REVIEW - ACCURATE MULTIPLIER REELS
 

"Accurate" Reels - I've been waiting for a couple of new reels from Accurate Fishing in California.  I already own seven "Accurate" reels myself and I love them.  They are my undoubted favourites.  These latest acquisitions are my Christmas present to myself.  Yes, I know, Santa was a little delayed this year, but he's been now and delivered these two latest acquisitions down my chimney.

I wanted a true "Big Game" reel for use on a 50 lb class rod when chasing monster Conger Eels and even an occasional Shark.  Accurate's top range of reel are their "ATD Platinum" models.  I selected the2-speed  "Accurate" ATD 30, which is around the same size as my present faithful heavy work-horse, a Shimano TLD 2-speed reel.  The "Accurate" ATD 30's far more compact and easier to handle than my Shimano 2-speed TLD 50.

Accurate ATD 30 Platinum 30 reel 6.48 ins wide x 3.575 ins high Spool capacity 400 yds 50 lb monofilament (.028 diameter) Gear Ratio High 4:1 and low 1.7:1 Weight 48 ounces Patented twin drag system Seven class 5 ABEC stainless steel bearings Titanium friction washers Stainless steel gears Dry "AccuDrag" system Two year warranty AccuCare Reel Service Proudly designed, manufactured & assembled in the USA Left-handed models available upon request

I love my "Accurate" reels.  They are ruggedly built, but with the same care and precision and to the same tolerances you might find in a very exclusive wrist watch.  I was interested to learn that "Accurate's" primary business is manufacturing turbine blades for jet engines, and it shows in the quality of their reels which are turned and machined from aircraft grade aluminium bar stock.  Provided you care for them and wash them off with clean fresh water after use, they are dependable and reliable.

This model, in common with the other models in the ATD Platinum range has a calibrated pre-set adjustment for the lever drag mechanism, which allows the clutch to be perfectly pre-set at repeatable and reliable settings.  You should pre-set the clutch on any lever drag reel around 30% of the breaking strain of your chosen line when pulled through the tip guide of your rod under correct load, preferably measured with a spring balance.  The patented twin clutch on all reels in the "Accurate" range acts on both ends of the spool.  The fiber washers are in contact with a titanium disc at opposite ends of every spool.  You can be certain that the clutch is progressive and will not 'snatch' as line is pulled off under load by a hard fighting trophy fish.

I have loaded my ATD 30 reel with 300 yds of 65 lbs B.S. Berkley Braid line, over approximately 350 yards of 50 lb monofilament backing line, though it would easily accommodate braid lines of perhaps 80 lbs through to 120 lbs BS.

All spare parts are listed, together with individual prices, on an "exploded" diagram and also on the "Accurate" web site at www.accuratefishing.com They are readily obtainable by return post from Accurate's factory in California.

You can even download a free video from "Accurate's" web site, which you can view on your home computer.  It shows you exactly, step-by-step, how to strip down, service and re-build your own "Accurate" single speed reel.  The 2-speed reels are broadly similar and most of the information on these videos applies across the range.

In the unlikely event that you need your "Accurate" reel to be serviced here in the UK, Snowbee, the UK importer has arranged for Adrian Hodge at Reel Ade, Paignton on 01803 401486 to undertake such work.

I really do look forward eagerly to using this reel on big feisty Conger Eels.  I still have not personally broken the 100 lb barrier for this specie.  Perhaps this Summer, it might be my turn.  I have no doubt that my new "Accurate" ATD 30 model will cope admirably if and when I do connect with a true leviathan of the deep.

Several months ago I bought myself an Accurate B2-870 2-speed reel.  I love it for a great deal of my fishing.  I also own a pair of their single speed B-870C reels which are the same size.  They have given me several seasons of reliable, dependable use.  I also own a baby "Accurate" B-197, which is perfect for Bass fishing and also for Plaice fishing on the "Skerries" out of Dartmouth.

Recently "Accurate" produced their 2-speed B2-270 model, which is similar but a little smaller, comparable in size to an Abu 7000 or 7500 model.

I already own a single speed B-270C "Accurate " reel, which is now almost 10 years old.  Actually, it belongs to my Wife, Patsy who bought it for her own use back when they were first being imported into the UK.  She fell in love with it's impeccably engineered construction and finish.  With regular care and simple maintenance, it is still as good today as the day when she bought it, despite some very hard use.

The 2-speed B2-270 model is all that the original 270 model is, but it has been usefully enhanced by several additional features.  The two speed retrieve system offers ratios of either 6:1 or 3:1, immediately selectable by pressing in a small stainless steel button in the centre of the hub of the reel handle.  In common with the larger B2-870 model, it has a cast control knob, which is located on the base plate of the reel case.  The cast control works by "feathering" the disc brake to check the spool by simple friction.

Accurate B2-270 reel Spool capacity 300 yds 20 lb monofilament (.018 diameter) Gear Ratio High 6:1 and low 3:1 Weight 20 ounces Patented twin drag system Seven class 5 ABEC stainless steel bearings Titanium friction washers Stainless steel gears Dry "AccuDrag" system One year warranty AccuCare Reel Service Proudly designed, manufactured & assembled in the USA Left-handed models available upon request

Pre-tension on the lever drag clutch is set by rotating a knurled nut which sets a cam in the centre of the drag lever.  It is simple, effective and dependable.

I've loaded my B2-270 reel with 300 yards of 30 lb B.S. Berkley Braid line over around 225 yards of 30 lb monofilament backing.

It's a great match to a top quality 20 lb class rod for Pollack and Cod fishing from boat, though I reckon it would also work well for heavy beach angling too.

I know that I shall be using this reel to catch hard fighting fish of the very best quality.  If it proves to be as reliable a work horse as my Accurate 870 reels have proved themselves, and I have no reason to doubt that it will, then I'm already certain that it will quickly become one of my particularly favoured reels in my own collection of favourite tackle.

I recommend and use the "Accurate" range of reels for the majority of my own boat angling.  If like me you live for your sport angling and you understand that in this life you get what you pay for, and will settle for nothing less than the very best, I unreservedly commend them to you.

The UK importer for "Accurate" reels is Snowbee (UK) Ltd, who hold the majority of the range of "Accurate" reels in stock.  Snowbee are based at Drakes Court, Langage Business Park, Plympton, Plymouth, Devon, PL7 5JY.  Telephone +44 (0) 1752 334933  or Email flyfish@snowbee.co.uk   You can visit their web site at www.snowbee.co.uk although their range of "Accurate" reels and their own top quality salt water boat rods do not yet appear on their otherwise excellent web site. 

You can also visit "Accurate's" own web site in the USA via www.accuratefishing.com where you can view their full range, including some excellent big game multiplier and fixed spool reels too.

Tuesday 26th February 2008 - (c) Mike Concannon - www.fishingdartmouth.co.uk