Weight factor

[takrat 67]

There is an undoubted shift in the direction of lighter and lighter reels. I doubt that anyone would debate that. What I would like to know is why? Nobody really wants a reel that is any heavier than it has to be but when you look at reels like the Penn Spin fisher that you can drive nails with still selling well, and many of the round reels especially the ABU C3 also selling well, does this mean we are in danger of becoming a bunch of wimps?
The reels are getting so light that when you cast they nearly fly out of your hand! I'm thinking of getting a wrist strap on a couple of mine. Maybe we should think more about getting a bit tougher than driving the reel engineers crazy trying to save on weight. Here's a thought. There are so many ads on TV about getting your ab's in shape that maybe they should come out with a machine to strengthen fishermen's wrists. We'd all be less limp wristed that way and man up.
Anglers used to be tough breed, able to go out in any weather and chuckle at adversity. Maybe we're getting too soft.
JD

[Big Al]

I don't know about you but those one pound rod/reel combos get "heavy" when you throw it all day. I welcome these 8 oz combos! And yes, I'm getting soft

[tracker01]

There is an undoubted shift in the direction of lighter and lighter reels. I doubt that anyone would debate that. What I would like to know is why? Nobody really wants a reel that is any heavier than it has to be but when you look at reels like the Penn Spin fisher that you can drive nails with still selling well, and many of the round reels especially the ABU C3 also selling well, does this mean we are in danger of becoming a bunch of wimps?
The reels are getting so light that when you cast they nearly fly out of your hand! I'm thinking of getting a wrist strap on a couple of mine. Maybe we should think more about getting a bit tougher than driving the reel engineers crazy trying to save on weight. Here's a thought. There are so many ads on TV about getting your ab's in shape that maybe they should come out with a machine to strengthen fishermen's wrists. We'd all be less limp wristed that way and man up.
Anglers used to be tough breed, able to go out in any weather and chuckle at adversity. Maybe we're getting too soft.
JD

Yes, I am guilty of all of the above. Light is good. I am 67 yrs. old, and retired. I still fish 3 or 4 times a week and am glad I still have my health to do so. Yes, I used to have the big sticks and heavy baitcasters when I was into Tour. fishing, but now I have moved towards downsizing and light. Ok, I am "limp wristed", "only fish on nice days", and "getting to soft". But at the end of my day, "Life is good".

Just another point of view from the gray haired section.

[thelatrobe33]

I think the brunt of the weight issue is marketing just like bearing count and ultra high speed gear ratios. If it has 20 bearings, a 10:1 gear ratio and weighs below 5 oz it has to be the best reel in the world, right?

That being said, I love my 2 Steez and PX-R to death. But I love my Zillions, Pluton and CTE100DC too

[bassninja]

I'm not a wimp! I just don't have time during the day to do wrist curls any more.

[Tokugawa]

[Gabriel]

As a younger guy and a generally pretty fit guy I can honestly say that I don't notice the difference between a 7oz reel and a 9.5 oz reel when it is actually on a rod.

I notice the size of the reel much more, I can palm a Abu C3 but it makes for a hand cramp buy the end of the day where a 153 HSTA is about the same weight but much easier to deal with.

[africanbass]

I think it is personal preference at the end of the day.I fish sub 6oz reels 90% of the time.However a Z2020 does not bother me when used for its intended purpose.

[dragon1]

Tip torque

Center of gravity

Cradling the reel while cranking

IMO, it's not all about the total weight.

[yogidozer1]

I agree with dragon1. All I use are round reels, the weight is in your hands. Maybe I'm just used to them, but not seeing a switch to lighter reels in the future.

[WoodT]

I don't think we should just stop at demanding heavier reels. Reel men, so to speak, should start tying on 10 lb dumbells to their forearms. I think two pounds of rod and reel are for the limp. I also think every cast should be followed by ten push ups. I don't think we should stop at copying earlier generations: I think we need to actually make them look like complete wussies. Best way I know to keep from feeling like we are selling out our manhood(s). So yes: screw light weights. Repeatedly.

Thanks to this forum I was able to find the perfect device to build up my wrist and finger strength: my wallet. Sometimes I still get winded but I can see the results. Reel men never use Paypal, either: they walk, swim, and fight their way to that Japanese tackle store and demand product.

And never pay in Yen, obviously.

[JerryC]

I fish light setups because I tore a ligament in my wrist a few years back, so the lighter setup allows me to fish longer without taking so many breaks.. heavier setups would make my wrist sore, even a few ounces heavier made a big difference. Now I will only fish lightweight setups.

[yogidozer1]

WoodT--light headed too :-)

[WoodT]

WoodT--light headed too :-)

Eh? I'm totally serious.

Anyway...I gotta get back to my winter whittling projects. Not lures. Reels. Carved from depleted uranium.

[angry john]

I don't think we should just stop at demanding heavier reels. Reel men, so to speak, should start tying on 10 lb dumbells to their forearms. I think two pounds of rod and reel are for the limp. I also think every cast should be followed by ten push ups. I don't think we should stop at copying earlier generations: I think we need to actually make them look like complete wussies. Best way I know to keep from feeling like we are selling out our manhood(s). So yes: screw light weights. Repeatedly.

Thanks to this forum I was able to find the perfect device to build up my wrist and finger strength: my wallet. Sometimes I still get winded but I can see the results. Reel men never use Paypal, either: they walk, swim, and fight their way to that Japanese tackle store and demand product.

And never pay in Yen, obviously.

disappointed where is the picture of chuck????