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