Fishing Reels
Fishing apps to help you reel ‘em in
Once upon a time, local knowledge was a closely guarded secret.
But now fishing wisdom accumulated through the ages is available via the super computer in your pocket. Thereby turning anyone with a rod, fishing reel and smartphone into an expert.
Here is our guide to some of the best fishing apps out there, helping you to harness technology and keep reeling ‘em in.
Fish Forecast
Secret weapon – the Fish Forecast app
Source: iAngler
This clever iPhone app tells you where to fish, which species to target and even suggests what tackle setup to use.
It combines several key factors impacting on fish feeding and set up patterns, to produce what they think will be a winning strategy. As well as that, the weather forecast and phases of the moon are integrated with expertise provided by angling experts, meaning you need never think for yourself again!
Every day you’ll get three different fishing options that best match the conditions, together with advice about rigs, baits and tactics.
Priced at £2.99, we feel sorry for the fish.
What Fish
Identify your catch
Source: iTunes
A comprehensive resource for sea anglers, What Fish boasts a 164 fish strong identification index. Whilst the app will help you to correctly identify your catch, it is much more than just a fish identification tool. You’ll also be able to access useful information such as minimum catch size, specimen shore and boat weights. Detailed maps show where target fish are likely to be swimming.
Add to that suggestions about baits and rigs that work best from different locations such as shore, boat and kayak. And as if that wasn’t enough, there are even recipes so that you can cook your catch to perfection when you get home.
An impressive amount of info for £1.99 and available for both iPhone and Android.
Fish Here
Where to find your fish
Source: Twitter
A wealth of information for anglers, you can use this app to save time locating the perfect fishery. Using your phone’s GPS, no matter where you are, you’ll be able to see where the fishing spots are in your area. Better yet, they’re rated so you won’t waste valuable angling time trying to find a decent spot.
The data on offer is comprehensive – with over 2,800 coarse and game venues listed. You can also access the five day weather forecast and lunar calendar and interact with other coarse and game fishing enthusiasts. This encyclopedic app also includes over 1,000 fishing tackle shops.
A serious amount of knowledge to keep in your pocket with member deals and discounts to boot. £1.99 from iTunes.
Carp Lake Maps
Carp Lake Maps App
Source: iTunes
Ideal for those crossing the channel to France in search of specimen carp, this app offers clear maps that detail features of lake beds, to help you maximise your strike rate. Whilst it doesn’t have a vast number of lakes as of yet, there is plenty of scope for future inclusions.
Bought individually, the maps would total £54 but the phone app costs just £2.99 and is available to iPhone and Android platforms. Bargain! So if you’re likely to fish any of the locations featured it surely makes sense to download the app. If you’re a keen angler and want to see some new features, Carplakes are looking for new suggestions to add.
Wreck Finder
Discover what lies beneath the watery depths
Source: iTunes
A favourite with us, wreckfinder has been developed by Cornish company, App Future, to help anglers and divers locate wrecks at sea. Data from the UK Hydrographic Office is integrated with Google maps to give the location of 12,000 wrecks in UK and Irish coastal waters. And you don’t even need to have a phone signal to use it either, as all the locations are downloaded with the app.
Where possible additional information about the wreck is included and all co-ordinates can be input into other electronic navigational aids. Your phone’s GPS also gives your location in relation to the wreck sites in your sea area.
A great concept and one we’re sure will be a hit with sea anglers everywhere.
£3.99 and available for iPhone and Android.
Found a fishing app that you think is a star performer? Why not let us know so we can review it?
Reel Fishing Women
When we think of fishing – how many of us bring to mind burly, bearded men with weather beaten features and a liking for rum?
Probably most of us – but though it’s a tough old life – many’s the woman that’s taken to the sea, baited a hook or spooled a fishing reel.
