Nash BP-12 Fast Drag fishing reel
This great looking Fast Drag big pit reel has all-black looks, and its large capacity spool is made for challenging venues, long casts, and the boating out of baits to extreme range.
Features include dual spot line clips, line guard spool system, level wind line-lay, and an oversized line roller to reduce line twist on the retrieve.
The single-turn front Fast Drag system is easy to operate and precision set, while the CNC-machined ergonomic handle includes an isotope slot, something we’ve never seen before on any reel.
PAY AROUND
£87.99
Nash BP-10 Fast Drag reel
TECH SPEC
Finish: Matt black
Features: Aluminium long-cast spool, fast drag system, Dual Spot-On line clips for precision casting, stainless steel ball-bearings, line guard spool system, level wind line lay, oversized line roller to reduce line twist
Handle: One-touch folding CNC machined ergonomic handle with isotope slot
Gear ratio: 4.9:1
PAY AROUND
£60
Not content with focusing carp anglers’ attention on the merits of short rods, mini bivvies, comfy beds and wicked luggage, Nash has now introduced this superb looking matt black BP-10 Fast Drag reel.
This super slick big pit mangle features a faultless multi-disc front drag which can be easily and quickly adjusted from virtually freespool to fighting-drag tension in less than one turn.
You can set the clutch after casting to suit the type of swim and the run you’re expecting to get. This enables you to engage with the fish from the moment you pick up your rod.
Other notable features include an ironed-flat level wind line lay, long-cast aluminium spool offering extreme range casting performance, Dual Spot-On line clips and a one-touch folding handle.
All these goodies are backed up by stainless steel ball-bearings for a tough, gritty performance that will bamboozle even the hardest-fighting fish.
EXTRA FEATURES
Oversized Roller
An oversized line roller helps to prevent the line twist and coiling often caused when long casting with thicker diameter reel lines. The reel also has a robust hollow metal bail-arm and a line guard spool system that prevents the line from slipping underneath the spool.
Front Spool
The Nash BP-10 has a Fast Drag front spool that can be quickly adjusted from virtually free-running to locked-up in little more than a single turn, making it ideal for any carp fishing situation from open water to snag pit.
One-Touch Folding Handle
Simple to operate by pushing down on the cover sleeve, the one-touch folding handle makes the reel easy to transport ready made-up, and may well appeal to carp anglers who prefer to fish with their rods very close together.
Leeda Rogue 6500 Fd and Fs reels
Leeda's latest bad boys are a must for big carp
PAY AROUND
£39.99
Leeda’s new Rogue brand has two additions in the shape of these super value big pit and freespool 6500 and 7500-sized reels.
Both all-black models look to be the perfect tools for the budding angler targeting big carp, and are packed with features including super-strong graphite compound bodies that are not only very durable, but give the reels a pleasantly lightweight feel.
The dedicated freespool (Fs) model makes instant contact with a fish the moment you get a run, and is ideal for anyone looking for distance-casting prowess combined with the convenience of freespool bite control.
The big pit (Fd) reel is compact, with a wide spool suited to tactics including Method feeder and surface work, not just long-range casting.
A decent front drag is easily adjusted to your requirements when allowing line to be taken under pressure, or when playing fish.
The slightly elongated die-cast power handle generates a huge amount of cranking power, which should make short work of the heaviest fish, and the large, handily-placed anti-reverse switch at the back of the reel’s body is easy to operate.
Other key features on both reels include 5 + 1 stainless ball-bearings for a super smooth retrieve, and super-slow oscillation gearing that produces a perfectly flat line lay that adds distance to the cast.
