TACKLE GUIDE
KORUM ZELOS 6000
ABOUT as cheap as you could possibly buy a mini pit for, this reel can only be described as a bargain! Great looks and a steady performance make this an ideal choice for the occasional big-fish or big-cast angler. A smooth drag system and carbon steel bearings deliver precise power, while the S-Stroke system ensures great line lay.
Price: pay around £59.99, www.korum.co.uk
FOX RAGE PRISM X
DESIGNED to partner Prism X rods and featuring a carbon rotor, easy-grip handle, super-smooth clutch and an oversized roller, the smallest 1000 size weighs just 171g. The reels come in 1000 (5.1:1), 2500 (5.0:1) and 4500 (4.6:1 sizes), and spare spools are available for them all.
Price: £59.99 - £74.99, www.foxrage.com
SHIMANO ULTEGRA 5500 XSD
THE XSD is the cheapest of Shimano’s Ultegra mini pit reels. The wide bull nosed spool offers little resistance when distance casting, holds both fine or strong lines well and gives plenty of cranking power – ideal for competitions, spod and marker work or light beachcasting.
Featuring a line clip, super-slow oscillation and a high-speed drag, the ultra-shallow spool will hold 200m of 0.20mm line.
Price: £154.99, www.fish.shimano-eu.com
FOX EOS 10000
REELS suitable for matching with 2.75lb and 3lb test curve carp rods can be very expensive, but with its understated looks, dark grey textured finish, smooth action and great line lay, this starter carp reel comes with a decent drag and the all-important freespool facility.
Price: £74.99 www.foxint.com
SHIMANO AERO XR
OLD habits die hard, and anglers struggle to resist flipping that little backwind lever to put them back into manual control. Some recent reels from Shimano have lacked that feature, but the launch of the Aero XR last year changed that. Boasting all the features that Shimano lovers desire, along with the return of their beloved backwind in a sensibly price package, has resulted in epic sales of this modest-looking reel.
Price: £129.99, fish.shimano.com www.foxint.com
MATRIX HORIZON X
MATRIX has a reputation for producing solidly-built reels at a great price, and Horizon reels for both float and feeder fishing are quality 5+1 ball-bearing all-rounders that come with a multi-disc front drag and rotor brake for mishap-free casting. Provided with both a double and a single handle and in sizes 3000, 4000 and 5000 to cover all styles and preferences, these reels do really look the part, with striking branding across the spool and handle.
Price: £99.99 - £119.99, www.fishmatrix.com
PRESTON INNOVATIONS
