This is big catfish country, big reels, big line, big rods; all heavy equipment for handling a heavyweight fish. This is where Abu Garcia‘s reputation show. These reels were not made to catch tiny baitfish or finesse fish.
They are made to hold up to the powerful run of a 100-pound blue cat and also handle long pull and slow drag of a giant flathead from the depths of some river channel. If you are fishing for big fish, you want a reel you can trust to hold up when you’re worn out and the fish is pulling hard. There are a lot of cheap reels out there that promise to tackle monster fish, but advertising words aren’t always backed by mechanical action.
For Abu Garcia, industrial grade is name of the game and not shiny looks. They build their catfish reels as work horses and accessories second. As such, they tend to be heavy duty and have basic mechanics that don’t look fancy.
But it’s that design that gives you confidence when you’re standing on a slick bank in the middle of the night, hoping your equipment will hold. Knowing how these reels were designed makes them more valuable then just the sticker price. Most inexpensive reels will not stand up because of there drag system.
Why Abu Garcia Reels Handle Big Catfish
Star Drag Design
Abu Garcia invests a lot of engineering time into their drags. They use a Star Drag design with several washers that deliver smooth, consistent stopping power without surging or grabbing. With a big old catfish on the end of the line making a long run, you’ll want the drag to back off smoothly but never grab or surge as it lets line out.
A tired drag will wear you down fast or snap your line if its too jerky. The drag has high maximum drag rating which is imperative in keeping a big fish pinned when they make those explosive runs and can’t pull the hook loose. It gives you confidence in knowing what to expect when it matters.
Heavy Duty Construction
They also set themselves apart from more affordable options through their body construction. A lot of reels are made of some type of aluminum alloy which will dent out or crack if you put too much pressure on them. The frames of the Abu Garcia tend to be beefed up and made of heavier materials so frame doesn’t flex.
Flexing the frame allows for more internal friction and causes the gears to move out of alignment when being loaded. And it just makes the reel feel solid in your hands, which gives you confidence. That’s not a bad thing, it’s actualy engineered for that.
When fighting fish for extended periods, it feels like the reel stay planted on the rod better and lessens any vibration or lack of control.
Low Gear Ratios
They generally feature low gear ratios. Why?
In catfishing, this isn’t necessarily because you want to retrieve your lure quickly while your baits is anchored to the bottom. When you’re fighting a big fish or even just pulling it away from the water, you want torque; and lower gear ratios means you can pull more weight with less force. With these Abu Garcia catfish reels, you get cranking power instead of retrieval speed.
And that’s the right match to how you actualy catch big fish off the bottom. You sacrifice speed for strength and that’s a good trade.
Corrosion Resistance
Not only are these reels strong but they’re also designed to resist rust, a big deal when fishing on mud flats, around saltwater or anywhere else they’ll be exposed to harmful elements.
To prevent moisture from entering their insides, the company use protective coatings and seals that keep all working parts free of rust-inducing elements. Because they can get so mucky and salty, they ruin your fishing stuff. Moving parts seize up and rust occur.
Abu Garcia uses corrosion-resistant materials where they matter most and that keeps the reel going longer. So even though you’ll pay a bit more initially, it’s worth it in the long run because you don’t have to baby the stuff constantly. It won’t hurt to clean it after each outing either.
Ergonomic Handles
Until you try one of these reels out at night and realize your hand is cramped from fighting all those fish, people don’t think much about how comfortable the handles are. These Abu Garcia catfish reels has very solid arms and a nice ergonomic handle design that doesn’t flex under pressure. After you fight a big catfish for awhile, you want something that gives you good leverage so you aren’t killing yourself while fighting them, yet it still transmits energy effectively.
Even in mud or water, these handles has a texturized knob for improved gripping ability.
Easy Maintenance
This contributes to the lifespan of the reel because changing out components takes some effort and a bit of attention. Abu Garcia makes it easy to get into the reels by designing their bearings and gears so they can be serviced without being a mechanic.
You can service them yourself, and cleaning and lubing the inside will keep them running smoothly for years. I know there are a lot of anglers who treat their high-priced reels like throwaways, but that’s not what they’re supposed to be. Keep ‘em running with a little maintenance and they’ll work the way you wanted them to when you bought them.
This keeps the retrieve consistent and the drag smooth. Purchasing a specialty catfish reel such as an Abu Garcia catfish reel makes all the difference. It’s no longer about if you’re going to break something but rather understanding the fish and reading the water.
Knowing your equipment can handle it gives you the freedom to try for larger fish and take more chances. You have the confidence that when the big one bites, your equipment won’t let you down. The peace of mind that comes along with it is well worth the expense and added weight.
When you’re planning your next outing for the big cats, think about upgrading your reel if it’s not up to the task. Abu Garcia has proven time and again that their gear can handle the abuse. Not only does it help you catch fish, but it helps you enjoy the battle while keeping any worries at bay.
Sure, you may pay a little more out of pocket, but I bet you’ll catch them a little better too. Less broken reels and more trophies on the boat, now there’s where quality equipment pays off.
