Picking the Right Reel.
There are basically three types of reels to consider, each with advantages to
weigh: baitcasting, spinning and spincasting.
- Baitcasting reels
- Baitcasting reels work with the weight of the bait or lure as it pulls
on the line and turns the spool to release
more line. The heavier the lure, the longer the cast.
- With practice, this style of reel also will allow you to cast more
accurately
- These are typically preferred by more experienced anglers, especially
when using heavier lures and lines designed for bigger fish
- Most baitcasting reels now incorporate a drag system
designed to adjust the resistance--or drag--on
the spool to control how much resistance is needed to pull the right
amount of line off the spool. Star drags or
a simple drag knob is common.
- You can also select a baitcasting reel for your style of fishing
- Offshore reels are designed to fight large
fish from a boat
- Trolling reels allow you to drag live bait
or a lure as you troll in a boat
- Casting reels give you the benefit of
precision casts
- These even come in casting styles, with pitching
to cast overhead or sidearm and flipping to
cast underhand in tight situations such as underneath tree branches
- Spinning reels
- Spinning reels are open-faced
- Your line is released from a stationary spool
by flipping a bail wire, a piece of metal wire across the spool called a
bail
- This stationary spool keeps the line in place and helps prevent snarls
and tangled line
- The weight of your lure or bait propels the line forward
- Spinning reels can handle smaller bait but today's spinning reels are
designed for light to heavier fish
- You also need to ensure that your reel is a left- or right-hand
retrieve, or can be adapted for either hand
- Spinning reels use an anti-reverse, a simple
mechanism you set by letting go of the bail wire after casting. This
keeps your line from spooling off once you get a strike from a fish.
- The anti-reverse lock is usually a lever mounted on the gear
housing cover
- It prevents the reel handle from turning in reverse when you hook a
fish and it runs or when you are trolling
- Automatic anti-reverse requires no manual settings
- Spincasting reels
- Spincasting reels are closed-faced, and combine spinning and casting.
The spool remains stationary until you use a thumb
button to cast. When you release the button, your bait or lure
propel your line.
- The ease of spincasting reels make them a good choice for beginners
both for the in ease of casting and their reliability, with few bells
and whistles that cause problems while your fishing
- The closed face does limit line capacity, but you can still find
models that will handle light to medium fish
Materials/Construction
- Spools
- The spool is the part of the reel that holds the line
- It is a detachable component of the reel
- Spools are made of either graphite or aluminum
- Graphite spools are designed to be lighter than aluminum spools
- Aluminum spools generally cost more and some consider aluminum to be
more durable
- Either material is designed to resist corrosion from the water
- Frames
- The frame is what gives a real its shape
- Frames can also be either made of graphite or aluminum
- Once again, this is a question of weight and the price you are willing
to pay for a reel
- Line capacity
- Line capacity is a key consideration in selecting a reel
- Reels can handle as little as 15 yards to as much as 900 yards
- The amount of line you'll need depends on your fishing. For example,
fishing in your favorite pond or park will probably require only minimal
line capacity. If you plan on fishing in the Great Lakes, though, you
may need more line capacity to handle the water's depth and the type of
fish that may run with your line.
- Gear ratio
- Gear ratios tells you how quickly a reel will retrieve line per
revolution of your reel's crank
- As a guide, lower ratios provide more power for bringing fish from
deeper depths, while higher gear rations benefit when pulling fish from
closer to the surface
- Ball bearings
- Ball bearings are used to help reels work more smoothly by supporting
the moving parts
- Generally speaking, the more ball bearings, the smoother the reel
works, especially under pressure
- As more ball bearings are added to a reel, the cost goes up