What to look for when buying a spinning reel

Aussie tackle company Jarvis Walker is giving away five of its new Tactical Spinning Reels. These tough, yet classy spinning reels are designed to deliver power, quality, and finesse so that anglers can put the brakes on the biggest trophy fish.

Jarvis Walker Tactical Spinning Reels are housed in a durable, yet lightweight graphite body that sits comfortably on any spin rod and is suitable for all-day casting. The internal components are designed for longevity and include a stainless steel main shaft, brass pinion gear, infinite anti-reverse and four ball bearings - two of which are stainless steel.

The CNC-machined alloy handle with rubber grip provides strength for cranking-down hard on hefty fish and the thick, line-friendly bail wire, ensures that line flows seamlessly on and off the spool. All three models have a 5.0:1 gear ratio and excel at bait or lure fishing.

Jarvis Walker says its new Tactical Spinning Reels, which come in sizes 4000, 6000 and 8000, deliver the smarts and the hardware necessary for catching trophy fish.

Besides putting some of the new Tacticals in the hands of tackle reviewers for independent assessment, Jarvis Walker has also distributed a new guide called What to Look for in a Spinning Reel, which we republish in kind for our fishing-mad readers since we reckon the advice is impartial and fair dinkum.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A SPINNING REEL
Size and Weight: Spinning reels come in a wide variety of sizes and weights. Always select a reel that comfortably matches the rod size and the type of fishing being undertaken. Reel sizing systems vary but they generally increase numerically from small size 15 reels to large size 100 reels (alternatively size 1500 to 10000). A small size 15 reel is suitable for ultralight freshwater and estuary spinning, while a large 100 size reel is suitable for offshore jigging, beach/rock fishing, or dropping baits near reefs.

Drag System: In general, look for a smooth drag system that is easy to adjust. Ideally, the line should peel smoothly from a reel and not in a jittery, rough, or inconsistent manner. Drag systems and their capacities typically vary in proportion to the size of the reel, from a few kilograms to in excess of 20kgs of drag capacity. Most bread and butter species such as bream, whiting, and flathead only require a light drag capacity, but stronger drag capacities are important for stopping large and fast fish species.

Ball Bearings: Ball bearings improve the smoothness of a reel, but a high number of bearings doesn't always equate to a better reel. Once a reel reaches about 4-5 ball bearings, all of the rotational parts in a reel are covered. Beyond that, additional ball bearings may add extra smoothness, but these additional bearings can also require more servicing and maintenance.

Build Quality: Look for reels that feel solid and well built. Loose or wobbly parts are not ideal. A stainless steel main shaft is essential for durability. More affordable reels will feature graphite spools while the more expensive options will use machined aluminium.

Gear Ratio: The gear ratio of a spin reel refers to the number of rotations of the bail arm for every rotation of the handle. So a 5:1 gear ratio would rotate the bail arm 5 times (lays 5 wraps of the line) for every one rotation of the handle. A low gear ratio of around 4:1 is good for powerful cranking whereas a high gear ratio of approximately 6:1 is great for fast retrievals and is popular with lure anglers. A gear ratio of 5:1 is a good all-round choice.

Additional Features: Other features to keep an eye out for can include an easy to grip handle and an anti-reverse system that stops the handle from rotating backwards and missing strikes. A dual-drag Bait Teaser system is also handy for bait fishing or live baiting for finicky fish. The secondary drag is lightly set to allow fish to pick up a bait and move away before the primary drag is cranked into action.

Spinning reels are easy to use and maintain and are suitable for kids and beginners through to highly experienced and professional anglers.