Do your casting reels "fit"?

[BronzeChaser]

I'm sure when it comes to getting a new reel we all look at pretty much the same things; value, durability, performance, and probably looks. But a big deal for me when I'm choosing a new reel is how it fits in my hand when fishing. For example, the current generation revo's are excellent reels that really impress me. That being said, I only have one that I rarely fish with. The reason being is that when I palm the reel it just doesn't fit well in my hand, and it bothers me to the point that I won't get any more. My pinky ends up getting cramped into my ring finger, because the gears are positioned so low on the reel. Is this an issue for others as well?

[cottny27]

9 minutes ago, BronzeChaser said:

I'm sure when it comes to getting a new reel we all look at pretty much the same things; value, durability, performance, and probably looks. But a big deal for me when I'm choosing a new reel is how it fits in my hand when fishing. For example, the current generation revo's are excellent reels that really impress me. That being said, I only have one that I rarely fish with. The reason being is that when I palm the reel it just doesn't fit well in my hand, and it bothers me to the point that I won't get any more. My pinky ends up getting cramped into my ring finger, because the gears are positioned so low on the reel. Is this an issue for others as well?

Yes and no. The new Revos have the recessed reel foot which make them sit super low on the rod. I wish all reels had that.  The smaller and lower the better imo.  All the Lews LFS models are super comfortable and tiny if you haven't tried those.  As far as the gear box being too low and uncomfortable..I haven't had an issue with that.

[Airman4754]

I've become a Lew's disciple because of the way they feel in my hand. They are pretty solid reels too! 

[FrankN209]

I agree that the size of the reel is important. My Ambassadeur 5601 C4 is quite big and I can't "palm" it that well. 

 

[RyneB]

That's how I feel about the Daiwa Tatula. A truly awesome reel, casts a mile and performs flawlessly. but I have fairly small hands and when I switch from and Revo, curado, etc to the Tatula, it just feels huge.

[Drew03cmc]

I wear a large glove and my favorites are Ambassadeur 4500 sized reels. They fit me perfectly!

[Bluebasser86]

I sold my 50 size Curados because they were too small. My hand would start cramping because I had to hold it so tightly. Now the new 70s seem to fit perfectly. 

[BronzeChaser]

I felt the same way about the tatula being too big. Maybe the new compacts are better, but I haven't held one. As far as Lews reels go, I also think they are great feeling reels and I would probably own a lot if it weren't for one thing. They always seem to break on me. I understand that almost everything I read as far as reviews says they're great, and I want them to be, but for me they just aren't. When Lews was still a little fresh into they're "comeback" I bought 3 of their reels and they all broke within a year, to the point of not being fishable. I may give them another shot because I want to like them so bad haha.

[smalljaw67]

This is a big deal for me, I so wanted a Tatula when they came out and when Cabela's got them in I was there in a flash! I still remember picking that reel up and being so disappointed, it was big, bulky and clumsy and it was as heavy as it looked. Your fishing suffers when you aren't comfortable, instead of focusing trying to feel light bites, you instead focus on how sore your finger feels or how cramped your hand is getting. So for me, reel ergonomics and reel seats on rods are both very important.

[Raul]

16 hours ago, BronzeChaser said:

I'm sure when it comes to getting a new reel we all look at pretty much the same things; value, durability, performance, and probably looks. But a big deal for me when I'm choosing a new reel is how it fits in my hand when fishing. For example, the current generation revo's are excellent reels that really impress me. That being said, I only have one that I rarely fish with. The reason being is that when I palm the reel it just doesn't fit well in my hand, and it bothers me to the point that I won't get any more. My pinky ends up getting cramped into my ring finger, because the gears are positioned so low on the reel. Is this an issue for others as well?

If it doesn´t fit then it´s a goner, that´s the reason why I don´t fish with round baitcasters, they don´t fit, and even many "low profile" that aren´t that low, I sold a Daiwa Super Tuned TDX, which is a true jewel btw, just because it was a little bit "too high" ( or I should say not that low ).

[cottny27]

Well round baitcasters are only good for catfishing. 

[Darren.]

Definitely matters to me.

Love my 50e Chronarch. Great fit.