Fishing pin-up girl
Source: Anjou Clothing
Reeling in a catch
Source: Noorderlicht
Police women fishing
Source: Fish Cop out of Water
Caught it sitting down
Source: Old Photos
Preparing the fish
Source: Wikipedia
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Skirts, not waders
Source: Wikipedia
Sitting on the fence
Source: Blogspot
Three women in a boat
Source: SwittersB & Fly Fishing
Cornish Fishwife
Source: Reading University
Ice to see you
Source: Blogspot
Sunset fishing
Source: Tumblr
Musical fishing reels
Fishing reels – music and dancing for fishing folk
Back in the days of sail, life for your average mariner was a harsh existence.
Long periods away from home, were punctuated by disease, brutality and the constant risk of injury and death. Coastal communities didn’t have it much better. Dependent on the sea for their means of survival, life was precarious to say the least.
Perhaps that’s why the fishing reels and sea shanties of the day were so lively; folk making the most of any and every chance to lighten the load with music and dance.
Manx salmon leap
Can you do the salmon leap?
Source: Jimapics
During the 18th century, a wave of strict Calvinist religious fervour swept the Isle of Man. Enjoying yourself was out, and frivolities frowned upon – to admit to knowing how to dance the traditional Manx reels, became a source of shame. But few can tell a fishermen what to do. The men of the sea helped keep the old songs and dances alive – performing in the pub, in return for a pint of ale.
One of the trickiest dances of all was called the ‘salmon leap.’ In one fluid movement, the performer had to lie flat on his back, then leap to his feet. Sadly this is one dance that has passed into history – and no one now knows how this feat of flexibility was achieved.
The Cornish pilchard reel
Pilchard packing requires hard partying
Source: Richard Greenwood
At the peak of the Cornish pilchard industry, in the early 1800s, as many as 40,000 barrels of pilchards were processed each year. The fish were first put in baulk – gutted, then layered with salt, into walls several feet high. After a month, they would be put into barrels, and pressed to remove excess oil, which was used to fuel lamps. The pilchard season must have been immensely smelly.
When the work was finally over, the festivities began in earnest with a ‘troyl’, or Cornish ceilidh held in every cellar. Often the music, dancing and drinking would continue into the small hours.
The Lang Reel
Dancing in the streets Scottish style
Source: Scotland’s Guide
We journey from one end of the country to the other for this staple of wedding festivities. In the fishing villages of North East of Scotland, the whole community used to dance from the harbour, through the streets of the town. As each house was passed, the occupants would break off from the reel, until only the bride and groom were left to enjoy the last dance by themselves.
The fish slapping dance
When it comes to our favourite fishing reel, it can only be this monumentally silly offering from the immortal, Monty Python. John Cleese and Michael Palin dressed in safari outfits and pith hats, perform the mightily ridiculous ‘Fish slapping dance.’
Fantastic fishing reels – films for fishing folk
Blue Monday is statistically the most miserable day of the year. In 2013 it falls on 21st January (today).
To help our fellow fishing enthusiasts get through the long dark nights and beat the winter blues, we’ve selected some of the best ever ‘fishing reels’- films that contain fish.
A fish called Wanda
A jewellery heist, a lot of double crossing, and the attempted murder of the sole eyewitness to the crime. One at a time the dear old lady’s dogs are accidentally killed and when the last one is done in, she succums to heart failure. Jamie Lee Curtis seduces John Cleese, Kevin Kline and swallows Michael Palin’s beloved tropical fish – until Wanda is the only one left.
Somehow there’s a happy ending – ‘A fish called Wanda’ is a magical farce that’s as funny now as when released all the way back in 1988. This is one ‘fishing reel’ not to miss.
Jaws
The scariest rubber shark in history. The film’s soundtrack alone gets the heart racing. Repeated failure of the prop department’s mechanical sharks meant that Spielberg could use them only sparingly. But in ‘Jaws’, anticipation builds a delicious sense of tension.
Who could fail to jump a mile in the air when the skinny dipping Chrissy Watkins becomes a late night snack for the sharp toothed marine marauder? Often compared favourably to the work of the master of suspense – Hitchcock himself, Spielberg’s Jaws is a timeless classic. Come on in the water’s lovely!
