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Will you Twitch or Slide?
Pinnacle’s Vision Slyder Baitcaster
(continued)
 Casting: Before
making a single cast we inspected the Slyder's design and build quality. The
reel makes use of a graphite frame and sideplates as you would expect from a
reel at this price point and features a blue finish that contrasts nicely with
the gold highlights. From a distance the reel looks like it is made out of
metal and even when you pick it up you might think that it makes use of an
aluminum frame. There are two components that stood out as “cheap” and these are
the spool adjustment knob which is obviously made out of plastic and the drag
star which is not made out of metal but is constructed from of a graphite
composite.
A closer look at the drag star and we can see it
is made out of graphite and has a metal insert
In the casting department
the Slyder performed well, casting everything from weightless rigged plastics to
jigs without inconsistent spool under or overruns and overall casting distance
was quite good. The reel maintained good casting distance and control throughout
the tests and we really had no problem placing lures accurately exactly where I
wanted to with each and every cast throughout the tests.
Under the sideplate you can see where the Finesse
Wheel makes contact with the gearing to advance the spool and levelwind
The Slyder makes use of a
five mag magnetic brake system that is externally adjustable and was able to put
the right amount of braking force to prevent backlashes with a wide range of
weights tied on the end of the line. The overall rage of adjustment is decent
and while it cannot be adjusted in the same minute refinement as some competing
magnet braking equipped reels it was better than I originally expected from a
reel at this price range.
The Slyder makes use of five magnets to help
prevent backlashes
Retrieving: It is
tempting to compare the Slyder against the Daiwa Viento which was the reel that
first introduced anglers to Daiwa’s Twitchin’ Bar to anglers. The Slyder is
definitely not as smooth as the Viento when it comes to sheer retrieve feel but
this comparison really isn’t fair as the Viento bears a higher price and makes
use of a more rigid aluminum frame versus the graphite frame on the Vision
Slyder. The Slyder has a 6 bearing design and positions one bearing on either
side of the spool, one under the tension control knob, one anti-reverse bearing
on the main shaft, a one way bearing positioned below the star drag and a sixth
inside the finesse wheel.
Into the guts of the reel
The real retrieve
comparison should be made versus Daiwa’s Megaforce 100TSH. When you compare
these two reels the retrieve smoothness while cranking the main handles is very
similar, neither can be considered very refined but both are acceptable for
their respective price points. The Slyder is slightly smoother but the Megaforce
feels more connected.
The Slyder features brass gearing which is
precision cut for tighter tolerances
That brings us to the
supplementary retrieve implementation found on both reels, on the Megaforce
anglers can draw in line by depressing the Twitchin’ Bar and would normally do
this with your thumb. As illustrated in our original Viento review this
implementation can be used for plastics but fishing any faster moving baits
starts feeling like exercise and can do a real number on your thumb. Pinnacle’s
“finesse wheel” implementation is positioned on the front of the non handle-side
sideplate, this orientation allows anglers to use their thumb to advance the
spool while palming the reel.
Housed within the main drive gear is a simple
drag system
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