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

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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 

Ultegra SPOD XTD reel review

Shimano's stunning new Ultegra Spod XTD will make easy work of spodding, Spombing or – more latterly – Air Bombing. 

These are three ways of introducing feed quickly, accurately and in quantity to the spot. 

I reckon that your spod reel should be the best you own – think how much work it gets through in a  season. It needs the winding power to retrieve a spod or similar without you having to pump the rod like a nodding dog on a parcel shelf. 

It also needs to have a brisk gear ratio, and the gears themselves must handle more punishment than any other reel in your bag.

To that little lot you must add a braid-friendly spool that delivers a line-lay good enough to cast way over 100 yards with ease. The line clip (or, better still, three) should be able to withstand being whacked time and time again, really hard, by a braided line thin enough to slice its way through anything other than stone. 

Oh, and did I forget to mention that the clutch mustn’t slip, ever, and the line roller has to be perfection personified to totally eliminate braid spin? 

Enter the Shimano Ultegra Spod, with all these attributes and then some. The XTD boasts an elongated aluminium cranking handle with enlarged thumb knob, which gives even more winding power and creates an unrivalled sense of balance. Shimano’s unique X -Ship gearing virtually guarantees a wobble-free retrieve. My one criticism is the instant drag system, a wasted feature on any spod reel.

 However, the front-setting drag can be locked down completely solid, so there’s no slippage when casting a fully-loaded Spomb or spod – good news for your fingers!  

A 5.2:1 gearing ratio retrieves 124cm/49ins of line per handle crank, while its super slow spool oscillation produces a line – or braid – lay to rival that of the most expensive big pit-type reels. 

Add all-black looks, a sleek parallel body, and lightweight 630g (22.2oz) feel… what a reel!

Price: £134.99