Open Water
Shock, horror, dehydration, jellyfish stings and circling sharks. Open water, released in 2003 is a retelling of the true story of Tom and Eileen Logan. The real life couple and peace corps workers – were on a scuba diving trip to the Great Barrier Reef, when their dive boat left them behind. An incorrect headcount meant nobody realised they were missing for two days, and despite a massive air – sea search, the pair were never seen again.
The film details the end-of-life experiences of an American couple as they tread water alone and scared. It’s a simple story – the sharks get them in the end. The film cost a mere $500,000 to make, but it ‘netted’ $55 million worldwide. Not a bad return for a low budget horror flick.
Perfect Storm
A fishing disaster flick and a cautionary tale. The crew of the Andrea Gail are hard up – so they make one last late season fishing trip. While they steam far out to sea in search of a catch, behind them a ‘perfect storm’ brews. When their ice maker fails, the crew have to choose whether to stay offshore and wait for the storm to abate, or steam through it and land their catch. The fatal decision is made, the ship makes for harbour, but is lost with all hands. Perfect storm was a box office smash, but controversial.
The film was loosely based on the book of the same name – an account of the real life disaster of 1991. Names weren’t changed and families of the lost fishermen felt their folk had been misrepresented. Lawsuits ultimately failed – defeated by the assertion of the right to free speech. Perfect storm is a compelling story but its release less than ten years after the actual events was possibly in poor taste.
A river runs through it
The Blackfoot River, Montana is the backdrop to this thoughtful tale of the contrasting fortunes of two fly fishing brothers. Set in prohibition America, Norman, (Craig Sheffer) and Paul (Brad Pitt) are young men, living under the watchful eye of their Presbyterian Minister father (Tom Skerritt). Sensible Norman, returns from college to take up a teaching post. Paul is a journalist on the local paper and a gambling, liquor swilling rebel.
Based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Norman Maclean, the film was released to critical acclaim in 1992 and was nominated for three academy awards. ‘A river runs through it’, is seen by many as Brad Pitt’s career making performance. For us, it’s a film with trout in it.
Whale Rider
A film about whales rather than fish, ‘Whale Rider’ tells the story of a young girl called Pai, as she struggles to overcome the prejudice of her grandfather (the Maori village leader). Steeped in the traditions and mythology of her homeland, Pai alone can unite the old ways with the new.
To make her grandfather see sense takes the beaching of a pod of right whales, and Pai’s near drowning as she leads them to safety. A sensitive portrayal of the issues facing many modern Maori, ‘Whale Rider’ won numerous accolades when it was released in 2002. One of several cinematic gems to come from the shores of New Zealand – this film is well worth watching.
Fishing for reel
Commercial fishing has come a long way since the days of rod and reel, handline and net. But do falling fish stocks show we’re now too good at harvesting the wealth beneath the waves?
Perhaps the old ways are best. Here we look at some of Europes last traditional fisheries. We start with some Dutch fishermen who are keeping it ‘reel’.
Dutch Bass fishing
Dutch Bass fishing – keeping it reel
Source: Jan Tik
Fishing doesn’t get any more sustainable than this. The whole fishery consists of just 21 small boats and their crews of three.
Together they harvest around 75 tonnes of sea bass from the North Sea each year. That’s 1.2 tonnes per person, a lot less fish per person than on a factory trawler.
The boats are anchored on wreck sites and fish are caught using fishing reel and rod. The bycatch is nil, the sea bed is protected and fish stocks are maintained. The catch is sold the same day, its freshness ensuring it fetches top prices.
Oyster dredging
Traditional oyster dredging in the River Fal
Source: Cornish Native Oysters
As fishing methods go – they don’t get much more destructive than dredging for oysters or scallops. But there’s always an exception that proves the rule.
