Types of Reels I've Used

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So, after learning that I'd gotten it wrong on rods, I started paying more attention to my reels.  That reel my grandfather gave me was a spincast reel.  It's probably the simplest to operate, because all you do is push and hold a button with your thumb, and then release the button at the right time during your cast.  They're a great way to start out because you get to spend more time fishing.  The big limitations of this type are the small amount of line you can spool on them, and you can't do a super fast retrieve.  I still take mine down to creeks and streams because I just like to do it that way sometimes.

I later graduated to the spinning reels.  People call them
eggbeaters, open-face reels, whatever.  With this one, you have to flip over a wire that holds the line in place and hold the line with a finger as you make the cast.  These can hold more line than the spincasters and reel in a bit faster.  I did notice that with my cheaper spinning reels, the line would get twisted and would actually tie itself into knots during the cast.  I found that going with a small swivel just before the hook cut down on that a bit, but my nicer reels don't seem to bind as much.  I think the spinning reel is an all around great thing that every fisherman should have.

And then, there's the baitcaster.  These are the headache reels.  You have to adjust how much tension is on the spool so that your bait doesn't strip off line too fast.  You also have to manually stop the motion of the spool when your bait hits the water.  If the spool keeps spinning without line being pulled off of it, you get a backlash.  I've gotten pretty good at picking the knots apart, but it's a hassle.  Why do I use them?  Because I think they're fun.  They're great for tossing heavy lures a long way, and they can reel in quickly.  I've heard people talk about them being "accurate" but I'm not convinced.  I think somebody who knows his equipment has the advantage regardless of what type he uses.  These reels are more finicky than the others when it comes to lightweight lures and high winds.  Anything that slows your lure in flight is going to change the speed at which the line is coming out and could give you a knot that looks like a bird's nest.

The last reel I've used is a sidecaster.  The only company I've found that makes them is Alvey af Australia.  These are weird but effective.  They look like a giant spool.  To cast, you rotate the spool 90 degrees, which makes it resemble a spinning reel.  When you let the line go, your lure will sail out in the water.  To retrieve, you rotate the spool again and just turn the handle.  They take some getting used to, but they are great for surf fishing, and I used them for catfish, too.  The downside is that the retrieve is extremely slow and your line will get twisted, so they're best for live bait.  On a plus, they have massive line capacities and the have NO GEARS, which means sand and salt aren't going to ruin them, and they should last forever.  If you're getting into surf fishing, check them out.

The reel I use is going to depend on what I think might be in the water, but if I'm just going out for a peaceful walk along Sycamore Creek, I take a spinning reel or a spincaster.

I'll be getting back to fish stories tomorrow.  I thought I should give a little background info on gear before going further.

Thanks for reading!