carbon vs aluminum

[Toad_Hunter]

anyone here have an opinion on carbon framed bait casters i am thinking about getting the Lews custom XP bait caster but then realized it has a carbon frame. I have heard bad things about carbon reels and have been told that aluminum is better what is ya'lls opinion.

[Ben77]

Get a tournament pro instead it's a much better baitcaster and it has an aluminum frame you'll thank me later.

[Michigander]

Depends what you're using it for. Aluminum tends to be heavier but stronger.

[BrianMDTX]

I find it hilarious that carbon has basically eliminated aluminum when it comes to arrows (especially for bowhunting), and aluminum users (me!) are looked at like some aged weirdos who can’t get with the times. Yet in bass fishing, aluminum frame reels are top-shelf and carbon framed are looked at as a lesser product. 

 

I know. Apples and oranges. But still, it makes me chuckle. 

[Catt]

Not all aluminum is the same strength...not all carbon fiber is the same strength.

 

While I have no experience with that particular reel my son has an American Hero & my grandson has an Laser TXS. Both are 4-5 yrs old with zero issues.

[MAN]

Carbon is a term that is thrown around loosely in the fishing industry with no real standards in place. Depending on the temps carbon is treated to it can be different strengths.  Some reel manufactures who claim carbon and just using cheap graphite, and then others will use carbon fiber impregnated ABS. The ratio of carbon fiber to ABS makes a big difference. Usually the ones using a high % of carbon fiber will use it on the sideplates only.  Aluminum is what it is.  Strong, lightweight and durable with few vague areas about it.  

 

[NOC 1]

7 hours ago, BrianMDTX said:

I find it hilarious that carbon has basically eliminated aluminum when it comes to arrows (especially for bowhunting), and aluminum users (me!) are looked at like some aged weirdos who can’t get with the times. Yet in bass fishing, aluminum frame reels are top-shelf and carbon framed are looked at as a lesser product. 

 

I know. Apples and oranges. But still, it makes me chuckle. 

Well, think about it. An arrow goes down the range flexing back and forth in an oscillation. Carbon fiber seems like it would be better at this than aluminum. On the other hand,geing good at flexing is quite the opposite of what you want in a fishing reel.

 

 

[WRB]

Advantage of aluminum is 5X higher modulus strength, composite engineering thermoplastic advantage is 40% lighter weight and impervious to corrosion. Cast aluminum including investment cast looses strength, dimensional stability and subject to corrosion issues. High strength composites are expensive materials compared to inexpensive aluminum alloys.

Impact strength is an issue with composites, aluminum is stronger the same thickness. Trade offs come down to design and processing skills. 

Machined aluminum frame is ideal, machined cast aluminum and composite take your pick the advantage is lighter weight goes to composite. If the plastic is PEI or PEEk w/40% graphite fiber filled composite, extension and high strength.

Tom

Tom

[NYWayfarer]

7 hours ago, BaitFinesse said:

The only thing carbon fiber on the reel below is the handle.  The frame despite the claims of being made out of carbon fiber is 90+% plastic.  Dirtiest trick in the book.  Don't fall for it. 

 

Companies want nothing more than to sell you plastic reels with basic mag brakes for aluminum frame centrifugal or Magforce Z money because they are so dirt cheap to make.  They are always trying this and will stick any buzzword they can onto the reel to encourage it.  Lews is getting especially bad.  They used to make the best $100 reel around but then replaced it with one with a downgraded braking system.  Now they are pushing more and more plastic reels into the $100+ range and marketing to kids that don't know any better.    

I love my Lew’s reels. That being said I agree to a certain extent with @BaitFinesse 

 

Lew’s was very successful targeting the youth market with neon colored graphite reels and rods. Being a big kid myself I bought some of these. The aluminum spinning reels are fantastic and still going strong. The graphite baitcasters not so much. 
 

My Aluminum framed Lew’s baitcasters are rock solid and still going strong. I recommend the LFS, Tournament MB and Pro TI reels. Anything I purchase from them in the future will be aluminum framed and have the P2 pinion bearing.

[Michigander]

A lot of gear, especially the less expensive stuff is targeted at people who only go fishing a few times a year and mostly in nice weather. When you're out there every week in the full spectrum of weather events, you need more reliability and longevity of your gear. When my buddy and I started making the switch from the first camp, our cheaper gear was literally falling apart in our hands because we were using it more and harder than it was designed for.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

16 hours ago, BrianMDTX said:

I find it hilarious that carbon has basically eliminated aluminum when it comes to arrows (especially for bowhunting), and aluminum users (me!) are looked at like some aged weirdos who can’t get with the times. Yet in bass fishing, aluminum frame reels are top-shelf and carbon framed are looked at as a lesser product. 

 

I know. Apples and oranges. But still, it makes me chuckle. 

 

 

Carbon composite frames have become popular where you can get away with lighter gear, especially with spinning gear.  Its stronger and lighter then the graphite frames of the late 90s and early 2ks.  Frogging, A Rigs, deep cranking or anything that requires some torque or locking down a drag I prefer aluminum.  If Im slinging clams, bunker heads, drifting eels again or vertical jigging I like aluminum.  

However you cant just say aluminum is better in all cases because its a preference.  Given the choice between an Ultegra or a Vanford to use for bass fishing which one are you going to use?  I think the majority of people would go for the Vanford.

If the Met B is an indicator magnesium may become far more popular especially if they can work out issues with corrosion in salt water enviroments.

 

[DWade]

13 hours ago, MAN said:

Carbon is a term that is thrown around loosely in the fishing industry with no real standards in place. Depending on the temps carbon is treated to it can be different strengths.  Some reel manufactures who claim carbon and just using cheap graphite, and then others will use carbon fiber impregnated ABS. The ratio of carbon fiber to ABS makes a big difference. Usually the ones using a high % of carbon fiber will use it on the sideplates only.  Aluminum is what it is.  Strong, lightweight and durable with few vague areas about it.  

 

I think your confused about carbon and graphite.  Graphite is a type of elemental carbon and industrial carbon fibers are made of graphite.  Graphite is not a cheaper version.  The strength of a reel made of graphite will be stronger than aluminum if the graphite is manufactured in long sheets or ribbons.  This is what some of the marketing campaigns have tried to differentiate as "carbon fiber".   If manufactured poorly, the graphite reel will contain mostly epoxy or the graphite will have the structure of a pencil.

[DWade]

13 minutes ago, DWade said:

I think you're confused about carbon and graphite.  Graphite is a type of elemental carbon and industrial carbon fibers are made of graphite.  Graphite is not a cheaper version.  The strength of a reel made of graphite will be stronger than aluminum if the graphite is manufactured in long sheets or ribbons.  This is what some of the marketing campaigns have tried to differentiate as "carbon fiber".   If manufactured poorly, the graphite reel will contain mostly epoxy or the graphite will have the structure of a pencil.