Solid reel with solid history
IF you’re a tackle junkie and surf the internet regularly, you’ll often come across numerous brands of reels you don’t see in the shops. It’s hard to rationalise by research alone whether this equipment is the real deal and fit for our harsh environment.
I have seen the Fin-Nor brand now for quite a while and was quite excited when the boys at Fisho asked me to field test the newly redesigned Fin-Nor Ahab 20. This is largest of four in the range and rated for 20lb line class and up. The first thing I was amazed with, after reading the material inside, was the heritage this brand has got, stemming way back to days of Ernest Hemingway and Zane Grey, no less!
I was immediately impressed with a few aspects of this reel prior to field testing. The heavy metal construction and solid gears, as well as the power knob on the handle, gave a feeling of strength. You can tell straight away that this reel has been built with big fish in mind. The drag, too, seems to be an innovative design and can be replaced in the field without the need for any tools. The spool simply screws off to expose the drag washer – pretty neat stuff. The washer is made from cork and is the largest I have seen in any spinning reel. Unfortunately I’ve to load the reel up on a scale to get an idea on the max drag – it’s not stated anywhere on the packaging; and I hate that!
I took the reel for a spin on Sydney’s northern beaches chasing some winter pelagics. While I didn’t get to fully test out the reel’s capabilities, as the biggun’s were noticeably absent, I was happy with some core aspects of the reel’s performance such as neat line lay, smooth oscillation under load and good casting distance. I was really hoping for a stray jewie to really test that XOS drag system, but maybe another night!
In preaching all the positives there were a few aspects of the reel that need some consideration in future development. The bail arm is made of plastic and cheapens the look of this otherwise ruggedly designed reel. I would like to see how the reel would stand up to our salty conditions over time as well. The drag, while a great concept, is exposed more so than the standard designs we usually see. Also there is a lever that looks like an anti-reverse. When switched there is no anti-reverse but a ratchet sound like you would hear in an overhead. So you have the option the reel in silence or with great noise. It’s an odd feature on a spin reel and I’m not really sure why it’s there?
However, with only minimal use my initial reaction is a thumbs-up. I look forward to really giving this reel a comprehensive workout to really determine its capabilities. Now I have to convince the boys at Fisho to let me keep it longer!
Contact Jarvis Walker at www.jarviswalker.com.au for more information.
By Kevin Savvas