Falmouth in Cornwall boasts Europe’s most ancient oyster fishery. Traditional gaff rigged sailing boats and rowing punts haul three foot metal dredges over the muddy estuary silt. Because no engines are allowed, dredges are small, and weather conditions limit the number of days skippers can work.
The fleet doesn’t overharvest and so represents a uniquely sustainable fishing industry. The Falmouth oyster festival held each October, offers an excellent opportunity to savour the produce; the taste of the sea, Cornish style.
Goose barnacle picking
Gathering goose barnacles is dangerous work
Source: Thomas Guest
Some seafood can only be harvested by hand. The goose barnacle fishery is one example. The long necked Spanish and Portuguese delicacy lives only on cliffs pounded by big waves and washed by strong currents. To be a successful goose barnacle harvester, or ‘percebeiros’, you have to be mad.
The technique? Tie yourself to a rock, dodge waves the size of houses and lever the creatures off the rocks. Then dart out of the way before the next wall of water smashes you to smithereens. Not for the faint hearted or sane.
Eel trapping
Traditional eel trapping in decline
Source: Peter Harrison
There’s only one traditional eel trapper left in the UK. Peter Carter’s family have trapped eels in hand woven willow traps, since at least 1470.
The Fenland tradition remains little changed since the bronze age. An archaeological dig in Whittlesey in Cambridgeshire found that the traps used by our ancient ancestors were virtually the same as those used by Peter today.
Sadly, eel numbers in the fens have dwindled in recent years as less elvers have made the journey from the Sargasso Sea, and over fishing has taken its toll.
Mud horse shrimping
Last man shrimping in Bridgwater Bay
Source: Outdoor Life
Another last man standing – in the mud this time, is Adrian Sellick of Bridgewater Bay on the North Somerset coast. He uses a wooden sledge called a horse, to fish for shrimp.
Resting his weight on his belly, he uses his legs to push the contraption along. When he reaches the low tide line, he sets shrimp nets.
Catches aren’t what they used to be, and few young people are interested in such a hard, dirty life. Adrian is the fifth generation of his family to practise the art – sadly it looks like he’ll be the last.
Reel fishing food – delicious dishes made from fishes
When it comes to fish dishes, why mess around trying to prepare the strange concoctions of celebrity chefs, when the original recipes are best?
The real experts are the ones who use their fishing reels to catch the ingredients. So let’s take a look at some traditional fisherman’s fare – reel fish dishes!
Clam Chowder
Clam chowder – a creamy fish dish from New England
Source: Wikimedia
This creamy fish dish originates in New England. A simple soup of potatoes, onion, a little bacon, butter and clams – it is the taste of the sea.
Fishermen would have used any fish and shellfish to make the dish but over time, chowder has evolved to become the eponymous clam dish.
There are several versions – including a New York derivative that includes tomatoes in the recipe. This so enraged devotes of the original chowder that in 1939, the legislature in Maine made the addition of tomatoes to clam chowder – illegal.
For your ‘legal’ New England Clam Chowder recipe click here.
Bouillabaisse
Bouillabaisse – fish stew good enough for the Gods
Source: Wikimedia
Legend has it that Venus the Roman Goddess of love, fed her husband Vulcan the God of fire, bouillabaisse to ensure that he nodded off. Once he was sound asleep, off she went cavorting with none other than that dashing God of war, Mars.
More down to earth sources point to Marseille as the city of origin for this delicious fisherman’s stew.
The fish are only a bit part player in the drama of flavours that make up a sumptuous bouillabaisse. A unique blend of ingredients including saffron, fennel seeds, orange zest and pernod, have led the dish to be described as a ‘magical synthesis’.
Fancy feeding your god of fire with some fisherman’s stew? You’ll find a fantastic Bouillabaise recipe here.
Cajun Gumbo
Cajun gumbo – a fiery fusion of fish and meat
Source: Jeffery W
A fusion of African, European and North American cookery, a decent cajun gumbo includes meat, fish and shrimps cooked in a thick, strongly flavoured stock. Add celery, bell peppers and onions and you’re in for a treat.
