Quality of bearings is key, so use your own judgement on smoothness and function by picking up the reels at a shop or show. In the same way that engine size alone doesn’t mark a car fast, simply having more ball bearings doesn’t make a reel smooth or well made, so don’t get drawn into thinking that more equals better. Buy wisely and you can expect it to perform and last. Now a sub-£50 reel needn’t be seen as a risky purchase. While this competition has helped drive down prices, the quality and accessibility of Far-East manufacturing has also been a key factor. Where once your choice was limited to just Shimano, Daiwa or a handful of smaller brands beneath those big two, now most tackle companies have a range of reels. If you’ve got a £50 budget for new carp reel, then your choice has never been greater.
