There are, literally, thousands of articles on the internet that brake down the schematics and technical details of fishing reels. This is not what I will be doing. Yes, I will give you technical information and discuss some of the intricacies of these very important tools. More specifically though, I will be discussing the real world perceptions and applications to these various reels. I want you to get a better grasp on how and why you are using them. Only then will you begin to understand why you are choosing the reels you need.
There are 3 main systems for fishing reels:
Casting Reels (spincast, Barrel, and Baitcast styles) are probably the most well known fishing reels.
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- I’ll discuss the differences between the three types below.
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Spinning Reels can be some of the most forgiving fishing reels when learning to cast
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- Let’s start with the obvious: This is the only “common” reel that sits under your rod. As a result, your rod guides will be set-up differently and your grip will be more basic than the other formats. Now the details. The primary components you’ll be paying attention to as you fish are the spool, the drag, and the bail. Because there are fewer parts, and the delivery system is less refined, the process of learning to use the spinning reel can be much more easily absorbed by the new angler. There are, however, some limitations due to this more simplified mechanical system.
Fly Reels are a truly specialized artform when it comes to fishing reels
- Ultimately, this is a very simple reel with a spool to hold your line, a crank handle that is not nearly as heavily used as the above types, and a very limited drag. This is probably the most finesse oriented form of fishing reel you could choose to work with. For good, detailed, instructions on the use of these reels check out The Fly Fishing Basics Website or do a search on YouTube for some great videos.
Casting Reels can be broken down into subcategories
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- Spincast Reel
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- Universally accepted to be the “beginners” reel, the spincast reel has a three step process. Push the button on the back of the reel, cast your lure out into the water, and when the lure hits the water, you’re ready to start reeling in. It all sounds so simple when someone talks you through the steps…
2. Barrel Reel
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- Like the baitcaster, these reels often include a brake, spool tension, and drag. These reels are commonly used for trolling but are also fairly popular for surf fishing and catfishing applications. You’ll find the casting technique is similar to baitcasting with a little bit larger window of forgivability.
- As I began progressing through my learning curve with various fishing reels, I found that these reels helped me adjust to the techniques and coordination needed for baitcasters.
3. Baitcast Reel
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- These are relatively complicated reels for beginners, but a valuable resource as you begin developing your skills. The primary components to know and understand include the drag, spool tension, and breaks. Your drag, as with just about every reel you will ever touch, controls how easily the fish can take line from you as you’re fighting him. The spool tension controls how easily and smoothly the lure leaves your vicinity when casting. This is the part where newer anglers discover the most frustrations when learning to use a baitcaster. In conjunction with this spool tension is the braking system which is meant to prevent the spool from unraveling faster than the lure’s traveling.
- The concepts, procedures, and uses for a baitcast reel can take up 5 articles, so I am going to leave you with an assignment. Go to youtube, do a search for “using a baitcaster for beginners,” and be prepared to spend the next hour or two watching videos. When it comes to reels, this will be the most consuming part of your learning curve, but it will also be the most rewarding. This will be an extremely important lesson for you, especially if you are wanting to get into bass fishing.
Head spinning yet?
Don’t worry, I’m going to make it as simple as I can for you.
First, let’s talk about why you’re looking for a fishing reel.
Small lures that have very little weight to them, typically used for small fish that don’t put up a huge fight will be best served by a spinning reel. On the other hand, if you’re using large and beefy lures that need a significant force of energy to chuck out into the water, you’re going to want a casting reel. That’s the most direct either-or answer to your debate. The kicker, however, is in the details.
Learning to fish
Traditionally, kids have been taught to fish with a push button spincast reel. Go to any store that sells kids poles and you’ll instantly know what I’m talking about. Many adults learning to fish fall into this same trap. The mechanical motions required for a spincast reel have a tendency to create two major problems for new anglers. First, the process registers as unnatural motions to many newbies. Second, the quality of many of these spincast reels often lead to early damage that frustrates and discourages people trying to learn the nuances of the sport.
As a new angler I found it literally impossible to use a spincast reel. My frustrations lead to a significant hesitation to pursue the sport. Years ago, however, I came across a book by Wade Bourne about learning to fish. In it I found an explanation about how frustrating these push-button reels are for many people (young and old alike). He talked about how these people often learn to fish more easily and quickly when given the opportunity to learn with a spinning reel instead. I was instantly sold on the notion when I picked up a spinning reel for myself and began fishing regularly. Because of my experiences and the learning curve I have seen in many other adult newbies, I am a huge proponent of learning to fish with a spinning reel rather than a spincast reel.
What about Catfishing?
Spinning reels and barrel reels work very well for catfishing. The other reels tend to be more of a hindrance than help when fighting a rather strong bottom feeder like a cat.
