Those who don’t do much fishing likely don’t understand all that goes into the sport.
There is quite a bit of equipment that fishermen will need to research and understand before they take on the sport.
Depending on the type of fishing you are doing, having the right reel will make or break the day.
Here are ten types of fishing reels on the market that you can choose from.
Making sure you are fishing with the proper equipment is going to help make your day on the water much more fun.
10 Types of Fishing Reels
1. Spincasting Reels
A spincast reel has been around for many years.
Spincast reels are often the first choice for very young kids learning to fish because they are inexpensive and very easy to use.
If you are someone who likes to fish three times a year, this could be the kind of reel that you are looking for.
There is a push-button on the spincast reel that makes it much easier to cast than a traditional spinning reel.
When first learning to cast, sometimes people get the line tangled and struggle to cast straight.
Spincasting reels make it more possible, and they are small and easy to work with.
You won’t be able to cast quite as far as a typical spinning reel, but there is still plenty of versatility.
You won’t find this to be the most versatile reel, but it could be the easiest to use.
Choose the spincast reel if you are not sure if fishing is going to be a sport for you long term.
2. Spinning Reels
Most people will tell you that spinning reels are the most popular type.
Many fisherman and anglers like the spinning reel best because of its versatility.
You can be on a boat fishing for bluefish in the saltwater or bass on a lake, and the spinning reels can still work for you.
When you were a young kid, you probably had your first experience with learning how to use a spinning reel.
With this handy reel, you simply flip up the metal bail, and that releases the line for casting.
When the line is released, you can then complete your cast.
After completing the cast, simply flip the metal clip back down, and it will lock the line in place again.
If you need to let a bit of line out, you can always release and then pull on the line.
When it comes time to reel in, always make sure that the metal bail wire is down so that you don’t have a mess on your hands when reeling in.
If you are new to fishing, a spinning reel is a good investment.
It is one of the easier options to use, and it can make fishing a bit more fun.
For those who have been fishing for many years and are looking for something that provides a better feel and maneuverability, the high-end spinning reels are also a great choice.
When fishing with live bait, you will find the spinning reels to be a very good fit.
When it comes to pricing, the spinning reels will vary depending on the type that you choose, there are both high-end and low-end options.
3. Baitcasting Reels
A baitcasting reel is a very popular and common type of reel.
With a baitcasting reel, you can easily cast, and there is no need to worry about the twisted or tangled lines that can occur.
Anyone who is serious about fishing usually has more than one baitcasting reel as part of their setup.
If you wonder what type of fish you can catch with a baitcasting reel, you will be happy to hear that you can catch almost anything.
If you like to catch bigger fish, the baitcasting reel can handle it.
You will need to put a stronger line on it, but it can certainly accommodate this stronger line.
The only issue that some people have with the baitcasting reel is that they are not as easy to learn to use.
You will likely have to spend some time getting used to the accuracy and the distance when casting.
Once you know how to use a baitcasting reel, you will probably find that it quickly becomes your go-to rod.
The two basic types of baitcasting reels are the round baitcasting reel and the low-profile baitcasting reel.
When you get the hang of one of these reels, you will become an expert fisherman and have much more control over what you are doing in the water.
4. Fly Reel
A fly reel is different than any other type of reel.
Fly fishing, in general, is a unique and different sport.
The idea behind fly fishing is that the bait is supposed to appear like a fly simply landing on the water.
Fly reels are light, simple, and durable, and they are designed with accuracy.
When it comes to being able to cast to an exact spot or location, the fly reel is by far the best choice.
Within the fly reel category, there are other options and types that you can choose.
Some are built for catching salmon and others for trout.
Most fly fishermen are very set in their ways when it comes to what they are going to fish for.
They have a general idea of what they will hook every time they go out.
This can help to make sure that the proper reel is purchased to begin with.
Potentially the best benefit of the fly reel is that it is built to last.
You are not going to have to replace your fly reel all that often, as you may be able to get twenty to fifty years out of a good reel.
Most of the time, fly fishing is done in fresh water, which tends to be a little easier on equipment.
As you can see, there are many types of fishing reels on the market, and it takes a bit of time to determine the best ones for your needs.
Chances are, if you truly enjoy the sport, you will have more than one fishing rod in your garage.
5. Surf Fishing Reels
When you are fishing from the beach, sometimes your equipment needs will be a bit different.
When you are surf fishing, you can use both spinning reels and baitcasting reels.
One of the most critical factors in a surf fishing reel is the ability to handle harsh conditions.
Any fisherman will tell you that the saltwater can do a number on fishing gear.
If the gear is not properly built to work well in harsh water conditions, you will struggle with the longevity of the reel.
Since these reels are not cheap, it’s essential to make sure that they are kept in excellent condition.
When you fish from the beach, many times, your rod is slightly submerged in the water.
As the waves come up and crash on the beach, there are times when the entire reel gets covered in saltwater.
Between the sand, saltwater, and the sun, a surf fishing reel needs to be durable.
With surf fishing reels, it’s essential to make sure that the reel can hold a lot of line.
