Anglers use baitcaster reels for everything from freshwater bass fishing to deep sea fishing for tuna and marlin. While these reels come in a range of styles and sizes to suit different types of fishing, they all have the same basic parts. Understanding these parts and how they function together can help you to better adjust, use and care for your baitcaster reel.
Frame
The frame of a baitcaster reel acts as the housing for the gear assembly, line spool, line guide, braking system and other internal parts of the reel. Frames are typically made of composite materials, such as graphite, or metals, including stainless steel or aluminum. The frame also holds a mounting shoe or bracket to fasten the reel to the fishing rod.
Spool and Spool Control
The spool in the center of the reel holds the fishing line. Typically made of corrosion-resistant metal, the spool spins freely during a cast. When the fisherman cranks the handle of the reel, the gears engage the spool which then turns to wind the fishing line back to the reel. To help prevent the spool from continuing to turn after the lure lands, which can cause a tangled line, most reels also come with a spool control that adjusts the point at which the spool will stop turning.
Freespool Button
The freespool button allows the angler to control whether the spool will turn freely. When the angler presses the button, the spool is locked in place. During a cast, the angler releases the freespool button to allow the spool to turn freely and the line to play off the spool.
Handle
The angler uses the handle to crank the reel. Most handles are made of hard plastic and stainless steel and typically have two knobs, although some reels come with only one. The handle operates the gear assembly within the reel.
Gear Assembly
The gear assembly transmits the cranking motion of the handle to the spool to retrieve the line. The gears also operate the line guide. Lower gear ratios provide more power, while higher gear ratios increase line retrieve speeds. Gears are frequently made of brass and stainless steel to prevent corrosion.
Line Guide
To ensure the fishing line winds evenly across the spool, the gear assembly actuates a line guide. Typically, the line guide is a mechanism with a hole through which the line feeds from the spool. As the angler retrieves the line, the line guide moves side to side to evenly distribute the line across the spool.
Braking System
Most modern baitcaster reels use a braking system of some type to help prevent tangled lines caused by spool backlash. Breaks can be either centrifugal or magnetic and are adjustable to accommodate different weights of both line and lure. Some systems require removal of the side plate for adjustment, while others may have a knob on the outside of the plate to adjust the brake.
Drag and Drag Control
The drag control allows the fisherman to quickly adjust the rate at which line will spool from the reel under the pressure of a pulling fish. Anglers set the drag to allow a fish to pull line from the reel before it reaches its breaking point, yet maintain enough tension for the fisherman to reel the line in, as needed. Most drag controls are located next to the handle of the reel for easy access.
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