9 Types of Fishing Reels Explained – 2021 Informational Guide

Like many other pieces of fishing gear, a reel is one that should get careful consideration in the buying process. While you are probably familiar with a reel’s basic functionalities, what you may be unaware of are the reel variations on the market and their uses. This article will walk you through the process of choosing a new reel, what to go for, and why.

Comparison of the Types of Fishing Reels

How to Choose Fishing Reels

Keep these aspects in mind when looking for a new fishing reel:

Compatible With Rod

The first thing you must keep in mind when purchasing a new reel is your rod. Though a great reel is easy to find, it won’t be worth anything if it isn’t compatible with your fishing pole. You should also keep in mind the line that you’ll be using, as that will come into play as well. But the most important thing is that the reel is balancing the rod-- do this by matching the weight of both pieces. Having a properly balanced rod is a great first step in catching a fish.

Find Ones That's Durable

As with all of your fishing gear, your reel should be made with high-quality, durable materials. While it can be tempting to go for a super cheap reel, you’ll get many more uses out of a reel that may be a bit of a splurge. This isn’t to say that there aren’t high-quality choices for an affordable price, but keep your eyes peeled for the brands that are consistent in their quality.

Matches Your Skill Level

The reel you choose as a beginner angler will most likely differ from the one you’d choose as an angler with tons of experience. Make sure that you choose the reel that will best-suit your skill level. Newbies to the sport of angling will definitely have an easier time figuring out spincast and spinning reels over a baitcasting reel. And vice versa, once you’ve practiced a little bit with a spinning reel, you shouldn’t limit yourself to that-- try a baitcasting reel.

Types of Fishing Reels

Now that you know the qualities that all great reels should possess, it’s time to look at the specifics of some of the most popular designs on the market. The three main categories that reels generally fall into are baitcasting, spinning, and spincasting reels.

Baitcasting Reel

More advanced anglers are often drawn to baitcasting reels for a number of reasons. They’re unique within the angling world because rather than sitting parallel to the rod, they’re mounted perpendicularly. They rely more on the weight of a lure to propel the line through the air and handle weighted lines well, which makes them a great pick for fishing large game.

A baitcasting reel can provide a great amount of control and accuracy when used correctly. They’re targeted toward experienced anglers because they take a little more manual control than spinning reels, as they don’t stop releasing line on their own. The user must learn the delicate touch of stopping the line as the lure hits the water, or it can cause backlash, a tangled mess that can take hours to fix.

This reel is best used when targeting small, isolated areas that require an accurate cast. They also have a great retrieve time, so it’s a good one to use when using lures that need to be brought in quickly like spinner or crankbaits.

Spincast Reels

If you started fishing when you were a child, a spincast reel is probably the first reel you ever came in contact with. They’re the most popular, all-ages choice because they are super simple to use and set up. Unlike a baitcasting reel or even a spinning reel, a spincast reel takes even less effort to operate.

They’re basically a spinning reel with a plastic cover to shield the line. This is helpful in preventing line tangles, although it still can happen under some circumstances. Another difference between baitcasting and spinning reels is that with spincast reels, there’s no need to hold the line in place while casting, a button on the side allows the line to unspool freely when pressed. While these reel-styles rarely malfunction, they can be prone to line twisting problems.

Spincast reels are the best pick for beginner anglers who have never tried their hand at angling. They’re also a great choice for children who are just starting out. They’re definitely not as popular in the advanced angling world thanks to their limited functionalities, but that doesn’t mean they’re not a great choice for beginners.

Spinning Reels

One of the most popular and versatile reels on the market, spinning reels are easy to use and work well in a variety of angling settings. Unlike other popular styles of reels, spinning reels are designed to hang below, parallel to the rod. The only main action the user has to take with a spinning reel is moving the bail arm to the open position, which allows the line to unspool freely. The angler should keep their finger on the open line while preparing to cast. Drag adjustment is usually located at the front of the reel.

Spinning reels are a great pick for a variety of skill levels, as they’re more accurate than a spincast reel, yet easier to use than a baitcasting reel. While they don’t have quite as much power as a baitcaster and can’t handle super-heavy line, they do have great line capacity and there’s no need to worry about backlash.

Spinners are particularly useful when you need to cast lighter baits, as once the bail arm is opened, the line can unspool without restriction. If you’re not worried about drag, you can cast light baits super far, which is hard to do with a baitcasting reel.

Surf Fishing Reels

The main difference between surf fishing reels and others on the market is, perhaps, an obvious distinction: They’re made for use around saltwater. While many reels are advertised as multi-use, good for freshwater and saltwater, surf fishing reels should be totally saltwater equipped.

