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.
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.