I was able to test the BILLINGS Saltwater Spinning Reel Up to 44LBs Max Drag | 4.8:1 Gear Ratio,With CNC Aluminum Spool over the weekend and it was great to see how this reel contributed to my weekend personal best for onshore bank fishing.
So, let’s kick things off with the review.
The majority of my rods and reels are Shimano and Daiwa, but I have been wanting to try other products from Asia and this was my first time trying a Billings product, from Zhejiang province in China.
Now it’s important to emphasize that the fish I target are big and heavy fish. And what this reel offered was models 8000 to 14000 and the difference in price was quite minimal.
So, let’s take a look at this reel further.
The design is made for surf fishing and the reel comes with HIGH STRENGTH drag washers that can drag up to 44 lbs. and contains a CNC aluminum spool and metal rocker for saltwater fishing and has 6 stainless ball bearings and one instant anti-reverse bearing.
The handle has a high-strength metal rocker and large-size grip for comfort.
Now, would I use this in saltwater? As you notice that it mentions saltwater surf fishing but no mention of water sealing. There is no mention of IPX5 ratings or water-resistant rings. To be truthful, there are not many reels that are 100% sealed or water proof, nor are they immune to saltwater. If you want true, sealed reels, you are going to have to pay a lot for them.
But it all comes to if the reel survives after light rinsing with freshwater, especially if any of it comes in contact with salt water or beach sand, and doesn’t rust. It also involves a lot of maintenance and greasing. If you go fishing, bring a spray bottle with fresh water and use that to spray your wheel, do not leave it unrinsed for hours after you come back fishing from the beach. But for longevity, if you plan to do saltwater fishing, plan to oil lightly (The product which begins with WD is important).
As for testing, I was able to test this reel thoroughly over the weekend, not saltwater, but freshwater.
I used an 8’0″ Medium Heavy Spinning Rod and because I aim for heavy fish (primarily carp and catfish) in murky water, I use a 50lb. braided line (mossy green) with no leader with a tri-hook carp rig, bead and 1/4 oz. weight.
For both early morning catches on the weekend, I was able to catch a total of 12 carp with this reel. In fact, this reel was truly a workhorse and it kept catching big carp over and over, including a Sacramento Sucker. I was hoping to catch a very heavy catfish that loves putting us through the test but it didn’t come this weekend as I was hoping. But will try again and see how the Billings does with a much heavier, chunkier fish.
But nevertheless, the reel handled itself wonderfully and was able to catch nearly 40 pounds of chunky carp (that’s 12 combined) with this reel over the weekend.
Absolutely no problems at all.
Now, I haven’t tested it on saltwater and while I’m sure there are people who will (as I choose to use my more expensive reels for saltwater fishing and have no desire to test out salt corrosion on this reel), for those who are looking for a big fish reel for inland freshwater for under $32, I’ll go ahead and say it and that this is the best I have tried so far.
The BILLINGS Saltwater Spinning Reel Up to 44LBs Max Drag | 4.8:1 Gear Ratio,With CNC Aluminum Spool is highly recommended!
