Power: The Gravity 2 is offered in two retrieve ratios, a 6.4 and 7.1 to one. Neither is considered a true, low gear, power ratio, but by today's standards, six seems to be the new five. Regardless, I only fished the 7.1:1 reel and had no difficulties pulling any of the baits I chose to throw with this combo. Those with most resistance included some squarebills and vibrating jigs. I also did not experience any lockup situations while battling fish albeit I did not get into any exceptionally hard pullers while testing this reel.

Nestled within the brass gear is a single composite drag washer

Drag: Which leads us to the discussion on drag. Because I didn't get into any exceptionally hard pullers while fishing this reel, I only got to test the drag at light settings where it performed fine. If I had any questions on this reel, it'd be here. This is mostly because I don't recall using a reel with this type of composite drag washer. Were this material the familiar carbon matrix, I'd know what to expect. All it really takes is a handful of cooperative fish, but this past season the fish of sizable proportions have been more scarce. Rated at fourteen pounds (14lbs) max from the manufacturer, my assumption is it is fine, but I could not confirm at higher settings (Note this is a relatively simple item to upgrade if you feel the need and are comfortable opening a reel up).

Maximum drag for the Gravity 2 is rated at 14lbs

Design & Ergonomics: Overall, during fishing, at times I really did forget this reel was made with a carbon frame. While not as refined as aluminum framed reel it felt more solid than many graphite based reels. ARK uses the same general shape and size for all their low profile casting platforms, so I already knew the Gravity 2 would fit comfortably in my hand. One little nit picky item I did encounter was in removing the reel's knobs to inspect bearing placements. Normally, the caps on knobs are secured at the center of the cap. On the G2, there are pegs on either end of the cap that extend into the knob and hold on very securely. So securely, in fact, that I damaged one cap trying to remove it by snapping those hold downs off.

Underneath the knob is one bearing. The base of the knob acts as a bushing, so there's not really a method to add a second bearing

Now, if you're reading this article, know that there's really no need to remove the knobs because there is in fact, a bearing supporting at least one side. The other side, at the base of the knob post, is a flared surface or fixed bushing so it cannot be replaced. The only reason to open this up would be if you wanted or needed to replace the knob.

Be careful when removing the knob caps. I broke off the posts holding the cap in place as I was prying them off

Price & Applications: ARK Fishing's new Gravity 2 reel is set up as a general application reel. Priced at $99, it has just enough character to make it feel more like a $130 - $150 reel. This is due to the inclusion of the manufacturer's higher end braking system and the simple move of putting nice knobs on the reel. In today's economy, if I were in the market for something affordable and bare bones, I'd be hard pressed to look past this reel.

My beloved Shimano B-Mag 1001 from the mid to late 1980s

Conclusion: One of my early casting reels was a Shimano B-Mag 1001. I purchased it at the now defunct thrift store K-mart. I loved that reel because for whatever I paid for it forty years ago (probably something like $40), it just performed time after time and wouldn't quit. Sure it used to scream when I cast with it, but that's what prepared me for the DC-whine. Only thing I did not like about that reel? The round, hard plastic knobs. Aside from that, there was something about the reels all graphite frame and sideplates, while not the most refined, just plain worked.

Price and Value considered ARK's Gravity 2 low profile casting reel has an appeal that is kind of hard to resist

ARK's Gravity 2 isn't as raw as my beloved B-Mag 1001. It doesn't even scream when I cast with it, but it does have way better knobs, and, thanks to its all graphite construction, a similar kind of feel in hand. Sometimes you want a reel without all the fanfare. Sometimes, you want to save money and have a reel that just works. Sometimes, a manufacturer will deliver a reel with key features where it counts and present it in a package that's difficult to resist. ARK's Gravity 2 low profile casting reel has that appeal.

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