For more than 40 years Electric Fishing Reel Systems, Inc., has taken the work out of fishing so anglers can have more fun! With Elec-Tra-Mate®, all kinds of fishermen young, old, expert, novice, even the physically challenged can get the full enjoyment of fighting a fish. Whether it’s Alaskan Halibut or a string of Snapper in the Florida Keys, Elec-Tra-Mate® takes the work out of bringing them up.
The leading electric drive for Penn Reels, Elec-Tra-Mate® lets the fisherman enjoy all the action without the tiresome cranking. First produced in 1970, Electric Fishing Reel Systems, Inc. currently offers twenty-eight different Elec-Tra-Mate® models designed exclusively for forty-eight different Penn®, Fin-Nor, and Shimano Reels, ranging from small lightweight models for the 450 SSg Spinning Reel and 320 Gti Level wind Reel to large 130 International big game reels. Charter skippers across the world use Elec-Tra-Mate® to make fishing more enjoyable for their customers. They depend on Elec-Tra-Mate® to make fishing more enjoyable for their customers and they depend on Elec-Tra-Mate’s proven reliability.
Tired of cranking in deepwater bottom fishing, founder and inventor P.T. Huffman decided there had to be an easier way to bring in fish. After developing an electric reeling mechanism for personal use in the 1960′s, Huffman discovered that many charter and party boat captains were interested in a similar device. What started as a solution to his problem, soon became a business opportunity. In 1970, Huffman started Electric Fishing Reel Systems, Inc. and produced his first electric fishing reel drive. In 1974, realizing demand was growing faster than Electric Fishing Reel Systems, Inc. could produce product, Huffman invested in GE Lexan injection molding technology which increased manufacturing capabilities at his North Carolina factory.
The durable plastic composite housing is 80% lighter and four times more impact resistant than aluminum. Elec-Tra-Mates won’t chip, rust, or corrode, even under the harshest saltwater conditions. However, in keeping with our goal to continue increasing the quality of our products, when GE developed a new higher tech plastic material which is impervious to the effects of sun, gas, oil, grease, and chemicals, the use of GE Lexan® was discontinued and this new space age material is now used. Elec-Tra-Mates are designed to operate on 12 Volt auto or marine batteries and a small Portable Battery Pack is even available for the smaller models! A powerful sealed permanent magnet motor provides higher pulling power and smooth efficient operation at low amperage drain. All you need to do is set your drag depending on line weight and fishing conditions and let Elec-Tra-Mate® do all the work. A push button switch (or optional toggle switch) on the Elec-Tra-Mate® operates the drive system, or a special waterproof remote switch can be used for disabled anglers.
Today, Elec-Tra-Mates are used by anglers all over the world for bottom fishing, trolling and kite fishing. They’re also ideal for pulling in teaser or dredge when trolling, keeping the crew free to concentrate on the fishing action. Although fishing is Elec-Tra-Mates forte, current president Carl T. Huffman, has seen several other unique applications for Elec-Tra-Mate®. We’ve seen them used to take well samples by chemical and petroleum companies, the National Marine Weather Service has used Elec-Tra-Mates for retrieving weather balloons, and a number of states are using Elec-Tra-Mates to tag and measure fish for research. Designed with the physically challenged angler in mind, in 2000, the Model 450-PTH was introduced as the world’s most powerful electric spinning reel drive designed to power the Penn® 4500SS, 5500SS, 450 SSg, and 550 SSg spinning reels.
In 2002, the world’s first and only patented electric teaser reel was introduced for big game marlin fishing. The TEEZER Reel is available in both electric and manual models. The latest addition to the Elec-Tra-Mate® line is a powerful New series of Commercial drives for Pen® International, Fin-Nor Santiago, and Shimano® Tiagra Reels which feature all metal construction, all gear drive, and the world’s most powerful 12 Volt DC motor to ever be put on a fishing reel. Easy to service and maintain, every Elec-Tra-Mate® product is built completely in the company’s North Carolina factory, and comes with a one-year factory warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Electric Fishing Reel Systems, Inc. believes customer service is a top priority and in most instances, offers a 24-hour service turnaround on repairs should they ever be needed.
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The First Fishing Reel
First English Fishing Reel
In 1651 English literature first reported a "wind" (not the blowing kind – the winding kind) that was placed within two feet of the lower end of the fishing rod. This date is usually accepted as the first reference to a fishing reel in the western world. The first picture of this fishing reel is really nothing more than a 17th century winch reel; it is just a tad bit smaller. Looking at the illustration of this fishing device would make me stick to pole and line, which is a commonality still used today in Britain.
