Baitcasting Reel Information for Fishermen
Baitcasting Reel
Choosing a good baitcasting reel can be an overwhelming task for anglers who are unfamiliar with these excellent tools of the trade. By studying this information you will learn how baitcasting reels operate, what is the best scenario in which to use a casting reels, and where to find the best value in purchasing one.
The terms “baitcasting reel“, “baitcaster” and “casting reel” all refer to a type of reel that features a revolving spool that is placed on top of the casting rod, and is used for targeting when casting a lure. When trying to decide between a spinning and casting reel the two factors you want to consider most are what species you’re fishing for and bait presentation. If you’re using large bait for those heavy hitters you’ll want to invest in a casting setup.
But at what point should one consider a lure to be too heavy for an average spinning reel? And what species call for the extra power and line capacity of a baitcasting reel? There are numerous baitcasting reels available on the market and you certainly want to ensure you’re getting top value for your money. We can tell you the best ways to use a casting reel and what scenarios are more appropriate for a spinning reel. We can also inform you as to which reel would be the best choice for your needs and means.
Baitcasting Reel and Trolling
You can find a baitcasting reel that is designed with left-handed users in mind. There are more traditional reels with a revolving spool, and they look almost identical to some casting reels, however these are designed for trolling or vertical fishing for larger species. The traditional baitcasting reel is not designed with constant trolling throughout the day in mind.
Baitcasting Reel for Both Right and Left Hand
Both the right and left handed baitcasting reel is manufactured and widely available at your favorite sporting goods stores. A right-handed baitcasting reel would call for you to place the reel in your left hand after you cast so that you can crank the handle with your right. This is the most common design and up until recent years left-handed models were a rarity on the market. Unlike with a spinning reel, a casting reel’s handle is unable to be moved from one side of the reel to the other in order to compensate for hand orientation.
If you are left-handed and used to spinning reels you’ll want to make certain you find a casting reel with a left-handed design. With a left-handed configuration for your casting reel you’ll be able to use it just like your spinning real and in the end be more comfortable. You also would not need to switch hands after casting.
More Baitcasting Reel Information
As mentioned previously in this article, a baitcasting reel is beneficial when it comes to using heavier bait. We would suggest only using a spinning reel for lures that weigh 1/4 ounce or less. Anything heavier than a 1/4 ounce calls for the use of a baitcasting reel. You’ll want to have greater line strength when using heavier bait. Many anglers prefer using a spinning reel when fishing with an 8 pound/.012 inch test line or below. However, if you’re planning to use a 10 pound or over test line, you’ll want to use a baitcasting reel.
It is advisable to use a round reel when fishing for larger species or species that are known to put up a fight, a round reel would support you with greater line capacity. A round reel tends to carry a larger spool and can hold more line; there are also low profile reels which are designed to allow an angler to palm the reel while making a retrieve. Low profile reels have seen a rise in popularity among bass anglers in recent years.
The line capacity you require in any given casting reel is dependent on your style of fishing. Typical bass fishing requires a 12 to 17 pound test line and you won’t require a huge amount of line on your reel as it is somewhat of a close contact sport, if you will.
Some anglers have begun to throw sizable swimbait lures that weigh 4 ounces or more. If you’re not careful with these you could bottom out your spool on the average baitcasting reel before you even know what happened when you make your cast. This is where one can find the advantage of reels with deeper and wider spools; they offer more line capacity when using a 25 pound line needed to cast large, heavy baits.
You may also want increased line capacity when fishing for species that are known to put up a long fight, such as the Steelhead. When it comes to the Steelhead you will want to have an extra 100 or 150 yards of line in the event your fish decides to take off downstream. The same goes with Pike, Salmon, Muskie and many other fresh water varieties of fish, you may need that extra line capacity.
Every baitcasting reel on the market has a gear ratio; this determines the speed of the reel basically. A reel that sports a 5.4:1 gear ratio is about average in its retrieve. Whereas a 6.4:1 is considered above average speed, and a 7.1:1 ratio defined as extremely high speed. These numbers represent the amount of times a spool will turn with a single crank of the reel handle. So 6.4:1 means that the spool will turn 6.4 times with a single crank. Also related to the gear ratio is line recovery, meaning how much of your line is recovered with each handle turn, but the size of the reel’s spool also factors into this.
Depending on your style of fishing some gear ratios are better than others. For example a high speed reel would allow anglers to cover large areas of water in a short amount of time. However these high speeds aren’t always about how fast you can move a lure through the water, after all you need your fish lures to move in a way that best attracts the species of fish you’re targeting. A high speed reel’s benefit lies more in quickly recovering your line for another cast after you’ve pulled your lure through the strike zone.
A baitcasting reel features a braking system that will allow you to control the speed of the spool rotation while casting in order to reduce the instance of backlashes. If you’ve never experienced a backlash before note that it is when your spool keeps spinning after your lure has ceased to move forward resulting in a tangled mess of line. Backlashes are the angler’s bane and are what keep many from investing in a baitcasting reel system.
The primary coarse adjustment on your baitcasting reel is the spool tension knob. This should always be the first part you adjust; the proper amount of tension in your spool is the first step to preventing a backlash. A spool tension knob should be set tight enough so that when the spool is disengaged the lure will fall slowly toward the ground. When the lure touches ground the spool should not turn again more than once. Every baitcasting reel features a spool tension knob.
