Are graphite frames good?

[Tucker]

I have a lews mach 1 baitcaster & it has a 1 piece graphite frame, I've heard people say they flex & cause problems, is this true? will it flex when fighting a fish? is this something I should be worried about? Thanks!

[TylerT123]

Graphite frames can flex under heavy load, like when fighting a big fish. I wouldn’t be too worried about it, there are different strengths of graphite, and bass don’t get huge. I wouldn’t buy a graphite frames baitcaster for long term use.

[burrows]

The reels that I have or have owned in the past made of graphite were good reels no problems no flex.

[Drew03cmc]

I can honestly say the only time I've felt flex is an older cheap casting reel when tossing deep divers. Besides that, mine have all been rock solid.

[Russ E]

I have used both aluminum and graphite framed casting and spinning reels for 30 years. 

have not had one problem with flexing in that time.

I buy a reel on how it feels. Don't care if it is graphite or aluminum.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I'd rather have a good graphite frame that a pot metal cast one. The frame flexing thing is blown out of proportion. A cheap or quality reel is just that regardless of materials. 

[WRB]

The reel frame is not made of graphite, it is composite that may have graphite reinforcement fibers.

2 reasons to use composite materials; weight saving and corrosion protection. Composites are about 50% lighter then aluminum and impervious to corrosion.

Modern composite materials are far more expensive then aluminum alloys and can be stronger, all depends on design and materials used.

Tom

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

The reel frame is not made of graphite, it is composite that may have graphite reinforcement fibers.

2 reasons to use composite materials; weight saving and corrosion protection. Composites are about 50% lighter then aluminum and impervious to corrosion.

Modern composite materials are far more expensive then aluminum alloys and can be stronger, all depends on design and materials used.

Tom

Thanks Tom. Much more clearly stated 

[d-camarena]

I have that reel, its an awesome reel. I punch and throw 7 inch keitechs with it. 0 problems

[Catt]

15 hours ago, WRB said:

The reel frame is not made of graphite, it is composite that may have graphite reinforcement fibers.

2 reasons to use composite materials; weight saving and corrosion protection. Composites are about 50% lighter then aluminum and impervious to corrosion.

Modern composite materials are far more expensive then aluminum alloys and can be stronger, all depends on design and materials used.

Tom

 

Composites can delaminate

 

 Delamination is a mode of failure for composite materials & steel. In laminated materials, repeated cyclic stresses, impact can cause layers to separate, forming a mica-like structure of separate layers, with significant loss of mechanical toughness.

 

Like aluminum, composites come in different strengths 

[ww2farmer]

I have lots of graphite/composite framed reels. Mainly Abu Max series casting reels, and ALL of my spinning reels . They are fine. The only reason my current line up of everyday use casting reels  (Daiwa Fuego CT's) are aluminum framed, is because they are fantastic reels for the $70 I have been paying for them, and they just happen to have aluminum frames.

[Bluebasser86]

I own more composite reels than I do metal anymore. I'm just reeling in a fish, not winching a truck out of the mud. Most of the moving of the fish is done with the rod anyways, the reel is just taking up the slack line. 

[Catt]

36 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I'm just reeling in a fish, not winching a truck out of the mud. Most of the moving of the fish is done with the rod anyways, the reel is just taking up the slack line. 

 

One of the lores of bass fishing is they are these tremendous fighters!

 

Not when compared to other species ?

 

[lmbfisherman]

Graphite has come a long way, although I think it really depends on the quality of the build.  You can't just do a broad stroke and say they all flex.  I haven't fished an all cheap graphite reel though , most of my Shimanos are aluminum or that fancy MG or fancy plastic as some call it.  

[Armtx77]

I would like to think the composites of today are world class. When compared to their cousins of 30 years ago.

 

I have caught more 10-30lbs Redfish on composite spinning reels than I can count. I never noticed any flex or had one break...as always YMMV.

 

Look at all the polymer framed handguns that can withstand 10's of thousands of bombs going off on top of them.