Until the 1800's, the fishing reel was not much more than a storage place for excess line. The British claim to be the originators for the multiplying reel, but the fishing reels of George Snyder, of Kentucky, have become the most famous 19th century multipliers. Snyder's reels were developed in the 1820's, and are what you would think of as an "old fishing reel." From these reels is what came to what we think of today as a fishing reel.
George Snyder Fly Cast
In 1820, Kentucky native George Snyder invented the first fishing reel in America. It was a bait casting design that quickly became popular with American anglers. It was also able to double as a fly reel.
George Snyder Conventional Fishing Reel
Types of Fishing Reels
There are a number of different kinds of reels, all of which were born of those originals found on ancient Chinese boats. The history of our sport is as important as its future. We need to protect both.
Fly Casting Reels
Fly casting reels are traditionally fairly simple in terms of mechanical construction, though they continually change with developments in technology. A fly reel is normally operated by stripping line off with one hand, while casting the rod with the other hand. A huge development regarding fly reels is a larger design. The larger design is meant to increase the speed of retrieving, as well as, keep a tight line in the event a hooked fish makes a sudden run towards the angler.
Pro Cast Mid-Arbor Fly Reel
Bait Casting Reels
Bait casting reels are reels in which line is stored on a revolving spool. When a cast is made, line is pulled off of the reel by the weight of the lure. Because the momentum of the forward cast must rotate the spool, as well as, propel the lure, bait casting designs normally require heavier lures for proper operation. On newer reels, spool tension can be adjusted to reduce spool overrun during a cast. The result of spool overrun is the famous "birds nest." Any angler knows that dealing with a "birds nest" is no fun at all.
Pflueger Bait-cast Reel
Spinning Reels
Spinning reels were originally designed to allow the use of lures that were too light to be cast by bait casting reels. Because the line didn't have to pull against a rotating spool, much lighter lures could be cast. Spinning reels do not suffer from backlash, although the line can become trapped underneath itself on the spool. The line may also detach in loose loops of line. Various level-wind mechanisms have been introduced over the years to attempt to solve this problem. Most spin fishermen manually reposition the bail after each cast in order to minimize line twist, which is exactly what I do.
OHERO SP4000 Spinning Reel
Spin Cast Reels
Spin cast reels were developed by the Johnson Reel Company in the early 1950's. Just like the spinning reel, the line on spin cast reels is thrown from a fixed spool, and can therefore be used for throwing light lures and bait. This fishing reel eliminates the large wire bail of the spinning reel in favor of two pickup pins. The spin cast reel is fitted with a nose cone that encloses and protects the fishing line and spool. Pressing a button on the rear of the fishing reel disengages the line pickup, thus allowing the line to fly off of the spool. Upon cranking the handle, the pickup pin immediately re-engages the line and re-spools it onto the reel. Many of you probably used a Zebco reel when you were a kid. That is a spin cast reel.
Johnson Spin cast Reel
Under spin or Trigger spin – These are spin cast reels that are mounted underneath a standard spinning rod. A lever or trigger is grasped with the forefinger. During the forward cast, this lever is released, and the line flies off the fixed spool. Like spin cast reels, there is no wire bail to hold the line; instead there are two pickup pins. Basically, these fishing reels are a combination of #3 and #4.
Trigger Spin cast Reel
Looking Back and Looking Forward: The Future of Fishing Reels
Through time and technology, the fishing reel has under gone many changes, and yet it still is based upon that first simple design; a line wound on a spool. From the simple single action of a fly, to the size of an 18/0 that pulls in virtually anything, fishing reels continue to evolve.
Everol 18/0 Two Speed
Fishing reels will evolve in making your catch a sporting adventure, while making it easier on the fish too.
Daiwa Tanacom Bull Power Assist Electric Reel
From the Publisher: This excellent article from Gary Anderson – our Charlotte Harbor Editor, team member, innovative angler, mentor to many local youngsters, and great friend – shows how important it is for a fishing web site to offer good content to its readers. Forums, tide pages, weather forecasts, political commentary, regulatory changes and current information, videos about everything from knot tying to the best songs to listen to while you're fishing is one thing. An article that looks back at our sport's history and the future we see before us is another. Thanks, Anderson. This one's a real winner. They're all good, but some are just better than others.
“FISH ON!”
