What to consider before buying a carp fishing reel
There are a number of different reels to choose from, depending on the type of fishing you want to do. The best options specifically for carp fishing are:
- Fixed spool reels
- Free spools
- Big pit reels
The first thing you need to think about before buying a carp fishing reel is the type of material it’s made from. Materials will affect the rod’s weight, durability, and performance, so investing in the right carp reel is an important consideration when buying your tackle.
As a general rule, you’ll want to buy the lightest carp reel you can find that doesn’t compromise the strength or rigidity of the reel. This ensures that your reel sits snug on your rod, with enough strength to battle with carp while fishing.
Other things to consider
After the materials and durability of the reel, the next two important things to look for are the rigidity of the reel body and durability of the spool. Rigid reels will hold the fishing rod in place during those difficult struggles while fishing. This means that you will be able to maximise power through the rest of the rod when in action. The reels spool is usually made of aluminium because it’s strong, durable and lightweight. This is perfect for withstanding constant rotation during fishing.
It is also important to find out if the reel has any bearings, designed to reduce internal friction in the reel when under heavy strain. Ball bearings, shielded bearings, corrosion resistant bearings and roller bearings are some of the most common types of bearing usually found on carp reels. Internal friction on a carp fishing rod is a common cause of wear-and-tear in a reel. Bearings, therefore, help to prolong the life of the fishing rod, making it better value for money in the long run.
Carp spools
There are three main types of spool designed for carp fishing. The first is the fixed spool reel (otherwise known as a spinning reel). This one is suitable for a variety of fishing techniques and so is a good choice for those that do lots of different types of fishing. On the other hand, free spool reels provide another drag system, which can be manually engaged/disengaged as you please. This is usually controlled by a simple switch system. Switching ‘free spool’ on allows a fish to hook itself and swim away freely because the line is released from the spool. Once the free spool is disengaged, the line freezes and allows you to strike. The third spool option is the big pit reel, which is essentially an oversized fixed spool. These were originally designed for sea fishing, before anglers came to realise their potential for catching carp.