As for braking systems, magnetic and centrifugal brakes are the most common styles. A centrifugal braking system is based on friction and contains pins to apply an increase or decrease in friction to the spool as needed. When you are adjusting this system you can push the pins inward to cease their function and push them out to trigger the brakes. When you are adjusting your pins try to remove brakes that are opposite of one another for the best results. For example, if you were to remove two of the brake pins out of six pins total, you would want to push in two pins immediately across from each other rather than two immediately beside each other. A magnetic braking system is much more complex than the centrifugal system; they require a spool made from aluminum (as it is non-magnetic) and operate via a set of magnets. You may be wondering how a non-magnetic substance would work with magnets. While the aluminum spool is rotating the proximity of the aluminum to the magnets generates what is known as an “eddy current”, this current is what controls the braking system of the spool. The faster the spool rotates the stronger this current will become, the distance between the magnets and the spool also increases allowing the system to be adjusted. And so you move the magnets closer to the spool to increase the tension and move them father away in order to decrease the tension.
Braking systems such as Inertial Transfer Braking (ITB) and the Dual Braking System utilize both friction and magnets in order to operate. What is particularly beneficial about these two braking systems is that they are both highly adjustable and don’t require to be opened to have pins or magnets moved around.
Having a highly adjustable system on your baitcasting reel is very convenient when you’re out on the water. As to which is the superior system it really all comes down to a matter of preference. You will need to be able to make adjustments when switching between a lighter lure to a heavier one and vice versa. You will also need to adjust while fishing in windy conditions, the wind will slow down a lure sooner than the spool will slow when you make your cast. This is where highly adjustable braking systems become really convenient. But all and all you’re going to be fine turning any braking system. You’ll still need to practice often with your spool and learn how to work with it.
Once you’ve narrowed your buying options down to a few specific reels you’ll want to compare the features and components of each to find which one is a higher value for the cost. You’ll want to examine which materials are used in the manufacturing of each reel. The following are some of the key baitcasting reel components, features, and materials to look for.
You will want to find a casting reel made from aluminum or graphite. Graphite is lightweight and generally less pricey than an aluminum variety. However, a graphite reel will flex when put under pressure. Aluminum frames tend to be sturdier which is why they are found on higher-priced baitcasting reels. Such a sturdy frame will keep all of the moving parts aligned properly. Higher-end reels tend to have a one piece aluminum frame.
Gears may be the most important component to examine when deciding on your preference for a baitcasting reel. You can tell the difference between a reel with good gears and one with bad gears just by turning the handle. A good reel will give you no resistance with turning the handle and feel nice and smooth.
Gears are typically made from brass with a steel pinion gear. The finest quality baitcasting reels tend to use Duralumin for the gears, which is an extremely strong yet lightweight material. If you find a minimal difference between a reel with good gears and a reel with inferior gears, spend the extra if you are able and you won’t regret it.
Some anglers are under the impression that the more bearings in a reel the better the reel is. However this isn’t the case as not all bearings are the same. The highest quality of bearings usually originates from Germany or Japan and come in shielded, double shielding and sealed varieties. Lower grade bearings tend to be made of inferior steel. Bearings constructed from inferior steel will rust and won’t hold up as long as a higher quality bearing.
If you find a 10 bearing fishing reel for only $50 we can almost guarantee you that the bearings will be of low quality. If you find yourself with the choice between a reel with 3 high quality bearings and a reel with 10 cheap bearings at the same price you’ll want to go with the 3 bearing model.
Nearly all fishing reels on the market have an aluminum spool. The manufacturing process is where the difference is, however. The lowest priced spools tend to be die cast. Machined spools created from stock are more expensive and the highest quality spools are forged.
A machined spool scratches easily, however it’s difficult to put a dent in a forged spool. A forged spool is also denser, harder and sturdier, they won’t flex under pressure either. A spool with holes drilled in it is lightweight and easier to start or stop spinning. A non-drilled spool will be heavier and you’ll need to exert more force in order to get it started, they also require a bit more pressure from your thumb to stop the spinning.
As a general rule, a drag system is key to fishing for saltwater species or fish that may put up a long fight or run. If you plan to saltwater fish or target a running freshwater species you’ll want to be certain that your drag system functions well and that you know how to make use of it. You should set your drag system at about 25% of the breaking strength of your line.
A baitcasting reel handle is not as important as a reel’s inner functions but it’s important to your level of comfort and style. A forged handle tends to be pricier than a stamped one. And you’ll want a soft knob rather than one made from hard plastic.
The highest quality baitcasting reel will feature a line guide constructed from titanium. A ceramic line guide is more affordable but it can easily crack or break if a swivel is reeled through it.
If you’re ready to try new techniques as an angler and target species of fish you never had before but are apprehensive about your current spinning reel’s ability, it’s time for you to shop for a baitcasting reel. By following the recommendations and advice in this guide you will be able to narrow down your potential baitcasting reels and compare their components. You’re certain to find the best reel for your needs and within your means. Don’t forget, no matter what baitcasting reel you buy, how high the quality or expensive it is, you’ll still need to practice with your new equipment in order to become skilled in its use.