 

Am I saying composite reels are being made of Glock or HK composite...NO, but composites are so incredibly good these days. That one should not hesitate to buy a composite reel, from a known company.

[NYWayfarer]

I would be interested to know how many $150 plus reels are made of a graphite composite? At the $200 plus range I see a lot of aluminum and magnesium reels, graphite not so much.

 

As far as the OP's question sure graphite frames are good. Some are better than others. I have a $40 Baitcaster made of graphite and I can tell that that material is lower quality than a $50 spinning reel I have that has, what the company claims is a HTS (high tensile strength) frame. I had to verify from said company if HTS was graphite and they confirmed that it was. Trade off is the reel is heavy, certainly heavier than what I am used to in a graphite reel.

 

My aluminum frame reels feel much sturdier. The trade off being weight. They are heavier.

[Boomstick]

I would think a well designed graphite reel should be fine. I wouldn't worry about it flexing too much one fighting a big fish or two, if anything the problem would be after a few years of use.

 

My advice to you is if you are happy with how the reel performs, use it until it breaks. No need to run out and buy an aluminum framed reel just because you hear they're better but don't have any actual issues with yours.

 

And if you do have a cheaper casting reel that does suffer from flex issues, well maybe it's time for an upgrade. Carbon fiber can be pretty strong - they make truck beds out if it, so I would be more concerned with the quality and design of the reel itself.

[burrows]

8 hours ago, ww2farmer said:

I have lots of graphite/composite framed reels. Mainly Abu Max series casting reels, and ALL of my spinning reels . They are fine. The only reason my current line up of everyday use casting reels  (Daiwa Fuego CT's) are aluminum framed, is because they are fantastic reels for the $70 I have been paying for them, and they just happen to have aluminum frames.

I’m sure the OP is aware of your beloved diawas with an aluminum frame however that wasn’t his concern. 

#shimanofanboy?

[bhoff]

People who are saying their reel has too much flex probably either are using older reels or cheaper ones. A decent reel (maybe $70+) with a graphite frame really should not have much noticeable flex under any bass fishing application. The flex is probably not coming from the cage housing the spool but rather the portion that connects to the reel seat. Personally hold the reel itself and wrap my fingers under the blank instead of just holding the handle. This could have some effect on the observed flex. 

[blckshirt98]

1 hour ago, bhoff said:

People who are saying their reel has too much flex probably either are using older reels or cheaper ones. A decent reel (maybe $70+) with a graphite frame really should not have much noticeable flex under any bass fishing application. The flex is probably not coming from the cage housing the spool but rather the portion that connects to the reel seat. Personally hold the reel itself and wrap my fingers under the blank instead of just holding the handle. This could have some effect on the observed flex. 

Agree 100%.  I don't see any situation where a LMB would cause a flex or a failure in the reel housing.  I do have a couple of rods where I hear some creaking on reel seat screwdown because the screwdown is made of plastic (or graphite composite?), but the reel itself is solid.

[Raul]

Just be sure not to drop it or step on it.

[Way north bass guy]

Graphite reels are terrible, don’t keep any. What you need to do is send them all to me and I’ll properly dispose of them. I’ll P.M. my address to you ?.

[Further North]

Worrying about graphite frames flexing is over-processing.

 

Graphite is only good if you like light weight and strength...

[FishDewd]

Most composites these days are made as alternatives to steel when you need the same or greater total strength at a small diameter, thickness, or less weight. Look at carbon fiber for example. I posted a video comparing steel to carbon fiber driveshafts and the carbon fiber won handily. It depends on how it's made and what it is was made for. Lumping them all into one category or assumption is faulty. Personally I prefer composite frames since I have both metal and composites. I find I can fish longer when using a lighter reel, never felt like I was outgunned using one against a strong fish. I've caught big red fish and catfish using a composite reel intended for bass.

[OkobojiEagle]

My metal framed reels (casting & spinning) have my full confidence... no matter what species might decide to bite and run with my bait.

 

 

oe