Running head: EXPERTS GUIDE ON HOW TO CHOOSE A FISHING REEL 1

Experts Guide on How to Choose a Fishing Reel

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Introduction

A fishing reel is a special equipment which is used when fishing to deploy and retrieve

fishing lines. When buying a fishing reel, you have to know and understand how it works and

which one suits your needs better. In fishing reels there is always a spool which is mounted on an

axle. Fishing reels are used in conjunction with several devices or equipment. They are either used

with a fishing rod or mounted to the boats directly. It’s history of fishing goes back to 1195 where

paintings were found in China. They then later came to England. Having an effective fishing reel

is very vital to any fishing activities. For any fishing enthusiast strikes on their fishing reels are the

best moments in fishing. We can term it as the climax to fishing (Watson et al., 2018).

Fishing Reel Features

Buying a reel is an investment. If you get it right, it will aid your fishing pleasure and number of

catches. When you get it wrong it would ruin your rod balance, and it could cost a fish.

Choosing the correct fishing reel for your outing is essential, either you are going after a big

steelhead or going after a trout. Therefore, you should learn about the different kinds of fishing

reels available and how they can work for you (Watson et al., 2018).
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Steps on How to Choose a Fishing Reel

It is important to Choose the Style of Your Reel First: Fixed spool, Free spool, Close face or

center-pin. The following are some of the steps that can be used when choosing a fishing reel.

1. Understanding The Drag System: front drag or a real drag.

2. The Amount of the Bearing Would Determine Bearings: How smooth the reel would.

3. Line lay: If the line lays flatter on the spool, the better the reel would perform when

casting.

4. Line Clips: A line clip would help to catch more fish; you keep casting feeders to the

same spot.

5. Retrieve Ratio: You get to know how fast the reel retrieves it’s from the retrieve ratio.

6. Reel Handles: The choice of reel handles depends on your taste.

We have penned down a guide in order to ensure you have all the information you need, the

essentials of a reel, the specifications and the purpose of each to help you make the right choice.

Hopefully, the right reel will eventually aid you to catch more fish and the feel of a good angler.

Finding Your Perfect Freshwater or Saltwater Reel

Freshwater reels are usually used around inland lakes, rivers and streams, while the saltwater

reels are used for the large volume of water which includes oceans and bays. They come in three

styles: spinning, fly and casting fishing. If you’re after a large bass or trout, you should be able to

understand the way your fishing reel would work (Watson et al., 2018).

Baitcasting Reels
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They work with the weight or lure your bait as it pulls the line and turns the spool. Experienced

fishers always prefer baitcasting reels, especially if they are using heavy lures and lines for a

large game fish. The handles are usually located on the right side. Below are some facts about

bait casting reels; Many fishers use bait casting reels for a larger and stronger game fish,

especially if they would be off the water for an extended period. Most saltwater anglers use

baitcasting reels for species such as striped bass. Most of the reels have a drag system, which

drags on the spool and it controls the level of the resistance needed to pull. Some of the bait

casting reels come in one-piece designs which lessen the corrosive effects (Watson et al., 2018).

These five types of freshwater and saltwater baitcasting to fit your needs are available and they

include:

Shore Reels: To fight large fish from the boat.

Trolling Reels: To drag or lure a live bait behind you as a troll in the boat

Casting Reels: To benefit of precision cast.

Jigging Reels: This reel allows the bait to be pulled up when the lure sinks to the bottom in a

swift motion.

Bottom Reels: To fish from a stationary boat.

Spinning Reels

These reeling devices are excellent and great for a newbie or a novice angler. They are extremely

simple to use and mount on the side of a spinning rod. Their handle is usually located on the left-

hand side instead of the right side. Here are some facts that describe spinning reels; They can

handle smaller baits and lures. They usually offer anti-reverse system, a design that you can set
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by letting go of your bail arm after you cast. This keeps the line from spooling off when there is

a bite. A skirted spool is preferred in saltwater environments. It increases line capacity, reducing

tangles and allowing a longer cast. It also protects the inside mechanisms of the spool from salt

(Watson et al., 2018).

Spin cast Reels

In spin cast reels, the line usually comes off at the top of the spool while casting. The spool runs

parallel with the rod enclosed by the cover that has a port, where the end of the fishing line exits.

Below, you have the facts relating to spin cast reels; The spool stays stationary until you use the

thumb button to cast. As soon as you get to release the button, your bait will propel your line.

Spin cast reels make a good choice for newbies because of its ease, and it’s reliable and lacks

complexity (Muench, et al., 2017).

Drag Systems

The drag system of the reel applies friction to the spool. It helps you as you cast and attempt to

lure a fish, especially the larger species. Let’s take a quick glance at some basic facts; Its older

models have a fixed drag that you cannot adjust. The pawl and spring drag systems used for fly

fishing do offer some adjustment, and they have a distinct sound when the line is pulled off the

reel. Many modern reels make use of the disc drag system because they provide the smoothest

type of drag. The adjustable disc drags allow fishers to make suitable adjustments to the level of

the drag pressure (Hyder et al., 2018).

We have three types of drag systems;

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Spring and Pawl (click and pawl) Systems: They feature a spring which pushes the pawl into

gear on the reel spool to produce drag. It’s best when you want to do light fishing or targeting

pinfish. Disc Drag System: This pushes a large-diameter pad against the reel spool slowing the

surface. The pressure is direct in order to increase overall efficiency and control. They use

synthetic materials or cork. Cork gives a smoother, consistent pressure and it can be easily

adjusted. They are so great for fighting strong, large fish. Caliper Drag System: This falls

between “spring and pawl” and “disc drag” systems. Here, the pad pushes right against the

surface of the spool. Then, friction slows down the way the reel spool spins. Front drag system

has a slight edge over the rear drag system because of its performance, which is why most of the

top range match reels use a front drag (Kumar et al., 2016).

Conclusion

When buying any fishing reel, you need to be well versed on how the work and the other

equipment required to work in conjunction with them. You also need to understand the several

drag systems for the reels. You also need to understand your fishing environment to know which

fishing reel best suits you. For the best fishing experiences, you have to get it right on the choice

of the reel you are going to purchase. You also need to know the other equipment need to fix the

reels. This understanding enables you to make the right purchase and to avoid regrets. It also

improves your general fishing experience.

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References

Hyder, K., Weltersbach, M. S., Armstrong, M., Ferter, K., Townhill, B., Ahvonen, A., ... & Borch,

T. (2018). Recreational sea fishing in Europe in a global context—Participation rates,

fishing effort, expenditure, and implications for monitoring and assessment. Fish and

Fisheries, 19(2), 225-243.

Kumar, M. P., Akash, K., & Venkatesan, M. (2016, September). Scotch-Yoke mechanism for a

syringe pump-A case study. In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and

Engineering (Vol. 149, No. 1, p. 012221). IOP Publishing.

Muench, A., DePiper, G. S., & Demarest, C. (2017). On the precision of predicting fishing location

using data from the vessel monitoring system (VMS). Canadian Journal of Fisheries and

Aquatic Sciences, (999), 1-12.

Watson, J. T., Haynie, A. C., Sullivan, P. J., Perruso, L., O’Farrell, S., Sanchirico, J. N., & Mueter,

F. J. (2018). Vessel monitoring systems (VMS) reveal an increase in fishing efficiency

following regulatory changes in a demersal longline fishery. Fisheries Research, 207, 85-

94.