What does a beginner need to know about non-inertial reels?

At the beginning of the hobby of spinning fishing, many beginners face a difficult question: how to choose an inertia reel? Weight, class, gear ratio, braking system, spool volume – all these parameters should be taken into account and do not make a mistake when buying, otherwise the reel will not show itself at its best in your fishing conditions.

How are inertia reels categorized?

The most powerful of inertia-free reels for freshwater fishing are carp models. Heavy-duty mechanism, voluminous spool, relatively heavy body – all this is due to the need to perform a long throw of a massive feeder, as well as the fact that carp is a very large and powerful fish. Despite its “peaceful” nature, it is not easy to disembowel it.

For feeder fishing, special models are used, often equipped with a baitrunner system. What is it for? This mechanism allows you to make a throw, adjust the system and leave the tackle waiting for a bite. When the fish bites, the whole tackle will not fly into the water, the fishing line will be stranded, and the angler can come up and make a hook. Some of these models are equipped with a sound or light signaling device, which will not allow the angler to miss the prey.

Another type is match reels, which are equipped with float rods. Their main difference is a small spool, because when fishing with such tackle, thin lines are used.

And finally, the most extensive group of reels is spinning reels. As a rule, their friction brake is located in the front part of the body.

In addition to the purpose, inertia-free reels differ in size. Depending on the expected size of the prey and the weight of the baits used, the spinning reel can choose the size of the reel he needs.

• Designation 1000 – up to 2000 – is ultralight models;
• 3,000 and above – as a rule, for heavy jigs.

In addition to the size, you need to pay attention to such an important parameter as the gear ratio. 4:1 is a low gear ratio, designed for slow animation. For example, trout fishing is exactly the case when you need to have a low gear ratio. High speed reels with a high gear ratio are great for rockfishing, for example.

What is the body made of?

As a rule, three types of material are used for the production of the body: metal, graphite and all sorts of its derivatives, plastic. Aluminum and its alloys are used to make the case as strong as possible. Of course, this affects the weight of the reel. Graphite is a more modern material, which allows you to get the necessary strength at a lower weight. Plastic is used in the most budget models.

What’s inside?

The mechanism can be of the worm type, which is often referred to simply as a “worm” or “endless” screw. The second option is a planetary mechanism. It is impossible to state which of these options is better or worse, here everything depends on the preferences of the angler. Another important detail, on which largely depends on the comfort of fishing, is the handle. Like the body itself, it can be made of graphite, metal or plastic. At the end of the handle there is a special element – a knob. Before buying, look in the blast chart – if there is a ball bearing inside it, it is a big plus. Knob can be made of rubber, plastic, EVA and cork. The shape can be ball or T-shaped. There are also flat knobs in small models. It is by the knob that you rotate, so choose the geometry that can provide the most comfortable grip.

The rotor is a very important part of the reel’s structure. It is the rotor that puts the fishing line on the spool. Manufacturers compete with each other in improving this mechanism, trying to make its work as smooth as possible, without failures and unnecessary vibrations. Next to it is located the system of the fishing line, which consists of a shackle and a roller. The shackle can be solid or hollow, the roller can be sprayed with titanium nitride.

If you pay attention to the spools of some models, you may notice that they have a beveled edge. Why is this done? So at the convergence of the fishing line creates the least resistance, respectively, increases the range of throwing. Spools differ in fishing line capacity. They can be deep or shallow, depending on what consumption of fishing line you need to have in reserve.

When choosing a reel should pay attention to the friction brake. If in match and feeder models, it is most often located in the front, then in spinning models it is located in the front. What is it for? When a bite, if the friction is set weakly, the predator simply winds up the fishing line. This can lead to the breakage of the tackle. If the brake is tightened as much as possible, when hooking, it does not work as it should, which, again, leads to the breakage of the tackle. Over time, you will learn to adjust the friction correctly so that it works exactly on fish jerks.

Of course, this is not all you need to know about the device of this most important element of the tackle. Here we have told about the main points that will help the beginner to orient in the endless assortment of non-inertial reels.

Top 10 most popular non-inertial reels

1. Ryobi Zauber
2. Daiwa Crest
3. Stinger Aggregate SF
4. Ryobi Excia
5. Favorite Blue Bird 17
6. Daiwa Ninja
7. Okuma Ceymar XT
8. Stinger ForceAge Neo
9. Okuma Inspira
10. Select Galaxy

Author: Bob Nudd is an expert fisherman with over 20 years experience and winner of many competitions.