Every sportsman understands the importance of the proper gear. Fishermen are no exception. When purchasing equipment, such as a fishing reel, several factors need to taken into account. What type of fish will you be going after, including the size, weight and temperament (some fish fight more than others). Is the reel for a beginner or an experienced angler? Will you be fishing from the shore or from a boat? Do you intend to fish in a stream or a lake, in freshwater or saltwater? The answers to these questions help determine what type of reel you’ll need to buy.

Where do you begin? Even if you know the answers to the above questions, you still need to do a little research on makes, model and types of reels. If you don’t, you’ll be overwhelmed by the enormity of the choices. So, let’s talk about what types of reels are out there, and how to tell if it’s the right reel for you.

Open or Closed Face Reel

There are closed face reels and open faced reels. A spin casting reel is closed-face and is one of the most common types of reels. It’s perfect for a beginner, because the design helps eliminate some of the problems with fishing line. In a closed face reel, the fishing line on the reel is covered, which protects the line and makes it easier to cast. Easier casting makes learning easier, so in addition to beginners, this reel is a good choice for children.

The spinning reel is an example of an open faced reel. With a spinning reel, the line is exposed, which makes it easier for the angler to control. Also, a spinning reel allows the fisherman to make longer casts than with a spin casting reel. To master this reel takes some skill and experience, so this reel is not good for beginners.

The Size and Ratio of The Fishing Rod Reel

Reels come in numerous sizes. Size determines what test line the reel can handle, and eventually what size fish. For example, if you’re going to use a six to ten pound test line, you’ll need a medium sized reel, and will probably catch medium-sized fish.

A reel’s gear ratio is the number of rotations that results from a full crank of the handle. If you want to toss your lure and reel it in quickly, a high gear ratio is the reel of choice. If you’re going to fish on the bottom a lower gear ratio will probably suffice.

Bearings and Backwards

All fishing reels have ball bearings inside them. The number of ball bearings in a reel can range from 1or 2 to 5 or more. The more ball bearings the reel has, the smoother the cast and the less the bail moves. A reel with 5 or more ball bearings will cast very smoothly, with almost no movement in the bail.

Inspect the handle on the reel to see if it has an anti-reverse mechanism. This device prevents the handle from spinning backwards, so you can set the hook and keep the fish from getting away.