Daiwa Basiair Z45QD
PAY AROUND
£999
Hang the expense – to match your new Basia AGS rods, you may as well go the whole hog and sort yourself out with a matching pair of new reels.
These latest Basiair Z45QDs are simply the best that money than buy, and Daiwa can provide. Ridiculously lightweight at just 15.5oz for a big pit reel, they have every conceivable technical feature.
Daiwa Legalis Reel
PAY AROUND
£79.99
Apparently this reel is not to be pronounced ‘leg-less’ and I was severely rebuked for suggesting that it was for weekends only. Between them, the five models offer an ideal choice of body sizes that will cope with all fishing methods. Boasting fast retrieve rates of up to 6.0:1 as well Daiwa Twistbuster line rollers and Digigear drive mechanisms, the reels come with a spare spool.
Daiwa Exceler Reel
PAY AROUND
£99.99
The latest Exceler range offers improved features, more choice of model size, and a lower price than before. All five models share the same precision-moulded aluminium body for enhanced performance, feel and durability. A new lightweight graphite rotor has also been incorporated, helping to deliver a smoothness of rotation and retrieve that belies its cost. A spare spool is included.
Daiwa Ballistic EX
PAY AROUND
£189.99
Much favoured by World Feeder Champion Steve Ringer, the new Ballistic EX has an improved mag seal around its rotor system, which is not only impervious to any ingress from water and debris, but helps to keep the reel’s showroom feel and winding smoothness in top order.
Daiwa Caldia Reel
PAY AROUND
£225
This latest Caldia carries many of the technical features of its predecessor, but at an altogether more angler-friendly price. Manufactured to Daiwa’s four top-end design specifications, it boasts extraordinary winding power and a fabulous Ultimate Tournament drag system. In body sizes 2000, 2500, 2508, 3000, 4000.
Daiwa Tournament S (Series Black)
PAY AROUND
£360
The Daiwa Tournament 5000ST is one of the all-time classic carp reels. It’s built a well-deserved reputation as a virtually indestructible workhorse, and can be found attached to the rods of the some of the sport’s biggest names.
It’s received a makeover for 2014, and during a recent trip to the Daiwa headquarters in Glasgow for the company’s trade show we were privileged to get our hands on the highly anticipated Series Black. We were not disappointed.
This all-black reel features an identical specification to the original, including a micro-adjustable 10-washer front drag, worm gear oscillation for superb line lay, a spring-loaded line guard to prevent spool tangles, and Super Duraluminium gears and Super Metal rotor for durability.
And of course, the reel still boasts a one-touch folding handle if you’re a fan of fishing your rods nice and tight with the handles folded!
Indeed, on holding the reel it feels solid and reliable, just as you’d expect of a Daiwa product, and it appears to be more than up to the job of coping with whatever you can throw at it.
Expect to see plenty of these resting on black banksticks and buzz bars very soon.
Greys GFR 4000 Free Run Reel
PAY AROUND
£64.99
This latest Greys GFR 4000 Free Run reel is constructed with no fewer than nine ball-bearings, plus a roller bearing, ensuring it delivers a super-smooth performance with awesome cranking power – perfect for all heavy feeder work.
Other features include left or right-hand handle options and seamless freespool engagement. It comes with spare aluminium spool.
Mitchell Avocast FS Carp Reels
PAY AROUND
£79.99
Four new freespool reels are set to hit the shelves in early 2015 and will benefit both day-ticket carpers and anglers who want a bit of security when fishing the Method feeder on commercial stillwaters.
The two bigger sizes – 6000 and 7000 – will find a home on bigger waters, both offering a smooth freespool system in a cool-looking, cult black livery.
Features include a super-strong ‘retro’ body style and almost unbreakable rotor and gearing systems.
Matchmen will love the two smaller sizes – 2000 and 4000 – for heavy-duty feeder tactics.
Mitchell Tanager Series Reels
PAY AROUND
£17.99
Everyone likes a bargain, and this new front drag reel from the Mitchell stable could be one of the best sellers of 2015.
It offers the angler all the benefits of Mitchell technology, and is part of a range of two front and three rear drag reels in the popular 4000 and 6000 sizes, making it ideal for commercial stillwater fishing. A smaller, 2000-sized rear drag model could find favour with light lure anglers too.
Abu Cardinal 50 Series Reel
PAY AROUND
£19.99
Abu has launched six entry-level coarse reels under the famous Cardinal brand, with prices starting at just £19.99.
All feature front drag systems, machined aluminium spools, and a slow oscillation feature normally found on more expensive models.
Abu Orra Reels
PAY AROUND
£79.99-£109.99
This new reel range features three styles, each in four sizes, to give coarse and light rock fishing anglers plenty of choice in 2015.
With aluminium-reinforced carbon bodies, the smooth-running reels have up to eight stainless steel bearings, and machined aluminium spools suited to braid or mono mainlines.
