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Carp Fishing Reels FAQs
What size carp reel is right for me?
You will always look to balance the reel to the rod. For lighter rods, where you are fishing shorter distances you can go with a smaller reels, but for long rangers, higher test curve rods, you would be looking at big pit style reels.
What does RD, FD and freespool mean?
RD means rear drag, FD means front drag, and freespool refers to a lever on the reel to disengage the clutch of the reel so the spool can spin freely when line is pulled, before engaging when the handle is turned. This is also known as a baitrunner on Shimano reels.
What is the longest distance I could cast?
Casting distance is very heavily based on technique and the balance of your kit. Practise makes perfect but having the correct kit for the job is vitally important. 12-13ft rods, with big pit style reels, and tapered lines are the best for extreme long-range of distances over 140yrds.
How much line can be held?
This is entirely down to the reels size and spool capacity and the diameter of the line chosen. Most big pit style reels will hold around 300m of 0.35mm (12-15lb) mono, whereas small baitrunner style reels would hold around 180-220m.
What are the main differences between the more expensive reels and the cheaper options?
Like with most things, when you pay a bit more, you get more for your money, and it's similar with reels. More expensive reels will be constructed from better, stronger, lighter materials, with more bearings making them smoother, and offering better line lay.
Is there technology in place to minimise line twists?
All modern-day reels will have an anti-twist line roller on the bail arm. However, twist occurs when the line is pulled from the reel on the clutch, and wound back on. The twist roller reduces this but does not fully prevent it. If you can play fish from the backwind, or open the bail arm when taking rigs out by boat rather than using the clutch, this will reduce the twist in your line.
Explore our stock of carp fishing reels
Your fishing reel holds your fishing line. It enables you to cast your baited rig into the lake. It also helps you retrieve the same baited rig, hopefully with a great big fish on the end!
It doesn’t matter if you need a long-distance casting reel or a reel suitable for fishing under your rod tip, we have the best reels, from the best manufacturers, to suit all budgets and requirements.
In days gone by you either used a Daiwa reel or a Shimano reel. Those days are over.
There are a lot of very, very good reels available now from lots of different angling brands covering all the different disciplines of modern angling.
Front drag or rear drag? Baitrunner or quick drag? Single handle or double handle? No worries, we have whatever you need, and even if you are unsure what reel is best for you, we are here to help.
Shimano rocked the angling world when they invented their Baitrunner system, the spool could switch from free spool to fixed spool in a second via a simple half turn of the reel handle. Then, the quick drag arrived and took the fishing reel to the next level. The spool could go from free spool to fixed spool via a quick ¼ turn of the drag knob on the front of the reel. Of course, there is still a massive demand for Baitrunner reels, it just comes down to personal preference. Again, if you don’t know which you prefer pop in and see us and we will set you up with both, so you can see them in action.
Now, here at Total Fishing Tackle we even have our own range of Daiwa Basia reels at a price that will make you squeal with delight!
The Basia rocked the carp angling world with its long-nosed spool and super lightweight body, couple that with a silky-smooth clutch and drag system and you have a reel that is capable of casting a rig 200 yards yet is equally at home when used for fishing at 20 yards!
Check them out and put them at the top of your must have list!
So, there you have it, whether you have £20 or £200 to spend on your next fishing reel, we have everything taken care of. Plus, don’t forget we never sell anything that we wouldn’t use ourselves, if it’s not good enough for us, we won’t sell it to you.