Feeder reels

[kkelly]

Just got my self some new feeder rods: x1 Shimano Hyperloop BX 12ft Medium Feeder Rod (HPBXMFDR) & x1 Shimano Catana BX 11/12ft Medium Feeder Rod (CATBXMMFDR)

 

I've nearly spent over a week now, looking at reels. I'am stuck with two manufactures Mitchell & Shimano. I'm looking for front drag system, with breaking line mainly of 6lbs and max 10lbs. Here is what ive been looking at

 

Mitchell:

406X http://www.mullarkeys.co.uk/fishing/fishin...0/mitchell/143/

or

300 XGE http://www.mullarkeys.co.uk/fishing/fishin.../mitchell/7378/

 

Shimano:

Nexave 1000 http://www.fostersofbirmingham.co.uk/st55934

 

 

or spending allot more and getting some thing like Shimano Alivo 1000 http://www.nwac.co.uk/products/Shimano_Ali...eel-4920-0.html

 

what do you guys think? or have another reel in mind?

[Guest tigger]

The Okuma VS is a crackin reel and has amazing cranking power for feeder work.

[Vagabond]

For what its worth I have a pair of Mitchell 300X that I bought new for peanuts (well dollars actually) three years ago. They have had extensive use home and overseas since then - mainly light spinning. Not the best reels I have ever owned, but they do the job and have proved excellent value.

 

The best modern feeder reel? About seven years back I purchased a pair of Shimano Stradic 4000. The previous year they had been hyped as the best thing since sliced bread - and priced accordingly!. Being an old campaigner I waited to see how others found them - both in performance and longevity. The answers seemed to be, yes, even better than sliced bread.

 

So I bought a pair - by now the advertising circus had moved to the next hype, so I got my Stradics at a well-discounted price.

 

My Stradics have rear-controlled drag which is not what you say you want, but I have found them excellent for feeder fishing (of which I don't do much nowadays) and for other applications as well. Current Stradics have front drag, but I haven't used them.

 

The main advantage with my Stradics is that they have NO backlash, so you can set the tension between rod tip and feeder EXACTLY how you want it - very important if you need maximum sensitivity.

 

Check the amount of backlash on whatever reel you do decide to buy.

Edited January 16, 2009 by Vagabond

[Steve Burke]

I agree with Vagabond about backlash. Look for the term "instant anti-reverse" in the reel's description.

[Angly]

I'm certainly no expert, but in my opinion you'd probably want a 4000 size reel if you're feeder fishing, and I have a Shimano Alivio 4000 RB (rear drag, but very similar to the front drag model). Zero backlash. You can cheaply upgrade it it to full BB spec (i.e. same as Shimano Nexave). It only comes with the one spool, but the thing that really drew me to Shimano was the ease of obtaining spare spools, important for me as I have between 3-4 for each reel.

 

You can pick them up for about £23, plus £6.99 per spool from http://www.shimanofelindre.co.uk/index_shimano.html

[John Weddup]

I have to say I have tried all.

 

I bought a daiwa tdr about a year ago and daiwa are all I will buy know. I have added 2 more tdr,s 2 caldia 4000,s and a caldia 3500.

 

The cranking power is phenominal.

 

Several of my friends have now done the same.

 

Not cheap but a reel for life.

 

regards

 

John