Different Reel Types
There are several different types of fishing reels available for use depending on the angling discipline. Sea fishing reels differ from river fishing reels (mostly in size and ruggedness though the type may be similar to freshwater fishing reels) and fly fishing reels differ both from sea and coarse fishing reels. This is not a hard and fast rule, some angling specialists like and enjoy the challenge of using yesterdays’ reels as apposed modern hi-tech gear.
It should also be noted that some types of reel may be known by a different name in other countries i.e. bait caster for multiplier and spinning reel for fixed spool. Fly reels mostly come under the name of centerpins. Many collectors of antique fishing reels and tackle are anglers or used to fish at some time so will know their fixed spool reel from a multiplier!
Fly Reels – these reels are usually quite narrow and consist of precision engineered parts, especially the center spindle which the spool or drum fits onto. Quality reels will spin without wobble nor rubbing to the casing. The handle that turns the reel is fixed directly onto the spool, quite often there are two attached opposite each other. Fly reels are also commonly known as centerpin reels (though some coarse fishermen may use the centerpin over a fixed spool reel however this is not common practice nowadays). Fly reels have a ratchet system that stops line being pulled off the reel too fast (that otherwise might result in tangled and knotted line) there is a distinguishable clicking noise when a fish pulls the line off the reel, often to the delight of the angler. Some fly reels also have a disk braking system that allows the angler to set how much pressure is needed to pull line off the reel. Other types of reel have what is known as a drag system.
Fixed Spool Reels – The fixed spool reel is probably the most common type of fishing reel in use today. It requires little skill to use, can hold vast amounts of line and has variable settings that allow the angler to control how it performs when a fish is being played. Fixed spool reels are also know as ‘spinning reels’ this is quite an apt name since the bail arm spins around the spool whilst retrieving and layering the line onto the spool. There is a handle attached to the main reel body (or case) and internally it is linked to a series of gears which in turn rotates the bail arm. There are many moving and constituent parts in this type of reel unlike the centerpin. You can find two different types of fixed spool reel, the more common open faced and the closed face reel (made famous by ABU).
The Multiplier – This reel once mastered allows the fisherman if needs be to cast greater distances than any other. Often seen as the reel of choice for any beach fisherman (for distance casting) and boat angler (for line capacity and retrieval) the multiplier or overhead reel requires a certain level of skill and proficiency to use it without mishap. The most common problem for beginners who use this type of reel is getting what is known as a ‘birds nest’ this is where the spool over runs when the end tackle has hit the water and the fishing line shoots off the spool at great speed causing a massive tangle. Multipliers come in a vast range of sizes each designed for a specific class of fishing from light water spinning or plugging to deep sea fishing at depths of 1oo metres or more. Big game reels are designed to withstand hours of pressure put upon it fish such as the mighty Marlin. The multiplier retrieves fishing line and layers it across the width of the reel’s spool.