Scopes Can Cope
Nash’s flagship reels are small but mighty, as Thom Airs found out…
In my old role at carpfeed.com I was fortunate enough to be given a pair of Nash Scope reels to test the persistent rumours that they were just cheap mass-produced reels rebadged and slapped with a ‘carp tax’. Having taken them to the bank on a number of occasions and then taken a screwdriver to them, I’ve been pleasantly surprised. Here’s what I learned…
1. They’re not rebadged ‘eBay specials’
When these reels first popped up on social media, plenty of armchair critics dismissed them as cheap spinning reels given a rebrand and a huge mark up. But having bought one of the lookalike reels and thoroughly compared them to a Scope, I can put that myth to bed. Some of the design elements are broadly similar, but the bodies and internals are different.
2. You get what you pay for
I fished the Scopes side-by-side with a cheaper lookalike and the difference was vast. From the stem to the handle the Scopes felt more solid, while crucial elements like the line clip and line lay were all hugely superior. Inside the Scope, the gears are all metal and very solid indeed, while nine internal bearings deliver delicious smoothness.
3. Quality in their own right
Forget comparisons with far cheaper reels, the Scope reels stand alone as quality tools full stop. They’re light (that honeycomb aluminium spool helps shed grams), well balanced and—the biggest eye-opener for me—they cast incredibly well for their size. They crank with tenacity and the fast drag ticks like a Swiss watch.
4. The ultimate test
Fishing shows have been put on hold for the last 18 months, but pre-pandemic Nash used to tour events with a giant fishing simulator that pitted a Scope GT6000 against a hefty winch and virtual-reality sea beasts. I’ve had a go and can confirm my aching arms capitulated long before the reel even broke sweat. Seeing the same reel in action on the machine hour after hour is the biggest endorsement of durability I’ve seen.
5. Different options
The Scopes come in 4000 and 6000 versions. The former is ideal for stalking set-ups like Nash’s 6ft Sawn-Off rods, while the 6000 is a great all-rounder if you don’t need to cast huge distances. Each reel also comes with a choice of handle, so you can opt for classy wood or comfy EVA.
Three Things We Love
1. The first thing you’ll notice on the Scope GT is the cut-away honeycomb structure on the base of the spool. Stunning.
2. The all-black design is simply sensational.
3. Don’t like that wooden handle knob? Then just swap it for the supplied black one!
