Today's fishing reels are high quality. The Ultimate Bass Fishing Resource Guide calls them "works of art." Reels in the middle of the price range can be very good performers. Baitcast and spinning reels are the usual choice of tournament and advanced bass fishermen. Spincast reels were invented as a solution to the problem of backlashes.
Baitcast Reels
Baitcasting reels excel with fishing techniques that require heavier lines or lures than spinning reels. Flipping and pitching techniques and lures, such as big spinnerbaits or crankbaits are examples.The spool revolves on a baitcast reel. Anti-backlash is a device that includes magnets to lessen the chance of a line overrun when you cast. It reduces the need to thumb the reel. Gear ratio is important. It is the number of times your reel spool revolves each time you complete one turn of the handle. Higher gear ratios, such as 6.3-to-1, retrieve line faster and keep fast-moving lures, like buzzbaits, on the surface. Lower gear ratios are more powerful, retrieve less line per handle revolution, and allow lures like crankbaits to run deeper. The Ultimate Bass Fishing Resource Guide says that the more ball bearings a baitcasting reel has, the smoother it will perform and the more it will cost. A good starting reel has two or three. Many right-handed people buy left-handed baitcasting reels so that they don't have to change hands when pitching or flipping and so that they can set hooks and play fish with the rod in their favored hand. Quality reel manufactures are Shimano, Abu Garcia, Quantum, Daiwa, Penn and Pinnacle.
Spinning Reels
Spinning reels are excellent for light line and subtle techniques. The spool does not turn on a spinning reel. The line comes off in coils. You likely will have fewer backlashes with spinning reels than with baitcasting reels. Casting is easier to learn with a spinning reel than a baitcaster. Some models have options that allow one-finger casting, which means you don't have to use both hands to flip the bail open to release the line. When you buy line, check the box the line comes in to make sure it is appropriate for spinning reels. The Ultimate Bass Fishing Resource Guide says spinning reels excel in finesse fishing with lures like grubs, tubes and wacky worms. Quality spinning reels are made by Shimano, Abu Garcia, Daiwa, Mitchell, Penn, Pfleuger, Quantam and Shakespeare.
Spincast Reels
Retailer Cabela's says spincast reels "probably catch more fish in America each year than any other design." They are widely available, easy to use and inexpensive. They don't backlash because line is pulled off a stationary spool and the line stops when the lure hits the water. Pressing a button or lever on the reel prepares it for casting. Pins that take up the line pop into position when the handle is turned. You must keep tension on the line during your retrieve so that the line lays properly on the reel. Spincast reels are excellent for learning how to cast and for beginning bass fishermen. Quality manufacturers are Zebco, Daiwa, Abu Garcia and Johnson.
Fly-Fishing Reels
Cabela's says today's fly-fishing reels do more than dated models that just held line. First, consider drag. A cork drag works well for light or small-stream fishing. For larger fish, consider disc drags or Rulon, which is a smoother material, or carbon fiber, which dissipates heat well. A reel with a frame machined from a solid block of metal performs better than one with a cast body. The holes reduce weight. Skeleton reels perform admirably, but they don't take much abuse. Large-arbor reels retrieve line quickly. Consider the handle size so the reel feels comfortable in your hand. Quality reels come from Bauer, G. Loomis, Lamson, Pflueger, Redington, Ross and Teton.
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