High-end saltwater fishing tackle is expensive to begin with, but some brands, like Accurate reels, elevate this to an art form. But why are Accurate reels so expensive in the first place?
This short post will break out some of the details behind their engineering that underpin the price; and, if you were wondering, they are worth it. Here’s what you should know.
High-Quality Materials
Accurate reels are made primarily of 6061-T6 aluminum and heat-treated stainless steel components that are not only strong but which are highly corrosion resistant, which is a necessity in marine environments. Also, in the case of the aluminum components, they are not just highly corrosion resistant, they are also strong while balancing that attribute with lightweight design.
Tight Tolerances
Tight machining tolerances also define Accurate reels, ensuring peerless fit and finish that you won’t often encounter elsewhere. There’s minimal play between moving parts, resulting in a reel that is tight, consistent and smooth under all conditions, delivering reliability when you need it most, when you have hooked into a monster.
Advanced Drag Systems
Accurate reels are made with TwinStar or Twin drag systems, which are unique drag systems that apply drag pressure to both sides of the reel, rather than just one. This drag design offers numerous benefits. For one, it results in a smoother reel. It also results in a stronger, more reliable drag system that is unlikely to slip or fail under hard use or even abuse.
Additionally, applying drag pressure to both sides of the spool, as opposed to just one, evens out wear on both sides of the spool, helps prevent binding, and also evens out heat stress by helping to prevent heat from building up only on one side of the spool.
This is critical because during grueling fights, heat can really build up in a reel, especially when you’re fighting a big fish that is going on long, sustained drag runs. This can build up heat badly in the reel and in some cases can cause premature wear, even acute, catastrophic failure of the reel, since drag is basically a principle of applied friction, which incurs wear.
Most other reels have drag systems that apply pressure to one side of the reel only; experience the difference with Accurate and you will never go back.
Quality Gears and Bearings
Many Accurate reels are made with heat-treated stainless steel gears that are not only corrosion resistant, but which are resistant to fatigue and failure even when under pressure. Some are made with brass main gears which, though they are not as strong as steel, offer good resistance to corrosion even in marine environments.
They are also made with advanced anti-reverse bearings that eliminate backplay, improving hookset rations, and which are shielded, ensuring optimal performance and protection against saltwater influences, protecting against corrosion.
Spool Design
Accurate reels are also made with lightweight spools, which improves line capacity, reduces overall reel weight, and ensures rapid, fatigue-free performance by eliminating excess material. These strategic reductions in material are executed without compromising the structural integrity and overall strength of these reels.
Advanced Shielding and Protective Coatings
These reels are made with advanced shielding, especially in the case of the bearings which are shielded so as to protect against moisture and salt intrusion, helping to safeguard them against corrosion and decay. The bearings are also protected by an advanced waterproof seal that keeps water, salt and other debris out of the bearing, minimizing wear and reducing the risk of corrosion.
Aluminum reel components are treated with an advanced anodization process that electrochemically converts the surface of the aluminum into a hard, wear and corrosion resistant layer that is easy to maintain, highly protected against the elements, and which offers a high degree of permanent dry lubricity.
Rigorous Testing and Quality Assurance
Accurate reels are subjected to rigorous testing and quality assurance protocols to ensure that every reel that leaves their factory meets the highest standards for quality, construction, and performance in marine environments under harsh, adverse conditions.
Some Background on Accurate Reels
While this post has covered, from a high level, what makes Accurate reels so expensive (and why they are worth it) here’s what you didn’t know.
The brand got its start from the aerospace industry because the people that founded it were experienced in producing parts according to ridiculously tight specifications and tolerances. They transferred that experience to the production of fishing reels and that’s how we got Accurate reels.
They’re made with an uncommon number of bearings that are shielded and made from high-quality components, and as stated, the drag is applied to both sides of the reel. Also, they’re much lighter than other comparable reels which reduces fatigue on the water, especially during long days of fishing, or when putting pressure on trophies.
And that, in a nutshell, is not just why Accurate reels are expensive, but why they are worth the price.
Shop Accurate Reels and Other High-Quality Saltwater Fishing Tackle Here
There may be times when the expense associated with an Accurate reel is just not worth it, but rest assured, though these are not produced at volume like the reels of some other brands, there are few if any other reel manufacturers out there that are so stringently dedicated to quality.
As you can see, these reels make no compromises and are among the lightest and most durable in the industry, bar none.
Check out the Accurate reels we offer here if you’re looking for a new reel for your big game rods, and if you have any questions about reel specifications or need personalized recommendations, get in touch with us and we will be more than happy to help.