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Reel Review

 

Going Basic. The Reliable and Affordable Gravity G3 Baitcaster from ARK Fishing (continued)

Retrieve: Once your bait is out there, click the reel over, and feel from the Gravity G3 is very similar to the G7. Smooth and reliable is the best description and that's probably due to a similar, if not the same, composition of the gears. The G3 features a brass alloy gear offered in four different retrieve ratios from the super slow 5.4:1 to fast 8.1:1. I fished the 7.1:1. If there's one area in the reel's retrieve I didn't really care for it was at the handle, or more specifically the knobs.


I fished the 7.1:1 retrieve ratio variant

While the shape and size of these EVA knobs are fine, I find them a bit thick to comfortably grip for extended periods of time. When fished alongside other combos, it leads me to reach for those with different knobs. The G3 knobs are also supported by two plastic bushings instead of bearings. It's difficult to expect more at this price point, but if bearings under the knobs are important to you, the good news is that's a simple, do it yourself type of aftermarket upgrade.


Inside is a brass gear

Power: ARK equips the G3 with a long, 90mm handle that affords good leverage when cranking that brass gear, and with the super low, 5.4:1 option in retrieve ratio, if you need a G3 with a lot of torque, it's available. Just the same, I used the 7.1:1 reel with some medium running cranks, swim jigs, vibrating jigs, soft plastics, etc., and found it more than sufficient in power. Thanks to its aluminum frame and that metal handle, the reel just feels solid.


The G3's drag stack.

Drag: The Gravity G3 casting reel comes with a maximum rated drag of about fourteen pounds (14lbs). The reel's drag stack is consistent with the G7's in that it features two metal washers (one keyed) and three non-metal washers but the difference here is those non-metal washers are not the ubiquitous carbon matrix type. Instead they are more of an old school Teflon material which is known to be super tough, but also smooth and slick. For me, this system proved smooth and reliable.


This little window is a line indicator

Design & Ergonomics: Like the Gravity G7, the G3 is a very comfortable shape and profile (they are identical in this regard). An interesting little feature the G3 has over the G7 is a line weight indicator placed discreetly within the non-handle sideplate. At first glance, it looks like an indicator for your casting brakes, but with the help of a dial inside the sideplate, you can actually change the value here from 08 to 80 (08, 10, 12, 15, 17, 25, 30, 40, 50, 65, 80) and remind yourself what line weight is installed on the reel. It's a nice implementation of a feature many manufacturers offer and one that is very difficult to accidentally change. On the flip side, it can be tricky to set and the pre-set numbers may or may not actually line up with the weight of line installed on your reel (e.g. if you're using 14lb or 20lb line).


Adjustments to the line indicator are made by turning this dial located on the inside of the non-handle sideplate adjacent to the magnet array

Price & Applications: Priced at $129.99 and offered in four different retrieve ratios in both left and right hand configuration, ARK Fishing's Gravity 3 casting reel is a good option for those who prefer to fish a product other than the status quo and don't want to fork over a ton of cash to do so. It's a solid little reel that will handle a variety of techniques and a great option for those who want to fill out their arsenal with multiple copies of the same reel.


The Gravity G3 is offered at the low price of $129.99

Ratings:

ARK Fishing Gravity G3 Casting Reel Ratings (?/10)

Construction/Quality A solid, seemingly well made reel 8
Performance Excellent choice in a reel to present baits 3/8oz and up 7.5
Price Right on the cusp for those getting more serious about their gear 8
Features Effective if not simple braking system with the bare minimum number of bearings for good performance 7
Design (Ergonomics) Comfortable to palm, but knobs could use some work 7
Application With four options in retrieve ratio, aside from the extremes of finesse fishing and big baits, difficult to find an application where this reel is not well suited. 8

Total Score

7.58
Ratings Key: 1 = terrible : 2 = poor : 3 = lacking : 4 = sub par : 5 = mediocre : 6 = fair : 7 = good : 8 = great : 9 = excellent : 10 = unbelievable!
For More Details of the updated rating system visit our explanation here

 

Pluses and Minuses:

Plus

Minus
+ Four retrieve ratios from which to choose all in left and right hand retrieve - Handle knobs look ok, but are actually a little thick to be comfortable fishing
+ Effective, if not simple brake system - While a nice bonus feature the line indicator is a little difficult to adjust with increments that may or may not necessarily line up with the actual strength of your line
+ Solid construction and smooth operation  
+ Accessible value-oriented price point  


ARK Fishing's Gravity G3 goes a long way with minimal investment

Conclusion: While sharing the same shape, size, and ergonomics as the pricier Gravity G7, the more affordable G3 is a different reel and those differences are pretty apparent once you begin to use the reel regularly. Of course, at half the cost I wouldn't expect the G3 to fish the same, nor should it. The important part is that difference in cost and the fact the G3 is still offered in four different retrieve ratios in a proven, comfortable size and shape. Not everyone wants or needs the fancy brake systems, and the magnetic based brakes in the G3 are perfectly suited for a variety of applications. Really, for a basic, affordable, no frills reel that's not of the status quo, delivers reliable performance, and feels like it's built to last, ARK Fishing's Gravity G3 goes a long way with minimal investment.

Looking for a ARK Fishing Gravity G3 Casting Reel?

Try TackleWarehouse


 

   

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