Spinning vs. Conventional

Spinning reels are perfect beginner fishing reel types because of how easy they are to use. Casting is extremely easy and they effortlessly swap between left handed and right handed use. Spinning reels are intended for lighter baits and catches, so they are rarely used for catching larger fish because they are not as robust or as strong as more conventional reel types. This is ideal for beginners so that they can get used to reeling in smaller, easier fish before they start fishing for larger catches. Spinning reels are much more commonly used for fresh water fish, as these fish are typically smaller and do not produce a large enough drag to warrant a stronger, conventional reel.

Conventional reels have a rotating spool that spins as you cast; these reels also have a crank to turn in order to reel in the fish and they can keep up with a tremendous amount of pressure. This makes them much more suitable for larger fish, as they can keep up with the strength of the drag, however they are more difficult to use for beginners and they do require a lot of practice in order to get used to them.

Baitcasting Reels
Baitcasting reels are much more streamlined fishing reel types and usually have a line guide to help the line spin onto the reel in an even way. The are much sturdier than other kinds of reels, and are popular in both fresh water as well as salt water, as they can handle much higher weighted fish than other reels, whilst still being a lightweight reel. Baitcasting reels are much more versatile than other reels as they have many more bearings, gearings and variable settings.

spinning reel types

With conventional reels, there is a risk of forming a backlash. A backlash is basically a large loop and knot that forms when the reel is spinning faster than the line is casting out. Usually these backlashes can be fixed by carefully and slowly pulling one loop after another as you reel in slowly; this moves the know further down the line until it come undone. In some cases, if these backlashes are bad enough then you can sometimes have to cut off large parts of the line in order to rectify the backlash.

Some reels have a cast control feature that slows down the spool to turn at the same time that the line is casting in order to reduce the risk of a backlash. However, some more experienced fishermen have learned to use a zero cast control reel and simply add pressure to the spool with their thumb in order to keep the timing and casting at the correct speed. This can be difficult for beginners, however, as it requires a lot of practice and precision, but this can also be helpful in order to make more accurate castings for certain types of fish, or to get closer to your catch.

Level Winding Reels
Some conventional reels will come with a level winding feature, which is a great addition for beginners. Level winding helps the reel to evenly space out the line across the spool as you reel in, ensuring that the line is even across the reel and not bunched up in one area of the spool. Again, some more experienced fishermen don’t need this feature and have learned to guide the reel with their finger in order to help the reel sit in the correct place. Although this is a much more advanced level of fishing, and can be difficult for beginners to learn.

Matching your spool to your line is very important. It’s also important to think of the size and strength of your line and the fish that you are going to try to catch. Your rod will have a certain weight limit that it can comfortably handle, and you should always purchase a reel with a similar weight limit and line strength as recommended for your rod. For example, a reel listed as 230/6lb will be able to hold 230 yards of 6-pound test monofilament. Weight limits and measurements are important to keep track of when buying all of your fishing equipment, as this will help you to understand what kinds of fish you can catch. Make sure that you research some of the specifications in order to get the best specifications to catch the size and weight of fish that you want, without worrying about damaging or breaking your rod. To find out what fish are most popular in your area, you should do some research what is most common in order to get the rod and reel that are ideal for your usage.

The body of your fishing reel is important to take into account when looking into buying your reel, as this will tell you the weight limit of your reel. The heavier the fish you want to catch, the stronger and more versatile you will need the reel to be, and this can be a bit more costly than some of the lower-grade materials. Cheaper materials used for reels consist of different types of plastics, whereas more expensive materials used can be different metals or metal alloys and graphite, and they are much stronger and more versatile than the cheaper versions, but they can be harder to use as a beginner angler.

Once you feel that you have decided what aspects and weight limits you need your reel to offer you, you should also look into what your price range is for your reel. The more money that you can spend on a reel, the better quality reel you will be able to buy, and you will get a much better longevity out of your reel, rather than having to buy new reels as your skills change and improve. Buying a reel that will last also helps you to get used to your reel, how it works and how to minimise the formation of backlashes, and this skill will be useful when catching fish, and you won’t have to get used to many different reels. Below we have put together some of the best reels currently available on the market, with a variation of price and material, in order to help you to find the best match for your needs.