How to choose baitcasting reels

Many bass anglers have a low-profile baitcasting reel. Baitcasting reels can also be used for larger fish like redfish and pike, or small panfish like crappie and bluegill. They are lighter and allow for easier wrist action, letting you place lures precisely where they need to be. They have ergonomic design, giving you a comfortable feel, which can pay off after hours of fishing.
However, not every experienced fisherman knows how a baitcasting reel is built and how the mechanics works. Here I will show you how to choose a baitcaster based on the design, quality and construction of the reel.
This is Piscifun Thunder series low-profile baitcasting reel.

In the following image, the reel is disassembled to show all the parts in the reel.

You might be surprised by all these little pieces in the picture. Well, there are many other small parts I have not disassembled; in totally the reel consists of more than 100 parts.
Ok, here we go!

Frames

Made of either aluminum or graphite. Graphite generally less expensive and lighter in weight but won’t withstand much abuse as aluminum.

Braking Systems

Most of the basitcasting reels in the market today are using either centrifugal braking or magnetic braking. Both techniques are proven to be effective in controlling birdnest during casting, and this Piscifun Thunder baitcasting reel uses magnetic braking.

Spools

Aluminum spool with drilled holes dominates the market. The key is making it lighter. This Piscifun Thunder baitcasting reel spool features a wider and sealed spool, which is precisely machined from a whole piece of forged aluminum and weighs only 0.7oz/20g (even lighter than narrower spools in other brands). The sealed spool can prevent dust, sand, and saltwater getting into the bearing and make this reel more durable when used in saltwater fishing.

Ball Bearings

Well, quality over quantity, as many professional guys agreed. Piscifun Thunder baitcasting reel uses Japanese sealed stainless steel NMB ball bearings. The corrosion resistant bearing also contribute to the long life span of the reel, even if used for saltwater fishing.

Line Guides

The easiest part to get corrosion, they are made from either titanium or ceramic, with the latter being less expensive but can crack or break from alleviated abuse. This reel definitely uses titanium line guide, the more expensive and more durable option, to accommodate saltwater fishing.

Gearing

The main gear, gear shaft and pinion gear of this reel are made of brass which is light and corrosion resist. Under the pinion gear there is a clutch ring made of metal in order to support the spool. Together with the two ball bearings that support the spool, they make the spool sit and spin precisely, during casting and retrieving. Most of the others baitcasting reels don’t have this metal clutch ring.

Drag washer

The material of the drag washer is often the bottleneck of the reel’s life span. Common drag washer are made of asbestos, plastic and carbon. The most costly option, carbon drag washer, is way better than other two. It could provide High corrosion-resistance (acid and salt), High temperature prevention, Strong friction, Excellent drag performance and Water-proof.
To achieve long service life span, this Piscifun Thunder baitcasting reel generously uses 3 carbon drag washers.

One more thing you need to pay attention to is maintenance. Unlike many baitcasting reels which require disassembling at least the handle and the side-plates, this reel Has a small opening for easy access and lubrication of the gears by just removing one screw.

One last picture for you to understand how the reel works.

To get a better understanding and deeper insight of how a reel works, I would strongly recommend you dissembling a reel by yourself. Remember to keep the schematic for reference and take as many photos during the dissembling process as possible, so that you can put it back together. I am sure you will appreciate the high quality material and well-thought-out design,
A well-built reel with a low price tag, why not give it a try?

Reeling in the Zombie Apocalypse Ⅶ

Part 7

"Should we take the gun?" I asked.

"Your mother will cover us." I nodded but grabbed the reel and a pair of gloves anyways. I wanted to make sure I had a fighting chance. I saw my dad grab his Piscifun aluminum fishing pliers. I wasn't sure that would be enough to take out a zombie but I really hoped there would be no zombies to take out.

We opened the doors with caution and listened for any sounds. It was silent which made me more confident as we moved forward. There was carnage in the road but it looked as if most of the solid flesh had either been devoured or had gotten up and walked away.

We walked around the truck and I was pleased to see that there was nothing on the other side.

"Do you think we can move it?" I asked.

"It is worth a try at least."

