As I hurtle down the slippery slope into pike fishing I have picked up a suitable rod and can see some long forceps coming my way shortly. Now I am on the look-out for a suitable reel. Can any of you pikers out there offer some advice? I don't want to spend too much (spent less than £50 on the rod) but wonder if i need to consider the drag system, or am i essentially looking for a line holder?
Was considering one of these:
http://www.garryevans.co.uk/okuma-slv-fly-reels-451-p.asp (http://www.garryevans.co.uk/okuma-slv-fly-reels-451-p.asp)
Your thoughts and advice will be appreciated.
I'm using a Snowbee Classic 7-9 it holds a #10 line OK . Wide arbour, plastic so it's also fine for salt water. It's pretty good at about £30.
Both of the above suggestions would fit the bill, though I find the drag settings a bit fiddly on some Okuma reels.
A set up like this also opens the opportunity for SWFF, so plastic is an advantage.
Consider how you prefer to play your fish at the moment.
In piking there is a real chance that you will be playing 15lb+ fish, tail-walking. So your set-up and drag need to be really robust.
I have seen a plastic reel broken at the reel seat.
Having said that, I play (the few) fish by hand, so may not be the best to give advice on drag systems.
Hi Robbie,
I use Okuma SLVs for my pike and trout fishing. Love them and never had any problems.
cheers
Paul
Thanks for all the info and links gents. It was the thought of hooking a larger fish that made me think a more substantial reel would be required. A quick search for Snowbee XS reel makes me thick they are a bit out of my price range for now, the XSD may be a consideration but at ~£70 is a bit on the high side as well.
Am wondering if the Snowbee Classic reel holds enough backing, the fish in Callater are unlikely to cause any problems but some of the fish from waters like Mentieth and Venachar may be a bit harder to control.
Think I am leaning towards the Okuma SLV as it is an aluminium reel am I right in thinking it should be OK in salt water?
Quote from: Robbie on September 05, 2011, 08:37:29 PM
Think I am leaning towards the Okuma SLV as it is an aluminium reel am I right in thinking it should be OK in salt water?
Yep, but clean it every time, as soon as you get home.
danica large arbour, 25 quid cheap and cheerful, plastic, bombproof, and about 4 quid for a spare spool, no drag tho
have to say the scierra xdp is far and away the best reel i've ever owned. downside is it ain't cheap and the spare spools are extortionate (for mere mortals. we're not in pate or hardy territory here) i use an airflo balance for my swff and piking, but i'm kinda hoping it's going to die sometime soon as i'm not convinced about the drag and the funky frame system is a bugger for tangling your leader when stored.. that said, it's resisted salt water well and dealt with a few pike. i've just got an okuma airframe as a back-up reel: i'm still undecided about resin reels, but the drag feels great, it's apparently saltwater proof and it's got a sort of knock-about sturdiness that'll make it an ideal kayak reel. bloody cheap, too! about £30 with 3 spare spools :D
I am very satisfied with my Okumas. Not too expensive and great for pike and saltwater. Some info here;
http://www.wildfisher.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=16629.0 (http://www.wildfisher.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=16629.0)
TL
MC
A good drag essential !
Hook a big girl in the spring or summmer and you will need it, just hang on :lol:
Thanks for all the info gents, I now have more options to consider than before. May pull together a comparison table if I can get the time.
Buy the slv, great reels for the price, also don't worry about backing capacity, pike make short sharp runs and unless you've cast the full line and 5o yards of backing I doubt they would ever give you cause for concern. No matter how good the drag system is its essential to have it set properly, too tight and you'll pull the hook or get snapped, too loose and you'll overrun and get horrible tangles, either way your onto plums!
In the end I went for the Okuma SLV. Just bout the reel, figure a spare spool and sinking line can wait for now. Was not too keen on buying from the States via EBay, perhaps being a bit over cautious but did not think it worth the risk on a relatively cheap item.
Thanks again for all the information gents
You can buy these in Europe;
http://meeresprogramm.com/en/Reels/Flyreels/Okuma-SLV-Fly-Reel-Fliegenrolle-111-20573.html (http://meeresprogramm.com/en/Reels/Flyreels/Okuma-SLV-Fly-Reel-Fliegenrolle-111-20573.html)
often a lot cheaper and the postage is far less.
TL
MC
I was going to say please don't show me links where I could have bought the reel for less, but that would be selfish. I will just have to resist looking for now...
Why not save yourself the price of a spare spool and use a shooting head set-up? Perfect for casting big pike flies and you can have as many sinking densities as you like without ever changing your spool.