Cormoran Sportline XT 1S 4000 Rear Drag Reel

The Cormoran Sportline XT 4000 is a lightweight and cosmetically good looking reel. It is relativly cheaply priced and is supplied pre loaded with 15lb monofilament line. It has a reversible sinle crank hanle which on first sight looks too big for the reel. The handle is comfortable if a little ungainy in use. It is easily converted from right hand to left hand use an folds for storage. The rear drag is smooth with plenty of adjustment and has an audible click when being set at the required resistance. The bail mechanism is positive and engages with a heavy clunk. It is quite stiff though. The spool is plastic with a gold metal effect finish. The spool has a flat lip making long distance casting ragged but is relativly smooth for shorter range work. Unfortunatly in use when the line is laid back on the spool a gap is left under the flat lip. On a number of occasions this resulted in the lower loops peeling below the casting line causing tangles an a loss of tackle. On the retrieve the reel is not as smooth as some others I have used due to the fact that the reel only has a single ball bearing. However in all fairness the reel is less expensive to buy. The reel was adequate for short range casting but showed it limitations for longer range work. An adequate starter reel but as to whether the reel would be durable only time will tell.