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.
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.
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 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.
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.
MAP P3000 and P4000 Reels
PAY AROUND
£89.99
Match brand MAP has made further additions to their hugely popular ACS range of reels.
The latest P3000FD and P4000FD models both feature the unique line clip system that allows you to fish safely ‘clipped up’ as it instantly releases the line when a fish runs.
Other notable features on these very good looking all-black liveried reels are the hard wearing oversized alloy metal spools- which prevent the line from bedding in when using thicker diameter monofilaments and catching big fish.
Both models are said by MAP to have been designed to cover all float and feeder fishing situations. However, in my opinion I would say that the larger P4000 model looks particularly suited for using with heavy method feeders and long cast pellet waggler tactics. Whilst the smaller bodied P3000 model has a slightly wider appeal and would make an ideal all-round commercial fishery reel ideal for feeder, bomb, and float fishing.
One thing which both reels do have though- is a seamless performance. Operating on no less than nine ball-bearings, it must be said that they run as smoothly as any top-end reel costing more than three times their price. The font drag system- whilst not being the most precise I have ever
handled, work well enough and certainly wouldn’t let you down. The handles are quickly and easily folded away by simply twisting the thumb screw opposite, making them perfect for use with ready-rods. Plus they come with a spare double handle option as well as a spare spool. This for me puts them firmly amongst the best reel bargains currently on the market.
Okuma Trio White Reel
PAY AROUND
£79.99
This great-looking new member to the Okuma Trio range comes in three sizes to cover float/feeder and spinning duties.
A total of 10 good grade stainless steel ball bearings coupled with machine cut brass pinion gear and a micro adjustable front drag system make it smooth and powerful to beat the biggest fish.
A corrosion-resistant coating process, water-tight drag seal and aluminium/graphite body construction makes it a reel for life.
Shakespeare Superteam FD
PAY AROUND
£59.99
Anything carrying the famous Superteam name is a piece of gear worth a look and this front drag reel is no exception.
Carrying a strong but lightweight aluminium/carbon hybrid body, the Superteam FD is perfect for the competition angler and is equally at home on rivers as it is lakes full of match-sized carp. Appearance wise you get an attractive matt-black finish. Its shallow spools have spring-loaded double line clips, it has 6 + 1 ball bearings and a spare deep spool is supplied too.
Preston PXR Pro 4000 Series
PAY AROUND
£79.99
Smart and practical, the PXR pro follows on from the success of the original PXR range.
Four sizes in all black aluminium with striking red graphics and graphite construction, the PXR Pro is a great choice for all kinds of float and feeder fishing. The larger sizes especially are great for punching feeders long distances on lakes and rivers. Three of the models feature 150m spools, ideal for use with the company’s 150m spools of Power Max line, one of the best reel lines of recent times.
Maver LZ 2000
PAY AROUND
£29.99
Packed with a surprising amount of features for a sub-£30 reel, the LZ 2000 is little power house.
You’ll find a computer-balanced rotor, seven rust-resistant bearings, soft-touch handle and an Intelligent Oscillating System for perfect line lay. All contained within subtle black and silver cosmetics. Its two spools have a line capacity of 230yds of 4lb line. Great value and a best seller.
Frenzee FMR3000
PAY AROUND
£94.99
A real gem of a little reel.
The backwind facility is the main talking point of the FMR range, known as the Precision Braking System (PBS). You can adjust it like a clutch, stopping ridiculous overspin and the tangles which occur with this. A lot of anglers like to play fish off the backwind, rather than the clutch, and this makes the FMR3000 perfect for float fishing with light hooklengths, giving you total control of the fish.
Drennan FD3000 and FD4000 Reels
PAY AROUND
£54.95
Two new float/feeder reels from the Drennan stable.
The smooth front drag is super on both and can be carefully adjusted to suit the fish and the peg targeted. Another neat touch is the shallow spools, which fill to the brim with exactly 100m of line, alleviating the need for backing. Alan Scotthorne himself is using these models, testament to how good a reel you get for your money. Would Alan have used a £55 reel 10 years ago? We suspect not!
Daiwa Cast’izm 25QDA Reel
PAY AROUND
£59.99
£299.99
Daiwa can already lay claim to some of the most technically advanced big pit reels on the market. The company’s top-end Tournament Basiair, Tournament ISO and Tournament Entoh reels are now joined by the Cast’izm 25QDA, once again tapping into the Japanese long-distance surfcasting mode typified by the original Daiwa Basia reels.
This time around, though, Daiwa claims a design breakthrough in spool geometry. A compact spool with a modest 25mm oscillation stroke, a 65mm diameter (the same as the Basia) and a 66mm skirt gives quite extraordinary casting results from what is a fairly small-bodied reel.
Despite a modest gear ratio of 4.7:1 it still retrieves 96cm of line with every turn of the handle, with winding power to burn.
The Cast’izm reel also features Mag sealed protection – which stops the ingress of water and debris – along with QD quick drag system, HIP High Impact Protection line clip, lightweight Zaion body with graphite Air Rotor, and Air Bail with Twistbuster line roller.
Al in all, despite the Cast’izm being such a compact reel, it’s big on casting potential, features and looks.