Advice on which good side-casting lure reel to buy

What are the key features?

Many professional anglers always prioritise using a spinning reel to help them catch the most feisty fish. The reason spinning reels are so popular amongst anglers is that they offer a host of outstanding advantages, such as:

• Using a spinning reel allows anglers to cast bait further, faster and with greater accuracy thanks to the handbrake mechanism
• Easier handling in areas with dense vegetation or whilst sitting on a boat
• This type of reel also offers excellent line control when casting.
• It enhances vibration feedback, allowing anglers to easily sense how the bait is moving and whether a fish has taken it…
• Convenient one-handed operation: simply press a button to perform line release, line hold, casting and reeling in fish.

The Daiwa Aegis + Tatula 100HSL reel scores big at Truc Bach Lake

Popular models

1. Shimano Antares DC

If you’re looking for a spinning reel for fishing in ponds, freshwater lakes or managed lakes, the Shimano Antares DC is an excellent choice. This Shimano spinning reel boasts superior long-distance casting capabilities, outperforming hundreds of other models in the same price range.

The Shimano Antares DC spinning reel is rated by users as one of Shimano’s top 10 best reel models.
The Shimano Antares DC’s NEW 4x8 drag system is a cutting-edge technology, featuring four modes: FL (Fluoro), P (PE), NM (Nylon) and X (Extreme Long Cast); and up to eight adjustment stages when turning the dial. Consequently, the Shimano Antares DC spinning reel delivers exceptional long-cast performance through its automatic brake-free delay control after casting. Compared to similarly priced models, the Shimano Antares DC offers a 12 per cent higher retrieval speed.

A review by angler Bố Cu Zon – Hanoi Lure Fishing Club

In particular, when you use the optimal drag settings in FL, P and NM modes, the reel can be used with a wide variety of lines and lures weighing between 7 and 30g. The ‘X’ mode is a specialised drag setting, ideal for lure fishing with extremely low air resistance. Please note that if you are new to lure fishing, you should not attempt this mode. For professional anglers, the ‘X’ mode provides an incredibly exhilarating fishing experience.
The spool of the Shimano Antares DC spinning reel is crafted using a combination of three cutting-edge technologies:

• Spool Magnum: this technology reduces the spool’s weight whilst also reducing inertia by 10 per cent whilst the spool is spinning, thanks to the addition of holes in the spool’s side walls. Thanks to Spool Magnum technology, the Shimano Antares DC spinning reel can increase casting distance by up to 20 per cent.
• S3D Spool: this enhances the spool’s precision and minimises spool noise whilst spinning to the greatest extent possible.
• Super Free Spool: this technology is designed to eliminate 100 per cent of friction on the spool shaft during casting.

Shimano Antares DC – the pinnacle of quality, priced at just over 12 million

When using the Shimano Antares DC spinning reel, most anglers find that it has very low vibration. The reason this reel is able to achieve this is because it incorporates Silent Tune technology. The manufacturer has cleverly designed the reel to apply a gentle pressure to the spool bearing, helping to reduce vibration in the bearing when spinning at high speeds.

Drawback: Although it is a high-quality reel, it is expensive, currently priced at just over 12,000,000 VND

2. Shimano Conquest DC

For anglers who enjoy catching large fish and wish to experience a powerful, robust sensation, with intense tugs and ‘lightning-fast’ strikes, the Shimano Conquest DC spinning reel is the ultimate choice. The Shimano Conquest DC is often likened to a tank, boasting astonishing power.

The most significant feature of the Shimano Conquest DC spinning reel lies in its advanced Micro Module Gearing system. The gears, manufactured using a combination of casting and cold forging technologies and controlled by computer, produce extremely small gears with near-perfect precision. The large number of gears and their precise dimensions ensure superior power transmission, reduce friction and extend the reel’s lifespan.

Thanks to the Micro Module Gearing technology, the reel operates very smoothly during casting and line retrieval, minimising line tangles and breaks so that fish have no chance of escaping.

The Shimano Conquest DC spinning reel is also equipped with the Super Stop II one-way bearing system, ensuring the hook is set firmly and does not reverse.

3. MORETHAN PE TW 2019 Spinning Reel

The MORETHAN PE TW 2019 boasts a host of cutting-edge technologies and is the lure reel that every angler craves.
The Daiwa MORETHAN PE TW 2019 spinning reel offers excellent lure-casting control, preventing line backlash, enabling the spool to start spinning quickly and spin for longer, allowing anglers to cast further and more easily thanks to the new Zero Adjuster feature.

During prolonged use, the bearings can wear down, reducing the reel’s performance. To address this issue, Daiwa has fitted the MORETHAN PE TW 2019 with Magshield bearings. These bearings feature a special design that minimises friction and maintains the reel’s performance over the long term.

The ATD drag system, featuring a clicker sound and a drag washer made from a new material, enables the drag mechanism to cool down quickly and increases drag force.

