Graphite Frames?

[VinnieT]

I there anything bad about them?

[Ima Bass Ninja]

They flex when under pressure which causes the gears to not line up properly.

[NBR]

As said they are reported to flex under pressure causing other issues. I would like to see some data on this including load values applied by fishing.

I've used graphite frame and aluminum frame reels without noticeble difference in performance.

Having said this I prefer aluminum frames but that is a gut feel not backed by any concrete data that I have seen.

[ww2farmer]

For spinning reels they are fine. I have had good reliable long term service from many, and thats all I buy anymore. My casting reels are all aluminum framed, and I'll keep it that way. I had too many issues with graphite framed ones in the past to ever consider one again.

[SirSnookalot]

Given my choice I'd buy aluminum over graphite, as NBR said it's more of a gut feeling than actually having any problems. Stradic's have a graphite sideplate not frame and I've never heard issue with that. There may be something to the thickness of a graphite frame, Shimano TLD's are graphite framed lever drag offshore reels, popular with Charter Captains because of a sub $200 price and good performance.

[Arv]

1 peice aluminum on a BC reel. I wouldn't spend my money on a graphite frame

[LgMouthGambler]

Graphite frame=NO, Aluminum frame=GO.

[The Next KVD]

The graphite frame reels generally are cheaper and no where near as refine as a aluminum frame. That said, if your not out there competing and putting a serious strain on your equipment than yes a graphite frame reel would suffice. My mom has 2 Abu Black Max's and serve her purpose well. I actually used one when she forgot to take her stuff out of my boat and it handled fish up to 5lbs well and continues to be smooth with the oldest one going on its 3rd year, but I wouldn't trust it for flipping heavy matted vegetation anytime soon.

I on the other hand prefer aluminum frames b/c I put alot of strain on my equipment. There are some cheap aluminum frame reels that come to mind if price is an issue: Diawa Exceler ($89.99) and the W&M Skeet Reese reel ($79.99). After that you have to go to $100 reels to get the aluminum frame.

[SirSnookalot]

Sure everyone wants to use the best equipment they can afford, myself included. But this is the reality, I don't catch more than 1 10# bass everyday, in fact I may only catch a few around that size all year. My lowly spinning gear has held up perfect for years of bass fishing regardless of the material used in construction. If I were on a budget I'd have no fear with graphite.

[VinnieT]

The graphite frame reels generally are cheaper and no where near as refine as a aluminum frame. That said, if your not out there competing and putting a serious strain on your equipment than yes a graphite frame reel would suffice. My mom has 2 Abu Black Max's and serve her purpose well. I actually used one when she forgot to take her stuff out of my boat and it handled fish up to 5lbs well and continues to be smooth with the oldest one going on its 3rd year, but I wouldn't trust it for flipping heavy matted vegetation anytime soon.

I on the other hand prefer aluminum frames b/c I put alot of strain on my equipment. There are some cheap aluminum frame reels that come to mind if price is an issue: Diawa Exceler ($89.99) and the W&M Skeet Reese reel ($79.99). After that you have to go to $100 reels to get the aluminum frame.

Ok, well I do go fishing quite a lot, (everyday in the summer), so looks like it's aluminum for me.

[MArnold]

You can get a H2O Mettle reel from Academy Sports for fifty bucks, it has a aluminum frame and ten bearings!!!

[The Next KVD]

You can get a H2O Mettle reel from Academy Sports for fifty bucks, it has a aluminum frame and ten bearings!!!

I would venture to guess 4 of those bearings are in the handle. Bearing count to me means little as most reels under $100 have horrible tolerances and most of the bearings inside don't do 20% of the job that there suppose to do. A reel with 4 or 5 bearings with better tolerances will feel smoother and last longer than a $50 reel with 10 exteremely cheap bearings. I'm not trying to knock it because I have no experience with that particular reel but it comes down to you get what you pay for kinda thing for me. The aluminum frame is a plus but hard to see anything else being of quality due to the price of raw aluminum these days.

[Bass Junkie]

I have not personally used the H2O Mettle, but if you venture south towards Texas, etc. you will find legions of users. They are a popular "budget" reel, and get good ratings from a lot of people.

[retiredbosn]

Like WW2 posted I've had trouble with graphite framed reels when it comes to baitcasting reels, not any with spinning. My first two bc reels were graphite framed and each lasted less than 2 years. Both flexed when under load in the second season. One was particularly bad, even weeds would cause it. The other cost me what at the time would have been my pb. Hooked the fish everything was fine until she turned and ran, the reel flexed gears no longer made contact and she was gone.