Since the tide will often keep the water levels shallow for many yards, it’s good to let out quite a bit of line.
You must consider what it is you are attempting to catch while fishing in the surf.
If you don’t have the proper equipment, you may not be able to handle the catch of the day on its way in.
Set yourself up properly from the start by looking for durability and versatility.
6. Offshore Reels
An offshore reel is for fishing offshore.
Offshore fishing is generally considered to be about three miles from shore.
In some areas, it takes a bit more effort to get offshore, and the water you are fishing in will be near coastal water.
This means that you will be in much deeper water and exposed to much larger fish.
An offshore reel can handle fish of any size, and therefore, they are much bigger than you may think.
The types of offshore reels are baitcasting and spinning reels.
One of the things that will make the offshore reel stand out is the pricing.
These are some of the most heavy-duty reels on the market, and that is because they are built to handle the big fish.
If you think you can catch a 200-pound fish with any rod and reel combo, you are mistaken.
Many of the offshore reels are built for serious or commercial fishermen.
Offshore reels are built with durability in mind.
When you are a few miles from the coast, you can expect the seas to be quite rough, and your equipment will deal with a lot of salt spray.
If your reels are not prepared for dealing with the salt, and they are not anti-corrosion reels, they will quickly fall apart offshore.
Offshore reels can be anywhere from 20 to 50 pounds when it comes to capacity, and you will be able to catch fish as large as marlin with most of them.
Fishermen are a bit undecided when they talk about baitcasting vs. spinning reels when it comes to offshore fishing, but most go with the spinning.
7. Conventional Trolling Reels
Conventional reels are sometimes called trolling reels.
Trolling is when the fishing pole and line stay in place, but the boat pulls it along.
The idea behind trolling is to simulate the natural movement of bait in the water.
A machined aluminum structure helps to give trolling reels their strength and larger capacity.
When you are using a trolling reel, you will want to make sure that you have a lot of line coming off the reel.
Trolling just a few feet behind the boat is likely not going to give you a day filled with fish.
One of the unique characteristics of the trolling reel is that it is dual speed.
You can switch between fighting a big fish or trying to pull a fish from the bottom.
When pulling a fish from the bottom, you will need a strong reel with a good level.
When using a trolling reel, it is a good idea to use a trolling rod.
The combination of the two will lead to more catches as the rod and reel will be able to withstand the hit of a large fish.
You will learn that not all rod and reel combinations are going to work for conventional reels.
8. Centerpin Reels
A centerpin reel is one that is able to rotate on a center pin.
The greatest advantage of the centerpin reel is that it helps you make a longer cast.
Some fishermen struggle with their ability to cast far enough, and sometimes it has everything to do with the reel and not the fisherman.
The centerpin reel has been around for many years, and it has been revolutionary in the world of fishing.
The spool and drag are free, and it allows the lure or the bait to float along much more naturally.
One thing that fishermen really like about the centerpin reels is that you can control the fish a bit better and get it into the boat.
When you first get a centerpin reel, you will have to make a relatively large investment.
These tend to be relatively expensive reels, and they take some time to learn to use.
If you are an avid fisherman who likes to collect a variety of reels, the centerpin is a choice that you should consider.
9. Electric Deep Drop Reels
When you are deep-sea fishing, you have to be prepared to go down several hundred feet to catch fish.
Although going this deep will help you get plenty of access to great fish, it does not make it easier to get the fish in the boat.
Fishing 700 feet below the surface of the water means there are bound to be a variety of unique fish and some very large ones as well.
When you hook a large fish and need to bring it into the boat, the electric reel makes the most sense.
Truly, a person could spend the entire day working to pull fish in because of the depth that they are pulling up from.
One of the most exciting things about owning an electric reel is that you can quickly see what you have caught.
The fish can be in your boat within a matter of seconds, depending on the power and size of the reel that you purchase.
Depending on the type of electric reel you purchase, there are options for a different power, capacity, and line.
One of the problematic things about electric reels is that the saltwater will start to wear away at the parts of the reel.
Electric components and elements tend to be very sensitive when it comes to exposure to the elements.
Fishermen need to pay close attention to the electric reels long term and make sure that they stay in great shape.
Also, consider how the reel is powered and make sure that you have the proper hookup on your boat.
It’s one thing to catch a big fish, but it’s another to have it drain the battery on your boat.
These are considerations that should be made before heading out to see with an electric reel.
10. Ice Fishing Reels
Most of the reels that we have talked about have needed to be durable to work in saltwater.
When it comes to ice fishing, the reel needs to be able to handle extreme weather conditions as well.
An ice fishing setup is usually small as it should be easy to carry out onto the ice.
Another great thing about ice fishing rods is that they tend to be relatively inexpensive.
Ice fishing tends to move a bit fast.
People who are spending time in the freezing cold temperatures are going to want the ability to pull the fish in quickly.
Ice fishing reels are known for being smooth and able to glide through the water quickly.
Make sure that the reel you purchase states that it is suitable for ice fishing.
Depending on the temperatures that you are fishing in, there could be issues with the reel and its functionality in freezing weather.
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