Korum Latitude reels review
WHO wouldn’t be tempted by a totally reliable all-round freespool reel at a bargain price? If you’re with me on that one, Korum’s new Latitude models are well worth a look.
They come in two body sizes – 5000 and 6000 – both of which hold 300m of 0.33mm line. The larger version is perfect for pike and carp, while the 5000 is better suited to barbel, tench and bream.
Technical features include an improved S-Stroke oscillation system for perfect line lay, an anti-friction spool lip for longer, more accurate casts, and a compact one-touch folding handle – which is very useful if you’re in the habit of carrying your rods made-up for the session ahead. The handle can easily be switched from left- to right-hand wind.
Thanks to five double-shielded bearings the reels are wobble-free and impressively powerful. The transition from freespool to engagement mode is crisp and clunk-free, and the front drag spool system kicks in without a hook-pulling jolt when you engage it to do battle.
Price: 5000 size - £54.99,
6000 size - £59.99
Korum Rodiac Freespool fishing reels
PAY AROUND
4000 £39.99
5000 £44.99
6000 £49.99
Rodiac Freespool reels have now joined Korum’s impressive Front Force, Snapper, Feeder and Neoteric ranges.
These latest reels, in 4000, 5000 and 6000 body sizes, are designed for ultra-long casts
with high-diameter lines on big open-water venues. Technical features include a lightweight graphite body, anti-twist titanium line roller, oversized bail-arm with water drop bail holder, and a hard-wearing anodised spool – with a shallow one also included in the package.
High ratio gearing, a highly accessible freespool facility and precision front and rear drag settings are likely to endear these reels to big-fish fans, since they can be pre-set to suit the weight of fish likely to be encountered.
Fine adjustments can then be made to suit changing swim conditions, such as extra water coming through, without fuss. A bonus to left-handed anglers is that the K-Fold aluminium handles have an ambidextrous fitting, so the handle can be positioned to suit.
All three sizes have a gear ratio of 5.5:1 and boast five stainless and one needle bearing. Line capacities are 265 yards of 10lb, 340 yards of 10lb and 350 yards of 12lb, respectively.
Daiwa EM MS fishing reels
PAY AROUND
£155 SSP
Daiwa's recently released EM MS limited edition reels were originally intended to appeal mainly to discerning lure and sea anglers.
All five in the range boast a raft of features such as the latest Automatic Tournament front drag system, graphite Air Rotor, and super-lightweight yet tough Zaion-built body.
These combine with proven Daiwa technical wizardry such as Digigear (which makes for smoother rotation and meshing of the gears) and Twist Buster (combining an oversized line roller with clever rotor geometry to eliminate up to 90 per cent of line twist).
The winding power of these EM MS reels is quite phenomenal, not to mention a faultlessly flat line lay with mono up to 10lb. So it's little wonder that they are being snapped up by all-round feeder fans or specialist barbel and big-fish hunters from the freshwater fraternity.
Daiwa Black Widow reels review
Left: Black Widow LD. Right: Black Widow 25A
Black Widow LD
Aluminium spool
Graphite body
Graphite rotor
Twistbusterv
Infinite Anti-Reverse
85cm line per handle crank
Price: £79.99
Black Widow 25A
Graphite body
Line-friendly line clip
Abbreviated drag range
Twistbuster
Metal handle
Infinite Anti-Reverse
Price: £64.99
Keen carp anglers on a budget should keep an eye peeled for Daiwa’s superb value Black Widow reels, including the new all-black 25A version.
This combines impressive looks with technical features including an abbreviated drag for swift engagement of freespool mode, a line-friendly clip giving perfect distance casting control, and a robust, light, graphite body.
This latest member of the Black Widow clan also delivers a geared-down retrieve of 4.6:1 that recovers 92cm of line for every turn of the handle.
The larger-bodied LD Black Widow reel has a tapered ‘bucket’ spool holding an impressive 530m of 0.35mm line, making it the ideal tool for when baits are rowed out beyond casting range.
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.
Daiwa Cast'izm BR 25A reel
TECH SPEC
Weight: 512g
Ratio: 5.3:1
Line capacity: 270m of 0.35mm
Spool: Compact Cast’izm 25mm spool concept
Features: Redesigned BR system, Mag Sealed, Air Rotor, Air Bail, Twistbuster, six ball-bearings, aluminium spare spool
PAY AROUND
£299.99
Daiwa has just introduced the second generation of its mini big pit reels in the form of this new Cast’izm BR.