E-S-P Onyx reels
TECH SPEC
Spools: Machined, anodised long-cast tapered spools – shallow, for 300m of 15lb (0.37mm) line and ultra-shallow, for 300m of 12lb (0.33mm). Three reels can be filled from a 1,000m bulk spool of mono with no backing required
Features: Slow oscillation for super-smooth line lay. Two interchangeable drag adjusters, fine and rapid lockdown. Quick-fold handle. Stainless steel line clip for secure damage-free clipping up. Front drag grit guard. Easily accessible large anti-reverse lever
Gearing: 7 + 1 stainless bearings, machined gears and a 4.3:1 gear ratio for fast retrieve (approximately 1m per rotation of the reel handle). Rotor brake
Finish: Stylish matt black finish with subtle red decals
Quality control: Every reel is thoroughly quality checked by expert in-house staff in the UK
PAY AROUND
£139
For the first time in its 17-year history, big-carp brand E-S-P is branching into the reel market – with no half measures!
The eye-catching Onyx, developed under wraps by big-fish experts Kev Hewitt, Terry Hearn and Martin Bowler, has been flying under everyone else’s radar for the past two years.
Now, though, it is ready for its debut, exclusively revealed by Angling Times.
The cult all-black model has undergone intensive field-testing, resulting in a very modern looking big pit-style reel with many innovative design features.
E-S-P brand manager Dave Ellyatt was full of enthusiasm, and explained: “When we first started developing the E-S-P reel more than two years ago we looked closely at other reels on the market, plus those we had been using ourselves for many years.
“All had areas which could be vastly improved upon. So we identified these and set about developing a highly practical and durable carp fishing tool.
“Carp catching machine Kev Hewitt has been closely involved in the reel’s development, exhaustively testing prototypes by catching a serious number of big carp.
“With bespoke machined alloy spools that require no backing, three reels can be filled from a single 1,000m bulk spool.
“An absence of backing improves line lay by preventing bedding in, which in turn benefits distance casting.
“The Onyx is also the first reel to provide two different drag adjusters – FD (Fine Drag) for micro adjustment, and RL (Rapid Lockdown), taking it from free-running to locked down mode in around half a turn.
“The rapid deployment handle can also be folded down when using super snug rod set-ups.
“As for its technical features, the E-S-P Onyx incorporates machined long-life gearing with a fast retrieve ratio, and super-slow oscillation for improved line lay – as our field-testers have discovered, it casts like a dream.
“The final touch of muted classic black cosmetics, matched with a wooden handle, means these reels really look the part on any set-up”.
VERDICT
It’s too early to predict the reception the Onyx reel will receive from carp anglers, but E-S-P has surely raised the bar with regard to the technical development of big pit reels.
Features such as shallow and ultra-shallow long cast tapered spools with interchangeable front drag systems, and quick fold-flat handles, are highly desirable.
Add to that a super-slow oscillation which produces an ironed-flat line lay, a line-friendly stainless line clip, and stylish all-black finish, and the E-S-P
Onyx offers simply unbeatable value for money.
Daiwa Emblem BR25A reel
PAY AROUND
£199.99
Aimed at the growing army of river barbel enthusiasts, this reel is built around the same compact chassis as the award-winning but strangely named Cast’izm.
Being smaller, it’s ideal for use with specialist barbel and big-fish rods, as well as lighter carp set-ups.
It cranks in an impressive 107cm per handle turn, and a host of features include Ultimate Tournament Drag, High Impact line clip and Air Rotor – arguably the best freespool reel Daiwa has yet produced.
Daiwa Tournament QDA reel
PAY AROUND
£350
If you like the look of this new reel, wait until you get to pick it up! The modern shape combines sleekly with all-black livery in a big pit that serious carp anglers will appreciate.
Its aluminium body delivers solid gear meshing when under load tension and a geared-down retrieve generates serious winding power. The lightweight Air Rotor makes for an easier winding start-up, and a QD front drag system and HIP line clip complete its ‘must-have’ design.
Daiwa Black Widow reel
PAY AROUND
£79.99
Another new big-pit from the Daiwa stable, the Black Widow has dark good looks, high performance and a low price ticket.With its geared-down retrieve it delivers immense winding power, hauling in 85cm of line per crank of the ergonomic handle.
The enormous tapered bucket-style spool holds 530m of 0.35mm diameter line, making it an excellent reel for when baits need to be rowed out beyond casting distance.
