Reel makes a rod better???

[mheichelbech]

I was reading a prior post about someone who changed up the reel they used on a rod and said it really improved the overall fu croon of the rod....especially for skipping which is as far as I know, the hardest thing to do with a baitcaster.

 

Has anyone else had this happen where you put a different reel on a rod and it effectively became a better rod?  How would you ever judge what the best reel for a rod could be?    

[Mobasser]

I think a good reel, sized for the rod and line, can improve the rod. Better reels are lighter, smoother, and just perform better.

[Hammer 4]

2 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

I think a good reel, sized for the rod and line, can improve the rod. Better reels are lighter, smoother, and just perform better.

Totally agree ^^^^.

[mheichelbech]

8 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

I think a good reel, sized for the rod and line, can improve the rod. Better reels are lighter, smoother, and just perform better.

I totally agree that changing from a $100 baitcaster to a $300 baitcaster would make a big difference but I’m curious if it would matter much if you changed from one reel to another one at the same quality/features/price point.

[Hammer 4]

Size and weight would be the 2 things to consider depending on the rod. Other than that, brands/models to a point wouldn't matter all that much to me.

[PhishLI]

1 hour ago, mheichelbech said:

Has anyone else had this happen where you put a different reel on a rod and it effectively became a better rod?  How would you ever judge what the best reel for a rod could be?  

I would put it this way: Certain reels on certain rods have a particular synergy, but that may only be apparent to someone who's sensitive to it. Others might not notice it, but to the person who does it's a big deal, like a perfect fitting pair of shoes. A shoe isn't just a shoe to the wearer. The "whys" of what accounts for a "golden ratio" might not be easily described, but they add up to something special to certain people.

[JustJames]

1 hour ago, Hammer 4 said:

Size and weight would be the 2 things to consider depending on the rod. Other than that, brands/models to a point wouldn't matter all that much to me.

Agree with this, but to me translate to Comfort and Balance would make a good rods, feel better. Brand to me is for trouble free, last longer and good value. 

[Fishes in trees]

In my case I've found this to be true on a few occasions.  I have a Kistler 7'5" Heavy action telescopic pitching rod.   With an appropriate size reel, like a 200 size Curado or Calcutta, it worked ok.  I ended up using it primarily for my bubba drop shot rig.   Then, on a whim, I put some 20 lb Abrazx on a 50 size Calcutta and put that reel on the Kistler rod.   WORKS GREAT !!  Significantly lighter, you don't. hardly feel the reel on the rod at all, casts as far as I've ever needed it to - a significant improvement in every way.    A similar situation, I have a Curado 300 E.   I bought it because I thought I might throw swim baits or A-rigs some day - turns out I don't A-rig fish all that much.   I have been getting into throwing big 1 oz square bills and I thought I needed that 300 E to throw them right - and I fished that way for several weeks.   Then I tried putting a Calcutta TEGT with 17 lb mono and tried throwing the same 1 oz cranks.

 

WORKED BETTER. - I get pretty much the same distance - rig is lighter so I don't get tired throwing cranks as quickly.   Only down side is that in getting the same distance I'm throwing out about half the spool ( which wasn't the case with the 300 E at all ).   I like the gear ratio of 5-1 better than the higher ratio of the 30 E.

 

So - switching reels, going smaller than normal has worked good a couple of times for me.  I don't think it is a rule though, I think it is more of a case by case, experiment, live & learn thing.

[Mike L]

Sometimes Switching lines on reels and reels on rods is all that’s needed to find just the right combination of balance, feel and comfort. 

 

 

Mike

[Boomstick]

Assuming that you are running the right line of course, I would still say that pairing the right reel with the right rod and what you are doing with it will make all the difference. It could be better balance, better size reel for the reel seat, better braking for the application or better casting distance.

[mheichelbech]

1 hour ago, Boomstick said:

Assuming that you are running the right line of course, I would still say that pairing the right reel with the right rod and what you are doing with it will make all the difference. It could be better balance, better size reel for the reel seat, better braking for the application or better casting distance.

In the instance I was referring to, the guy said he changed from a Curado to an Alderbaran.  He seemed to be knowledgeable enough to have the appropriate set ups for what he was doing.  He stated the change to the Alderbaran made the rod come alive and improve greatly.  Is the Alderbaran that much easier to cast?  

[Boomstick]

On 12/9/2020 at 9:09 AM, mheichelbech said:

Is the Alderbaran that much easier to cast?  

 

I don't think it's as much the casting as it is the profile and casting distance.

[roadwarrior]

And it only weighs 4.8 oz

[J Francho]

A different reel can totally change the feel.  It isn't necessarily about weight, either.  Some pairings just feel better on my hands.

[mheichelbech]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

A different reel can totally change the feel.  It isn't necessarily about weight, either.  Some pairings just feel better on my hands.