The sauce is thickened by a variety of means – okra, a flour and fat ‘roux’, or filé – dried, powdered sassafras leaves which also add a spicy zing. This delight of the deep South developed during the 18th century and is the official dish of Louisiana.
Cook up a Cajun storm with this seafood gumbo recipe.
Stargazy pie
Stargazy pie – a classical Cornish fish pie
Source: Wikimedia
Stargazy pie is a famous Cornish dish consisting of Pilchards baked with eggs and potatoes under a pastry top. Stargazy get’s it’s name from the fish heads that poke through the pie crust.
This delight of South West England is traditionally eaten in the tiny fishing village of Mousehole, as part of Tom Bawcock’s eve celebrations on 23rd December. Tom is reputed to have saved the inhabitants from famine by bringing home a bumper catch from the stormy winter seas, just in the nick of time.
For a taste of the South West, get stuck in to this wholesome Stargazy Pie recipe.
Fish and chips
Fish and Chips – the ubiquitous British fish dish
Source: Wikimedia
The ubiquitous British fish dish came about as a result of the industrial revolution.
The advent of beam trawling in the North sea, greatly increased the size of the catch. At the same time, the spread across the country of the railways, enabled the swift transportation of fish to market in the big cities.
The first fish and chip shop was opened by John Malin in London in 1860, and the fast food industry was born. Incidentally, fish and chips were one of the only foodstuffs not rationed during the second world war.
Fishing reels made by nature not NASA
Today’s fishing reels are evolutionary rather than revolutionary.
They may look like miniature satellites, but for centuries the driving force behind fishing reel technology has been nature.
Here we take a look at some of the materials and techniques involved in constructing today’s fishing reels.
Aluminium block
Top end fishing reels are made from a single piece of aluminium
Source: Library and Archives Canada
Strong and light, aluminium is the perfect material for the block – the core of the reel. But manufacturing techniques vary considerably.
Top end reels are machined from a single piece of aluminium, often either 6061-T6 or duraluminium. Space age names perhaps – but in reality, tried and tested materials. 6061- T6 dates from the 1930s and is regarded for its strength and resistance to corrosion.
It is still used in the manufacture of private light aircraft, yachts and SCUBA tanks. Duraluminium is an even older material – dating back to 1903 and was used in the construction of airships.
Cast, machined or forged?
A cold forged frame makes your fishing reel tougher
Source: Richard
Does it matter? In fact the various methods used in forming the core of the reel do impart different characteristics to the finished product.
The toughest of them all is a cold forged frame. As the metal is pressed into a mold, its internal structure deforms to follow the shape of the mold. This results in a grain that runs in the same direction, throughout the piece, making it stronger.
Carbon fiber
Carbon fibre – effective and hard wearing, but not against chickens
Source: Mark Tighe
Carbon fiber drag washers are incredibly hard wearing and effective but the technology itself though born in the United States, was developed and patented by the British Ministry of defense.
Rolls Royce was one of the earliest adopters of the new material, using it to construct the blades of its RB211 jet engine. Unfortunately having passed all other tests, the material then failed spectacularly, shattering when a chicken was fired at it!
Ceramic bearings
Ceramics – harder, smoother and tougher than steel
Source: JL Gavino
Ball bearings are one of the technologies of the industrial revolution. The concept is simple enough – rolling balls create less friction than sliding surfaces. However, not all bearings are equal.
Top of the range fishing reels may well contain hybrid ceramic bearings. This actually means, ceramic bearings in a ferrous bearing race. The advantages of ceramic versus steel are three fold.
First, ceramics are much harder than steel, resulting less compression and reduced heat and friction at high speeds. Second, the surface of a ceramic bearing has a smoother finish than steel – again cutting back on resistance. Third, ceramics are harder wearing – a longer lasting fishing reel.