[*Hootie]

Comfort? Are we going fishing or laying on the couch watching a movie. I, sometimes think this comfort thing is over played. By the way, I don't like War Eagle spinnerbaits. The blades are so shiny that they hurt my eyes...lol. 

Hootie

[buzzed bait]

13 minutes ago, *Hootie said:

Comfort? Are we going fishing or laying on the couch watching a movie. I, sometimes think this comfort thing is over played. By the way, I don't like War Eagle spinnerbaits. The blades are so shiny that they hurt my eyes...lol. 

Hootie

you old guys are just tough as nails Hootie!  walked uphill, in the snow both ways, etc.!!!
My girlish hands require a nice comfy girlish fit!  Besides, i don't want to mess up my manicure!

[*Hootie]

10 minutes ago, buzzed bait said:

you old guys are just tough as nails Hootie!  walked uphill, in the snow both ways, etc.!!!
My girlish hands require a nice comfy girlish fit!  Besides, i don't want to mess up my manicure!

Buzzed bait, I'm glad you could see that I was joking. I just hope everybody knows that...lol. 

P.S. that was uphill both ways, in the snow, with no shoes. 

Hootie

[tander]

18 hours ago, Mosster47 said:

I've become a Lew's disciple because of the way they feel in my hand. They are pretty solid reels too! 

Have to agree, I love my Lews reels.

[buzzed bait]

7 minutes ago, *Hootie said:

Buzzed bait, I'm glad you could see that I was joking. I just hope everybody knows that...lol. 

P.S. that was uphill both ways, in the snow, with no shoes. 

Hootie

you're alright by me old timer!!  if you're not having a little fun while living, you're not living...

[Maxximus Redneckus]

No snow in the ice age

[22hertz]

My Curado 200I fits my hand like it was made just for me.

[Catt]

One reason I like Calcutta's is they fit my hand.

Now I do not "palm" my reel per se, my index finger & middle finger are in front of the rod trigger & my thumb is over the top. 

My wife bought me a Chronarch when the first came out, used it once & returned it for a Calcutta 50!

[Deleted account]

23 hours ago, BronzeChaser said:

I'm sure when it comes to getting a new reel we all look at pretty much the same things; value, durability, performance, and probably looks. But a big deal for me when I'm choosing a new reel is how it fits in my hand when fishing. For example, the current generation revo's are excellent reels that really impress me. That being said, I only have one that I rarely fish with. The reason being is that when I palm the reel it just doesn't fit well in my hand, and it bothers me to the point that I won't get any more. My pinky ends up getting cramped into my ring finger, because the gears are positioned so low on the reel. Is this an issue for others as well?

Its one of the most important things to me, particularly as I get older and fingers seem to get stiffer by the year. I find most of the current reels too small. Most reels when properly adjusted and maintained will function as well as needed, however a reel that doesn't fit well may cause discomfort, fatigue, cramping, or blisters. If you fish for an hour or 2 a couple of times a week, it won't matter much, but if you are on the water 6-8 hours for days at a time, reel (and rod) ergonomics become very important. 

[ww2farmer]

19 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I sold my 50 size Curados because they were too small. My hand would start cramping because I had to hold it so tightly. Now the new 70s seem to fit perfectly. 

Same here...........except I like reels bigger than the 70 as well.

[RB 77]

16 hours ago, *Hootie said:

Comfort? Are we going fishing or laying on the couch watching a movie. I, sometimes think this comfort thing is over played. By the way, I don't like War Eagle spinnerbaits. The blades are so shiny that they hurt my eyes...lol. 

Hootie

Bwhaaaa! You might have to stop fishing all together, the hooks are too sharp these days! To dangerous!

 

To the op, run what you like. I think it definitely matters more to some than others. I fish 50-400 size reels and it doesn't really matter to me. Then again I use conventional salt water gear quite a bit chasing inshore and offshore game so ANY fresh water gear is more comfortable to me! I had a couple of the gen 3 Revos and didn't care for them at all. Actually so much so that I don't own any of them anymore.

[new2BC4bass]

????????????   I'm clueless.  Palm all my reels.  Course I never fish just one for hours at a time.

[J Francho]

My reels all fit my hand, and match my shoes.