Thanks to the corrosive nature that comes about with the combination of oxygen, salt, and moisture, ocean settings are not the greatest for keeping your gear in good shape. Surf fishing reels are often coated in a corrosion-resistant substance that keeps them from weakening over time with saltwater exposure. Surf fishing reels also tend to have sealed elements, like sealed ball bearings, for example. This is to prevent sand and salt buildup from making its way into the inner-workings of the reel.

While you can use a variety of reels for surf fishing, the most common is a spinning reel, which can cast baits long distances with little effort-- a must when casting from the shore. They’ll also likely feature a tougher drag system, which is more important in the face of tumultuous seas and ocean currents.

Off Shore Reels

Offshore reels often fall into the same category as surf casting reels for a couple of reasons, most notably because they are also required to be super saltwater resistant. While you may not be dealing with as much sand in offshore fishing, your reel will still be exposed to corrosion.

The main difference between offshore and inshore fishing (like surf fishing) is the depth of the water. Offshore fishing often takes you pretty far from the beaches, anywhere from 10-100 miles from the coastline. You will be dealing with different kinds of water and bigger fish on the open water, so offshore reels tend to be much more heavy duty than others.

An offshore reel should have way more drag power than a traditional freshwater reel. Most great offshore reels have a power capacity within a range of 20-50 pounds, the higher end being more effective to catch large, aggressive marlin or tuna.

Baitcasting reels are also much more popular for offshore fishing rather than a spinning-style. This is a combination of the skill level of offshore anglers and the accuracy of baitcasting reels.

Center Pin Reels

Utilizing the most basic technology, center pin reels were likely one of the first reels ever used. They have a very simple design and utilize a free spinning system with no drag, which makes them super popular among some anglers.

Centerpin reels are often very expensive and tough to figure out at first. They’re definitely not a beginner’s choice, as they’re difficult to cast. The method is similar to that of a baitcasting reel, as it requires some manual line maneuvering to achieve a successful cast.  Their unique design also requires a little extra room than most traditional reels, so they work best on long poles (10-12 feet).

While they’re definitely not as popular as they once were, there are many center pin reel enthusiasts who swear by the design. The free spinning action of the reel makes it much easier to maintain line without loops. It’s also a bit of a challenge for those anglers who have had it easy with spinning reels. With no drag system, it’s basically just you and the fish, which makes the catch an even bigger accomplishment.

Fly Fishing Reels

Fly reels are an important piece of fly fishing gear, as they play an integral part in balancing a fly rod. They’ll always be constructed in one of two ways: Pre-cast and machined. While neither one trumps the other in effectiveness, pre-cast tend to be heavier and less durable but come at a more attractive price point

Machined reels are carved out of a solid piece of metal, which results in a lighter design and a stronger finish which will last over the years. Most fly reels will be made with anodized aluminum, a great material that works well in freshwater and saltwater alike.

Fly reels also put quite a bit of emphasis on drag capabilities, as it is an important function in fly fishing. They’ll either include a click and pawl system, less effective but cheaper, or a disc drag system, the most popular of modern drag systems.

Trolling Reels

There’s little difference between a trolling reel and a traditional spinning or baitcasting reel. The main variation between them is that a trolling reel is created and designed for, as the name suggests, trolling. Rather than casting, they’re made for dropping a line behind a moving boat.

Trolling reels are traditionally made from graphite, feature large reel handles and feet, tough drag systems, and bait clicker alarms, among other things. Because of the lack of casting associated with them, they’re larger and have more room for extra line.

This style of rod requires a specific rod for effectiveness. The design with large reel feet makes it difficult to match with traditional rods, so you must purchase a trolling rod to go along with it. Some trolling reels feature high-tech attributes, like a depth counter.

How to Clean Fishing Reels

Keeping your fishing reel clean is an important part of improving the longevity of the tool. No matter if you’re fishing mainly in freshwater or saltwater, periodic maintenance is vital. The following steps should be done every-so-often for freshwater reels and after every use in saltwater (to prevent potential corrosion and salt build up).

1. Lightly clean your reel with a sponge and warm, soapy water, being careful not to fully submerge the reel to prevent malfunctioning.
2. Thoroughly clean every section to ensure there’s no salt build-up in nooks and crannies. It can be helpful to clean your line too.
3. Rinse lightly with freshwater. Be careful not to hose it off or use water with too much pressure, as it can force water into the inner-workings of the reel and cause issues.
4. Allow it to dry thoroughly in a room temperature spot.
5. Use a simple lubricant on all the moving parts to keep it running smooth use after use.

Check out the video below for a quick overview of some of the points covered above. This method uses a damp towel and does a great job of showing what spots on the reel to lubricate.

Conclusion

Now that you’re well-acquainted with the most popular styles of reels on the market, the last step is to find the one that works best for you. Whether you’re brand new to fishing or you’re an oldie but a goodie, a new reel might just be the key to your next catch. Happy fishing!