That keeps it smooth at any speed without sacrificing the torque needed to winch on big fish. The Revo Rocket weighs a mere 7.3 ounces, yet it packs in 10 HPCR (High Performance Corrosion Resistant) bearings plus a roller bearing. They were at the front of the pack when it came to escalating the gear ratio arms race, setting the standard at 7:9:1 before hitting 9:1 and now 10:1. Bearings: 10 HPCR ball bearings, plus one roller bearingĪbu has been a leader in producing some of the best fishing reels in the world for decades.Best Baitcasting Reels: Reviews and Recommendations Best for High Speeds: Abu Garcia Revo Rocket We also considered factors like speed, power, and how smooth each reel casts and retrieves. When making our picks for best baitcasting reels, we considered many factors including the quality of the construction, the offered gear ratio, and the number of bearings offered in each reel. Best Computer-Controlled: Shimano Curado DC.Best Budget: Lew’s American Hero Speed Spool Casting Reel.Best for High Speeds: Abu Garcia Revo Rocket.Today, even mid-priced reels are better than the state-of-the-art models from when I started and the best baitcasting reels-from Abu Garcia, Daiwa, Lew’s, and Shimano-are works of art. Yes, backlashes occurred, but all types of fishing reels have their own sets of problems.

So the choice of baitcaster versus spinning reel often boiled down to just lure size.įortunately, the old-timers’ tales and warnings proved to be a bit overblown. Furthermore, they were only suited for casting comparatively heavy lures at that time. The old-timers told us tales of monstrous “bird’s nests” and “backlashes,” which they euphemized as “professional overruns.” Because the baitcasting reels’ spools spin freely, unlike that of a spinning reel, any difference in speed between the spool and the line leaving it can result in a massive tangle. When I first started fishing in the 1980s, baitcasting reels were mysterious and a little bit daunting.

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