When deciding on the right catfishing reels for you, there are several things to consider.
First you need to understand the three types of reels available to you.
Then you need to understand some of the terminology around those reels, so that you can pick the right one, you need to understand what the price tag will be and what it gets you and then you need to do some in store research.
Once that is done, you can read reviews online of some of the reels you saw at the shop and pick the best one to try.
Types of Reels There are basically three types of catfishing reels.
You have your spinning reel, which is for those expert anglers who want to have the greatest control in tight spots, you have your baitcasting reel, which is good for both small and large catfish and is the most common reel chosen (I use it personally), and you have your spincasting reel which is really easy to use with limited control (for someone who doesn't really want to get into catfishing but wants to go out fishing a few times a year and sit by the side of the pond).
Terminology on the Reels Here is the terminology you will hear and read when looking at catfishing reels.
Your line capacity is how big of a fish your fishing line can handle.
Counterbalance is the ability to adjust your spool based on how much weight you are adding to the line.
This will help prevent backlashes.
The drag is what happens when the fish is pulling away from you.
The retrieve ratio is how fast and how much of your fishing line reels in during each rotation of your reel.
The bearings, or sometimes in cheap models the bushings, is what turns the reel so the higher the quality, the easier it will be to cast further.
A line alarm or a bait clicker notifies you when you have a fish.
Basically in free spool, it will begin a clicking noise when your bait is being pulled away from your boat.
And finally the braking system.
These are magnets that help speed up or slow down your spool.
This helps with backlashing.
Price Tag of a Reel A reel can cost anywhere from forty dollars to upwards of three hundred dollars.
When purchasing a reel, I like to go middle of the road because the lower end ones will cause you more problems and you want your catfishing experience to be good.
Research You have a few choices here.
You can either research some different reels online and then head down to your local fishing shop to check out the reels available to you or you can go to the store first and then read about the reviews online.
If this is your first reel, I suggest going to a real fishing shop because there will be knowledgeable people there to help you.
First you need to understand the three types of reels available to you.
Then you need to understand some of the terminology around those reels, so that you can pick the right one, you need to understand what the price tag will be and what it gets you and then you need to do some in store research.
Once that is done, you can read reviews online of some of the reels you saw at the shop and pick the best one to try.
Types of Reels There are basically three types of catfishing reels.
You have your spinning reel, which is for those expert anglers who want to have the greatest control in tight spots, you have your baitcasting reel, which is good for both small and large catfish and is the most common reel chosen (I use it personally), and you have your spincasting reel which is really easy to use with limited control (for someone who doesn't really want to get into catfishing but wants to go out fishing a few times a year and sit by the side of the pond).
Terminology on the Reels Here is the terminology you will hear and read when looking at catfishing reels.
Your line capacity is how big of a fish your fishing line can handle.
Counterbalance is the ability to adjust your spool based on how much weight you are adding to the line.
This will help prevent backlashes.
The drag is what happens when the fish is pulling away from you.
The retrieve ratio is how fast and how much of your fishing line reels in during each rotation of your reel.
The bearings, or sometimes in cheap models the bushings, is what turns the reel so the higher the quality, the easier it will be to cast further.
A line alarm or a bait clicker notifies you when you have a fish.
Basically in free spool, it will begin a clicking noise when your bait is being pulled away from your boat.
And finally the braking system.
These are magnets that help speed up or slow down your spool.
This helps with backlashing.
Price Tag of a Reel A reel can cost anywhere from forty dollars to upwards of three hundred dollars.
When purchasing a reel, I like to go middle of the road because the lower end ones will cause you more problems and you want your catfishing experience to be good.
Research You have a few choices here.
You can either research some different reels online and then head down to your local fishing shop to check out the reels available to you or you can go to the store first and then read about the reviews online.
If this is your first reel, I suggest going to a real fishing shop because there will be knowledgeable people there to help you.
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