'The Mentoring Angler'
Gary A. Anderson
- See more at: http://www.theonlinefisherman.com/how-to-all/212-select-and-maintain-tackle/4976-the-history-of-fishing-reels#sthash.KlOJFQmE.dpuf
Website:
http://www.theonlinefisherman.com/how-to-all/212-select-and-maintain-tackle/4976-the-history-of-fishing-
A fishing reel is a cylindrical device attached to a fishing rod used in winding and stowing line.[1]
Modern fishing reels usually have fittings aiding in casting for distance and accuracy, as well as retrieving line. Fishing reels are traditionally used in the recreational sport of angling and competitive casting. They are typically attached to a fishing rod, though some specialized reels are mounted directly to boat gunwales ortransoms.
The earliest known illustration of a fishing reel is from Chinese paintings and records beginning about 1195 AD. Fishing reels first appeared in England around 1650 AD, and by the 1760s, London tackle shops were advertising multiplying or gear-retrieved reels. The first popular American fishing reel appeared in the U.S. around 1820.
Contents
"Angler on a Wintry Lake," painted in 1195 by Ma Yuan, featuring the oldest known depiction of a fishing reel, although the oldest description of a fishing reel in China dates to the 3rd century AD
Fly reel
Fly reel operation
Fly reel drag systems
Baitcasting Reel Operation
Parts of a spinning reel: 1: Pick up or bail 2: Reel seat 3: Reel foot 4: Handle 5: Support arm 6: Anti-reverse lever 7: Skirted spool 8: Fishing line 9: Drag adjustment knob
Fixed Spool Reel Operation
Spin Cast Reel Operation
Underspin Reel Operation
Direct-drive reel
Direct-drive reel
Anti-reverse reel
"Angler on a Wintry Lake," painted in 1195 by Ma Yuan, featuring the oldest known depiction of a fishing reel, although the oldest description of a fishing reel in China dates to the 3rd century ADFly reel
Fly reel operation
Fly reel drag systems
Baitcasting Reel Operation
Parts of a spinning reel: 1: Pick up or bail 2: Reel seat 3: Reel foot 4: Handle 5: Support arm 6: Anti-reverse lever 7: Skirted spool 8: Fishing line 9: Drag adjustment knobFixed Spool Reel Operation
Spin Cast Reel Operation
Underspin Reel Operation
Direct-drive reel
Direct-drive reel
Anti-reverse reel
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History[edit]
In literary records, the earliest evidence of the fishing reel comes from a 4th-century AD[2][3] work entitled Lives of Famous Immortals.[4][5] The earliest known depiction of a fishing reel comes from a Southern Song (1127–1279) painting done in 1195 by Ma Yuan (c. 1160–1225) called "Angler on a Wintry Lake," showing a man sitting on a small sampan boat while casting out his fishing line.[6] Another fishing reel was featured in a painting by Wu Zhen (1280–1354).[6] The book Tianzhu lingqian (Holy Lections from Indian Sources), printed sometime between 1208 and 1224, features two different woodblock print illustrations of fishing reels being used.[6] An Armenianparchment Gospel of the 13th century shows a reel (though not as clearly depicted as the Chinese ones).[6] The Sancai Tuhui, a Chinese encyclopedia published in 1609, features the next known picture of a fishing reel and vividly shows the windlass pulley of the device.[6] These five pictures mentioned are the only ones which feature fishing reels before the year 1651.[6]
Fishing reels first appeared in England around 1650 A.D., and multiplying or geared-retrieve bait casting reels were being advertised by London tackle shops by the 1760s. Paris, Kentucky native George Snyder is generally given credit for inventing the first fishing reel in America around 1820.
Types of fishing reels[edit]
Fly reel[edit]
A fly reel is a single-action reel, normally operated by stripping line off the reel with one hand, while casting the rod with the other hand. The main purpose of a fly reel is to store line, provide smooth uninterrupted tension (drag) when a fish makes a long run, and counterbalance the weight of your fly rod when casting. When used in fly fishing, the fly reel or fly casting reel has traditionally been rather simple in terms of mechanical construction, and little has changed from the design patented by Charles F. Orvis of Vermont in 1874.[7] Orvis first introduced the idea of using light metals with multiple perforated holes to construct the housing, resulting in a lighter reel that also allowed the spooled fly line to dry more quickly than a conventional, solid-sided design.[7] Early fly reels placed the crank handle on the right side of the reel. Most had no drag mechanism, but were fitted with a click/pawl mechanism intended to keep the reel from overrunning when line was pulled from the spool. To slow a fish, the angler simply applied hand pressure to the rim of the revolving spool (known as "palming the rim").[7] Later, these click/pawl mechanisms were modified to provide a limited adjustable drag of sorts. Although adequate for smaller fish, these did not possess a wide adjustment range or the power to slow larger fish.
