Fishing Reels

Advantages: Excellent value for money, good drag system, good capacity
Disadvantages: None I have fond yet

I bought this reel in June to use mainly for my Salmon fishing First impressions are that it looks a good reel and is attractively finished It is fitted with an aluminum spool but also comes complete with two spare spools which are of the graphite type The reel is very smooth, running on 7 ball bearings, and the drag is adjusted by means of a 'dial knob' on the rear of the casing. I have to say I am impressed by the quality of the drag and it has ...
...Line recovery is very good with it as the reel has a ratio of 5:1 The reel is fitted with a standard handle but also comes with a 'double' handle as a spare. I have to say, I am not keen on the double handle and much prefer the feel of the standard one. The reel capacity is stated 220yd of 10lb line which is more than adequate. I am, however, using 30lb braid and emptied the whole 300yd spool onto this reel!! The reel is not heavy and balances ... Read review

Advantages: price, good looks, nice quality feel, all metal construction
Disadvantages: non i can find

For the asking price i think this reel is hard to beat, as an angler who lives on a tight budget and top end tackle such as shimano baitrunners etc are out of reach, it looks, feels and operates like a quality item id pay double for. The body is all metal construction and feels solid, it comes with a nice silver/graphite finish that on mine has taken the every day knocks and rattling around in the bottom of my tackle box well. The handle is a double ...
...used left or right handed. The bail arm has a positive action that trips over smoothly and is equiped with a free spinning line roller. The reel has either a silent anti reverse operation or a reversable option by means of a small lever on its underside. There are two drag adjustments on the reel, one at the front that works as a standard spool drag system, its smooth and has a wide range of adjustment, from virtually free spool to solid lock up. ... Read review

Advantages: Fantastic quality for a budget real!!
Disadvantages: Not quite as well balanced as the GTE range.

This is an excellent reel by no mistake. I have had this reel for 3 years and fished many gravel pits around the UK using it. The RE reel shares many of the same features that the more expensive GTE range has including the Shimano's patented Aero Wrap system, Rotor Cast Control and Positive Bail. This is designed to prevent any problems whiles casting long distance. Using the 8000 versions loaded with 15lb line the casting ability is amazing! More ...
...main difference between the RE range the GTE range is that the GTE has 3 more ball bearings. This means that the GTE by comparison is lot smoother and allows for better handling. Also the RE only has a single crank handle oppose to the double handle on the GTE. This means that the reel does not feel as well balance while reeling in how ever some anglers prefer the single crank for long casting as the double handle can get in the way. To sum up if ... Read review

Advantages: Cheap, Stylish, well made
Disadvantages: None

...I could afford, preferably from Shakespeare (my favourite brand for Rods & Reels, as they excel at making quality rods&reels @ value for money prices). The plan for the reel, was to blow the remaining money on a cheap fly reel..... either the Shakespeare MUSTANG, or the Shakespeare PROFESSIONAL.. then worry about the fly line & backing later in the year when I got my birthday money.... but then the guy in the tackle shop suggested one of these Shakespeare ...
...in the business - The Shakespeare company was founded in the United States in 1897 (109 years ago), and the British operation became the Shakespeare UK operation around 1965 (41 yrs ago) when they bought a company called "TOPP TACKLE", which apparently included the manufacturing operations of 2 even older tackle companies. One of them being "S Allcock & Co. Ltd" of Redditch in Worcestershire, whose origins go back as far as 1880 (that's 126years ... Read review

Advantages: Low price
Disadvantages: Cheap and poorly manufactured

Scierra reels are econmically priced but tend to be let down by poor manufacture. as in the IC3 a good reel with three spare spools and a cordura case to hold the reels it is a good buy. The reel struggles in use as the cheaply made plastic spools are stiff and need to be sanded with a fine paper to get them to turn freely. They are not suitable for sea fly fishing as the o-ring under the spool traps sand and salt. The die cast alluminium cast is ... Read review