| Buying a fishing reel isn't difficult, but it does | | | | 4) type - level wind (baitcaster) or spinning |
| require a little bit of thinking and consideration | | | | The type of reel you use affects the type of |
| about what you will be using the reel for exactly. | | | | fishing you will be doing. Reels are designed for |
| Different kinds of fishing and different kinds of | | | | different purposes and produce different effects |
| fish require different reels. This article will give you | | | | on the lures and bait that you use. If you are |
| 7 key pointers on buying your next reel so that | | | | fishing large plugs and bait style lures, which are |
| you get exactly the one you need. | | | | commonly used with bass fishing, a baitcasting (or |
| 1) good grips You want to be sure that the are | | | | levelwind) reel is probably what you're looking for. |
| non-slip grips on both the hand-crank and on the | | | | These reels don't produce too much action in the |
| arm of the reel (where you non-cranking hand | | | | lure, and allow very accurate casting control. |
| rests). This ensures that when your hands get | | | | Spinning reels on the other hand are designed to |
| wet (which they will), you can still have solid | | | | transfer action into the lure from the reel, and are |
| control over the reel and don't have to worry | | | | used commonly with trolling, and casting spoons |
| about it slipping out of your hands. | | | | and spinner type lures. |
| 2) ball bearings Ball bearings are one of the most | | | | 5) type of fishing/size of fish |
| important parts of any reel you buy. Basically put | | | | This relates back to point #4. They type of |
| they control 2 things, 1) the smoothness of the | | | | fishing you plan on doing is important, but so is |
| retrieve, and 2) the stopping speed of the reel. | | | | the size and type of fish you are going after. |
| Essentially, the more ball bearings you have in the | | | | Different species are not only different in size, but |
| reel, the smoother the retrieve will be. Two is | | | | also in their overall strength and fighting attitude. |
| common in low end reels, 3-4 in mid-range reels, | | | | Basically a 3 lb. musky will react differently than a |
| and 5 or more in top end reels. The other factor | | | | 3 lb. smallmouth bass and as a result different |
| that ball bearings influence is how much the reel | | | | reels could or should be used. Likewise if the |
| spins backwards after you stop winding in your | | | | areas you fish are loaded with underwater |
| line. You want this to be as little as possible since | | | | hazzards and structures that will snag hooks, you |
| it affects your control over the line and lure. One | | | | may want to get a sturdier reel than if you |
| simple test is to simply reel in a little line, and let | | | | always fish in open, clear waters. |
| go of the crank handle. Now pull line out of the | | | | 6) Size and weight |
| reel. If the handle turns backwards, you will have | | | | This isn't overly critical as most reels are within a |
| less control. More ball bearings means that this | | | | few ounces of each other in weight. However if |
| 'unwinding' is reduced - which is very important. | | | | you're going to be out casting all day long on a |
| 3) line capacity You need to check the line | | | | regular basis a lighter reel can be a reel blessing. |
| capacity of any reel for 2 key bits of information. | | | | The same holds true if you're buying a reel for |
| First, the maximum lb. test the reel will hold, and | | | | your children. Be sure to try it out on a rod in the |
| then how many yards/metres of line can be put | | | | store to see how it feels. Then make sure that it |
| on the reel. You want to have a reel that is | | | | feels comfortable and you are able to reach the |
| designed for the line weight you are going to use. | | | | casting mechanisms and tension controls easily |
| Trying to put 20 lb. test line on a reel designed for | | | | and without having to make awkward stretches. |
| 6 lb. test will only give you headaches. | | | | |