So, some of the posts are from the old site that I had tucked away with new publish dates, but the products have all been updated.  Over the next couple weeks I’ll get some more personalized ones on here too (I have two new suppliers).  Then I’ll start writing again.

I was going to try and sell the site and get back to just fishin’, but as they say, “We make plans…and God laughs”.  So, check back soon to see more of my craziness.  And until then…May your lines be tight!

-Captain

The vast range of sizes for saltwater fishing reels reflects the many different methods of fishing and the different fish you can choose to hunt. Only you can identify what you choose to fish for and therefore what size reel you will need. All you really need to consider at the moment is what type of reel will work best with your rod. Then match your fishing to that combination. Should you wish to change your targets at a later date then match both rod and reel to that chosen target.

Saltwater fishing reels come in three basic types, the closed face spinning reel, the open faced spinning reel and the bait casting reel. In saltwater fishing baitcaster reels are usually used for trolling fishing from a boat and are excellent for this purpose.should you attempt casting with a baitcasting reel you need to know exactly what you are doing – or be prepared for the proverbial bird’s nest! The closed face spinning reel is the easiest fishing reel to learn how to cast . They work well with bait or sea fishing lures but you should concentrate on working the estuaries, the beaches and around the rocks. The third type of saltwater fishing reel is the open faced spinning reel, beloved of my youth and still my personal favourite. They are excellent multi purpose reels which can provide good casting distance and quick retrieval if required.

In general a medium sized open faced spinning reel with several hundred feet of 12 or 15 pound breaking strain line makes a good saltwater fishing reel. If we add a nice whippy saltwater fishing rod of about 6 feet length we have a good multi-purpose saltwater fishing rig. I like a two piece rod so I can easily pack the rod and other gear away for traveling but that is just personal preference.

-Captain

If you want to get into fishing you will be blown away when you walk into a tackle shop and see how many choices there are to choose from. There are loads of brands and just as many models from each maker. How are you to choose? Of course, asking the staff at your local tackle shop is a great place to start, but they seem to all have different opinions, even within the same location.

The list of brands is too numerous to even list. Everyone knows Penn and Shimano, even if they have never fished before, but they are more known because of how much those companies spend on advertising. So, that in turn makes their reels a little more expensive.

So you live in a saltwater area, that’s where we will start the criteria for your first reel. All reels are not alike even from freshwater to saltwater. If you want a saltwater fishing reel, you need to make sure it is made to withstand the environment. Ask your tackle shop staff to point out the saltwater reels.

Then you need to decide on spinning or baitcast. I will strongly suggest a spinning reel for your first as they are easier to use for beginners as well as they cost less. Baitcast reels do perform better, but they have a heavy price and you need the knowhow to use them, otherwise you will wind up with what’s called a bird’s nest on your first cast and that will pretty much end your day for fishing.

The final thing that should make up your mind for your first reel is price. Don’t let price fool you. Just because it’s the most expensive or least does not mean it is the best or worst. Feel how the reel spins in your hand. More bearings usually mean smoother action, which is good, but it doesn’t have to be top of the line to bring home the catch. And if you can find last year’s model, you will save a lot and not lose any quality.

Shop around a little. There are lots of places that have good refund policies if you bring the reel back shortly after purchase with no damage. And then just go for one. Once you have a saltwater fishing reel, it won’t be your last.

-Captain

• First, we are going to focus on reels that work for saltwater, which means they will have stainless steel bearings that can withstand the environment. It will also have the spindle being of higher quality metal.

• Second, let’s look at the lighter side. Light tackle is for smaller fish, although a good fisherperson will bring in a catch that should have been on medium or possibly heavy tackle. So the reels we will look at are going to be on the smaller side.

• And third, as always, we are looking at the less expensive spinning saltwater fishing reels, without giving up all the quality.

With these points in mind, what you ask is my favorite? I choose the Quantum Kinetic-40PTi. This is last year’s model so the price I can offer is drastically reduced. I haven’t even found it this low on ebay! It has everything we discussed though. It’s made for light tackle, saltwater fishing, and with the 6pt bearing system it spins beautifully. And, best of all, because of the model it’s one of the most inexpensive spinning saltwater fishing reels around.
Get your’s fast though. I’m not sure how much longer I can offer them. They are going like hotcakes!

-Captain

Daiwa Sweepfire 4000B Saltwater Spin Fishing Reel NEW

by Daiwa

Only $17.99

Great features and affordable pricing make Sweepfire-B a winner for the budget conscious. Big fish don’t care how much you paid for your Reel… and aren’t they what it’s all about? That’s the beauty of the Daiwa Sweepfire series. These reels are perfect for all fresh and saltwater applications. Sweepfire-B Features: * Digigear digital gear design * Advanced Locomotive Levelwind for even line winding * Smooth ball bearing drive * Twistbuster line twist reduction * One-touch folding handle * ABS aluminum spool * Gyro Spin balanced rotor

This reel just came out so there aren’t a lot of reviews.  I got one and tried it out this past weekend and it is a good, tried and true, Diawa Saltwater fishing reel.  I would recommend it to anyone, beginner or expert. Get it HERE first!