The matt-black finish of the SKS means it may look like a plastic reel on this page, but in fact the spool and body are metal. The SKS is a true large arbour reel, the base of the line channel is indented to increase capacity, which already looks generous. The spool is fixed to the body with a captive-nut – very securely fixed with slight play between body and spool. The body is ‘half cage’, recessing into the rim of the spool at top and bottom. A small but effective drag-unit sits behind the spool, the drag range is all I need for trout, the spool spins free and silent incoming, purring click outgoing.

This SKS sells for £49.99, which is exceptionally good value for this style of LA reel. Sonik can keep the price of this reel exceptionally competitive by using a die-cast spool and body and a tough paint finish, rather than a spool and body turned from billets of aluminium alloy with an anodised finish.

This is left-hand wind, changing direction means undoing a circlip and reversing a bearing, easy enough. The handle is a decent size, as is the drag knob. At 6.25oz this is middleweight for a 7/8 reel. Exceptional value!