosing my reels I try to buy models with a low profile spool, because I want to avoid working with baking. Becking is any fishing line, or thread, that is used to fill the spool, thus raising the “bottom” of the spool. This is done to ensure that the fishing line is properly wound under the bead. With low profile reels, the “bottom” of the bobbin is initially raised, which avoids beckoning and allows you to wind the right amount of monofilament fishing line or braided cord. Properly laid line, in turn, allows you to make a long throw. If we take a reel with a deep spool and without baking, wind 150 meters of fishing line with a diameter of 0.25, we still have a lot of space for fishing line. And when casting, it will rub against the high edge of the bobbin, thereby losing in the throwing distance.

However, always keep in mind that sometimes you have to compromise when choosing a reel. Before the counter, we go over in our heads all the factors that are important to consider. And it happens that many factors coincide, but not the fact of a low profile spool. You have to sacrifice this moment for a successful overall purchase. I also bought reels Daiwa Freams 4000A, great “engines”, but the spool is deep. I had to stow the becking, but on the other hand, it’s done once.

Reel weight

The weight of the reel, as a rule, should be matched to the rod. Here it’s the same as with the choice of reel size. The lighter and shorter the feeder, the lighter the reel should be, and further in ascending order.

The universal weight of the reel, in my opinion, based on the size – 400 – 350 grams, such a reel will harmoniously stand on a stick length of 360 – 390 cm. Of course, deviations are allowed, I usually stick to 310 – 380 grams for a 4000 size reel.

For pikers, rods 270 – 330 cm, the golden mean is reels weighing 240 grams. And just as in the first case, deviations are allowed.

The rods of the extra heavy class are equipped with reels of the size from 4000 to 6000. Here the weight range can be enormous, from 400 grams to 800 grams. I will say right away that it is better to take reels weighing 500 – 550 grams. They will be a little more expensive than reels with a higher weight. Because the materials used in expensive reels are lighter, but no less strong.

From the author: when choosing a reel, in addition to advice, pay attention to your own feelings, because all advice is personal experience. And my perception of the correct reel weight may not coincide with yours!

Gear ratio of the reel

This parameter affects the pulling power of the reel and the speed of fishing line selection after casting. The range of gear ratios of various reels is wide, from 4.0 to 6.2 for non-inertial reels. What does this mean? Let’s say we have a 4.0 gear ratio. This means that for one turn of the handle of the reel, the line roller will wrap around the bobbin 4 times. Accordingly, the higher the gear ratio, the more line the spool puts in one turn of the handle, and the lower the pulling power of the spool. Although every year everything changes. And the leaders of the reel market offer new technologies, which even with high “gears” retain their power and pulling power. For example, Shimano has announced its “X-Ship” technology, which retains the high power of the reel regardless of the “gear”.

Nevertheless, I recommend the proven classics, take reels with gear ratios from 4.3 to 5.2 safely.

Number of spools

Here everything is simple, I try to take reels where there are 2 spools, because it is convenient. On one spool wind braided cord, on the other monofilament fishing line. And according to the need to put one or the other on your fishing. But this criterion is not rigid, so if you find a cool reel, but with one spool, do at your discretion.

Perfect laying

A very important thing, because it affects the performance of the entire tackle as a whole. If the reel has a bad lay, problems such as loops, “beard”, etc. can appear during fishing. This affects casts and line coming off the spool. There are several ways to find out what kind of styling your reel has:

• Diawa + Shimano = perfect lay. Why? I wrote about it in the first paragraph.
• The presence of an endless screw in the spool. This is a technology that allows you to perfectly lay the fishing line. About its presence in the reel is worth asking the seller.
• Search the Internet and read reviews. And this point I would refer to the whole article, because now it is the 21st century and on thematic forums you can find a lot of information on specific models.

That’s all that is important to consider when choosing the right reel for feeder. I would like to draw your attention that feeder reels, as a rule, are not labeled feeder, although things are changing. As a rule, manufacturers make reels for specific tasks, but the variety of reels is large. Therefore, do not be shy of the various inscriptions on the boxes, look at the reel through the prism of technical characteristics that we discussed above, read the thematic forums, and you will not miss with the choice of feeder reel.