ARK Fishing Gravity G5 Casting Reel Product Review #arkgravity #arkbaitcaster #arkgravityg5

Reel Review

ARK Fishing's Gravity G5, An Impressive Middle Child Casting Reel

Date:	5/1/23
Tackle Type:	Reel
Manufacturer:	ARK Fishing
Reviewer:	Cal

Total Score: 7.92 - GOOD

Introduction: We've looked at two of the three new casting reels from ARK Fishing, each at opposite ends of the price divide. The Gravity G7 is currently ARK's top offering while the Gravity G3 is the company's more budget friendly alternative. As one might surmise, there is a third. Priced right in the middle at $179.99, might the G5 disprove that middle child syndrome and become more popular than either of the other two? Let's take a closer look.

ARK Fishing Gravity G5 Casting Reel Specifications
Line Capacity - Rated	12/100
Line Capacity - Spool Volume	8.9 cm³
Retrieve Ratio	5.4:1	6.4:1	7.1:1	8.1:1
Inches Per Turn (IPT) - calculated	13-20	15.5-23.5	17-26	19.5-29.5
Weight	7.3 oz
Spool Weight	14 g
Handle Length	85 mm
Bearings	9
Bearings per Knob	1 bearing, 1 bushing
Levelwind Bearings	1 bearing
Rated Max Drag	~14lbs
Origin	Made in China
MSRP	$179.99

Introducing ARK's Gravity G5 casting reel

Impressions: ARK Fishing's Gravity G5 casting reel is the current middle child among three options. I say current, because with ARK Fishing's aggressive approach to offering product, the situation is always fluid.

As the middle child, the G5 baitcaster is kind of a hybrid between the G3 and G7. The platform overall is built on the same frame with identical shapes and sizes between the three reels. An important component, that spool, is the same shape and has the same line capacity across all three reels, but the braking system and shaft designs are different.

The G5 features the same brake system as the G7

The G3 has a through shaft spool with a simple, linear magnetic braking system, while the G7 has a free floating spool design and a magnetic braking system with a wider range of adjustment. The G5's spool is through shaft like the G3, but equipped with the same braking system as the G7. Beyond spool design, the only other obvious difference is with the G5's handle - a swept aluminum piece more similar to the G3 but with the same knobs as the G7.

Getting some work in with this combo and Megabass's new Sleeper Craw

Real World Tests: Other differences will be discussed below, but it's time to get the Gravity G5 out of the lab and onto the water for some real world applications. To accomplish this portion of the G5's breakdown, I paired it with my ARK Fishing Limited Edition Invoker IVL72MHFC and spooled it with Daiwa JBraid in Island Blue and a leader of 12lb Seaguar Tatsu.

Paired it with my ARK Fishing Limited Edition Invoker IVL72MHFC

Casting: With a braking system identical to that of the Gravity G7, the G5 feels very similar when casting your baits. The only physical difference in that regard is the G5's spool features a shaft that extends from the non-handle sideplate all the way through to the spool tension knob. However, even though the G5 does not have a free floating spool, I couldn't tell the difference in casting performance (distance or effort) between the two reels. It's the same experience I've had in the past when comparing two reels whose primary difference is that spool design. The concept of a free floating spool is intriguing, but in practice, I've yet to actually feel a difference.

A look at the G5's non-handle sideplate

I fished this reel with the inductor set at the II setting and found it perfectly suitable for a wide range of baits down to one quarter of an ounce in total weight. I suspect with the inductor adjusted to its most shallow setting, this reel might cross over to some limited finesse applications, but the spool is too deep for the reel to be practical in light line techniques. Otherwise, if anything, I prefer the adjustment dial on the G5's non handle sideplate to that of the G7. The G5 sideplate is not as clean looking as its pricier sibling, but that dial is just easier to use.

The handle measures 85mm from center of knob to center of knob

Retrieve: Click the handle over to re-engage the spool and the Gravity G5 has a surprisingly refined feel to it, again not unlike the G7. The familiar feel is thanks in part to the same main gear and handle knobs although the G5's knobs are supported by one bearing and one bushing instead of two bearings like on the G7. The actual handle on the G5 is aluminum. Overall, the G5 feels solid and very capable during the retrieve.

The main gear is a brass alloy

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