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Editor's Pick
U.S. Reel 230SX
¿¿ $150 ¿¿ 314-962-9500 ¿¿ usreel.com
This company's spinning reels don't get a lot of media play compared with other brands, but I give them huge points for daring to be different. The spool on their new 230SX and on some older models is much shorter and wider than those on comparable spinning reels. This means several things. The larger diameter produces longer casts. Also, more line is retrieved with each turn of the handle, so twist is reduced. -Because the spool is shallower (from top to bottom), the main shaft moves up and down less while you're reeling, which allows for a smaller reel body. As a result, it's easy to feather the spool's upper lip with the index finger of your casting hand, giving you better control over your cast. Finally, the spool has a removable arbor. The unit holds 138 yards of 10-pound mono when it's in place and 221 yards without it. If you're a bass fisherman, you know line ¿¿capacity is seldom an issue. Over time, using the arbor will save you money on line. No one else to my knowledge does this, and it's a great idea. The 8.9-ounce 230SX has a molded carbon-fiber rotor and side plate.
More Top Spinning Gear
Daiwa Tierra
Cabela's Tournament ZX
Abu Garcia Cardinal 800
Shimano Tiralejo
Berkley Lightning
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Every spring brings a flood, not just of water but also of new fishing gear. Rods, reels, lures, electronics, and gadgets of every description are hitting the retail shelves and catalog pages. Each and every item promises better fishing and bigger fish. Some of these things work; some don't. I've spent hundreds of hours at trade shows and tackle shops and on the water over the past few months, sorting wheat from chaff so I can tell you what's really worthwhile. We've purposely omitted some items already covered in recent issues, things such as Berkley's new FireLine Crystal superline. And even with all the exciting gear covered in these pages, there's still more that we'll be describing over the coming months. But right now, whether you flyfish for trout, toss plugs for bass, or soak bait for panfish, here's some great stuff in every price range that will put more fun in your fishing. -- John Merwin
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