Fishing reels are a crucial component of most fishing setups, and they come in various types designed for specific angling techniques or species. Here are the primary types of fishing reels:
Spinning Reel:
Commonly used by beginners because of its ease of use.
Mounted below the rod.
Has a fixed spool; line is drawn out by the weight of the lure, bait, or tackle.
Ideal for casting light lures and baits
- Design: Features an open-faced design. The spool is stationary and the line is cast by overcoming the bail wire.
- Usage: Popular for both freshwater and saltwater fishing. Especially good for light lures and baits.
- Advantages: Easier to use than baitcasting reels, less prone to tangles and backlashes.
- Disadvantages: Not as accurate as baitcasters, might not be suitable for very heavy lines or lures.
Baitcasting Reel (or Baitcaster):
Used by more experienced anglers.
Mounted on top of the rod.
Spool rotates as the line is cast out, requiring a skillful thumb to prevent backlash (a tangling of the line).
Provides more accuracy and can handle heavier line and lures than spinning reels.
- Design: Features a revolving spool and sits on top of the casting rod. The line is released using a button on the side.
- Usage: Used for larger game fish in both freshwater and saltwater.
- Advantages: Offers more control and accuracy during casting, suitable for heavier lines and lures.
- Disadvantages: Has a steeper learning curve due to potential for backlashes.
Spincast Reel:
Another beginner-friendly reel.
Mounted on top of the rod, like a baitcaster.
Features a button that is pushed during the forward cast and released to let the line out.
Has a closed face, which covers the spool, and this helps in preventing line tangles.
Not as accurate as baitcasters and not as versatile as spinning reels.
- Design: A closed-faced design with the line fed out of a hole in the cover.
- Usage: Great for beginners and those wanting a simple casting experience.
- Advantages: Very easy to use, minimal line tangling.
- Disadvantages: Less accuracy and distance compared to spinning or baitcasting reels.
Trolling Reel:
Specifically designed for trolling, which is a method of fishing where lures are drawn through the water behind a moving boat.
Similar in appearance to baitcasting reels but larger and built for the open water.
Capable of holding more and heavier line.
- Design: Similar in appearance to baitcasting reels but designed for dragging bait or lures behind moving boats.
- Usage: Used for big game fish in saltwater and large freshwater bodies.
- Advantages: Can handle very heavy line and large fish. Often equipped with counters to measure line length.
- Disadvantages: Not designed for casting.
Fly Reel:
Designed for fly fishing.
Generally has a simple click drag system.
Mainly used to store line, provide smooth uninterrupted drag, and balance the fly rod during casting.
- Design: Simple in design, these reels store large amounts of very light line.
- Usage: Specifically for fly fishing, where the weight of the line carries the lightweight fly.
- Advantages: Allows for very delicate presentations of the fly, with the ability to “play” fish effectively.
- Disadvantages: Requires a specific casting technique (fly casting).
Centerpin Reel:
Used mainly for float fishing in freshwater environments.
Operates freely on its axle, allowing for very long drifts.
- Design: A type of reel that uses a bearing-mounted cylinder to hold the line and revolves around a stationary spindle.
- Usage: Often used for float fishing in rivers and streams.
- Advantages: Offers a very natural drift, allowing the bait or lure to flow with the current. Exceptional line control.
- Disadvantages: Can be challenging to master, especially when casting.
Surf Fishing Reel:
Used for casting baits or lures from the shore into the ocean.
Built to handle the corrosive saltwater environment and typically has a longer casting range.
- Design: Designed to handle long casts and battle the corrosive effects of saltwater. Typically, these are larger spinning reels or baitcasting reels with a long spool.
- Usage: Specifically for casting bait or lures from the beach, pier, or jetty into the surf.
- Advantages: Allows for longer casts to reach deeper waters from shore. Built to handle larger fish commonly found in surf zones.
- Disadvantages: Larger and heavier compared to standard freshwater reels.
Offshore Reel:
Built to handle large game fish in the ocean.
Sturdier construction, higher line capacities, and stronger drag systems to handle the power of larger fish.
- Design: Built to withstand the rigors of saltwater fishing and handle large game fish. They are robust and often come with lever drags.
- Usage: Deep-sea fishing or big game fishing far from shore.
- Advantages: Can handle very heavy lines and tackle large fish. Resistant to corrosive saltwater conditions.
- Disadvantages: Not suitable for smaller species or inshore fishing.
Ice Fishing Reel:
Specifically designed for fishing through holes in the ice.
Compact and robust.
- Design: Smaller and designed to work in freezing conditions. Often looks like a smaller inline reel without a bail.
- Usage: Specifically for ice fishing through holes in frozen lakes or rivers.
- Advantages: Designed to prevent line freeze and icing. Compact and lightweight.
- Disadvantages: Limited line capacity and not designed for large game fish.
Electric Reel:
Designed for deep-sea fishing.
Uses electric power to assist in bringing up fish from the deep.
- Design: Comes with a built-in motor. The design may resemble traditional reels but has a battery compartment and controls.
- Usage: Deep-sea bottom fishing or when fishing at extreme depths, where manually retrieving a line would be exhausting.
- Advantages: Simplifies the process of retrieving heavy rigs from great depths. Useful for disabled anglers.
- Disadvantages: More expensive than manual reels. Requires batteries or another power source.
When selecting a fishing reel, consider your target species, the fishing technique, and your skill level. Each type of reel offers distinct advantages, so it’s important to choose the one that’s best suited for your needs.