Gear Monkey...

[dulouz]

Just wondering how many spare reels you guys have, and if you carry them with you and how often you use them?

I don't plan on purchasing any more rod/reel set ups in the near future, but I am always curious about different reels. Also, this summer I had a couple of reels malfunction on me. I don't want to spend the money to have a reel sit, but don't want to be without if one does need some work.

What are your thoughts?

[CRANKSTER]

Spare reels, just 1, in my tackle bag in the boat. Total setups I take are 8 so it's never been used and will probably end up being a setup soon lol. I've been in the same situation with not wanting anymore reels, but I find myself buying one or so whenever I find a good deal. I figure It's better to have them and not need them, then to need them and not have them.

[BradH]

I buy all kinds of spare reels. Then I find a rod on sale and it's not a spare anymore. The cycle continues................

[tstone]

I have one spare I keep in my tackle box thats already spooled

[Hooligan]

I have several spares, and several identical setups. For instance I have three Chronarch 51MG on three Cumara 72MXF. I have two Core101MG on two NRX853. My most commonly used rods have a second in waiting. I have, usually, five replacement reels on the water. I have a Core, two Chronarchs, two Curados. Usually those are in the locker at all times.

[SirSnookalot]

I have reels that I'm not using anymore, sitting in a box and probably won't ever be used again unless I give them to someone, these reels are like new and I bought new ones only because I wanted not needed them. I'm not a typical bass fisherman, in fact I'm not really a bass fisherman at all, just a guy that lives in Florida where there are lots of bass. My bass fishing consists of carrying only 1 rod at a time, I use pretty much use the same lures on every set up, so no I don't carry spare, but at times I may have a back up rod in the car. Most of my bass fishing is very close to my home so I'm hoofing it with no excess baggage.

[Jim_M]

No "spares". I just use and abuse my four combos.

[scbassin]

Funny this came up as I counted my reels yesterday & I have 83 with most of them being Shimanos. That is total reels now I guess I had better count my rods. My guess is that I will end up with 10 to 15 more reels than rods. I usually carry 30 to 35 rigs in the boat so I guess you could call the rest spares.

[Rangerjoe]

I carry 10 baitcasters and 2 spinning reels in the boat. That leaves me 15 spare baitcasters and 2 spare spinning reels. I really should sell some of the reel I don't use.

[deep]

Funny this came up as I counted my reels yesterday & I have 83 with most of them being Shimanos. That is total reels now I guess I had better count my rods. My guess is that I will end up with 10 to 15 more reels than rods. I usually carry 30 to 35 rigs in the boat so I guess you could call the rest spares.

Eighty Three? Dude you're a monster!

I have one extra reel right now. It's not a spare, since I'm looking to get a Powell to put that one on, and was bought with that in mind. Too bad I have to sell a rod and a reel to buy the Powell.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

A spare reel is not a bad idea when out for a day. What kind of malfunctions did you experience? We may be able to head off problems and reduce the need for "spare" reels.

[Fishes in trees]

I always carry a few spare baitcasting reels in my boat as well as a few spare spools for my spinning reels. If I'm going by myself, I'll have 20 or so rigs in the boat. Should I have someone else in the boat with me, I'll cut that down to 10 or 12. I carry spares because I think changing out line in the boat is a pain in the butt and a real time waster.

[scbassin]

Deep: I had to count them & now need to count my rods for I need to up date my insurance coverage. I have to put a list together for my agent.

[CRANKSTER]

Funny this came up as I counted my reels yesterday & I have 83 with most of them being Shimanos.

You sir, are my new hero...

[Red]

I currently have six reels and eight rods. Hoping to even the numbers this Christmas. I take usually 3-6 with me in the boat. It all depends on the trip.

[dulouz]

A spare reel is not a bad idea when out for a day. What kind of malfunctions did you experience? We may be able to head off problems and reduce the need for "spare" reels.

I had a Citica 201E that started making some strange noises, so I sent it to shimano and they replaced the gears and stuff. All under warranty. I went to use my backup, a Cabela's Tournament ZX flipping switch, and the spring that pushes the thumb bar back up went bad. That I replaced myself.

[Ratherbfishing]

Funny this came up as I counted my reels yesterday & I have 83 with most of them being Shimanos. That is total reels now I guess I had better count my rods. My guess is that I will end up with 10 to 15 more reels than rods. I usually carry 30 to 35 rigs in the boat so I guess you could call the rest spares.

Brother, can you spare a dime?

[catchnm]

Is it possible to have to many reels?

I went way past "need" a long time ago.

[JigMe]

Depends if you are on foot, or on a boat. If you are fishing from the shore, then probably won’t be carrying 10 setups. So it would be a good idea to have a spare reel in your tackle bag, but if you are on a boat. Then you would probably have 10 setups ready to go, so if one reel broke and it’s not a big deal.

[dulouz]

if you are on a boat. Then you would probably have 10 setups ready to go, so if one reel broke and it’s not a big deal.

Not on my boat... it's 12'. I rigged up a rod holder that I can carry 4 rods.

[SirSnookalot]

I fish a minimum of 330 days a year and over the last 6 years I've had 2 reel failures while fishing. Once the bail screw loosened up and fell out, was on foot and had a back up rod and reel in the car. A second time I had a large fish toast a reel while I was offshore ( was a cheap reel to begin with) had 2 other setups with me so my fishing wasn't hampered a bit. I have never had reel failure while fishing freshwater, according to my memory. 30 rods on a boat, kind of overkill imo, especially when targeting 1 or 2 species and the average weights are between 1 and 10#, giving a big benefit on the high side.

If you buy decent equipment, make sure it's in good working order before your outing, know how to fight a larger fish( drag setting and operation), and lastly know how to land a fish, the chances of rod and reel failure is extremely low..............I have no need to carry spares.