Fishing Reels 101 - Part 1

There are four basic types of fishing reels: Spincast,cranked. The wire loop is called the bail and is
Spinning, Casting, and Fly. All of them are used todesigned to capture the line and force it into the
achieve the same result, which is to hold enough linegroove at the base of loop so it can be wound
for casting and playing a fish. Here is a breakdown ofaround the spindle when the reel is cranked. At the
the types:top of the spool or the base of the reel is the drag
Spincastadjustment, the location varies by manufacturer and
The spincast reel is completely enclosed with themodel. There will also be some type of switch to
exception of a small hole in the top where the lineenable/disable the anti-reverse feature of the reel.
comes out. The line wraps around a spindle locatedAnti-reverse prevents the reel from spinning
inside the upper housing. The spindle sits parallel tobackwards if you remove your hand from the crank.
the fishing rod so the line comes off in a coil. The lineThe reel is designed to be hung below the rod.
is wound back around the spindle by a collar thatTo cast a rod equipped with a spinning reel you first
catches the line where it comes off of the spindlegrasp the rod so that the reel hangs below the rod,
and rotates as the crank is turned. When the triggerand the mounting base shaft for the reel is between
is pushed, the collar moves out of the way andyou middle and ring fingers. Now, using the index
allows line to unspool from the spindle. This type offinger of the hand holding the rod, catch the line
reel also has a drag that is either controlled by awhere it leaves the reel and hold it to the rod with
wheel located on the housing or by a large spoke ringyou finger. Using your other hand flip the bail up so it
around the base of the crank handle. The dragpoints toward the rod tip. This will allow the line to
provides tension on the line for fighting fish and iscome off the spool if you release the line held by
adjustable to prevent line breakage.your index finger. Start the casting motion and on
To cast a rod equipped with a spincast reel you startthe forward portion of the motion release the line
the casting motion and press the trigger on theheld by your finger at the point where you want the
forward motion of the cast at the point where youlure to start flying. When the lure hits the water turn
want the lure to start flying. When the lure hits thethe crank and the bail will close. You can now start
desired location you turn the crank to release theretrieving the lure.
trigger and engage the collar with the line. You canSpinning reels cast farther than Spincast reels but can
now start retrieving your lure.sometimes have problems with line loops if the line
Spincast reels usually cast lures less distance thandevelops twists, there is slack in the line when it is
other types, but have fewer line loops or backlashes.reeled, there is a lot of line memory, or if there is
Spinningtoo much line on the reel.
Spinning reels have a visible line spool with a wire loopPart 2 will cover Casting reels and Fly Reels.
at the top that moves around the spool as the reel is