| 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 to | | | | designed to capture the line and force it into the |
| achieve the same result, which is to hold enough line | | | | groove at the base of loop so it can be wound |
| for casting and playing a fish. Here is a breakdown of | | | | around the spindle when the reel is cranked. At the |
| the types: | | | | top of the spool or the base of the reel is the drag |
| Spincast | | | | adjustment, the location varies by manufacturer and |
| The spincast reel is completely enclosed with the | | | | model. There will also be some type of switch to |
| exception of a small hole in the top where the line | | | | enable/disable the anti-reverse feature of the reel. |
| comes out. The line wraps around a spindle located | | | | Anti-reverse prevents the reel from spinning |
| inside the upper housing. The spindle sits parallel to | | | | backwards if you remove your hand from the crank. |
| the fishing rod so the line comes off in a coil. The line | | | | The reel is designed to be hung below the rod. |
| is wound back around the spindle by a collar that | | | | To cast a rod equipped with a spinning reel you first |
| catches the line where it comes off of the spindle | | | | grasp the rod so that the reel hangs below the rod, |
| and rotates as the crank is turned. When the trigger | | | | and the mounting base shaft for the reel is between |
| is pushed, the collar moves out of the way and | | | | you middle and ring fingers. Now, using the index |
| allows line to unspool from the spindle. This type of | | | | finger of the hand holding the rod, catch the line |
| reel also has a drag that is either controlled by a | | | | where it leaves the reel and hold it to the rod with |
| wheel located on the housing or by a large spoke ring | | | | you finger. Using your other hand flip the bail up so it |
| around the base of the crank handle. The drag | | | | points toward the rod tip. This will allow the line to |
| provides tension on the line for fighting fish and is | | | | come 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 start | | | | the forward portion of the motion release the line |
| the casting motion and press the trigger on the | | | | held by your finger at the point where you want the |
| forward motion of the cast at the point where you | | | | lure to start flying. When the lure hits the water turn |
| want the lure to start flying. When the lure hits the | | | | the crank and the bail will close. You can now start |
| desired location you turn the crank to release the | | | | retrieving the lure. |
| trigger and engage the collar with the line. You can | | | | Spinning 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 than | | | | develops 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 |
| Spinning | | | | too much line on the reel. |
| Spinning reels have a visible line spool with a wire loop | | | | Part 2 will cover Casting reels and Fly Reels. |
| at the top that moves around the spool as the reel is | | | | |