I agree.  One thing I haven’t been able to settle on is, is an Alderbaran or a Metanium that much better than my Chronarchs.  I’ve always thought the Chronarchs were the best overall value in the Shimano line but...I’ve not used and Alderbaran or Metanium so I can’t say for sure if the differences are worth it or not.

[J Francho]

Say it with me: AL - DEB - er - on.  ?

 

It's named after a star in the Taurus constellation.  I've owned one, It's a fine reel.  Worth is really subjective.  If you have the means and want it, it's worth it.  It doesn't do anything a Curado can't do, but it's nicer.

[Big Hands]

I don't think the rod gets better or worse with a reel, but a more appropriate reel can better maximize the potential of a rod, as can the line as well. The rod doesn't change, only the way it's used can change.

[Logan S]

I'm one of the crazy people that thinks magnesium framed baitcast reels make the combo just a hair more sensitive than aluminum or graphite/plastic framed reels...I also think you can balance a rod a little better by choosing lighter/heavier reels to match the rod (IE, heavier reel on a longer heavy-power rod).  

 

So yea, I believe you can optimize a rod's performance with certain reels.  It's a nuance for sure, but its fun for gear junkies like me.  

[WRB]

In my humble opinion the majority of bass anglers use too big diameter line over .015D on bait casting reels for general use bass fishing. Swimbaits larger diameter line is needed to handle the increased lure weight.

Reels don’t need to cost over $200 to be excellent matches for higher end casting rods.

My 1st baiting reels were Langley mfr’d in the 1940’s that weighed 4 oz and had light weight drilled aluminum spools, light weight isn’t new! I sold the 340 Target free spool to BR member.

To me balance and smooth gearing with free spinning spools allowing long cast is is all that is needed to make a good rod feel better. I try to keep the 2 to 1 ratio of reel weight to rod weight, lighter reel is OK if the balance is right?

Tom

 

[Teal]

Reel doesnt make it better, the right pairing will compliment the rod.

[bulldog1935]

I can speak for a rod I just improved with a reel - 13Fishing Omen ML.  

For my 1/8 oz niche, swapped my Custom Inshore with 12-lb fluoro for a Team Pro SP (shallow spool) with the thinnest-possible 20-lb braid (0.17 mm - PE 1).  The low spool inertia makes both the thin braid and light lure possible, and it casts 1/8 oz much farther than I'll ever need to fish, no backlash worries, so I can concentrate on thumb for modulating distance and target.  I further improved the spool with Air BFS bearings, and it's wearing my favorite Avail handle.  

 

 

 

 

[PhishLI]

2 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

I can speak for a rod I just improved with a reel

Congrats on your success putting together your rig! Great recipes are usually a delicate balance of ingredients. I'm stoked when I find a great mix that suits me, but I'm with @Teal on this one. You could've just as easily came to the conclusion that the rod made the reel better. The reality is that the rod/reel/line is just a subsystem working in conjunction with a person  constituting a total system. Your impression is subjective and relies on a wide range of variables beyond that specific combo: Height, wingspan, hand size, casting style, ability, etc, and other intangibles.

 

My saying that isn't an attempt to negate your feelings or invalidate your conclusions. Not at all. I'm simply pointing out that different people may have different results then come to different conclusions about these things for valid reasons, even if they're unable to articulate exactly why.  A single piece of gear by itself is often credited for success or blamed for failure. This stuff is often boiled down then broadcasted as "bad", "good", or "best". There's so much more to it. I won't dismiss anything until I try it in a range of situations.

 

I'll add that price tags and name plates have little to do with what I'm putting across. Magic can happen at any price point. Your post and satisfaction with your choices proves that. Salute!

 

 

[soflabasser]

My experience has taught me that the reel is much more important than the rod, especially if you are fishing for powerful fish capable of truly testing the reels drag. For example let's say you want a reel that can handle both inshore gamefish and bass, in this situation you need a reel that can handle the strong runs from inshore gamefish that can be over 40'' but a small enough reel for bass fishing. Hard to do with some of the cheap reels. Quality is even more important if you want the reel to last you for many years. 

[Teal]

I put more time and money in looking st rods.  But like @WRB stated you have to pay attention to what line you are using.   @PhishLI said it perfectly, the 3 components work together 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

 

1 hour ago, PhishLI said:

Your impression is subjective and relies on a wide range of variables beyond that specific combo: Height, wingspan, hand size, casting style, ability, etc, and other intangibles.

Essentially he's saying his outfit performs better with that reel as opposed to the other one.  The old reel exceled in casting weights that the blank was not designed to throw.  Now he's using a reel that is customized to cast weights that fall into the range of the blanks "sweet spot," combined with the use of thinner PE line allows him to cover more water with less effort. 

Hes not saying that his combo is better then another, hes just saying he found a combination that outperforms his old combination in a tangible way, being distance.  

I think the whole key here is the question in the original post is grammatically flawed.  I don't believe he thinks his new reel improves the quality of the blank or turns alconite into torzite.  I think he phrased it that way because that's how it is phrased in the title of the topic.