The little reels that could, Accurate Boss Magnum E-Series 197 & 270

Total Score: 8.33 - EDITORS CHOICE!

Introduction: We complete a year long test of the Accurate Boss Magnum B197C and B270C reels just as the company is introducing the new BX series. These reels may be from seasons past but they still deliver exceptional performance for anglers looking to take on big species with small reels spooled with superlines.

The Accurate Boss E-Series B-197C is designed for fishing Spectra superlines...

About Accurate: Accurate started out over five decades ago as “Accurate Grinding and Manufacturing Corporation” which manufactured jet turbine engine components. It was from these roots that Accurate Fishing Products was launched in 1990 as a division of the company. Drawing from the company’s experience making aerospace components for both commercial and military aircraft the new fishing reel division adopted the same precision-minded, high-tech, spare-no-cost orientation in the design of not reels but fishing gaffs.

...as is the more compact B-197C narrow reel

Due to their high quality, light weight and exceptional strength, the new AccuGaffs soon became popular among saltwater fishermen. Next came reel-conversion components called AccuPlates, AccuFrames and AccuKits all designed to upgrade Penn fishing reels. The growing acceptance of these conversions soon built this product line into the leader in aftermarket upgrades. The next logical step was to build entire reels with the focus on making them the both technologically advanced and refined. The result was the birth of the Accurate Platinum TwinDrag® Reels and Boss Magnum TwinDrag® Reels.

All Accurate reels are proudly designed and manufactured in the United States

Impressions: Boss Magnum E-Series reels have been popular reels for anglers looking for a premium small reel that delivers plenty of muscle to handle surprisingly big fish. Accurate has refreshed their lineup recently and the E-Series reels are now replaced with Boss BX reels rather than Boss Magnum E-Series reels.

Comparing the 297C (left) with the narrower 197C (right)

We have been testing the Boss Magnum 197 and 270 reels for a full year now and as we were finishing our long term tests Accurate introduced these new BX2 reels. The corresponding new reels to the 197C and 270C are the BX-400N and BX400 respectively. The BX2 reels now feature a calibrated lever drag for more accurate drag settings and feature a more robust design which draws from improvements to the guts in the company’s B2 reels.

Both reels are tapped on the bottom so they can accept reel clamps

Both the 197 and 270 reels have the same basic design but the 197 has a narrower frame. Both reels are offered in a “XC” version which ups the gear ratio from the standard 4:1 power ratio to a brisk 6:1. Each of the reels comes with 5+2 bearings (class 5 ABEC stainless steel bearings). These reels are designed for everything from calico bass to jacks and even smaller tuna. These medium tackle reels are also good for superline fishing for big game and feature the company’s AccuCast system and Magnum TwinDrag to step up to the challenge of big fish on lighter lines.

The Accurate ball knob is a machined work of art in itself

The reels both look extremely solid and it is immediately obvious the frames are machined from a solid block of aluminum as the reel is devoid of sharp edges, or a separate sideplate for that matter, on the non-handle side. There is a reason why saltwater aficionados are fans of these reels as each one exhibits a fluid form and looks powerful just resting on top of a collector’s mantle.

Ready for duty our B-297C test reel is prepped for Ling fishing with Accubraid and a Seaguar Fluorocarbon leader

Next Section: On to the Real World Tests, Tuna Anyone?