Gears
Which metal is best for fishing reel gears? Discuss…
Source: Freefotouk
Fishing reel gears are commonly constructed from stainless steel, brass or bronze. Go on any fishing forum and you’ll find a debate about which is best and why different alloys are used in combination.
A popular setup is a stainless pinion and bronze main gear. Brass gears are perhaps smoother, but softer, and stainless can be noisy but hard wearing. Do bear in mind that the quality of the gears is just as important as the material used to make them.
So now you know. Modern fishing reels are the product of manufacturing knowledge and natural materials, not space age discovery.
Airflo V-Lite – Anglers Review
Towards the end of 2011, my good friend Mike Green and I were contemplating where we would travel during 2012 for our annual destination trip, and without me listing half the contents of “Where to fly fish before you die”, it was agreed we would try the East Cape of Baja California Sur, to hopefully land a Roosterfish off the beach on a fly. I’ve always admired this majestic fish, it’s sleek lines and the distinctive dorsal comb, and a picture for the photo gallery would be great.
During the early part of 2012 I booked our guide, our accommodation and the flights to get us there. (It ended up being a two and a half day journey thanks to the greed of British Airways who had in fact over booked the flight, meaning we actually lost a full day of our trip)
Once you’ve got a trip booked, it’s amazing how quickly your attention turns to your gear. Even a very basic list from the guide confirming rod weights, fly lines and the obligatory “decent reel” makes you start to build an armoury in your mind. I own a couple of fly fishing reels with the now common sealed drag, so I was most interested to read that during the spring, Airflo were poised to release a new reel with their first fully sealed drag.
After an exchange of e-mails with my contact at Airflo I had purchased the new Airflo V-Lite reel and it was on its way.
As a bit of a self confessed tackle junkie, I’d already admired the prototype in burnt orange, having seen some great pictures of it alongside a wild brownie and the mere idea of this in a 12 weight in black and silver had me considering the backing I thought might suit it. As luck would have it, I had 250 yards of red 60lb gel spun which actually fell short on the spool of where I expected given the claimed 200 yards of 30lb dacron.
After picking the reel up for the first time you notice instantly that the reel is far lighter than anything else in the sealed drag class or indeed any other class for that matter. Its frame has a matt black finish with aluminium exposed silver spokes. Upon further inspection you notice the distinctive drag casing in a deep red colour which houses a smooth and positive drag. The overall width of the reel is moderately wider than conventional reels, but it needs to be as the claimed backing capacity I feel would fall slightly short of that required for a twelve weight line. The reel has a v groove spool as with the older Airlite model and on the first few revolutions of backing you wonder if the line is laying correctly. Even when the reel was full of backing and a wf11 intermediate line went on, I was still surprised how light the reel was.
For the first day’s fishing, and a chance to try out the V-Lite, I swapped over to a Di7 equivalent and we were encouraged to take a boat offshore to find one of the huge shoals of football sized Tuna. This worked for a number of reasons. I for one, had never caught a Tuna on the fly although I’ve long been assured they’re great fun on a fly rod, it was a golden opportunity to get into the backing on the V-Lite!!
We were told the run out to the Tuna ground was about 40 minutes. Let me set the scene for you. On the Baja peninsular, the most economical boat fishing is in a panga. This is a 24 foot centre console with a 150 Yamaha outboard. Its a fibre glass body with lots of movement and most of them look like they’re 30 years old. The ride isn’t comfortable and on this particular journey we were 12 hours away from a storm which turned into a twister the next day. After an hour we still hadn’t arrived and the rough ride left us with not a stitch of dry clothing on either of us, Mike and I looked at each each dripping wet and just shook our heads before the glum faces turned into two grown men giggling like little girls. By the time 90 minutes had passed we eventually found the tuna. They were smashing bait on the surface flying in all direction, leaping out of the water and generally creating a foam like surface on swells of dark blue water. The captain confirmed there was a mixture of yellow fin and skipjack. Mike and I selected some blue and white 5 inch deceiver patterns, cast our flies into the school and stripped like mad men. Before either of us had even reached the head of the fly line the line was torn out of our fingers and in the blink of an eye the V-Lite lit up as yard after yard of backing flew out of the rod tip at lightening speed. For those of you who’ve caught Tuna on the fly you’ll understand what I’m referring to, If you haven’t then imagine tying your line to anything moving away from you at 50 mph and this will give you an idea.
