Reel Review by Ashley WalshI recently got my hands on a Riffe Euro 130 and immediately contacted Barry to get a Woody Reel for the gun. I’ve been using the Barracuda railgun reels for the past 4 years and have found them fantastic for all styles of hunting and for every species I have encountered. With little to no boat traffic where we usually dive, I don’t like the complication of diving with a floatline these days and wanted a reel for the Euro 130 as soon as possible!
The Woody Reel utilizes the same spool and lower section design as the Barracuda railgun reel, the only difference being the base where it attaches to the gun. The Woody Reel fitted directly onto the Euro, secured by 2 stainless steel screws I picked up at the hardware. The euro has 2 screw lugs designed for reel mounting and the Woody Reel was compatible with these and screwed on without any modifications. Although the reel is available in white, red and black, I opted for the black one as it matched the Riffe handle and looked slick! As the spool is the same size as the Barracuda Reel, the Woody holds a little more than 45 meters of 2mm spectra line which means you can comfortably hunt depths of more than 40 meters without fear of losing your gun. Once the spectra was wound onto the spool, the Woody Reel was ready to see its first fish action! A quick trip up the coast from Perth and we were entering the water on the outside edge of the reef. We got a bit of burley going and it wasn’t long before the spanish mackerel started to show up! I dived on a small school of mackerel and took a long shot at one of the larger fish, hitting it well in the mid-body. The mackerel took off hard, peeling line from the Woody Reel. I had set the drag before entering the water to a medium tightness and this provided the perfect amount of pressure as the mackerel went for its runs. Not long after firing I had the fish in my hands and the Woody Reel had been successfully christened! A short time later and while ascending from the bottom, another nice spanish mackerel came in for a look. I quickly took aim and fired, once again hitting the fish with a nice securing shot. And, like the fish before, it ran hard and the Woody Reel hummed as line peeled off. This was a better fish and it gave the reel a good run in. Overall I am extremely pleased with the Woody Reel by Aussie Reels. It works in exactly the same way as the Barracuda railgun reel, is simple to operate and extremely effective. Happy hunting! Ash Walsh 
Reel Review by Ray Powell I have been using two of the reels now for some time. Having been used to the euro style guns and reel set ups I must admit that at first glance the reel seemed to be heavy set due to the solid construction. The extra weight I found added to the guns tracking / maneuverability and really balanced the whole package ( 1.4 and 1.2 m carbon heavy duty DiveR barrels / old style rob allen mec , 7.5mm single 3/4 rubber. ) They hold enough line 40 to 50 m which releases effortlessly and is retrieved equally easily without any need to reset drags etc as some reels have. I have taken some time too write up this review as I wanted to test these out over a period of time and against some tough fish. I recently spent 3 weeks in the coral sea and found these reels vital in hunting large Maori sea perch and flighty emperor species. They were also put too the test against Wahoo of over 30kgs many of which were vaporized by sharks. XOS size barracuda, giant trevallies of 40 kg and the toughest fish of all DOG TOOTH TUNA. Under all conditions the reels worked without failing or jamming. However I was spooooooooooooooooled more than once I can tell you. I fit the reels with a pin as well inserted through the barrel securing the mech and grip. Having the weight as far back as possible really adds to the maneuverability of the gun. You will be surprised just how easy this makes for fast tracking of flighty fish. I would advise any diver who is considering using a reel to take a close look at these tough Aussie made "barracuda reels". Mechanically so simple, yet very effective and trouble free to use. Built for Aussie hard fighting fish these reels stack up. Also you aren't dealing with a company overseas. These are made by one off Australia’s true spearfishing identities Barry Paxman out of WA. Anyone who knows anything about big fish knows Barry has had the experience hunting them. I have no reservations about giving this product the thumbs up, nor giving you my guarantee that you will be satisfied beyond your expectations with these reels. Some consideration is to be given to the line used. Super braid is tough but can kink and cuts easily through fish and your fingers. A soft line such as waxed dyneema or Kevlar I would recommend. Definitely not mono or cable. RAY POWELL DiveR Advanced Freediving Equipment |
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Reel Review by Raul Boesel Jr
Polespear and Belt reel 2 weeks ago was my first time using the Aussie Belt reel. It worked great! I use the reel in combination with a “headhunter” polespear. I was looking for something to replace my floatline/polespear combination and that's when I found Aussie reels. The reel has been a big help in a couple of ways. At first I was worried it would be a pain to have on the belt, but because of it's lightweight, I barely feel it. I wear the reel on my left hip. The reel has a metal plate in the back allowing you to slip through your belt and into position on your hip. As a right hander, I use my left hand to grip and load the polespear. The reel line is connected to a stainless steel ring on the rubber band by snap swivel. You can use a longline clip which will be easier to grip and remove if you get in a jam. I prefer the smaller and sleeker snap. I'll draw slack off the reel with my left hand, and grip the top of the polespear to begin the load while holding on to the reel line. As my right hand stretches the rubber band up the polespear. I will then grip the polespear together with the reel line in my right hand. This allows the spear to carry through the water without the line affecting its trajectory. Once you hit a fish, you can let go of the polespear, now having control of it from your reel belt. The drag system is very simple, which I like. It's a good size reel, which is great because it makes getting to the drag system easier, also allows you to palm the reel and make adjustments while the fish is running without having to take your eyes off the action. If I'm drifting and I see some good bottom or a fish rocking up, I'll attach 1-2lbs of lead, clip it off and drop it off the reel belt. I can then call my dive buddies over, or slip the reel off the belt and attach it to a float for the time being. The belt reel has allowed me to be less intrusive in the hunting environment, while at the same time giving me the confidence to take bigger mid-water fish that would otherwise be more difficult with primitive gear. Thanks for making a great product which allows me to hunt the way I enjoy! Gear: Belt Reel by “Aussie Reels”. 5inch rubber shock chord to snap swivel. Snap swivel to “Headhunter" Polespear |
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