Magnesium Frames????

[coak]

Is there really a perceptible, noticeable difference b/w these mag framed reels and say an alum framed reel?  I really like the Okuma Helios Air and it is priced nicely for a mag frame, but wonder if it can take the punishment that my alum frames take.  I'm not hard on my gear, but I do have to cut through woods to get to some spots because I dont have a boat or yak.  I've accidentally tripped  a couple of times and once had a reel take a dive on a boulder as I was trying to catch myself.  I took most of the impact, but the reel was definitely rashed up afterwards.  Would a magnesium based reel just scratch up as well, or could there potentially be more damage?  I'm just completely ignorant at the stress levels different alloys can take.  Any info on the frames themselves or the Helios reel would be much appreciated.

 

Coak

[Gone_Phishin]

Mg framed reels tend to be lighter and some feel more sensitive...a lot of people love them for jigs and worms...I don't like them for cranking. They are great for jerkbaits and topwater hard baits as they are easier on the wrist due to the overall light weight.

They do scratch pretty easily.

[fishballer06]

Sounds like you're going to beat up anything you buy. In that case, I wouldn't be too concerned about keeping anything looking nice.

[new2BC4bass]

I would think scratches have more to do with the finish than the material the reel is made from.  No idea which might be softer and thus ding easier.  Magnesium has two thirds the density of aluminum.  There are many grades of both materials.  Aluminum can also be hard coated.  Taken from another site.   "Modified hard coating, (also known as hard coat anodizing or hard anodizing) is an electrochemical process that applies a corrosion resistant coating, chemically bonded to the surfaces of aluminum and aluminum alloy parts or pieces. This creates a surface coating with hardness characteristics second only to diamonds."

 

I don't think reels get hard-coated, but am ignorant of how finishes are applied to reels.  My suggestion is to always travel with a reel cover on the reel when going from place to place.  Won't prevent damage from a good knock, but should help maintain a nice finish otherwise.  TW has them on sale as part of the 25 days of Christmas.  I ordered another 16 earlier...8 LH, 8 RH.

[Catt]

Magnesium is highly susceptible to corrosion & once corrosion starts it is impossible to stop short of removing large quantities of material.

The best conversion coating is Alodine/Chemfilm followed by an acid etch primer (Zinc Chromate).

[SirSnookalot]

Been a common belief that mg. reels should not be used in saltwater due to corrosion, yet the stella fe is a mg. reel approved by Shimano for salt use.

To my own experience, using a Pflueger supreme 8035 mg in saltwater for about 2 years the frame showed no signs of any corrosion, this is not a saltwater reel.  Catching fish the likes of snook and jack crevalles, I can attest this reel is not over stressed, nor is any other reel I own fished for all kinds of species.  I did have a bearing corrode in this reel, replaced it and moved the reel to freshwater.  The reel is performing as nib now being a good 6 years old, minimal rash.

[coak]

Thanks for the information guys. I'm going to be getting some covers in the future for sure! I'm also glad the salt water came up, as I am taking a trip to the gulf in May next year and want to do some in shore fishing as well as freshwater.

[Catt]

Salt dissolved in water does not cause corrosion, oxidation, or rust, but it does speed it up.

Magnesium is the most chemically active of the metals and is, therefore, the most difficult to protect. When a failure in the protective coating does occur, the prompt and complete correction of the coating failure is imperative if serious damage is to be avoided.

The OP asked if a magnesium framed reel could take his punishment and the answer is yes if there is no failure to the protective coating.

Of the two metals magnesium is more susceptable to corrosion than aluminum.

[Grantman83]

I assume the manufacturers are merely covering themselves by warning against saltwater use. Magnesium reels usually come with an expensive price tag so it would be even more imperative that the disclaimers are laid out. Dropping several hundred on a reel only to have it begin to corrode would certainly cause a backlash from the anglers.

Those who know the risks and use it for said purpose are merely accepting the risks of which they have been informed.

Regarding the punishment they can take, i wouldn't know as I baby my higher end stuff and have veater gear for shore walking and reservoirs etc just so I don't break my own heart lol

[BobP]

I don't worry about mag wheels taking punishment and the same goes for mag reels.  Some companies including Shimano say their mag reels are now OK to use in saltwater.  If I were going saltwater fishing and had a choice, I'd nonetheless choose to take a non-mag reel.  No sense tempting fate.