The smoke-coloured Orra 2SX is a fast retrieve reel for float and feeder fishing, while the red Orra 2S is a real all-rounder, and the electric blue Orra 2 Inshore looks ideal for all LRF enthusiasts.
Penn Affinity 7000LTD Live Liner reel
PAY AROUND
£119.99
Hot on the heels of last season’s best-selling big pit reel, Penn boosted its range with a new freespool carp reel.
The new model features the increasingly popular Quick Drag front spool system as well as a super slow oscillation which delivers superb line lay to aid distance casting.
It comes with a choice of foldable, wood or rubber-gripped handles.
Shimano Nexave FD reel
PAY AROUND
£39.99 to £47.99
Already a firm favourite with match and pleasure anglers, the affordable Nexave model has received a bit of a make-over for 2015.
The new reel now boasts a fresh dark blue and black livery, which is further complimented by the reel’s features and performance. It’s fitted with an AR-C spool which makes for easy and accurate casting even when using heavy feeder lines.
Shimano Aernos FB range
PAY AROUND
£84.99 to £99.99
Re-introduced and re-vamped for 2015 the latest Aernos range of reels looks set to set the bar for mid-priced reels.
For the first time on a P4 model Shimano has included expensive top-end features such a Diecast X-Ship gearing- a system which helps to not only increase the winding efficiency and power, it also aids in the reels retrieve smoothness, making the Aernos range suitable for all float and feeder tactics.
Shimano Baitrunner X Aero FA 2500 and 4000
PAY AROUND
£149.99
The ideal reel for the commercial match carp angler, the Baitrunner Aero X boasts a host of new features including the latest Aero Concept spool which provides improved casting and drag functions.
The larger than normal spool is perfect when used with heavier main lines, plus as it requires less pressure to set the front clutch system it produces a low inertia start with increased fish playing qualities.
Shimano Vanquish
PAY AROUND
£449.99
The Shimano Vanquish was voted best new fixed-spool reel at this year’s massive Efttex trade show. The awesome model, at just 195g the lightest front drag reel that Shimano has ever produced, comes 3000 and 4000 body sizes and looks ideal for all float and feeder work. It boasts more technical features than an Aston Martin – unfortunately, just like the car, it carries a somewhat ‘realistic’ price tag.
Daiwa TDR 3012
PAY AROUND
£245
The match angler’s favourite for more than two decades, the TDR is widely accepted as the reel to use for all competition float and feeder tactics.
The latest models, including the world-beating 3012, have technical influences drawn from the big-carp scene. These include a new quick-drag system, which enables the angler to set the clutch in less than half a turn of the front spool knob – ideal for all Method feeders and straight lead tactics, especially on open water venues when targeting big, hard running fish.
The spool clip has also been improved, and now incorporates a back shield between itself and the spool to protect the line when hitting the clip every chuck. This makes accurate casting a painless operation with no risk of snapped lines.
Other additions include Mag-Sealed protection, which is basically a liquid seal around the rotor and main shaft that stops the ingress of grit and water and increases the reel’s longevity.
Okuma Helios Air Reel
PAY AROUND
£249.99
Light lure fishing is one of the fastest-growing sectors of our sport in this country, and is massive on the continent, and this stunning, tournament-class bait caster is about as good as it gets.
The tiny, palm-sized, low-profile reel weighs only 5.7oz, thanks to space-age magnesium frame and sideplates and aluminium spool, but it packs a powerful punch when big predators are hooked.
The mighty mini reel boasts nine ball bearings, micro-click carbon fibre star drag, Velocity Control casting system and zirconium line guide for use with braided line.
Available in left or right-hand retrieve versions, they’re built to carry 160m of 0.29mm line.
Sonik Tournos 10000
PAY AROUND
£199.99
Sonik has just released a bigger version of its original best-selling 8000 big pit reel. The Tournos 10000 is the ideal choice for carp anglers seeking performance, control and reliability. Its sleek, matte-black finish is deliberately understated, while the internal mechanics are designed to withstand years of continual use.
Boasting a long-cast angled spool and worm-drive oscillation for the perfect line lay, the reel also benefits from a powerful disc drag system. The rotor lock bail-arm ensures there is no danger of it snapping shut mid-cast, while the rapid-drag system allows freespool mode to engage in just over half a turn on the front drag knob.
The chunky, machined aluminium handle gives a comfortable and secure grip when winding in. The reel runs silky smooth thanks to the 8 + 1 stainless shielded bearings and comes with two aluminium spools, one medium and one deep. An extra-deep spool should be available by end of the year.
Shimano Exage
PAY AROUND
£54.99-£64.99
One of the best all-round coarse reels on the market, Shimano’s front drag Exage FD series (1000FD to 4000FD) has had a make-over. Features include a super-lightweight hi-tech body, die-cast gearing and a silky smooth performance made possible by four shielded stainless steel bearings.
Faultless line lay comes courtesy of Shimano’s Varispeed oscillation system. There is also a 3000S model that comes with a shallow spool suitable for floatfishing.