By Paul LebowitzKayak fishing is rough on reels. Between the constant salt spray and splash, the occasional crash landing in the surf, and the ever-present danger of dropping a cherished fish-cranking machine into the drink, who wants to break the bank on top of the line gear? The following reels aren’t the flashiest, but they hit the sweet spot in terms of price and performance. They are kayak fishing classics.
Trolling Powerhouse – Shimano’s TLD15 Lever Drag Talk about bang for the buck. At an MSRP of just $129.99, Shimano’s lightweight lever drag TLD15 delivers. This reel is a trolling powerhouse capable of holding even frisky foot-long greenback mackerel; just give it a bit of drag if the clicker alone can’t do it. The counter-balanced handle and low 4:1 gear ratio provide plenty of fish-stopping power. Maximum drag pressure is 22 pounds, more than most kayakers will ever need. Another plus: the graphite frame and side plates shrug off reel rash. Line capacity: 300 yards of 30-lb. fish.shimano.com
All the Levelwind, Half the Price – Okuma’s Induron IDX 400a So much performance for the price. The MSRP $119.99 Okuma Induron is a kayak angler’s light tackle companion. This classic round levelwind reel is equally at home casting for calicos at the kelp, tugging on hard-charging bonito or barracuda, or long-lining for bay bass. With an upgraded 1-way clutch, hardened brass main and pinion gears, carbon-based fiber drag washers, and high-quality bearings, Okuma representatives say the new Induron A series is vastly improved over earlier models. 5:1 gear ratio, 270 yards of 14-lb. line. www.okumafishing.com |
Battle-tested All-Around Performer – Penn’s 500L Jigmaster The folks at Penn are justifiably proud of the Jigmaster. One of their earliest casting designs, it’s still going strong decades later. The reel’s simple, quick take-down design allows for easy do-it-yourself maintenance – a decided advantage for the tough fishing environment on the kayak. And it’s inexpensive, widely available for $70 or less. At that price, buy two. 4:1 gear ratio, 15-lb. max. drag, 275 yards of 30-lb line. www.pennreels.com
Speed Demon – Daiwa Sealine-X 30 SHA Long casts and a smoking fast retrieve make Daiwa’s Sealine-X SHA a favorite of kayak anglers who love to chuck the iron. The low price (about $125 retail) doesn’t hurt either. The Sealine-X features a free-floating spool, sealed drag, and bronze and stainless steel gears for superior durability – even on the punishing ‘yak. Light-weight and tough graphite frame, two-position handle, 6.1:1 gear ratio, and 230 yards of 25-lb. line. www.daiwa.com |
