While baitcasting reels are among the most popular of fishing reels, they can be very challenging to master. The timing and control required to cast a baitcasting reel is worth learning, though, as they are considered the most accurate and efficient of fishing reels. In fact, baitcasting reels are the preferred reel of professional freshwater fishermen for that very reason. Understanding the workings of a baitcasting reel can help you use this exceptional piece of fishing gear more effectively.
Parts
Baitcasting reels hold fishing line on horizontally-mounted spool. The spool is held within a housing that contains a gear assembly, which turns the spool and also operates a line guide. A side-mounted handle operated the gear assembly. A star gear between the handle and the housing works the drag, which controls the tension that is required to release more line when a fish pulls. Some baitcasting reels also have a brake assembly that controls the speed at which the spool turns to help prevent backlash, a reversal of line on the spool that can tangle it beyond easy repair. A spool release controls the timing that the spool is allowed to turn during casting.
Position
A baitcasting reel is mounted on top of the baitcasting rod and held in place by a small vice-like gripper in the handle. The line comes off the top of the spool, through an eyelet in the line guide and then through the guides on the rod.
Casting
To cast line using a baitcasting reel, the handle is first turned to bring the lure or bait rig to the tip of the rod. The line is then held in place by pressing down on the spool release with the thumb. To cast the line, the rod is brought back, then whipped forward. At the moment the rod stops moving forward, the thumb lifts from the spool release to allow the spool to turn and release the line. The thumb is then placed over the spool as it turns to control the release of line and stop the spool when the proper amount of line has been cast.
Retrieving
The handle is cranked to retrieve the fishing line. The speed at which the handle is turned controls the retrieval rate of the line. As the handle is cranked, the gear assembly will turn the spool and wind line onto it. The line guide will also move back and forth to help wind the line evenly across the entire width of the spool. If the fish pulls lightly, the reel can continue to be cranked. If the fish pulls too hard and threatens to break the line, the drag can be adjusted to a specific tension to allow line to be released from the spool.
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