James RickardThe advantage of two speed reels
April 19th 2009 01:29
If you're a regular reader of Angling Fish, you've probably run across a post I made a while back about slow and fast reels. However, did you know there are reels on the market that incorporate the advantages of both?
Unless you're into saltwater fishing, you're probably not going to need or use a two speed reel but, it's nice to know they're out there.
Assuming you have a pretty good grasp of what constitutes a "slow" or "fast" reels let's explore these reels.
One of the chief advantages of a two speed reel is that it takes up a lot of line with each turn of the crank, which is great when you're bringing up a deep lure or when a hooked fish is heading right at your boat. However, that same speed turns into a negative when a big game fish gets stubborn and decides to head deep.
Another way to understand these reels is to think of the gears on a bicycle. The more gears you have, the easier riding may be but, going up a steep grade is pretty tough, if not impossible, in gears at the top end. BUT if you drop down into a low gear, you can climb that grade with minimal effort. Despite this, you must realize that same gear would be useless when trying to build up speed in level areas or when trying to gain ground quickly.
The same principle applies to fishing when saltwater anglers battle with big fish such as shark or marlin. The reel needs to have a fairly fast retrieve ratio for the times you're reeling in a bare hook or for when you're hooked up with a fish that's turned around and coming toward you. As you can surmise, while reel speed can be an ally, it can quickly turns into a negative when circumstances change. To change gears, there is usually a slide switch or lever to flick and you go from one ratio to the other as quickly as you can manipulate the switch.
There are several companies offering two-speed reels in a variety of sizes and prices ranging from light tackle up to reels designed for the largest of game fish. Typically, these reels are made with machined-aluminum frames or with graphite frames to help prevent rust and reduce weight.
Prices of two speed reels are going to vary from around $200 to $1,000 or more depending on size, features and construction. On the bright sides, the selection means an angler should be able to find something to match their needs and budget.
Until next time--watch your line and watch yourself!
image from redpigfishing.com
Unless you're into saltwater fishing, you're probably not going to need or use a two speed reel but, it's nice to know they're out there.
Assuming you have a pretty good grasp of what constitutes a "slow" or "fast" reels let's explore these reels.
One of the chief advantages of a two speed reel is that it takes up a lot of line with each turn of the crank, which is great when you're bringing up a deep lure or when a hooked fish is heading right at your boat. However, that same speed turns into a negative when a big game fish gets stubborn and decides to head deep.
Another way to understand these reels is to think of the gears on a bicycle. The more gears you have, the easier riding may be but, going up a steep grade is pretty tough, if not impossible, in gears at the top end. BUT if you drop down into a low gear, you can climb that grade with minimal effort. Despite this, you must realize that same gear would be useless when trying to build up speed in level areas or when trying to gain ground quickly.
There are several companies offering two-speed reels in a variety of sizes and prices ranging from light tackle up to reels designed for the largest of game fish. Typically, these reels are made with machined-aluminum frames or with graphite frames to help prevent rust and reduce weight.
Prices of two speed reels are going to vary from around $200 to $1,000 or more depending on size, features and construction. On the bright sides, the selection means an angler should be able to find something to match their needs and budget.
Until next time--watch your line and watch yourself!
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