Daiwa Emcast 5000A Big Pit reel
PAY AROUND
£99.99
This reel, which has already been available as a freespool BR model for the past year, has now arrived in a big pit specification ideal for large open waters.
The super-powerful, long cast reel has plenty of high spec features such as Twistbuster line management, Air Bail, and a lightweight but dependable graphite body and rotor system.
The new Emcast Big Pit is also available as a special Spod n Mark edition that has an impressive 102cm retrieval rate and comes complete with a spare spool.
Nash BP4 and BP6 Big-Pit reels
PAY AROUND
BP4 £38.99; BP6 £40.99
Carp brand Nash has just introduced these two new compact big-pit reels. The multi-bearing BP4 fast drag is the smaller of them and looks the ideal partner for lighter test-curve Nash Scope and Dwarf rods, including the popular Sawn-Off and Dwarf 6ft models.
Versatile enough to handle anything from floaterfishing, commercial fishery work, and even drop-shotting and light lure tactics. The BP4 is also said to be equally at home with tench and bream as well as hefty carp.
The larger bodied and spooled BP6 combines big-pit reel performance with micro-engineering at its best. A single turn of the multi-disk drag system takes the BP6 from virtually freespool tension to almost fully locked, making it ideal for snag fishing. The reel’s clinical flat line lay ensures long, smooth casting. Built around a proven four plus one roller bearing operation, it’s finished with dual Spot On line clips. Other features include a line guard spool system, and oversized line roller to help reduce twist.
Penn Affinity 7000 Black Limited Edition reel
PAY AROUND
£109.99
The famous Penn brand, probably best known for its outstanding surf and boat multiplier reels, has added this eye-catching black limited edition Affinity 7000 to its coarse fishing portfolio.
In the size most favoured by specimen hunters, this big pit compact looks the business and is nailed on to make its mark.
But it’s not just the Affinity’s looks that set this stunning reel apart. Penn’s legendary reliability, attention to detail and focus on technical perfection have resulted in an object of desire that boasts more features than Blackpool promenade.
The reel is designed for long casting, as clearly seen from the inclusion of a long-stroke tapered forged aluminium spool (plus a spare), both accepting an impressive 400m of 15lb line.
The reels super-slow oscillation generates a perfectly flat line-lay, adding further distance to the cast whether you use mono or braided mainlines.
Another noteworthy feature is a sensible quick turn 9+1 ratio front drag facility, which is super smooth, easily set, and not overly aggressive as can sometimes be the case with modern quick-drag reels. To that you can add a reliable hardwearing manual bail-arm made from titanium wire and a matching titanium main shaft rotor system.
There’s a choice of folding handles, too. Installed as standard is a smooth, ergonomic rubber thumb and forefinger knob which is perfect for additional grip in wet weather, and a stylish wooden knob is there if you want it.
Wychwood Riot S reels
TECH SPEC
5+1 bearing
Oversized main shaft ensures huge cranking power
Micro-pitch, multi-disk front drag
Oversized anti-twist line roller
Cult matte black finish
Spare aluminium tapered spool
ACS line clip
PAY AROUND
Riot 65S £59.99, Riot 75S £69.99
Based on the best-selling Riot big pit reel, Wychwood is releasing two new all black 65S and 75S models. The larger of these is an out-and-out distance reel, while the smaller Riot 65S is solidly engineered to give flat line-lay and retain plenty of casting potential. Both versions come complete with a spare matte black aluminium tapered spool.
Penn Affinity LC 8000 Reel
PAY AROUND
£139.99
Penn is a name more associated with sea angling but clued-up carpers are snapping up these phenomenal value, ultra-long cast beach reels for big-pit duties.
The powerful, super-smooth 10 ball bearing reels are built like brick outhouses and boast long stroke forged aluminium spools, extra slow oscillation for superb line lay and titanium main shaft and bail arm wire.
You get two metal spools – Standard (340m of 15lb mono) and shallow Braid (300m of 30lb) – and the solid 4.3:1 gearing on the giant spools crank back almost a metre of line for each handle revolution.
They’re equally brilliant for long range surf casting or big-pit fishing/spod/marker work.