Comparison Okuma 8K FD vs Okuma Custom Black CB-80

The number of bearings provided in the design of the reel. Bearings are used to reduce friction of rotating parts, which, on the one hand, protects such parts from wear, and on the other hand, reduces excessive effort expended when the handle is rotated. Accordingly, the more bearings, the more friction units are protected and the better the coil is “optimized”; this parameter is a good indicator of the overall class of the product. At the same time, it is necessary to evaluate different models taking into account their purpose (see "Type").

So, in fly fishing reels, even quite expensive ones, 1 bearing is usually provided — at the point of installation of the drum on a bracket designed for attachment to the rod. This is actually the only significant friction point, so more bearings are simply not required. For multiplier reels, this number varies from 1 for relatively simple options to 6 – 7 for premium ones. And in inertia-free bearings, the number of bearings can reach a couple of dozen.

The gear ratio describes the difference in the speed of rotation of the spool and the handle. In reel specifications, it is often written as a ratio of the form x:1, where one indicates 1 turn of the handle, and “x” is the number of turns of the spool in one such turn. To simplify the record, only the first number is indicated in our catalog — for example, the designation 5.2 corresponds to a gear ratio of 5.2: 1.

First of all, the ratio between the speed and the "torque" of the coil depends on this parameter. So, high gear ratios allow you to quickly pull the line, which is important for high-speed wiring — but the power of such reels will be low, and significant efforts on the handle will be required to pull large prey. Conversely, at low numbers, the speed of the line will be small, but you will not have to make significant efforts to move it. In models of the inertialess type (see above), gear ratios of the order of 6 – 7 denote the so-called "high-speed" coils, 4 – 4.5 – "power", and intermediate values \u200b\u200bare universal. Due to their specificity, multiplier models usually have low gear ratios, and the high power of fly fishing reels is due to the fact that the angler rotates the drum directly in them, and the gear ratio is 1.

The size of the main spool (drum) of the reel. This parameter directly affects the weight of the coil and its resistance to stress. It uses a symbol in thousands; in order not to go into unnecessary details, we can say that the larger the number in such a designation, the larger and heavier the drum. For different purposes, different sizes will be optimal. So, spools for 2500 – 3000 are considered universal, they can be used for both float fishing and spinning fishing in simple conditions. The smaller size is recommended for light tackle, including ultralight category, and equipment for large and heavy prey (for example, when fishing for carp) may include reels for 4500 – 5000 and even more.

The amount of line that can fit on the main spool of a reel with normal winding. It is indicated as a ratio of two numbers, the first of which corresponds to the length of the reeled line in metres, and the second to the thickness in millimetres: for example, the numbers 200 / 0.45 indicate that up to 200 m of fishing line with a thickness of 0.45 mm can fit on the reel.

For different types of fishing, there are recommendations on the optimal value of this parameter; they can be found in special sources. Here we note that the capacity of the spool is indicated exclusively for a smooth fishing line; when using a braided cord, the actual performance may differ markedly.

A worm shaft, a “worm”, an endless screw — all this indicates the presence of a movable up and down spool, which contributes to uniform winding of the fishing line. As a result, tangling of the fishing line and the formation of a "beard" is almost impossible. At the same time, the worm shaft prevents the line from winding like a “carrot” when there is more line in one area than in another. Accordingly, there will be no problems with the fishing line and casting will be equally comfortable every time.

Instant stop of the reverse motion of the coil when unwinding. It is very important in jig fishing with stepped wiring, when you need to quickly make 2 – 3 turns and an instant stop. The function is no less in demand in feeder and carp fishing, when you need to slightly tighten the fishing line in order to put a little tension on it for a good fixation of the moment of bite, but at the same time not to move the bait from the bottom. And also an instant stop will not be superfluous when fishing on the current.

The presence of a quick clutch in the coil.

Recall that the friction clutch is a brake of a special design, the task of which is to loosen the spool (to drop the fishing line) when the load approaches a critical value. And such a brake is called “fast” if it is enough to turn it a short distance, about ½ turn, to tighten it (for comparison: the “slow” clutch is completely tightened by turning approximately 3 turns).

Fast drags appeared in carp fishing, and it is in it that they continue to be most widely used. Many experienced fishermen prefer a fast drag to a bait runner, but for beginners, such equipment may be less convenient and easier to learn than the same bait runner.

The material of the spare spool(drum) supplied with the reel.

Additional interchangeable spools are provided to expand the capabilities of the reel: if necessary, you can quickly replace the fishing line with tackle of a different thickness (or the same one instead of a broken one), install a reduced drum to increase the casting distance, etc. As for the materials for such spools ( plastic, aluminium, graphite), they do not differ from those used in the main drums; see the relevant paragraph above for more details.

The total weight of the reel (only the device itself, without fishing line). This parameter is important, first of all, for those who select equipment of the ultralight class — in such gear, the struggle is, as they say, for every extra gram. In other cases, you can not pay special attention to weight.