Fishing Reels

There are so many types of fishing reels on the market today it could make your head spin! The best way to narrow down the search for your reel, or any other fishing equipment, is to keep in mind where you will be doing the majority of your fishing, the method you will be using, and the type of fish you will be going after.
 
Since we are dealing with fishing in the keys, we will briefly go over some of the most popular saltwater reels for reef fishing, off-shore fishing, and some backcountry fishing. We will be adding to these first few over time, so check back soon for more intricate details and information.
 
Bait Casting Reels

On a Conventional, or Bait Casting Reel, the line is stored on a revolving spool, which is mounted above the rod. Many of these reels include a level-wind mechanism that guides the line back evenly on to the spool during rewind. Most bait casting reels have drag adjustments which help to slow the run of larger fish and spool tension control, which helps to control the line during a cast.

Bait casting reels are cast out by moving the rod backward and then snapping it forward. The line is pulled off the reel during the cast by the weight of the bait and stopped by placing your thumb over the line once you have reached the desired location.

Very large reels, made for heavier fishing, such as marlin, sailfish, or tuna, are a version of the bait casting reel. They are basically used for trolling or bait fishing, though as they are too heavy for casting.
 
Spinning Reels
 
These are reels with a fixed spool that were developed ‘back in the day’ to allow the use of lures that were too light for bait casting style reels. Fixed-spool reels solved the back- lashing problem, since they did not have a rotating spool to over-speed the line, however the line can still get trapped underneath itself on the spool or come loose and form the all too familiar and aggravating “bird’s nest”.  Spinning reels also tend to have irritating issues with twisting the fishing line, which can be caused by the spinning of an attached lure or bait, the action of the wire bail against the line when it is engaged by the crank handle, or even when reeling in fish.

There are three types of spinning reels categorized by the type of drag system.

The first type is the front drag, which has the drag adjustment at the front of the reel. Having the drag system in front makes for a smoother drag, as it is closer to the moving part of the reel. The second type is where the drag setting is at the back of the reel and the third type (my personal favorite) is a dual drag system, one in the front and one in back. The purpose of this system is to (a), have the ability to let live bait out without having to leave the bail open (front drag), and to (b), better control the drag once a fish strikes the line (rear drag). 

Spinning reels are cast out by opening the bail, grasping the line with your finger, moving the rod backward, then casting forward, while simultaneously releasing the line with the finger. When reeling in, the bail or cage picks up the line, winding it back to its original position on the reel.
 
Spin Cast Reels
 
Spin cast reels were developed in an attempt to solve the backlash problem of bait cast reels. Like the spinning reel, the line on the spin cast reel is cast out from a fixed spool and can be used to throw relatively light bait or lures. This reel does not have the large wire bail and line roller of the spinning reel. Instead, it has simple pickup pins and a metal holder to wind the line on the reel. It is mounted above the rod and has an external cover that encloses and protects the fixed reel.

Spin cast reels can cast lighter bait or lures than bait cast reels. They do not cast as far as spinning reels and they do not carry as much line as either of the previously mentioned reels of the same size, however the spin cast reels do not have the line twisting issues either.

Spin cast reels are cast out by pressing a button on the back of the reel, which releases the line pick-up, and then you release the button during the forward cast in order to let the line to fly off the spool. It is then pressed again to stop the lure once it has reached the desired location. When you reel it in the pick-up pin will re-engage and the line will be re-spooled.

Fly Reels
 
A fly reel is operated by stripping line off the reel with one hand, while casting the rod with the other hand. Fly reels have disc-type drag and large-arbor spools which reduce line memory and maintain a consistent drag, along with helping in the retrieval of slack line in the event a fish on the line makes a run toward the angler.

There are also automatic fly reels which use a coiled spring mechanism that pulls the line into the reel with the flick of a lever.

Saltwater fly reels are usually larger in diameter than freshwater fly reels, and have a large line and backing capacity designed for the long runs of more powerful game fish. Saltwater fly reels are often made of anti-corrosive metals such as stainless steel or aluminum combo, along with waterproof drive mechanisms.