And when you’re panfishing?
Be it bluegill, crappie, warmouth, or any of the other smaller fish with big attitudes; youre best bet is going to be a spinning reel.
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Have you heard about the biggest trend in fishing these days: Bass fishing?
Now this is where the real crux of the situation comes into play. Ask anyone that’s been fishing for a few years and almost every answer you get will be to use a casting reel. Now I agree that most bass lures work best with a casting reel. I must, however, ask you to consider three exceptions to this rule. First, this is primarily true with largemout bass where as other types of bass will respond to lures differently. Striper, for instance, will definitely respond to traditional bass lures, but are very frequently caught on rooster tails which typically handle best on spinning reels.
Second, if you are fishing from the bottom (such as the drop shot), most of your setups will function as a lighter rig and, therefore, work better for many people on spinning reels.
Third, and this is the real kicker, there is no such thing as a hard and fast rule to reels. Many people have learned and become so comfortable with casting reels that they can fish virtually any lure and any species on a casting reel without ever stumbling. Likewise, there are some people who have become so adept at fishing with a spinning reel that they can catch just about anything on a spinning reel with virtually any lure you chuck at them.
Why am I bringing up these dilemmas to you?
For one thing, I want to be as complete and upfront as possible with you. When I was learning to fish, AJ was my only hands on instructor. As an almost strictly casting reel angler, it was difficult for her to adapt her style to something that could work for me. Especially with my neuropath I discovered very early on how difficult certain motions were for me.
The feel of a bite on a casting reel is significantly different than the feel of a bite on a spinning reel. The process of casting is night and day when you are first learning. And the control of your lure is handled differently as you are reeling in depending on your reel and rod choice.
Her teaching method was great and I learned way faster about how to fish than I could have learned on my own. Unfortunately though, I had difficulty reconciling the differences between her style and my developing style. Because of these sorts of hiccups in my progression, I chose to work on creating my own methods of fishing so I could cut down on my frustrations with this learning curve.
To get a better understanding of just how important finding your own methods are, check out our article The Golden Rule of Fishing.
My other reason for pointing out these complications to you is so that you can understand one very important factor for starting your fishing adventure. No matter what you choose to learn with, you are not making a wrong choice. All too often people get hung up on what you’re “supposed” to do instead of why you’re doing it. Fishing is to relax, to enjoy nature, and to improve yourself. Yes, there are “natural” laws in nature.–Cold temperatures will reduce the frequency of bites for some fish. Dark or murky water will make it hard for fish to see some lures.–But, in the big picture, nature does not follow hard and fast rules.
You really must allow yourself to play with the possibilities.
When you are fishing, you have to allow yourself to play with the human imposed rules. Almost every “professional” across the industry will tell you a swimbait needs a baitcasting rod. I tend to agree, the swimbaits work best on a baitcasting rod for me, but that is not an absolute.
I have caught a largemouth bass on a swimbait attached to a 12 pound braided line on a medium/fast spinning rod. Before you ask, no it was not accidental. I happened to only have spinning rods with me because I was bluegill fishing that night and I saw her sitting by the bank. It was one of those perfect moments I just couldn’t pass up, and it worked. I have actually caught several large mouths since then on spinning rods, but none were quite as exciting and memorable as that first major one.
There are very few limitations when it comes to fishing unless you limit yourself.
Poles frequently have a degree of versatility to them, but they will always have a “best practices” type use.
If you are looking for a reel to fish large monsters in the deep blue sea you’re going to want something big and sturdy that can not only handle the saltwater abuse but can also take on the challenges of strong and determined opponents. If this is the type of fishing you’re going to be doing, use your favorite search engine and research different reels. You’re always going to be able to find top 10 and The best this year type articles (like https://fishingstaff.com/deep-sea-fishing-reels/) about new reels that are out. In fact, you can do this for any of the types of reels you’re wanting to use.
What does all of this really boil down to?
One of the most important pieces of advice I can give you is, don’t strictly go by what one person says. What I tell you in these articles is what I have learned and what I believe based on the experiences I have had. Your experiences and learning curve will be different based on how you learn and who you learn from. Never limit yourself to just one source of information.
If you haven’t read it already, make sure you read the sister article to this piece A woman’s guide to picking the right rod.
For another take on understanding the differences between these reel choices, check out
Thinking I’m exaggerating my take on not always having to use the gear the “right” way?
I have recently discovered a youtuber with a very similar take on fishing to my perspective. He has quite a few more years fishing than me and discusses some of the same things I have mentioned here. For an understanding of how important it is to enjoy the fishing rather than “following” the rules, check out some of the challenges Yak Pak puts himself through.