The reel is the company’s first mini big-pit, freespool model, developed, refined and field-tested with the UK Korda team, and finished samples are already seeing plenty of action in the hands of top carpers Darrell Peck and Danny Fairbrass.
Despite its modest size, the Cast’izm BR eats up to 107cm of line in one handle turn. Unique features include a special Mag Sealed rotor which is protected from the intrusion of soluble debris and fine abrasives, resulting in a long life and smooth action.
“The Cast’izm BR freespool is designed around the proven spool geometry of the Cast’izm ‘mini big pit’ offering the best of both worlds,” said Daiwa marketing manager Steve McCaveny.
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.
Korum Free Spool 6000 Reel
PAY AROUND
£39.99
This is the perfect freespool reel for a multitude of modern coarse fishing applications. Rugged and reliable, it offers power and finesse with abundant features.
The reel runs seamlessly on a five-bearing pinion system, which in turn produces a smooth oscillation and near-perfect line lay for maximum casting distance. A precise front drag system is teamed with a fast-reaction freespool facility, which is easily tensioned to your requirements.
Finished in a cult understated black body colour, it boasts a sensible 4.9:1 gear ratio and will hold 300m of 0.28mm (10lb) of line.
Korum Free Spool 8000
PAY AROUND
£54.99
Korum is expanding into the carp world, and its new Free Spool reels offer terrific value for money.
The 8000 model shown here is the bigger of two offerings and promises to be a decent all-round workhorse. With five ball-bearings and a freespool facility for well under £60, it’s well worth a closer look.
Shimano Baitrunner X-Aero RA
PAY AROUND
£189.99 to £199.99
This new Baitrunner will be available in three popular sizes 6000, 8000, and 1000 and is claimed as a major leap forward in free-spool evolution as it combines all the benefits of a traditional Baitrunner with the casting performance of a compact big-pit model.
To help achieve its outstanding casting performance Shimano has built the X-Aero RA with a 30 per cent larger than normal spool.
Shimano Aernos 1000FB
PAY AROUND
£84.99
Matching perfectly with the Yasei Red Spinning Perch 190 rod is this lightweight, small bodied reel. Shimano’s petite but outstanding new Aernos 1000FB models have been re-introduced and re-vamped for 2015.
For the first time on any model of this type, Shimano has included expensive top-end features such a Diecast X-Ship gearing - a system that helps to increase the winding efficiency and power, and also aids smoothness on the retrieve.
Shimano Baitrunner ST-FB
PAY AROUND
£69.99
You're looking at the least expensive yet most technically advanced Baitrunner reel that Shimano has produced since the legendary marque was launched over a quarter of a century ago.
The new, entry-level, match-sized ST-FB model is designed to appeal to anglers on a budget who still want the iconic reputation and kudos of a Shimano Baitrunner loaded with famous features.
The ‘Bait Runner’ freespool mechanism first appeared on the Shimano Triton Sea Spin reel (top left) back in 1987 but coarse anglers were quick to catch on to the then revolutionary concept of allowing big fish to charge off without dragging the rod and reel off the rest and into the lake.
The ‘sea’ tag was soon dropped and the iconic, and jealously protected, trade-marked Baitrunner (as opposed to the original Bait Runner) brand became a generic term for the hoards of freespool reels that subsequently mimicked it.
The ability to fish ‘hands-free’ with the Baitrunner mechanism engaged, yet click back into fish-fighting gear at the turn of a handle, has always been a brilliant feature. It means you can pour a cup of tea or mix groundbait secure in the knowledge that your valuable rod and reel aren’t going to be pulled in. As someone who lost a rod and reel in the blink of an eye while pouring a cuppa on a commercial many years ago, I know just how easy, and how fast, this can happen.
Even when big fish are less active in winter it can still happen on the commercials, or on the rivers after chub or barbel, so it’s always best to engage that handy freespool lever.
The new, two ball bearing, ST-FB front drag reel is available in two sizes. The 2500FB float and light feeder size has a recommended retail price of £69.99 but is likely to sell in the shops for £54.99. The feeder/light specialist 4000-size model has an RRP of £74.99 but a suggested selling price of £59.99. In 2014 terms, that’s cheaper than the original Triton Sea Spin, yet the ST-FB is light years ahead on technology in every department.