Selecting the perfect baitcast reel can be a challenging task, especially for newbies to bass fishing.  With countless baitcast reels in tackle stores ranging from $300 plus to under $80, which one should an angler pick?  Questions such as:  How many ball bearings should your baitcast reel have? What brake system works the best? Or what type of drag system do I need?  All these questions have to be answered before purchasing that perfect baitcast reel.

No one knows more about reels and what makes the perfect baitcast reel than professional bass anglers.  BASSMASTER Elite Series Professional Angler and Quantum Pro Staffer Mike McClelland has experience the changes and improvements in design baitcast reels have gone through over the past twenty years.  This experience with baitcast reels allows him to pick the perfect baitcast reel for the bass fishing technique he is using to catch fish.

When it comes to fishing reels, change is good, as McClelland explained, “When I first started out fishing professionally, baitcast reels where very heavy and overall performance on the water was lacking,” he continued, “now, reels are lighter and have a smaller profile; so anglers can fish all day without getting fatigued.”  McClelland choice for baitcast reels is Quantum Freshwater PT Reels (www.quantumfishing.com); in fact, McClelland has been using Quantum baitcast reels his whole professional career.  McClelland dissected what reel an angler needs by knowing the following key information: gear ratio, braking system, and drag system.

Gear ratio is the ratio of the turning of the spool to the turn of the reel handle.  In other words, reels with a gear ratio of 7.0:1 means for each turn of the handle the spool turns 7.0 times or a 5.1:1 turns slower but has more power to retrieve your lure in.  “Quantum PT reels come in three different gear ratios for any situation or technique an angler wants to do,” McClelland continued, “the burner with a gear ratio of 7.0:1 has a lot of different uses such as retrieving high speed baits like spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, or lipless crankbaits; “speed” with a gear ratio of 6.3:1 is perfect for someone wanting to buy an all-purpose reel, you can slow down with a crankbait or reel faster for high speed baits; “power” with a gear ratio of 5.1:1, I use early in the springtime when I need to slow down my presentation with a crankbait or a Spro McStick.”  
 Brake systems in baitcast reels have two objectives: one is to control the deceleration rate and the other to set the maximum spool speed.  Baitcast reels like cars, come with different systems depending on the manufacture and model.  Without a brake system, anglers would suffer numerous bird-nests or professional over-runs.  A quality brake system will save anglers a lot of headaches.  “Quantum PT reels come with the ACS II external braking system,” he continued, “again, depending on the presentation; I will first set the external dial to adjust the centrifugal brakes then use the brake knob for the final adjustment.”
 
Drag systems allow tension to be placed on the spool.  Just like brake systems, drag system in baitcast reels differ accordingly to manufacture and model.  Usually, the drag is located on the side of the reel in a star-shaped wheel.  They are not call professional anglers without a reason.  Recreational anglers have a tendency to break off fish when fighting them to the boat; pros get them to and in the boat.  McClelland revealed, “I cannot remember the last time I broke off a fish in open water.”  That is impressive, but McClelland replied, “If you set your drag according to the size of line you are using and if you’re reel has a quality, smooth drag system like the Quantum PT series reels, you will have fewer fish break off.”

“My first choice for a baitcast reel is the Quantum Tour Edition with a 6.3:1 gear ratio or I will change to a faster or slower ratio in special situations,” reveal McClelland.  Another feature Quantum PT has is “Super Free Spool”.  “This setting is for the accomplished angler, who can ride the spool,” he went on, “an angler can use this setting when flipping or pitching, dropping a bait quickly, or to increase the distance of a cast,” McClelland explained.

Key Tip:  McClelland recommended anglers should fill the spoon on their reels with some backing first.  He also recommended using 12 to 15 pound test line for the majority of fishing situations.  

When picking the perfect reel, anglers need to know what presentation and technique they are going to be using, along with what features the reel has.  For professional angler Mike McClelland, the Quantum Freshwater PT series is his perfect reel.