Dec. '00
When most people talk about wahoo they always want to know what is the best reel to use. With so many out there on the market choosing the best one can be as difficult as hooking a wahoo. You have Penns, Shimanos, Newells, Pro Gears and Accurates reels just to name a few. So how does one choose the right one?
Well let’s see what we have to pick from. Penn has several reels that fit your needs, 113H, 500 as well as 12 LT. And there are several aftermarket upgrades for these reels that improve them even more. The top of the line Penn reel would be a 12 LT that has been seen to Cal’s Two Speeds. Cal turns an ordinary 12 LT into a 2 speed, blueprinted and free spinning wahoo killer.
Next there are Shimanos with two popular models their Speedmaster IV and Trinidad 30. The Trinidad offers a 6:1 ratio, the fastest on the market but also come with a high price. Their Speedmaster IV is a little small but can get you by in a pinch.
Newell Reels were one of the first to offer 5:1 retrieve back in the 1980’s and their 440 series were the entire rave. They have made some upgrades and now they offer a 500 series. For many years Newell reels were the reels of choice by wahoo fishermen.
Just recently Pro Gear has come into the market place. First with their all aluminum reels and now with their graphite side plates and aluminum frames reels. Both models offer high-speed retrieve and oversized drags.
And finally there are Accurate conversion kits and their twin drag Boss 665H. The conversion kits will take you standard Penn reel and turn it into a “tricked out” wahoo catching machine. And their Boss 665H comes with a 4.6 :1 retrieve ratio and two drag disc for super smooth and long lasting drags.
So there are you options so which one to pick. Forget everything you hear about retrieve ratios, drag size and line capacity. The most important thing is how it feels to you. If you do not feel comfortable using the reel you will not be able to get the most out of the reel.
So when you pick your reel put it on a rod and spend some time cranking the reel. If the handle doesn’t feel “right” to you try a different reel. On some reels you can switch the handles but other you cannot. Does the reel feel to heavy for you to use all day? Try a lighter or smaller version.
Once you find a couple of reels that feel comfortable I would pick the reel with the best drags. Retrieve ratios are important but you can always crank faster. But once the drag goes bad your reel needs to be replaced. After the drag life then comes retrieve ratio. But be careful because the higher the ratio the more difficult it is to turn the handle under a load. I like to stick with a 4:1 ratio plenty quick and still enough power for grinding in that wahoo.
So what do I use? I use an Accurate 4/0 YTS with 4:1 gears. The aluminum sideplates increase drag life and the reel just feels right. Will it work for you maybe? So, check all the different models yourself. Please don’t just go on someone’s recommendation try the reels out. Spend a little time and get the one that is right for you.