If you are new to fishing you might be wondering what type of rod and reel should I be using? I am going to tell you about the different types of reels out there along with the pros and cons of each of them.
Spin Casting Reel
This is what most anglers start out fishing with. It is a great fishing rod and reel combo that is well suited for children and beginner anglers for its overall simplicity. With a simple press of the thumb on the button it lets you release the line out, when your thumb comes off the button your line will lock. This reel is easy to operate with no particular expertise required to use it.
Pros:
-Budget friendly
-Great for children and beginner anglers
-Simple to operate and use
-Doesn’t tangle as often due to the enclosed reel
-No backlash (sudden bunching of the line due to the spool moving too quickly)
-Suitable for lightweight lures and line
Cons:
-Bulkier reel
-Not as strong or as durable
-Not designed to last multiple seasons
-No distance control
-Less drag ability (how much resistance a fish feels when it pulls the line, the tighter the drag set the more resistance the fish feels)
-Rust and corrodes faster as it is enclosed
-You can’t cast quite as far
-A pain to untangle if a tangle does occur (you have to open the reel up to fix it)
Spinning Reel
This is the most common fishing rod you will see out there. This rod and reel lets anglers hold it with the dominant hand which allows for more stability and power when casting. These rod and reel combos come in all sizes and price ranges. Unlike the spin casting rod where you hold a button this one takes a little more time to master but I promise you, you will catch on fast. To cast with this reel you lift up the bail, hold the line with your index finger then whip your rod forward releasing your finger as you do so.
Pros
-Longer reel life
-Works well for all types of bait
-Can hold a lot of line
-A large variety of sizes and models available at an affordable price
-relatively easy to fix tangles from the dreaded wind knots
-You can cast much further as there is not as much resistance like with the closed face reel
-More control over casting distance and speed
-More control over drag
-Great for rod holders (set and forget)
Cons
-Some kids and adults can struggle using the bail system but can still be taught quickly
-Slightly harder to make pin point casts when compared to bait caster reels
-Not meant for larger fish like Salmon
Baitcasting Reel
Baitcasting rods are designed with the reel seated on top with spool parallel to the rod. When you are Baitcasting the spool moves with the casting of the line so it requires a much more experienced angler to keep it under control or you will end up with a birds nest. This is when the line bunches up into one big knotted mess resembling that of a birds nest. The birds nest can be reduced or prevented with practice. This is the main reason why Baitcasters are recommended for advanced anglers. A fun tip that I was once told which is great for beginner (and even seasoned anglers) to help prevent backlashes while learning to use a Baitcaster is to do the following: either make a 20-30 yard cast or pull the line out that far, then pull out an additional 3 feet out. Take some masking tape or electrical tape (you want it to be the width of the spool), take the tape and tape it to the spool and then reel the line in over it. If you do end up catching a big fish and it pulls drag, don’t worry the tape will come right off or the line will tear it. Another good thing to remember is that you can always use your yard to practice in that way you feel more comfortable when you get out on the water. Practice makes perfect right!
Pros:
-Durable
-Can hold more line as well as heavier line
-Can handle heavier and more powerful fish
-Slow control of stopping your lure mid cast for a more precise cast
Cons
-More expensive
-requires a lot of practice
-Birds nests
-Can’t cast as far as spinning reels
-Can’t cast lightweight lures
Conclusion
When choosing a fishing rod and reel it is recommended to start out simple and then expand from there. If you start off with something that is too complicated you are just going to get frustrated and extremely discouraged. The more experienced you are as an angler the more you can expand your options. I hope this article helps you in finding that perfect rod and reel combo that is perfect for you!