My dad and I put our hands on the frame of the truck bed and on the count of three gave it a shove. I was horrified by the squishing sound as it did indeed move and then we heard an inhuman squeal. I looked down and saw a head sticking out from beneath the wheel. I jumped back in terror but my father took his fishing scissors and brought them down into the soft flesh of the monster's temple with s sickening suction noise that made me nauseous. The thing didn't move after that but I was careful not to get my leg too close to it as we continued to push the truck enough that we could get the Yukon past it. I hoped that the truck was sliding because it was in some kind of mud. I hated the idea that it might be decaying human fats and juices that were creating the slick film allowing the truck to move.

I was glad when we got back into the car and even more glad when we approached the quiet neighborhood where my parents in law lived; that is, until I turned the corner and Jenny's parent’s house came into sight. The door was smashed in two and the window was shards of bloody glass. Before I could stop her, Jenny let out a blood curdling scream. My mother clamped her hand over Jenny's mouth but I knew the damage had been done.

Zombies seemed to come from nowhere. My mother pointed her gun out of the window and started shooting into the zombie crowd. I pushed my foot down on the gas and started back towards the road. The water wasn't far. If we could just get to the boat we might just make it.

"Mom!" I heard Jenny scream.

Reeling in the Zombie Apocalypse Ⅵ

Part 6

Jenny and I slept on the couch while my dad smoked the fish and my mom shot any zombies that approached. I can't say it was a good sleep. In fact, it was terribly fitful, but eventually dawn came.

"We better get on the road," my dad said shaking my shoulder a bit rougher than needed.

I nodded feeling exhausted. Jenny was still clinging to me.

I pushed her away gently and she startled awake. She looked even paler today than she had yesterday. Still, she got up and followed every direction my dad gave. We managed to get my parents and their things loaded up into the SUV though my dad and I did have to move a few zombie carcasses away from the front door before we could open the door. I was a little worried that there might still be a live one and with one bite we would be goners but my dad just laughed when I mentioned it. Apparently, my mom is an even better shot than I imagined.

She brought the gun and enough bullets to hopefully last until we got onto the water. I wouldn't have to use my reel again for zombie bashing. I wondered if I could get it clean enough to use. It was hard to guess when I would be able to buy another reel with the zombie apocalypse at hand.

The roads were different today. We did see cars but they were along the side of the road and there was no one alive in them. I had no idea if the occupants had run out of gas and had to make a run for it or what had happened. A few smaller cars were dented and crushed in places and it didn't take much imagination to imagine what had happened to those people. When we saw a crushed VW Bug Jenny had to open her window and throw up. Finally, we weren't able to stay on back roads anymore. Jenny's parent's live in the suburbs and so we had to get on Main St. Cars were backed up bumper to bumper but instead of the deafening honking from yesterday an eerie silence hung in the air. I drove along the median which was surprisingly free of cars until we were almost a mile from Jenny's parents.

A turned truck blocked our way. My first and admittedly macho impulse was to see if I could speed into it and push it out of the way but I couldn't see over it and if something big was on the other side I didn't want to risk immobilizing my car.

"We will get out and check it out," my dad said as I pulled to a stop. I nodded and put the car in park.

Reeling in the Zombie Apocalypse Ⅴ

Part 5

I cautiously walked out the front door and drove the Yukon down to the water.

My dad was indeed out on his little boat.

He was close enough that I could see he had his Shadowcat Series casting rod. My dad is a Piscifun fan just like I am.

I wasn't sure if it was safe to call out to him but I didn't see anything around me and it seemed safe enough.

"Dad!" I shouted. He looked up and did a double take. Apparently, he wasn't expecting me.

He brought the boat over to the shore.

"Where is your rod?" he asked after looking me over for a minute. I popped the trunk and pulled out my Sphinx Series. My dad's rod is a tournament grade but he fishes much more than I do. I prefer my thin and lightweight Sphinx.

My dad took the boat out into the water and we both cast our lines.

"What are you doing out here?" I asked him. Everything now seemed so out of place with my morning.

"Well, I figured even if the reports were true, zombies can't swim. Figured they would just sink to the bottom of the water. Maybe the fish will eat them." I tried not to contemplate whether this would create an outbreak of zombie fish. I am certainly no scientist.

