by Fishin’ Frank
Snook season is open, and whether it is to help keep a good aerobic workout program or to take it home for a dinner date, now is the time to go and catch a few! If you’re going snook fishing, you’ll want to have a dependable reel, because these fish can be tackle busters.
Here are reels which are around the $100. Why pick reels at this price range? In my experience, this is where you get better materials. The steel in the bearings is a much better grade of metal, it is about the quality of the materials, and this is the middle price in today’s world where reels last a lot longer. Let’s start with the one that started the $100 revolution – The Penn Battle. Every other company is trying to catch up, the Battle reels are the bench-mark standard for what a $100 reel should be. Penn puts an additional stainless steel bearing for the drag to spin on.
What size reel you choose should be by what size line you wish to use. In the old days, reels were designed by line capacity more than strength. Well, plastic mono filament line is similar to a coil spring and if the spool was too small the line would just uncoil off and if the reel was larger, the smaller line would catch in the cracks and the drag would, in many cases, break the lighter line before slipping. Today’s reels are made much stronger as line has gotten so small, the reels are made for that and in my opinion, here are the top reels for the money; #1 Penn Battle- the drag washers and ball bearing for the drag still best dollar value, #2 Fin-Nor Lethal- they just don’t go bad, reliable. #3 Okuma Azore- again strong, I think with this one do you want a dark color or a silver reel, Yes, it is that close. #4 Daiwa BG- it got here for casting distance, it seems to cast a bit farther. # 5 Shield reels- I really like the design and feel and they seem to hold up so far. # 6 the Shimano NASCI- nice weight and feel, better than average casting distance, but random problems with returns, bail issues and the reel stem is a little short if you have larger hands.
Reels are kind of how does it feel, the Daiwa and the Shield are newer and I cannot tell you how they will hold up long term yet. The Battle, Lethal and Azores are great, strong, and time tested. And one thing about the Shield is that I like it better with the Shield rod, a solid graphite rod, not a hollow core. I tried the reel on one of my rods and it was OK, but on the Shield rod, a very cool experience. For in depth questions, stop by the store and we will help and just F.Y.I., we are not under sold on Penn reels by any one on the net or in a store!