How to Select the Right Fishing Reel

Fishing success depends on the choice of the perfect reel. The reel should be compatible to the rod and the line you choose to use for fishing. The spinning reel and the baitcasting reel are the two varieties from which to choose from. Novice to catching small fishes uses the closed faced spinning reel. The knowledge of types of reels and their features will help you in choosing the right kind that is suitable for your fishing needs.

Bearings -The more bearings you have on the reel the more smoother it becomes to operate. However, do not put more bearings in the reel as it may not be able to control the catch. Spinning reels bearings are crucial since it is placed on 90 degree angles whereas on baitcasting reels, it is side by side. Comfortable number of bearings makes the spinning reel to handle easily and efficiently.

Spinning reels- These reels use 14-pound test line or less and have better handling. If you opt for larger reels then you have the benefit of long distance casting. The spool should rotate in the ratio of 5.1 times per revolution. Going any higher with the ratio, you will be sacrificing power for speed. The problem with spinning reels is that they got too many tangles. These tangles are called snarls by some and can really hamper your fishing experience. Snarls usually occur right after casting - when you turn the handle before the bell is closed. Filling your spool completely will also cause snarls. To counter this problem, you can either close the bell manually after casting or apply some silicone on the line. Trust me, this will make a lot of difference. Another problem with this type of reel is that is that they don’t do very well with heavier line.

Baitcasting reels- Baitcasting reels are used for heavy catches and generally used in deep-sea fishing. The reels work well with heavier line and they will have no problem handling 20 pound or heavier line. Bigger game fish requires heavier baits and with this type of reel, you will have no problem handling them. These lines normally do not form tangles due to their inherent features. Buying baitcasting reel with magnetic braking system helps you better than the old centrifugal braking system. These reels are used for catching big fish and helps in driving the fish out of weeds once it is stuck. The strength of the line helps in achieving the action. The problem with these reels is that it’s not easy to master this type of reel and you get the dreadful backlash if you try to handle them without mastering the cast. The solution to this problem is the nob located next to the star drag. The nob acts as your tension and you have to set it just right. Setting the tension too high will hamper your ability to cast far and if you set the tension too low, you will have the backlash to contemplate with.

The reel has to synchronize with the rod and it is wiser to follow the instructions of the manufacturer. Most manufacturers will recommend the size of the line to use with their rods. For example, a spinning reel should be used if the rod was tested to be compatible with 6 to 14 pound of weight. A baitcasting reel is more suitable for heavier catches and thus rods that are able to handle 14 to 20 pound of weight would be suitable for this type of reel.