At one time, multiplier fly reels were widely available. These reels had a geared line retrieve of 2:1 or 3:1 that allowed faster retrieval of the fly line. However, their additional weight, complexity and expense did not justify the advantage of faster line retrieval in the eyes of many anglers. As a result, today they are rarely used, and have largely been replaced by large-arbor designs with large diameter spools for faster line retrieval.
Automatic fly reels use a coiled spring mechanism that pulls the line into the reel with the flick of a lever. Automatic reels tend to be heavy for their size, and have limited line capacity. Automatic fly reels peaked in popularity during the 1960s, and since that time they have been outsold many times over by manual fly reels.
Modern fly reels typically have more sophisticated disc-type drag systems made of composite materials that feature increased adjustment range, consistency, and resistance to high temperatures from drag friction. Most of these fly reels also feature large-arbor spools designed to reduce line memory, maintain consistent drag and assist the quick retrieval of slack line in the event a hooked fish makes a sudden run towards the angler. Most modern fly reels are ambidextrous, allowing the angler to place the crank handle of the reel on either the right or the left side as desired.
Saltwater fly reels are designed specifically for use in an ocean environment. Saltwater fly reels are normally large-arbor designs, having a much larger diameter spool than most freshwater fly reels. These large arbor reels provide an improved retrieve ratio and considerably more line and backing capacity, optimizing the design for the long runs of powerful ocean game fish. To prevent corrosion, saltwater fly reels often use aerospace aluminum frames and spools, electroplated and/or stainless steel components, with sealed and waterproof bearing and drive mechanisms.
Fly reels are normally manual, single-action designs. Rotating a handle on the side of the reel rotates the spool which retrieves the line, usually at a 1:1 ratio (i.e., one complete revolution of the handle equals one revolution of the spool). Fly reels are one of the simplest reels and have far fewer parts than a spinning reel. The larger the fish the more important the reel becomes. On the outside of the reel there are two levels of knobs these are the spool release and the drag adjustment.
Fly-reel drag systems have two purposes 1.) They prevent spool overrun when stripping line from the reel while casting 2.)Tire out running fish by exerting pressure on the line that runs in the opposite direction. There are four main drag systems that are used with the fly reel and these are the ratchet-and-pawl, caliper drags, disc drags, and center-line drags. The ratchet-and-pawl drag clicks automatically while the spool is spinning. The caliper drag causes the calipers to brush up against the reel spool. A disc drag is when pressure is applied on the plates which then applies pressure on the spool. Center-line drags also known as the best kind of drag because the pressure is directly on the spool close to the axis of rotation.
Centrepin reel[edit]
The centrepin reel is one which runs freely enough on its axle (its "centrepin") to permit distance casting by allowing the line to be drawn off by the momentum of the cast from the rotating reel. The centrepin reel uses a large diameter spool typically mounted to a 12–17 foot surfcasting rod. A bracket attached to the reel that allows it to be rotated 90° to the rod for casting and returned to a position to retrieve line. In the casting position the spool is perpendicular to the rod, opening the face of the reel allowing the line to run off the side of the spool when released in the cast.
The centrepin reel is historically and currently used for coarse fishing. Instead of a mechanical drag, the angler's thumb is typically used to control the fish. Fishing in the margins for carp or other heavy fish with relatively light tackle is very popular with a 'pin' and is often used for 'trotting' a method in which a float on the line suspends a bait a certain depth to flow with the current along the waterway. During the 1950s and 1960s, many anglers in England began fishing with a centrepin reel. Despite this, the centrepin is today mostly used by coarse anglers, who remain a small proportion of the general fishing population.
