Redfish is a much-prized saltwater game fish. Earlier they were called red drums. They come as a big solace when other species are not taking the bite. Redfish bites at several kinds of lures but when hooked they put up a spirited fight. They are powerful sports fish that can be controlled and brought in only by an equally powerful saltwater-proof reel.
If you have a reel that is good for redfish, it can be good for other saltwater fish such as cobia and black d rum as well. Here, we have put together Fishing Reels for Redfish Buying Guide for you. This will walk you through all important aspects of the best fishing for redfish and similar other saltwater fish.
Choose good-quality components
Internal components of the reel give it strength or vulnerability. So while shopping for a fishing reel, you should check and examine the components to understand how strong or durable the machine is. The materials used to make the reel and the number and kind of bearings used in it can say a thing or two about its quality.
Similarly, look at the size of the rivets on the reel knobs. Thinner and lighter rivets can become lose and break under pressure. Thicker rivets are a better choice.
Does the Spool braid well? The best quality reels will have a rubbery material in the spools that grips the braid but won’t affect its spin. A spool having fill rings can indicate when you need to re-spool. This is particularly important when you have a big fish with no intention to stop its run.
Proper Gear Ratio
Redfish is a strong species and they take cover in underwater structures such as rocks. If your reel does not have enough gear ratio, it might get snagged and you may lose the catch. If you want to fish redfish, you must choose reels that have a minimum 5.5:1 gear ratio. With this and above gear ratio, you can be able to drive your redfish catch away from weeds and rocks that can break off the line.
How Much Drag Do You Need?
Redfish are powerful that should not make you overly obsessed with max drag. Most anglers won’t be able to hold on to their rod safely beyond 20 pounds of pressure for more than a few minutes. It is like you have pulled up and stay hanging there! Shopping for a reel that is capable of handling 40 pounds of drag pressure is not worth it at all. An adult angle can feel comfortable with a maximum of 15-20 pounds of drag pressure. This is sufficient for most saltwater fish species except for the largest of them.
Buy at least mid-range quality
When fishing redfish or any on its ilk you know your gear is going to get marinated in saltwater. This means you have no option but to sacrifice it after one or two seasons. So why buy an expensive high-quality reel? But this is not right thinking. It’s okay if you don’t buy top of a line reel but a mid-range is a must.
If you buy a poor quality reel, it will have persistent performance-related issues such as drag. But if you buy a high-quality reel and care for it, it can last much longer than you think it can. A high-quality reel can travel with you just anywhere and in some places, you may need to count on it.
Corrosion protection
When fishing in saltwater, corrosion to your gear is a real and serious challenge. Some reels have better sealing than others. This is possible when internal components have a protective coating, gaskets, and sealed bearings.
Some may not have one or the other corrosion-resistance feature. Before buying a reel for redfish fishing, you should read the corrosion-protection features it has. You should go for the one that offers maximum protection to the reel from saltwater corrosion.
Does it fit and feel well?
You are at the shop and planning to buy a reel for fishing saltwater redfish. You should not judge the reel just by what the label says about it. Those are of course important criteria but after you are satisfied with the specifications, material, and overall quality, you check the gear how it fits on your gear and how it feels to your hand.
If it’s not the best fit or comfortable in your hand, all the best features it may have may be of little use. Of course, you can’t take to the sea to just try it. But you can check it well by setting it to move and feeling it in your hand.
Choose ergonomic handle
While fishing for long hours, comfort is an important consideration. Many manufacturers fail to give due importance to the design of the handle. The reel’s design, especially its handle, must have the best ergonomics. It should feel comfortable as are chasing your fish. It should not stress your hand particularly at a time when you need to stay focused on your trophy.
Ball-bearing
Spinning reels that have the ball bearings in their bail line rollers are not the best choice. Ball bearings are more prone to receiving and retaining saltwater. If you don’t have proper precautions, they can start making noise and stop functioning someday. You should check what kind of protection the ball bearings have. After you have bought the reel, the ball bearings need regular checkups and care to keep them rust-free.
Look at capacity
Will your new reel hold enough line of the size and quality you are going to use? This is an important consideration especially if you have a long cast and narrow spools. If you have not given this enough though, you may run out of line in deeper spots.
Final thoughts
Redfish is a strong saltwater sports game. For this kind of fishing, you need a strong reel that has good mid-range features. But more importantly, it should have corrosion-resistant features that can make it last against salty seawater invasions. You should not go for the cheap variety of spinning reels.
These can leave you in difficult spots while fishing. You may shun the top-end products as well if budget is a consideration for you. But you can safely go with a mid-range range reel that has all other features and specifications perfect for you.