Scuba reels aren’t your average spin cast reel for fishing, but they are essential pieces of scuba equipment, especially in technical, wreck, and cave diving. Reels and safety lines are a tried and true way for divers to return to their starting point. By simply anchoring a line to a point just outside the cave opening or at the entrance point of the wreck, you can unroll your line from the spool as you progress through the dive, and when it is time to exit the cave or wreck, turn around and slowly rewind the line onto the reel until you’ve exited the cave/wreck.
So, you’re looking for a simplistic function in a reel. Reels loaded with gadgets, gizmos, and a dozen other functions have a higher chance of things breaking or going wrong. To work correctly, a reel needs a spool, handle, and line…it’s that basic!
What to look for when buying a Scuba reel
Line: The most important thing about the reel is the line. When choosing a reel line, ensure it’s strong so it’s not likely to break if it comes in contact with sharp or jagged hazards when diving. A suitable, durable, braided nylon is a good choice.
Size & Length of the Line: Next comes the size and length of the line. Line comes in four sizes; #24, #36, #48, 1/8-inch. #24 is the smallest line available and is used during cave dives when line length is more important than strength. #36 is the next largest size, followed by #48, which works well on a wreck reel for wreck diving needs. Colossal reels use a 1/8-inch line, typically used for technical diving.
- A 4-inch reel typically comes with approximately 400 feet of #24 line, 300 feet of #36 line, 250 feet of #48 line, or 110 feet of 1/8-inch line.
- A 3-inch reel typically comes with approximately 175 feet of #24 line, 130′ feet of #36 line, and 100 feet of #48 line.
- A 5-inch reel typically comes with approximately 800 feet of #24 line, 550 feet of #36 line, 425 feet of #48 line, or 250 feet of 1/8-inch line.
Winding: When selecting which reel to use, consider your other gear. If you wear thick gloves while diving, a finger spool might not be an efficient design. Cold water divers frequently prefer reels that have winding knobs, which allow them to wind the spool more easily.
Tension Control: Some reels offer tension control, typically controlled by a spring. Tension control keeps your line on your reel from free-spooling or uncontrollably unwinding off the spool. A strong argument for using a reel with tension is it allows you to control the rate at which a lift bag moves to the surface.
