| Originally used for sea fishing, big pit reels have | | | | and usually you get what you pay for. Adding to |
| burst onto the coarse scene becoming widely | | | | this the angler needs to be a competent caster in |
| used as specimen carp reels, and becoming a | | | | order to make the most out of it! As well as |
| major focal point for development by | | | | providing great control over fighting fish, these |
| manufacturers with a constant stream of new | | | | larger reels also retrieve line at a much faster |
| Shimano and Daiwa Big Pit Reels being produced, | | | | ratio than normal reels. The Daiwa Emblem spod |
| along with many others designed solely for large | | | | reel for example takes in over 120cm of line for |
| lake and pit carp fishing. | | | | every crank of the handle which is very |
| With such a burst in production you can't help but | | | | impressive! This useful characteristic makes some |
| wonder what characterises these reels and what | | | | big pit reels ideal for spodding with the ability to |
| it is the pit reel can achieve that the others can't? | | | | quickly and effectively put a carpet of bait over a |
| Well, it all comes down to size, this time in terms | | | | location in a pit, lake or other venue. As a result |
| of spool capacity. A standard match fishing reel | | | | many big pits such as the Emblem are designed |
| might spool 140 yards of 8lb line or perhaps 140 | | | | with spodding in mind. |
| metres of 4lb line and this is designed to suit and | | | | The evolution of big pit reels into carp and coarse |
| adequately cope with the roles the reel would | | | | fishing in general has led to an increased |
| have to play in a match fishing situation. A small | | | | production rate of these reel types, with many |
| baitrunner reel on the other hand will usually be | | | | companies developing and producing fantastic |
| able to spool more line than this in order to cope | | | | examples. The price range is massive varying |
| with the roles it has to play. At the larger end of | | | | from £30 to several hundreds of pounds, and |
| the spectrum we have Big Pit Reels, designed to | | | | choosing a reel can be a challenge. A couple of |
| hold copious amounts of line, sometimes as much | | | | factors you should consider are: |
| as two or three times the amount a normal | | | | The Venues you are going to be fishing? The |
| baitrunner reel can spool - for example the Daiwa | | | | size of lakes, pits, or rivers you are fishing, |
| Windcast pit reel can hold 440 metres of 15lb line! | | | | whether there is any need for a larger reel or if a |
| The changeover for a reel to be labelled as a big | | | | normal spool size will suffice? |
| pit happens when roughly 320 yards of 10lb line | | | | The size of the fish you are hoping to catch - |
| can be spooled onto the reel. The other clear | | | | many believe that the control and extra power |
| differences are the increments in size and weight | | | | brought by big pit reels might just be the |
| of components around the spool. Manufacturers | | | | difference between landing that monster and not! |
| focus much work on reducing these two | | | | Your angling expertise level and how often |
| elements, aiming to create more compact pit | | | | you fish? This should help you determine whether |
| reels with lightweight bodies. It is also important to | | | | you need to splash out on a big pit or stick to a |
| realise that even though these reels are largely | | | | budget reel. |
| used as carp reels they do not all have the | | | | Different anglers hold different opinions over who |
| baitrunner / free-spool functionality. Many Big Pit | | | | produces the best big pit reels. Many are stuck in |
| Carp Reels rely on their front drag system to | | | | their ways and will keep their faith in one brand |
| allow runs and to tighten up the clutch when | | | | their whole life. Certainly at the peak of prices and |
| playing the fish. There are however many big pit | | | | performance are some superb Daiwa and |
| reels that come with the baitrunner function built | | | | Shimano big pit reels, but TFG have also come a |
| in, and other models that have baitrunner | | | | long way in producing affordable and budget reels |
| conversions you can purchase to add this function. | | | | at fantastic prices. There are of course multiple |
| As a result of their larger spool capacity, big pit | | | | other manufacturers producing quality reels that |
| reels are often capable of casting much greater | | | | shouldn't be overlooked. |
| distances than other reel types, but the casting | | | | Whatever your choice of reel I hope it serves its |
| ability on these reels varies from model to model | | | | purpose well, and rewards you with a big fish. |