GRAUVELL NEXIUM BR50 FIXED SPOOL REEL
Price: £ 39.95

One the latest names to try to break into the UK market, Grauvell (pronounced ‘Growl’) from Spain has confidence in flashy gear. Like their barbel rod recently reviewed here, this free spool reel is as bright and shiny as you could wish (a proven fish scarer).

Made in China and with six ball bearings, it feels solidly built, though on the heavy side at 420 grams (about 15oz in old money), it is likely to spend most of its time on a rod that’s supported on a rod pod. The size will suit most general carping, piking or heavy feeder work.

It has a front drag, and an adjustable free spool tensioning knob at the rear, with a high-geared retrieve of 5.2:1, and takes 185 metres of 0.35mm line. The line-lay may not be the best but it is certainly more than satisfactory. The free spool is triggered by a sliding switch underneath the handle, and disengaged by turning the counterbalanced handle.

FISHINGmagic VERDICT

You get what you pay for, and for less than half the price of the cheapest Shimano Baitrunner, you shouldn’t expect Shimano quality. How this reel will stand up to hard punishment I don’t know. The modern market for cheap gear is on the basis of replace, don’t repair.

It does feel strong, however, but in this price range, you have plenty of other options.

I think Grauvell need to do some more homework on the wants of UK anglers if they seriously want to succeed in an already crowded market rather than source a reel that they hope will be good enough.

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