INDIANANGLER

Hi frnds,
I have a doubt in mind that which part is essential while choosing a reel. Some are saying that the more ball bearings in a reel is give free and smooth retrieve and peace of mind. But some anglers saying that gear ratio is important. Well of course you get what you pay. If more money someone is investing then he will get all the benefits. But my question is if someone has less money to spend then what he should look first ball bearing or gear ratio ???

gear ratio is what I think would be a better bet.

Ball Bearing is the way to go as Gear Ratio just suggests as how much line is retrieved per handle spin higher the gear ratio more line is retrieved Lower the Gear Ratio vice versa (However Lower Gear Ratio reels gives you the slightest advantage of fish fighting power)...... You can buy any gear ratio reel and either crank up faster or slower to get the desired amount of line in your reel....

With Lesser ball Bearing the reel would not be smooth enough, you can add any amount of lube however it would not be smother than a reel with higher number of ball bearing..

I have a 4 ball bearing reel and a 10 ball bearing reel...The difference is enormous.

Sorry for the delay guys, Friday 13th was bad...

@Fishmiss - Again it totally boils down to the type of fishing that you are intending to do. If you going after the big saltwater species go with the Penn Sargus as you would not be able to trust the 20 lb drag in a graphite body the reel just would not take it as in high pressure graphite would flex.... In the other fishing site people keep talking about the SHIMANO SARAGOSA 8000 flexing , so with a graphite body sigma would not handle it.

However if you intended to target species which are not huge go with the sigma as that would be smoother than the sargus....(Commenting thinking only the Sigma has good reviews, as has never researched for Sigma).

I had a Cabela Saltstriker which had 7 ball bearing some time back, the reel was extremely smooth and enjoyed fishing with it....However whenever I was not sure of what was lurking beneath would use my full metal bodied reel..

At the end of the Day we need to balance out everything and get the reel that would do the job

If you are only on shore, don't think there are loads of big fish that can flex a good quality branded graphite body reel. From what I have seen, its the maintenance or the lack of it that finishes a reel, be it metal/graphite, 1 bearing/100s. Pick any of the reels as suggested here, but be sure to maintain it after every outing, will go a long way to keep the reel in good condition.

I personally tested the drag setting of Sargus 8000 and found that the drag only when up to 20lb and not to 25lb(stated in the product), Have anyone tested the drag of your spinning reels and found them less performing in the drag?

Ezek