Drennan Series 7 BR Reel
PAY AROUND
Specimen BR 9-40 £47.95
Carp Method BR 9-30 £45.95
Drennan's affordably priced Series 7 reels reflect the company’s lightning-fast response to what anglers want. Recent launches included large-bodied Carp Feeder and Big Feeder versions of the company’s smaller rear drag Feeder 9-40 and Float 9-30 models.
This time around, Drennan has taken a quantum leap into the reel market with the release of its first-ever freespool models.
The Specimen BR 9-40 and Carp Method BR 9-30 are, as you would expect, super-reliable and packed with features. You get line size identification buttons that push into the front of the spool, fail-safe bail-arms, and a smooth freespool transition mechanism that belies the affordable price.
The easy-to-use freespool system allows line to be taken by a running fish until you engage the rear lever by turning the handle forward. From then on a fish can be played in the normal manner. This simple set-up, widely used by specimen carp and barbel anglers, has become increasingly popular with pleasure and match anglers who fish commercial carp waters, as both reels work particularly well for Method feeder tactics.
Sonik 6000 FS Black Reel
TECH SPEC
Gear Ratio 4.6:1
Line Recovery 34inches per handle crank.
Balanced Rotor
Instant anti-reverse
5 + 1 Ball Bearings
Weight 460g
Supplied with two graphite spools
Composite body and rotor
PAY AROUND
£59.99
The perfect foil for the SKS Black rods would be the matching FS 6000 Black reels which are ideal for small to medium sized runs waters. They are free-spool style models, with a super smooth trouble-free operation and sleek all-black cosmetics. Two spools are provided, and the reels feature a special S-curve oscillation that is said to produce an even line lay even with larger diameter lines. The black bail arms are made from robust, thick aluminium with titanium coated line rollers, there are twin handles, and front and rear drags for setting the clutch and free-spool resistance. Lightweight and dependable, they offer excellent value for money and will look a treat on the SKS rods.
Shimano Baitrunner DL FA 4000
PAY AROUND
£69.99
The joint most expensive reel here, but also one of the best. The DL FA feels solid, like it’s built to last, and is also the heaviest reel here at a chunky 15oz.
With a 4.8:1 gearing it’s marginally slower than some but it has awesome winding power and this reel has also seen loads of River Trent action to prove its prowess.
Equipped with three of Shimano’s superior, Shielded Stainless Steel bearings plus a roller bearing it’s a bombproof, smooth and powerful performer.
Like the Shimano ST FA model it has excellent line lay. Main spool is metal, spare is graphite, carrying 200 yards of 10lb line.
Daiwa Regal-X4000BR
PAY AROUND
£54.99
Daiwa’s entry-level Bite ‘N’ Run (BR) freespool system reel has that rock-solid reliability that we’ve come to expect of more expensive offerings from this top tackle company.
The Regal-X has three ball bearings but delivers a silky-smooth performance combined with legendary cranking power.
Top features include Twist Buster, graphite body with machined metal engine plate and graphite spool and rotor. A spare graphite spool is included. Once you’ve hooked a fish, the micro-adjustable front drag mechanism is particularly good.
Retrieve ratio is 4.9:1 and line capacity is 190m of 15lb. Weight is 13oz.
Shimano Baitrunner ST FA 4000
PAY AROUND
£49.99
The least expensive ‘Baitrunner’ in the Shimano stable, this ST FA model still ouzes class and confidence.
I’ve used this reel a lot when fishing a Black Cap maggot feeder on the River Trent, long casting and retrieving every four or five minutes to get plenty of grub down for greedy chub. That kind of constant punishment soon identifies weak spots. In two seasons my reel is still going strong despite only having one superior, shielded A-RB bearing and a roller bearing.
Line lay is particularly good. You only get a main graphite spool. Line capacity 260m of 10lb mono. Retrieve rate is 4.8:1. Weight is 13oz.
MAP Carptek ACS 4000 FS
PAY AROUND
£69.99
MAP’s freespool reel has top features that no other on these pages can match.
Firstly, the spool is fitted with MAP’s worldwide-patented ACS system that allows you to clip up for pinpoint casting accuracy, yet it automatically releases the line when a big fish runs and hits the clip.
The ACS 4000 FS also comes with both single and double handles to suit your style of fishing and comes in its own heavily padded, protective, zip-up carry case.
Smooth operation comes courtesy of nine ball bearings and the reel has a decent 5.0:1 line retrieve ratio. The reel has two, good quality spools – both metal – with a line capacity of 180 yards of 10lb mono.
Weight is 12.5oz.
Greys GFR 5000 & 6000
PAY AROUND
GFR 5000 £64.99, GFR 6000 £69.99
A few months after its first excursion into the reel market with the GFS fixed-spool general float and feeder models, Greys has added two freespool reels – the GFR 5000 and GFR 6000. These are aimed at those who fish rivers and small carp waters.
The large 5000 and 6000-sized bodies house precision cut pinion gearing that fairly whisks along on nine bearings, providing both reels with ample winding power when retrieving heavy leads and feeders.
Match all that cranking ability with technical features including enlarged line rollers, extra sturdy bail-arms, micro-adjustable front drag, left or right-hand wind options and a specially recessed anti-reverse lever and you can appreciate that these reasonably priced reels fully live up to their Greys pedigree.
Their super smooth retrieve is matched to a silky oscillation that results in a near-perfect line lay, promoting easy, effortless casting.
The rear-sited freespool lever clicks instantly into operation and the secondary adjustment knob beneath it allows extra drag to be applied in freespool mode, allowing you to fine tune your set-up.
Fox EOS 5000
TECH SPEC
Gear ratio: 5:1:1
Line capacity: 150m/0.30mm
Spare deep spool
PAY AROUND
Price: £54.99
The freespool Fox EOS is an ideal tool for all specimen anglers. Exceptionally smooth running thanks to a rotor-balanced profile and five bearing operation, it’s built to take the knocks, and will handle heavy leads and feeders, making it a favourite with river barbel enthusiasts.
Shakespeare Agility FS
TECH SPEC
Line capacity: 185m/0.28mm (40FS), 185m/0.28mm (60FS)
Spare deep aluminium spool
Bearings: 6 +1
PAY AROUND
£59.99
These splendid new freespool reels in the smaller 40 size are proving very popular for use with Method feeders, while the larger-bodied 60 version is ideal for targeting specimen carp.
Both come with two deep anodised spools with double line clips, a double and a single handle and large workmanlike line rollers. Smooth running comes courtesy of seven ball-bearings.
Nash H-Gun FR-5/H-Gun FR-8
TECH SPEC
H-GUN FR-5
Multi Disk drag system
Level Wind line lay
Spot-On line clip
6+1 roller bearings
CNC machined handle
Gear ratio 4.8:1
Spool capacity 290yds 0.35mm (15lb)
PAY AROUND
£34.99 including free spool
Both reels have a super-smooth operation from 6+1 roller bearings. Level Wind line lay makes for easy casting, and the variable tension freespool facility prevents overruns. A mono-friendly Spot-On line clip helps with precision rig placement, and the CNC machined handle and Multi Disk drag help to take the pressure out of playing powerful fish.