The V-Lite impressed me immediately. There was no start up inertia and the textured drag knob was very easily adjustable which proved important playing hard fighting fast moving Tuna. The reel felt smooth and balanced as the backing left the spool and the whizz of the drag gave a sound to assure confidence in it.
Once the Tuna had taken nearly 100 yards of backing I was ready to see how the V-Lite retrieved line. Again, the lightness of the reel meant I could crank the handle with speed and before I knew it the line was back onto the spool. After a short 7-8 minute fight, Mike was first to land his fish, a fit and impressive 12lb yellow fin. I took a minute or too longer claiming I had a good one on and as it came to the boat I was surprised to see it was smaller, about 8lb’s.The captain confirmed that pound for pound, the Skipjack is one of the hardest fighting fish, and that was what I’d landed. Mike and I went on to land another dozen or more Tuna and really gave the V-Lite a good workout.
The next day we dedicated our attention to the prize quarry we had travelled all the way to Baja for. The process is relatively simple. The Roosterfish patrol the water just behind the wash where they are waiting to ambush the baitfish that sit close to the shore. The Rooster fish fly into the shallow water at high speed, eat and then disappear, not very sporting really. Our requirement to get a shot at hooking one of these fish was to ride an ATV on the beach, spot the fish, jump off the bike, run ahead of the fish (which I’ve confirmed swims pretty quickly) and make a perfect cast infront of it and start stripping. Mike said you only have to have 3 things to catch a Roosterfish, 1. Eagle eyes, 2. To be a terrific caster and 3. To be able to run as fast as Linford Christie.Sound easy? Yeah, you guessed it isn’t. After getting a few shots on day one we left the beach fishless vowing we’d be back the next day with renewed enthusiasm.
Mike spotted a fish early on during day 2 on the beach and after sprinting up the shore line, which is great for anyone who hasn’t sprinted since you were at school, he made a cast, stripped and hooked into his first Roosterfish. Again, the V-Lite had it’s drag tested, this time on land and a now more powerful fish to test the drag with greater pressure. Mike said straight away how good the reel felt under pressure. Mike doesn’t mess about playing fish and has been known to boat a tarpon over 150lbs in less than 20 minutes on a fly rod. After it’s first run, Mike had the fish close to the shore and was ready to bring it in on the next wave. He was keen to use the V-Lite for the rest of the trip, a testament to how good it felt, and how it played fish on the drag.
I have to be honest in my findings and say that the V-Lite isn’t perfect. Against some of my other 10/12 weight reels, the V-Lite has the smallest diameter. I did attempt to load a floating line on the reel and as I approached the end of the running line the line was starting to touch the frame. I would guess that if you wanted to use a floating line you may only get 150 yards of backing onto the reel which is perfectly adequate in the UK, but you need that much as a minimum just for bonefishing with an 8 weight. The other thing I noticed about the V-Lite is the quality of the anodized finish. It looks more like a light powder coating and after a day on the boat the reel had sustained a few scratches in only a couple of hours, something I dont have on reels 3-4 years old.That said, reels are there to be used so if you don’t mind a few scratches then it’s not a big problem.
In summary, and given the cost of the reel, which I have to add is less than half the price of the next sealed drag on the market, the V-Lite is indeed a great reel. It doesn’t have the finish of some of its competitors and it’s slightly smaller but if you wanted the perfect bonefish reel at a great price that will balance a 9 weight rod, then the V-Lite could be your perfect partner.
