Piscifun released their upgrade to the Carbon X II called the Carbon Prism spinning reel. It contains a lot of new technology to provide a lot of power while retaining its ultra-lightweight design. I was allowed to test it out at my local coastal location and have compiled this review of my thoughts.
As a quick summary, the Piscifun Carbon Prism spinning reel is extremely lightweight and only available in a 2000-size. It performs extremely well with 10+1 double-sealed, stainless steel ball bearings, and has 22 pounds of max drag. At this price point, it is one of the best value-for-money spinning reels on the market.
- Powerful 22 Pound Drive
- 2 Bright and Unique Color Configurations
- Extremely Lightweight Hollow Frame Design
I put together this video review showcasing the reel in its field testing and bench testing so you can see how it performs:
Table of Contents
Features
There are a few design features that Piscifun has targeted when building this reel:
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Powerful
They have achieved this spectacle by implementing a hollow frame design, delivering 22 pounds of drag, and using carbon fibre extensively.
Hollow Skeleton Design
This reel has a unique design with a hollow body. You can actually see a lot of the internals as the spool rises and falls with each turn of the handle. This is one of the brilliant ideas Piscifun has implemented into the Carbon Prism, and was present in the Carbon X models. It is difficult to have both power and low weight without using engineering solutions to this.
I do worry that this will allow salt and sand to build up in this empty zone, increasing the corrosion over time. The ball bearings are double sealed, so they are protected, but I would strongly encourage you to flush thoroughly with freshwater after each use.
I will report back on the long term durability of this reel after I have used it for longer.
Carbon Fibre Materials
The body, rotor, and handle are all made from carbon fibre. The spool is made from aluminum. This combination of high quality materials gives it both strength and light weight.
The most surprising thing is that this reel is made from high quality construction materials but still maintains an affordable price tag.
Powerful Drag System
I did a double take when I saw this ultralight reel had 22 pounds of drag. That is an extraordinary amount of max drag for a reel targeting panfish.
You will be able to force any fish directly to your boat. This might be one of the compromises to compensate for the low line capacity. You don’t need as much excess line if you can just pull the fish in easily.
I like to have at least 15 pounds of drag for bass angling, so this is exceptional. You can use this reel for bass angling, but you will need to utilize that drag more than usual.
I tested it with a set of scales, and it is certainly over 20 pounds of drag.
10+1 Double Sealed, Stainless Steel Ball Bearings
Very few reels in this price tag boast 10+1 ball bearings. It has an extremely smooth cast and retrieve. I have heard comments about poor casting in the older Carbon X models, but the Carbon Prism performed well.
They are doubled sealed, which gives them great corrosion resistance and makes it saltwater ready. Although it doesn’t have the line capacity to fight many species of saltwater fish, it certainly has enough drag to force them to shore.
Color Scheme
The main difference with the older models is the color. It is available in two colors – Violet Victory (which I have), and Seafoam Mint Green. They are even brighter when they have sunlight shining on them.
They will certainly stand out from the multitudes of black and silver designs around. You will get a lot of comments and questions every time you take these reels out.
Field Testing
I always test reels, both in my garage and the field. This gives me an appreciation for how it performs, and whether there are any problems with the design.
Max Drag
The Carbon Prism has a powerful drag of 22 pounds. I like at least 15 pounds for bass angling. Because of the low line capacity, you will only pick this reel for panfish, which means it is very overpowered.
I tested the drag using a scale to check that it could deliver. I had spooled it with 30-pound braid from an old spool I had lying around. The line actually broke when the scale was reading 20 pounds.
So I learned two things – I need to throw out that spool of braid, and the reel has over 20 pounds of drag.
Casting Distance
I took my Carbon Prism down to an inshore location to test with a collection of small lures and bait rigs.
The casting accuracy was the same as any spinning reel, but the casting distance was low. This is due to the smaller spool size and the extra friction it generates. I tested it with both a light lure and a baited hook and could only cast around 60 yards.
When you only have 120 yards of line capacity, this means that you are casting around half of your line in every cast – which doesn’t leave much line available for fighting the fish, especially if you catch a fiesty species.
Specifications
| Specifications | Piscifun Carbon Prism |
| Ball Bearings | 10+1 |
| Gear Ratio | 6.2:1 |
| Mono Line Capacity | 120 yards of 8 lb |
| Braid Line Capacity | 150 yards of 15 lb |
| Max Drag | 22 pounds |
| Weight | 7.2 ounces |
Pros
- Extremely powerful drag at 22 pounds. I like to have at least 15 pounds for bass, so given this reel only has the line capacity and sizes to target panfish, it is overpowered.
- Lightweight design from carbon fibre materials and skeleton frame design.
Cons
- Low line capacity at 120 yards of 8 lb mono. I like to have at least 150 yards of 10 lb mono for bass. This is okay for panfish, but you must remember to reduce that capacity when you snip off a few inches of line for a new lure.
- The casting distance is low. I tested it for both lures and bait and could only generate around 60 yards, which doesn’t leave much line on the spool for fighting the fish.
Piscifun Carbon Prism vs Carbon X II
The Carbon Prism is the upgrade to the Carbon X II. Looking at the specifications comparing the 2000-sized models, they are almost identical. Everything under the hood is the same.
| Specifications | Carbon Prism | Carbon X II |
| Gear Ratio | 6.2:1 | 6.2:1 |
| Weight | 7.2 oz | 7.2 oz |
| Max Drag | 22 lb | 22 lb |
| Mono Line Capacity | 120 yards of 8 lb | 120 yards of 8 lb |
| Braid Line Capacity | 150 yards of 15 lb | 150 yards of 15 lb |
| Ball Bearings | 10+1 | 10+1 |
The main differences are in the aesthetics. The Carbon X II is available in three sizes but only in a black color. The Carbon Prism is only available in one size, but comes in two bright colors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I was surprised with the performance of this reel considering its price tag. If I just saw the specifications and materials, I would expect this reel to cost well over $200. It performed well in the field testing with a smooth cast and retrieve.
The max drag is overpowered for panfish, but the low line capacity limits it to small sized fish. I think this is one of the best value for money spinning reels around, and is a phenomenal ultralight weight option.