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4. Shimano Bantam MGL Spinning Reel

The Shimano Bantam MGL is a reel well-suited for lure fishing for snakehead, snakefish and a wide range of other predatory fish. This spinning reel is highly durable and user-friendly.

The Bantam MGL differs significantly from many other Shimano spinning reels. This is evident from its appearance: the side guards and main frame are cast as a single piece, making it very sturdy, compact and easy to handle.

MGL spool technology (featuring a new spool design with 150 deep grooves) enables the Shimano Bantam MGL to hold up to 16lb – 100m of line, allowing you to easily battle powerful fish.
The Shimano Bantam MGL features the NEW SVS ∞ (Infinity) centrifugal drag system, which increases the drag adjustment range for any situation with the simple operation of selecting the drag setting on the exterior.

With the Cross Carbon Drag system, the Shimano Bantam MGL spinning reel delivers a drag force of up to 11 pounds under maximum pressure.

5. Daiwa Tatula 100 spinning reel

The Daiwa Tatula 100hsl spinning reel is an excellent choice for fishing for snakehead; both in terms of performance and price, the Daiwa Tatula 100hsl offers exceptional value for money. Notably, the Daiwa Tatula 100HSL spinning reel is a version designed specifically for the Japanese market.

The Daiwa Tatula 100HSL is an ultra-lightweight reel, weighing just 195g (very few spinning reels on the market are this light). As a result, when using the Daiwa Tatula 100HSL for lure fishing, anglers will not experience hand fatigue.

The spool on this spinning reel is quite distinctive, featuring numerous ventilation holes. This allows the spool to drain water quickly, dry rapidly and enhance line durability whilst fishing.
The Daiwa Tatula 100hsl spinning reel no longer features the Intension bait-casting knob; instead, it has a Magforce Z drag adjustment knob, which significantly reduces the number of steps required.

Anglers with a fast-paced style or who frequently change lures will be extremely pleased with the Daiwa Tatula 100hsl.

6. Shimano Curado DC Spinning Reel

If you’re a fan of Shimano spinning reels, you’ll no doubt be aware that this is the brand’s first mid-range spinning reel to be equipped with digital casting technology (previously, this technology was only used by Shimano in its high-end, expensive models). The I-DC4 drag system features four settings, allowing anglers to use a variety of lines and lures.

Furthermore, the Shimano Bantam MGL spinning reel is fitted with a special type of ball bearing known as the S A-RB. In addition to the standard A-RB ball bearing design, the S A-RB is fitted with protective shields on both sides, preventing salt, grit or dust from entering and hindering the smooth rotation of the bearings.

Affordable spinning reels

Here are some affordable spinning reels with impressive performance

1. NOEBY LEISURE DC budget spinning reel

As well as its reasonable price of just 610,000 VND, the NOEBY LEISURE DC budget spinning reel is also very lightweight, highly durable and features excellent anti-tangle performance.
The NOEBY LEISURE DC is ideal for lure fishing with soft plastic lures and sinking lures. The reel features a 10+1 ball bearing system with premium anti-corrosion protection, ensuring it operates smoothly even when fishing in the rain or in challenging terrain.

This is an affordable spinning reel that is perfectly suited to those just starting out in lure fishing.

2. Abu Garcia Black Max 3

Boasting a powerful build yet priced at a ‘budget’ level, the affordable ABU GARCIA BLACK MAX 3 spinning reel is favoured by many anglers on a tight budget. This budget-friendly spinning reel is a US brand; whilst not prioritising aesthetics, the ABU GARCIA BLACK MAX 3 focuses on high practicality.

The Power Disk™ drag system of the ABU GARCIA BLACK MAX 3 has been upgraded for optimal performance whilst retaining its compact size and relatively light weight.

Second-hand Japanese spinning reels

A look at Japanese-made spinning reels suitable for lure
fishing Japanese-made spinning reels imported into Vietnam are typically designed for catching large, aggressive fish. The operating principle of this type of reel is based on the weight of the lure. This type of reel is suitable for experienced anglers with advanced techniques who are passionate about catching large, feisty fish. In most cases, Japanese-made spinning reels are thoroughly inspected by retailers upon arrival in Vietnam, and some minor parts may be replaced to ensure the reel performs at its best when delivered to the customer.

The two second-hand Japanese spinning reels below are excellent choices if you’re looking to take one home:

Daiwa 153v second-hand Japanese spinning reel, priced at around < 600,000 VND: an affordable model with a fish-handling capacity of approximately 5–7 kg.
BASE ONE second-hand Japanese spinning reel: suitable for lure fishing for snakehead and catfish; this reel is very powerful and lightweight. The BASE ONE range is manufactured exclusively in Japan, so it boasts many unique features to meet the needs of anglers in the Land of the Rising Sun.

We hope that the suggestions in this article will assist you in selecting a spin reel for lure fishing that suits your needs. If you’d like to explore more spinning reels, please visit docautuankiet.com. We always have thousands of spinning reel models in stock to serve our customers.

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