Sonik Vader compact freespool reels
Sonik Sports continues to widen its hugely popular Vader range of carping hardware with the launch of two new compact freespool reels.
Get hands on these at this year’s The Big One Show
Just the job for targeting small to medium-sized venues or ‘runs waters’, the reels come in two sizes (5000 and 6000). They weigh 430g and 435g, and boast a micro-adjustable front drag and an independent freespool rear drag adjustment.
Build quality is impressive. The reels are made from a light but hardwearing graphite material (with a stainless steel main shaft), and come with solid aluminium handles, oversized line-friendly line clips and two anodised aluminium spools.
With a gear ratio of 5.5:1, there’s no lack of cranking power either.
Having used both reels teamed with Sonik’s Specialist Barbel rods to great effect on the River Trent, I can vouch for their reliability and solid performance.
For me, the larger 6000 model just gets the nod between the two, as its larger, wider spool is suited to heavier lines.
It also has slightly more cranking power, very handy when retrieving heavy leads and swimfeeders at long range.
The clutch adjustment on the front of the spool, and the tension settings for the freespool facility, are functional rather than precise, but they won’t let you down. All-black aesthetics and understated graphics give these Soniks a classy look, and for the asking price you won’t find a better reel anywhere.
www.soniksports.com
Price: £49.99
mitchell’s iconic 300 reel is back!
The legendary Mitchell 300, that has quite possibly been responsible for more match wins than any other reel, has been given an upgrade.
Get your hands on all the latest rods, poles, reels and accessories at this year’s Big One Show
Two new models – the 300 and the super-slick 300 Pro – measure up perfectly to all float and feeder tactics.
The original Mitchell 300 was widely considered to be the first spinning reel suitable for match fishing. This latest version, clad in a very classy-looking black and silver livery, is fully loaded with the latest technology while still maintaining many super-cool retro elements.
The re-build includes a new Bail Halo rotor for loads of winding power, while six bearings provide smooth, trouble-free running. The new low-profile multi-disc front drag is quick, intuitive and infallible, while a fast 5.1:1 gear ratio generates 0.67m of retrieve per oscillation.
The new all bells and whistles 300 Pro raises the bar even higher. Super light and smooth-running, the reel features a self-lubricating carbon hybrid drag system that is not affected by heat build-up, and that irons out any spikes in line tension resulting from setting the hook or head shakes from big fish.
To that you can add a super-fast 5.8:1 ratio retrieving 0.84m of line per oscillation, and no fewer than 10 ball-bearings for a seamlessly smooth wobble-free performance.
Mitchell’s new Bail Halo rotor is also deployed on the Pro 300, which comes with a shallow, braid-friendly aluminium spool and a spare.
Both new reels are also available in 308 versions.
Price: Mitchell 300/308 £49.99
Mitchell 300 Pro/308 Pro £69.99
Mitchell's new Avocast 7000 and 8000 reels
Mitchell has entered the reel glamour stakes with the release of these stunning Avocast Black Editions.
Get your hands on all the latest rods, poles, reels and accessories at this year’s Big One Show
The all-black big pit-style reels have 7000 and 8000 body sizes, although in profile they do look very compact.
These distance-casters pack in many technical features of use to the modern carper or big-fish specialist.
A greased felt multi-disc precision front drag is quick easy to set, and doesn’t over-tighten too quickly when you’re playing a big fish straight off the clutch. You can’t say that about all new fast-drag big pit reels!
Ultra-flat folding handles will appeal to anglers who like a tight set-up… and the 4+1 stainless bearing configuration gives super-smooth slow oscillation that lays line down perfectly across the spool and allows you to cast into the next county without a hitch.
Other key features are the impressive 4.3:1 gearing ratio recovering 0.83m (7000 size) and 0.98m (8000 size) of line per handle crank. Long coned aluminium spools hold an impressive amount of line, and you won’t need a Love Island six-pack to handle these reels – the 7000 weighs just 615g.
Even better news is that Mitchell has these very carpy winches on a ‘buy two, get one free’ deal.
Price: £89.99 (7000), £99.99 (8000)
Exclusive first look: shimano compact 5500 ultegra reels
Shimano's two stunning new reels, soon to be released, look nailed on to become best-sellers.
This is not surprising, since they will appeal to match, specimen and carp anglers alike.
The compact ‘big-pit’ Ultegra C14+XTC 5500 (black) and Ultegra C14 XSC 5500 (pearlescent) models are based around Shimano’s hugely popular Ultegra 14000 reels that have been embraced by serious carp anglers. But technical improvements, and significant differences between the new models, are readily apparent.
The new Ultegras are better protected against water and dust, weigh less than their predecessor, and benefit from Hi-Speed front drag systems. These allow for quick setting post-cast when targeting big carp, so big fish can be precision-played off the clutch without fear of the reel over-tightening or locking up.
Better, stronger winding power is provided by Shimano’s top-end Hagane gearing. To that little lot you can add many technically improved parts including a C14 rotor system, beautifully balanced and completely wobble-free.
Rounding off the specifications are a super-comfy handle knob and an improved, more discreet line guard that functions better than ever and affords a slight weight saving too. Both models come with a spare spool.
Price: £249.99
VADER X 8000 REEL
The Sonik Vader X 8000 reel will be snapped up by any carp angler looking for quality, looks and value for money. A long-nose spool facilitates long, smooth casts, while its 4.6:1 retrieve rate makes short shrift of rapid line recovery.
Features include a large-diameter bail-arm with enlarged line roller, twin line clips, powerful and reliable front drag and a pleasing barrel-shaped wooden handle. It comes with a spare forged anodised aluminium spool.
Price: £49.99
Preston Innovations’ Centris NT reels
Tech Spec
CNC machined aluminium die-cast body and side cover
Titanium carbon rotor and arm lever
NiTi bail-arm wire
AL forged fully machined spool
Quick-release push-button spool
Rotor brake system
Long worm shaft oscillation
Super slow oscillation
Single or double quick-change handles
Preston Innovations’ Centris NT reels have taken more than two years to develop – and the results are truly impressive.
Three body sizes – 320, 420 and 520 – cover every possible match fishing scenario. The smallest of these, the 320, is best for general floatfishing, while the others will handle heavier float tactics and all feeder and straight lead work.
In a classy black and red livery, they all have a spare spool and quick-change double or single handles. And the list of technical features doesn’t end there.
The NiTi bail-arm always returns to its correct shape, so it clicks over firmly and there are never any distortion problems.
To that, you can add a titanium shaft, full aluminium body, titanium carbon rotor and super-smooth Power Drive retrieve.
Super-slow oscillation results in faultless line-lay, while multi-washers make the micro adjustable front drag incredibly smooth and precise.
Push-button release allows you to change spools in an instant, and each spool has two line clips as standard, making fishing two lines incredibly simple and accurate.
All reels have a 5.01:1 gear ratio and seven bearings.
Prices: 320: £154.99 - 420: £159.99, 520 £164.99