"Plus, I wanted to make sure we had some smoked meat to take with us if we did have to run. Not real sure where we will be going though."

"Jenny's parents have a sailboat. I was thinking we could try to see if the outbreak has reached any other continents. The news didn't seem sure. If it was contained here, maybe other places will let the survivors in as refugees. Who knows, maybe there is even some scientist working on a cure. I don't really have any idea what else we could do. What do you think?" I ask.

My dad grunts which I realize is the only response I am going to get and sigh. The dusk is starting to set in and we have about ten fish ready to be smoked when I hear the scream. I know instantly that it is Jenny.

My father seems to take forever to make his way back to the shore and at first I am in a panic. Then, I hear the sound of shots being fired. Jenny has never handled a gun in her life. Her parents didn't believe in them. I am desperately hoping it is my mom who is shooting because if it is then she may actually hit a zombie and just as important she might manage not to hit us as we make our way to the house.

My dad walked to the water so I load him and his supplies into the Yukon and then I hit the gas. I bowl over ten zombies as we make our way to the house. I am going fast enough that the force of the hit doesn't give them time to mess with the windows but I am glad I still have my reel ready to bash in zombie faces if it comes to that.

Zombie bodies are scattered around the front of the house. I am sure the smell of decay will draw more.

"How much ammo does mom have?" I ask.

"Enough," my dad smiles.

We kick shattered and broken zombies out of the way as we bring our fish in through the front door. Jenny is on the couch in tears.

Mom must be upstairs at a window.

"I want my mom," she whispers.

"Tomorrow," I assure her. "We are going to go and get them tomorrow. And then, we are going to find a way to get to their sailboat and get on the water. We will be safe there. Zombies can't swim," I say hoping my dad is right.

Jenny throws her arms around me and I hold her tight.

"We just have to get through this night. Then, everything will be fine," I whisper to her. She nods and I hope that she believes me.

Reeling in the Zombie Apocalypse Ⅳ

Part 4

I was right about there not being too many zombies on the country roads. There were a few we passed, but mostly it was a quiet drive and I was glad that Jenny got some sleep.

We were also fortunate enough to find a few gas stations along the way that were so primitive that that they didn't require an attendant.

One did and so I had to rush into the vacant station and guess which buttons on the register had to be pushed to get gas. Luckily, I had been a gas station attendant for about a month in high school.

It was almost seven at night when we got into Vermont. My parents have a little cabin in the woods and I hoped that the zombies hadn't gotten to them yet. We pulled into the driveway and knocked on the front door. I heard rustling inside and so I knew something was in there. I held my breath as I waited. Finally, my mom opened the door just a crack. I was glad she was being cautious. I had tried to call her before we came but apparently cell towers were down across the country. There were only a few radio stations that were still up and running we had learned as we drove. Most were nothing but static.

"Oh Alex," my mother cried throwing her arms around me.

"We need to get into the house," I said as I pushed Jenny inside.

"We heard about the outbreak. Is it really true?" My mom asked. In a way I was glad she was unsure. It meant that the outbreak hadn't made it here yet.

"It's true," Jenny said with a whimper.

"Let me get you in here and get you some tea dear," my mom said taking Jenny by the arm. I was glad someone else got to worry about Jenny for a few moments while I tried to clear my head.

"Where is dad?" I asked.

"Out fishing on the lake," my mother said rolling her eyes.

"You are joking," I said but she shook her head. Apparently, she wasn't.

"You may as well join him and let my poor daughter in law have a nice rest."

It sounded ludicrous but at the moment it was the only thing I wanted in the whole world. Zombies couldn't really be killing people all over the world if my dad and I were out on his fishing boat, right?

Reeling in the Zombie Apocalypse Ⅲ

Part 3

"Jenny?" I call. I can feel my heart pounding both from exertion and from fear.

"I'm here," she calls from the stairs. I am shocked by her paleness. I inspect her for bites or wounds but find none.

