Understanding Different Types Of Fishing Reels

A great deal of us who find themselves around our favorite watering hole understands the gist of what a fishing reel is. That said, there’s a good chance that you may not know how many different fishing reels there are and the situations in which they are used.

 

There’s an even better one that you may be thinking that there’s no difference as to what reel you use. You should know that it does make a significant difference.

 

You probably won’t go to your favorite pond with an offshore reel, and that alone is generally a reason for you to understand the variety of fishing reels. As such, we’re going to run through the different types of reels.

 

Additionally, we’re going to talk about different ones that are best used for a particular style of fishing.

 

 

Spin cast reels are probably the first fishing reels types that most people have grown accustomed to. Known as probably the budget reel for many, it’s also known as the starter reel, too.

 

Usually used by kids and the person who doesn’t get on the water all that often, it doesn’t cost that much to either buy or maintain at all.

 

Despite there not being much to them, it provides decent accuracy on the cast, offers easy untangling, and it even has a push-button release. When we say it’s easy to untangle, we mean it, you just have to open the ball and tug a little on the line. It’s just that easy.

 

 

Baitcasting reels are probably the most popular of all of the reels out there. With bait casters, you don’t have to worry about anything bad happening with the line when you’re casting it.

 

You also are afforded a lot more power, meaning that you can cast it farther. You also get more accuracy, though you’ll find that it will take a bit more skill to use than a spin-cast reel.

 

Big game fish are best reeled in with a baitcasting reel. It handles heavier pound test lines with ease. That being said, it can have a steep learning curve, but this can be solved with enough practice and a little patience.

 

 

These days, I spend a lot of my time using spinning reels. I do understand the debate circling bait casters and spinning reels, but I find myself gravitating toward the latter. Many other fishermen seem to agree, and this is the case whether they’re fishing for bass on the lake or targeting gamefish on the beach. It works by just pushing up the metal ball wire, ultimately releasing the line.

 

Bringing the wire down locks it into place. It can be a little wayward at first and let me tell you, I’ve lost a few lures because of it. You don’t have to worry too much about setting it up, nor will you struggle to get used to it.

 

 

Graphite, anodized aluminum, or a combination of both compose most of the better surf fishing reels, as well as stainless steel ball bearings that help against corrosion.

 

They have to be tough to battle the surf, but they also have to possess a lot of fishing line and be accurate enough when attached to a good surf rod.

 

 

An offshore reel is probably the toughest reel type that we have out there, and they can be of the spinning or baitcasting variety. They are usually more on the expensive side, but this makes sense.

 

They’re made to stand up to a lot of punishment where most of the other reels would just crumble. They’re also built to reel in the largest fish and put up with harsh saltwater that you’ll routinely find out there.

 

 

Conventional or casting reels are the weapon of choice for many fishermen who are fishing in the deep blue. Bottom fishing is a difficult thing to do, so we applaud anyone who is using these reels for true big game fish.

 

If you’re looking for a conventional or trolling reel, you’ll have to take into account a few things. The best ones are essentially graphite or machined aluminum. They also should sport a strong multi-disc drag system as well as the ability to hold a large amount of line.

 

This line must be tough because you’re dealing with some of the strongest fish and you’d have to lose it. Not only will the reel have to support heavy test lines, but also more fishing line as a whole.

 

 

If you’re on the market for a fly fishing reel, accuracy is the name of the game. You have to be completely precise when you’re casting to a spot. As such, good fly reels are all pretty good in that regard.

 

You’ll also learn that these reels come in a variety of different styles. Some are made to even catch certain fish, such as salmon or trout. You can also get attachments, such as arbors, which are put there to help speed up the retrieval process.

The center pin reel is one that’s been around for quite some time. Made in the early 19th century, this reel has a large spool that is affixed perpendicular to the rod and gives about some very long casts.

 

I’m a big fan of this reel because it has some quirks that you just don’t see these days. They’re both drag-free and free-spooling reels, which allows the line to drag out as the water current pulls a special bobber downstream. Working with the center pin, this makes a more natural appearance for the fish that you’re trying to hook in.

 

Considering its humble origins, there’s a little manual work that must be done here. It doesn’t rely on a mechanical drag, so you have to use your thumb to control the fish that you hook most of the time.

 

There are some out there that have a rudimentary resistance system, but generally nothing to write home about. In any event, these reels are good for big fish because you get to have a great amount of control.