[Senkosam]

Last night I thought I'd buy a large spinning reel, hoping the larger diameter spool would bring line in faster from a normal casting distance of 20-23 yds. I counted from the start of the retrieve to the time the lure was at my feet and repeated this with another reel with smaller diameter spool, but higher gear ratio.

The time of total retrieve was the same for both reels - 15 seconds/ 20 yards of line out. The only thing the larger reel has is line capacity and faster uptake of the first 5' of line with less revolutions of the reel handle. This must be due to the larger spool diameter (less of a % reduction of a filled spool diameter), versus that on the smaller reel with it's greater effective reduction of diameter with the same amount of line out.

Next time I want the fastest reel to bring in line at maximum distance, it will have a high ratio and a larger diameter spool.

 

[earthworm77]

Interesting point. Frank I'm in the middle of testing several reels that were shipped to me from various companies for a reel shootout article. Right now, if you are looking into a quicker reel with a huge spool, check out the US Reels Super Caster 225. It is endorsed by Ray Scott and is part of his light tackle "revelation".

Now, I feel that a reel with a quicker ratio pulls in the largest amount of line per crank. Ex. my Stradic 2500FH is supposed to suck up about 27 to 28". Are there variables that can increase or decrease this? Likely the amount of line on the spool which translates to diameter of the spool. Now a gazzillionth of an inch really doesn't mean that you lose or gain anything and that is what I truly believe. I tested a Diawa Capricorn 1500 which is turtle slow to me at 4.3 to 1 ratio yet the Manufacturer states it pulls in 28" of line per crank. The spool is of ordinary capacity and diameter and I know by my tests that slugs move quicker than this reel so the claim is false. I think it is all in the gear ratio/spool arbor diameter.

 

[capecodsmallie]

I've been using a us supercaster reel for most of the summer and fall. It' a pratty nince reel. I personally don't like the high gear ratio. I like a slow ratio, but I can't find a decent reel out on the market with a slow ratio. I do like the big spool on the us reel and I like the fact that the body of the reel is made from carbon fiber. It's a pretty smooth reel.
earthworm- "light tackle revelation". You mean people fished light tackle before this "sportackle" thing? Who woulda thunk it.

 

[earthworm77]

Derrick, imagine that....Ray Scott is a genious! a visionary

 

[HookUp]

US Reels

I'm in the market for a new reel and am interested in any comments concerning this one.

Even though a recent thread on a river bass chat room discussed the problems of the Shimano and binding (never had any problems w/ Stradics until I started serious yak fishing), the top two contenders are the Shimano Stradic 2500 and the US Reel of equivalent size.

 

[earthworm77]

George, hold off until next year. Fred Kemp from US reels is sending me one as we speak. I'll test it and let you know which one you should check out.

 

[Senkosam]

Ray Scott has retired a rich man from BASS and stated in an article last year that light tackle should gone back to, to put the sport back into sportfishing. What a concept! Obviously Ray doesn't fish BASS tournaments any more and realizes that the pros only sell information to Bassmaster, but not read it.

Frank

 

[Rob J in WNY]

Like fishing with a Coca Cola can south of the border, I think a 4 pound test line limit contest would be great in a pro tournament scenario!

But, I digress. Indeed, as Frank stated, spool diameter is going to affect line length retrieved per handle turn. That Coke can has a 1:1 ratio, but a rather large diameter......LOL!

Tight Lines...