Reel Tips

Steelhead Fishing by RR Smith
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There are three popular types of fishing reels used for fishing today. The spinning reel, spin-casting reel, and baitcasting reel each provide the angler with different performance characteristics.
The Spinning Reel Perhaps the most commonly used reel today have been used by angler around the world and offer the angler the full spectrum of fishing types. They are easy to learn how to use and come in a full range of sizes. The spinning reel can be used for the smallest of game fish to some of the largest. You will find them with either a front or rear-drag adjustment system. This like the reel choice is more of a matter of personal preference.
The Spin-Casting Reel This is probably the easiest, most trouble free reel type that, and angler can buy. It is very popular among the novice anglers for this reason. While they do have minimum limits as to the amount of line they hold and they do not cast as far as other types of reels they are still a good choice for the beginning and young angler.
Baitcasting ReelsSome believe that the baitcasting reel is the ultimate in fishing reels. While you will enjoy their smooth performance, they too have their own limitations. They do provide the angler with longer casting capabilities under most circumstances and they have a drag system, which will provide the angler total control of the adjustment.
Spinning reels The spinning fishing reels are an open-faced reel. Your line is released from a stationary spool by flipping a bail wire, a piece of metal wire across the spool called a bail. This stationary spool keeps the line in place and helps prevent snarls and tangled line. The weight of your lure or bait is what propels the line forward when casting. Spinning reels can handle smaller baits lures, or weights. However, today's spinning reels are designed for use on the lightest to some of the heavier fish such as the steelhead and salmon. The spinning reel comes in either a left or right hand retrieve, or some are adjustable for either hand. Spinning reels use an anti-reverse, a simple mechanism you can set to keep the reel from turning in reveres. The anti-reverse lock is usually a lever mounted on the gear housing cover or the back of the reel. This keeps your line from spooling off once you get a strike from a fish. It prevents the reel handle from turning in reverse when you hook a fish and it runs or when you are trolling. This simple to use lever can be easily tripped on or off allowing you control of your line when releasing for trolling and then tripped while waiting for a fish to strike. Automatic anti-reverse requires no manual settings this type of reel will not spin backwards.
The spinning reel is widely used among steelhead anglers as it allows you to switch for the heaviest of baits to the lightest and still be able to cast well.
Baitcasting ReelThe baitcasting reel sometimes called a levelwind reel may be the most preferred type of reel by experience steelhead anglers under most fishing circumstances today.
Baitcasting reels work with the weight from the bait or lure. This weight pulls on the line and turns the spool, as the spool turns it releases more line. The heavier the lure is the longer the cast can be.
With practice, this style of reel also will allow you to cast more accurately.
The more experienced anglers typically prefer the baitcasting reel. This is even more so when using heavier lures and lines designed for the bigger fish.
Most baitcasting reels now incorporate a break system designed to adjust the resistance or drag on the spool. This is what is called an anti backlash system, these system can be either mechanical or magnetic. They allow you to adjust how much resistance is placed on the spool to pull the right amount of line off the spool when casting. They come with either a star drags or a simple drag knob which is used to set the drag for fighting the fish.
You can also select a baitcasting reel for your style of fishing offshore reels are designed to fight large fish from a boat Trolling reels allow you to drag live bait or a lure as you troll in a boat and are available in a wide range of sizes. Casting reels give you the benefit of precision casts. The casting reel comes in two casting styles, pitching to cast overhead or sidearm, and flipping to cast underhand in tight situations such as underneath tree branches.
Spin Casting ReelsThe spin-casting reel is probably the least used reel for steelhead for several reasons. They do not hold as much line as the spinning reel or the baitcasting reel, this effect their casting performance. Since the amount of line is limited should you hook into a large aggressive steelhead that wants to run you most likely will run out of line before the steelhead wears out causing you to loose the fish. They do not work well with the heaver lines either. They are ok for the younger angler to get started with especially if they just learning how to cast and fight a fish.
About the Author
Here at the Steelhead Angler we believe that Steelhead and Salmon fishing is one of the most challenging sports fishing experiences. Today's angler has a wide selection of fishing locations and fishing styles to enjoy. It is our mission to provide you with the knowledge and products to help you become a better steelhead angler. The Steelhead Angler