Catfish U catfishing reels section. Covering baitcast reels.

This section of Catfish U is to allow our fellow catfishermen, catfisherwomen, and fishermen a chance to learn the importance of a good catfish reel.  You will hear many different opinions on who makes the best catfish reel, what manufacturer, size, etc.  That is a can of bait worms better left for debating on our Catfish Forums section.  This is just a simple breakdown of catfish reel components that will hopefully help you make a better decision when purchasing a new reel for catfishing.

Baitcasting, or simply "casting" reels are ideal for many different presentations, and they're a pleasure to use if you've selected the right model for the species you're targeting. Consider buying a baitcasting reel if you're going after large species of fish that require a lot of cranking power and significant line capacity. Fishermen going after freshwater species such as big Flathead or Arkansas Blue catfish prefer baitcasting type reels.

Baitcasting reels are mounted on the top of the fishing rod and are often referred to simply as casting reels. This style of reel is designed with a spool that turns at a right angle to the reel seat, or rod. Casting reels works best with lines of 8-pound test or larger, although lightweight reels are available that will handle line as low as 4-pound test. Larger versions can take the heaviest line weights for battling bigger catfish.

Right-handed reels are the most common configuration, where the reel is held in the left hand and cranked with the right. Models are available with the opposite arrangement for those that prefer to cast with their dominant right hand and reel without switching it over to the other hand for reeling. Larger versions are available to handle the heaviest lines and heartiest species.

The question is always which features are worth the money, and which do you really need? Here are some guidelines that will help you decide which reel is best for you and the way you fish.

As with any fishing gear, where you intend to use it is a major factor as well as the size of your target species. When looking for quality, don't be swayed by the total number of bearings that a reel uses. The number of bearings isn't as important as the quality of the steel used in their construction. If you're fishing in brackish or saltwater environments, make sure you choose a reel with stainless steel bearings that are exposed to water, to protect your investment against corrosion. On casting reels, the bearings that support the reel's spool and level wind are the most critical relative to corrosion.

Gear Ratio
Gear ratio can be an issue, depending on target species as well, but it's more an issue of your style of fishing. Reels with a ratio of 5.5:1 to 6.3:1 are fast retrieve reels. If you need more cranking power, choose a reel with a lower ratio, 3.1:1 to 4.1:1. The numbers are simple to understand. The first two are the gear ratio and the last indicates the number of turns of the reel handle. Therefore, the spool of a reel with a 6.3:1 ratio will turn around 6.3 times for every turn of the reel's handle. A lower gear ratio like 3.1:1 is indicative of a main gear that is smaller, which relates to the first gear of your standard transmission truck.

Bird's Nests
Bird's nests or backlashes have always been the stumbling block for anglers considering the addition of a casting reel to their selection of catfishing gear. Traditional manual intervention with the thumb while trying to maximize casting distance and eliminate backlashes is a difficult technique to master if you don't do it on a regular basis. The trick is to control the speed of the spool and synchronize it with the line as the lure pulls it out through the air.

There are a number of innovations in this area that will have a dramatic impact on your fishing pleasure. Other than the digital and external spool-braking approach, two different systems are used to control over-spin that creates bird's nests or backlash - centrifugal brakes and magnetic brakes.

You'll find both centrifugal and magnetic brakes on various models, it's largely an issue of which one an angler likes to use. Both are spool-breaking methods, and both work well as long as they are adjusted properly. Like any tool, proper adjustment is the key, and external adjustments make it so much faster and easier to achieve the same results.

Line Capacity
For most freshwater species, line capacity isn't an issue, with the exception of big Flathead and Arkansas Blue and the occasional big Channel catfish. For these species, you'll want to have the added peace of mind, knowing you've got plenty of line, when a big fish starts a real long run. Line capacity is directly related to a reel's spool, and although a small spindle will increase a reel's capacity, reels with the most capacity are high profile-round models. Lower profile reels, by nature of their design, have smaller spools and therefore less line capacity.

Low profile reels came into being because of a need. The effect is achieved, in part by the design of a recessed reel foot that is positioned further into the reel's frame, which makes the reel sit lower in the reel seat. When mounted on a rod, this creates a much more "palmable" feel than traditional round designs, but it also increases the comfort level for anglers that grasp the reel as well as the handle as they are winding.

Bait Clicker
The ol' bait clicker, it let's you know when a fish is running if you are sleeping or doing something else.  You simply release the bail and flip the bait clicker on.  If a big fish takes the bait and makes a run, you will know it.  I think most catmen and women enjoy this feature and it's an almost gotta have feature when night fishing.

Regardless of the reel you select, it's imperative that you have a thorough understanding of the way your new reel works, and the appropriate adjustments to control the spool. I know, it's a hard thing for a guy to do (not a woman), but reading the manual will save you a great deal of frustration on the water. Your owner's manual will also detail the proper care and maintenance procedures that should be performed annually.

Also, keep in mind that increased levels of performance in casting reels may require a higher degree of operator skills. Buying an expensive reel will not make you a better caster - only practice will accomplish that. Since that means spending more time on the water catfishing, this shouldn't be a hard pill to swallow for your "better half". 

Whatever your reel brand, whether it be Abu Garcia, Daiwa, Shimano, Quantum, Penn, Mitchell,  pretty much any fishing reels from Abu Garcia to Zebco and any catfish reels in between, these companies have them all.

Abu Garcia 6500C3 Reels

Abu Garcia 7000 Reels

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