"My mom called. The outbreak is everywhere. She and my dad have locked themselves in the house but they just saw Mrs. Jones get mauled. She lost half her face. Then, she got up and started walking again. Mom saw Mr. Jones run her down with a lawnmower. It was-"

"We have to get out of here," I say, cutting her off.

Jenny just nods. She is in shock and I don't blame her.

"Did you do what I asked?"

She nods.

I grab my Piscifun gear and the bags Jenny has packed and throw them in the back of the Yukon.

"Get in the car!" I call to Jenny. She is too shocked not to obey. I wait until she is buckled into her seat before I open the garage door. Apparently, the zombie buffet ran out of bodies because in front of our door are about a dozen creatures. All of them with fatal injuries. Three of them are missing large chunks from their faces. Jenny screams beside me and I hope she doesn't pass out.

"Grab one of those reels and unpack it," I tell her. She needs something to do with her hands and it is the only idea coming to me.

She opens the reel up and hands it to me.

I hit the gas and the zombies go flying like bowling pins but that doesn't keep more from pounding on the glass. I can't risk them breaking it. Without windows we don't stand a chance.

"Steer," I order, grabbing the reel from her lap.

I put on my waterproof fishing glove. I need to make sure there is no chance of getting bitten while I am bashing in Zombie heads. I hope the glove is enough protection.

I open the window and hit the gas. Jenny seems to be reading my mind and I can tell she is horrified but she steers the car so that my gloved hand and the Piscifun reel bash the zombies in the face while they are trying to get through the open window.

Luckily, this throws them off balance and makes them tumble forward. I don't try to count how many are smashed under the wheels.

"Not the main road," I warn Jenny as we approach the end of our street. "Take the back way to my parent's house."

We turn down Chestnut Ridge and a small group of zombies run past us. I am hoping they are running to feast on their companions who we ran down so we have a chance to escape.

I carefully take off my glove. I don't want any blood to touch my skin and I toss the glove out of the window. I have dozens, thankfully. The reel I wrap carefully in a reel protection bag. We are going to need it later so I don't want to dump it but it certainly is a bloody mess.

I take the wheel from Jenny who looks grateful to give it up.

There are about twenty cars on the roads but I am hoping everyone is in too much of a panic to try to flee the city on the back roads. There will be no help out in the country but I am hoping that means that there will be few hungry zombies trying to make us into snacks either.

Reeling in the Zombie Apocalypse Ⅱ

Part 2

The Zombies must hear the door open because they turn around. Luckily, both are pretty battered and the stairwell is right by the door to medical records. I open the door to the stairwell and pull it closed tightly behind me. I hear the zombies scratching as they move my way but I don't wait to listen to them. I need to get to Jenny.

I run up the stairs, glad to see no other beings alive or dead on the stairwell.

I open the upper door cautiously but luckily there is no one there either. I don't see another being until I am about a foot from the exit.

The person I see is heading my way. They have the uniform of a security guard and they are running which makes me fairly confident they are not a zombie. I think about staying to ask for any information he has when I notice that his arm is bleeding.

I don't know much about the current outbreak but I do know that in Zombie movies anyone who gets bit is a goner and I have no idea how much time this guy has.

The fact that he hasn't said a word makes me super nervous. Wouldn't a normal person beg for help or call out for me to run? I don't wait around. I run through the door, not bothering to close it on my way out.

I manage to get to my car which is right across the street. I do a quick check to make sure that there is nothing moving inside the car. I am pretty confident that it is safe but I don't want to take chances.

I get onto the road and am not surprised to find edge to edge traffic. Everyone and their brother are trying to get out of the city.

I only live a few blocks away so I think I can wait until the traffic starts moving. I think we must be waiting on a red light. Of course, I don't have any such luck. After five minutes of honking cars nothing is moving. I decide to get out of my car and hoof it home. I keep worrying about Jenny being alone.

As I get to the intersection, I can see why the traffic isn't moving. There is a ten car pile up ahead and zombies are munching on the bodies of the dead and the survivors alike. Luckily, with the zombie buffet ahead no one seems to notice as I run past. Apparently, the blood and guts from the crash has drawn all the zombies from the area and I don't see anymore as I run up Cherry Street and my house comes into sight.

I open the front door.