Features – 8
Value for Money – 10
Performance – 10
Build Quality – 9
Finish – 7
Functionality – 8
To view more information on the V-Lite take a look > Airflo V-lite reel : From £99.99
Review and post written by Ryan O’Dwyer.
Tags: airflo v-lite fly reel, Fly Fishing, fly fishing reels, tackle reviews | 
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Fishing Reels with Added Bling
Airflo V-Lite reels from £99.99
NEW for 2012 Airflo’s top of the range V-lite reels that have just landed in the TF Office. There are four models, 3-4, 5-7, 7-9 and 10-12 and i decided to concentrate on the two most popular sizes with stillwater anglers, the 5-7 and 7-9.
These fishing reels are tooled from quality aerospace alloy and have been given a black anodised finish. The back of the reel cage has added silver highlights which creates quite an individual look. Both the reel cage and spool have been heavily ventilated to make them as light as possible (the spool on the 7-9weights just 52gr) while at the same time keeping their strength and integrity intact. This ventilation, especially on the spool, allows the line and backing to dry out quickly and with V-shape in the spool the line drops neatly to the centre of the reelm so you dont have to use your fingers to level wind it on.
The reels have been machined to very high tolerance and there is no movement between spool and reel cage. Spool release is by way of captive nut although if you pull hard enough it will come off, something to be aware of. Once the spool is off it reveals a totally sealed drag unit making the reel ideal for saltwater use as well, especially in the larger sizes. The drag itself is smooth and very effective and can be set in small increments via the drag knob on the back of the reel cage. If you are looking for a reel with the power to stop hard-running fish then this drag wont let you down. It can also be loosened off completely and will not overrun due to a click mechanism on the ‘line-out’ and ‘line-in’.
The 5/7 model will match up perfectly to a small stillwater outfit or for top of the water tactics on a reservoir, while the 7/9 would be ideal for reservoirs and larger, harder-fighting fish.
The reels do represent very good value for money, and are light and powerful with good line capacity. A bit of bling is your tackle bag without being too over the top!
The 3-4 model weights 159gr and costs £99.99, while the 10-12 reel weights 240gr and retails at £139.99.
Printed in the July 25 – August 21 issue 434 of Trout Fisherman Magazine.
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Fishing reels and other subjects to avoid on a first date
Avoid certain subjects when fishing for love
Photo: IT Thing
First dates are exciting occasions and can potentially change your life.
They can also be very uncomfortable, like a job interview — especially if you start talking about things you shouldn’t really talk about.
Here are some rocky subjects to avoid if you’re fishing for love.
Fishing reels
Don’t talk about fishing reels on a first date
Photo: Fishtec
Your new stunning Airflow V-lite fishing reels might just be the talk of the Fisherman’s Arms and stop anything that moves in the water, but just don’t talk about it on a first date. Unless you want to be told to ‘sling your hook’.
Taxidermy
Don’t talk about stuffing animals on a first date
Photo: Wthirdpower
The art of preparing, stuffing and mounting the skins of animals with lifelike effect is indeed one of the more alternative hobbies. But it might not be the best thing to bring up over an intimate Sunday roast for two. Get stuffed!
Stamp Collecting
Don’t talk about personal licking addictions on a first date
Photo: Collectiblesxgifts
Talking about the world’s rarest stamps can be an engrossing subject and collecting can become a lifetime obsession once you get started. It’s not exactly a passion stoker though and first dates won’t want to hear about what you lick in your spare time.
Trainspotting
Don’t talk about train numbers on a first date
Photo: Al Crowcombe
If organizing a first date at the Paddington Station cafe hadn’t already started the alarm bells ringing, then turning up wearing an anorak and binoculars should do the trick. First class to Singleton, please.
Marriage
Don’t talk about kids and marriage on a first date
Photo: Favim
Stating that you’re really looking forward to getting married, buying a semi-detached house in Suburbia and having lots of pets and children is about the scariest thing you could start talking about on a first date. Don’t be surprised if the bill arrives before the starters.