Centerpin reels remain popular with anglers in Australia for all forms of fresh and saltwater fishing. Most common is the use of centerpin reels in Australia for surfcasting off the beach.[8]
Baitcasting reel[edit]
Baitcasting, conventional, or revolving spool reels are multiplying reels[9] in which line is stored on a bearing-supported revolving spool.[7] The bait casting reel is mounted above the rod, hence its other name given to it in New Zealand and Australia, the overhead reel. The baitcasting reel dates from at least the mid-17th century, but came into wide use by amateur anglers during the 1870s.[7] Early bait casting reels were often constructed with brass or iron gears, with casings and spools made of brass, German silver, or hard rubber.[7] Featuring multiplying gears ranging from 2:1 to 4:1, these early reels had no drag mechanism, and anglers used their thumb on the spool to provide resistance to runs by a fish.[7] As early as the 1870s, some models used bearings to mount the spool; as the free-spinning spool tended to cause backlash with strong pulls on the line, manufacturers soon incorporated a clicking pawl mechanism.[7] This 'clicker' mechanism was never intended as a drag, but used solely to keep the spool from overrunning, much like a fly reel.[7] Baitcasting reel users soon discovered that the clicking noise of the pawls provided valuable warning that a fish had taken the live bait, allowing the rod and reel to be left in a rod holder while awaiting a strike by a fish.[7]
Most fishing reels are suspended from the bottom of the rod, since this position requires no wrist strength to overcome gravity while enabling the angler to cast and retrieve without changing hands.[7] The baitcasting reel's unusual mounting position atop the rod is an accident of history.[7] Baitcasting reels were originally designed to be cast when positioned atop the rod, then rotated upside-down in order to operate the crank handle while playing a fish or retrieving line.[7] However, in practice most anglers preferred to keep the reel atop the rod for both cast and retrieve by simply transferring the rod to the left hand for the retrieve, then reverse-winding the crank handle.[7] Because of this preference, mounting the crank handle on the right side of a bait casting reel (with standard clockwise crank handle rotation) has become customary, though models with left-hand retrieve have gained in popularity in recent years thanks to user familiarity with the spinning reel.[10]
Many of today's baitcasting reels are constructed using aluminum, stainless steel, and/or synthetic composite materials. They typically include a level-wind mechanism to prevent the line from being trapped under itself on the spool during rewind and interfering with subsequent casts. Many are also fitted with anti-reverse handles and drags designed to slow runs by large and powerful game fish. Because the baitcasting reel utilizes the weight and momentum of the lure to pull the line from the rotating spool, it normally requires lures weighing 1/4 oz. or more in order to cast a significant distance.[11] Recent developments have seen bait casting reels with gear ratios as high as 7.1/1. Higher gear ratios allow much faster retrieval of line, but sacrifice some amount of strength in exchange, since the additional gear teeth required reduces torque as well as the strength of the gear train.[10] This could be a factor when fighting a large and powerful fish.[10]
Spool tension on most modern baitcasting reels can be adjusted with adjustable spool tension, a centrifugal brake, or a magnetic "cast control." This reduces spool overrun during a cast and the resultant line snare, known as backlash, colloquially called a "bird's nest" or "birdie". This backlash is a result of the angular momentum of the spool and line which is not present with a fixed spool or spinning reel. Each time a lure of a different weight is attached, the cast control must be adjusted for the difference in weight. The bait casting reel design will operate well with a wide variety of fishing lines, ranging from braided multifilament and heat-fused "superlines" to copolymer, fluorocarbon, and nylon monofilaments (see Fishing line). Most bait casting reels can also easily be palmed or thumbed to increase the drag, set the hook, or to accurately halt the lure at a given point in the cast.
Baitcasters are known as multiplier reels in Europe, on account of their geared line retrieve (one turn of the handle resulting in multiple turns of the spool). Two variations of the revolving spool bait casting reel are the conventional surf fishing reel and the big game reel. These are very large and robust fishing reels, designed and built for heavy saltwater species such as tuna, marlin, sailfish and sharks. Surf fishing reels are normally mounted to long, two-handed rods; these reels frequently omit level-wind and braking mechanisms in order to achieve extremely long casting distances. Big game reels are not designed for casting, but used for trolling or fishing set baits and lures; they are ideal for fighting large and heavy fish off a pier or boat. These reels normally utilize sophisticated star or lever drags in order to play out huge saltwater gamefish.
To cast a baitcasting rod and reel, the reel is turned on its side, the freespool feature engaged, and the thumb placed on the spool to hold the lure in position. The cast is performed by snapping the rod backward to the 2 o'clock position, then casting it forward in a smooth motion, allowing the lure to pull the line from the reel. The thumb is used to contact the line, moderating the revolutions of the spool and braking the lure when it reaches the desired aiming point. Though modern centrifugal and/or magnetic braking systems help to control backlash, using a bait casting reel still requires practice and a certain amount of finesse on the part of the fisherman for best results.
Conventional Reel[edit]
The conventional reel or trolling reel is similar to the baitcasting reel. There are two types of trolling reels, Star Drag reels and Lever Drag reels. Stardrags like baitcasters, but you move a little lever to put it into free spool. They have a star drag and you have to keep your thumb on them to keep off backlash. The lever drag reel uses the drag to put itself into freespool. They get more backlash but they can cast up to 40', Conventional reels are for really big fish and are usually used offshore. They are designed for trolling but can also be used for butterfly jigging and Deep Drop. They are mounted on short rods.
Spinning (fixed spool) reel[edit]
Reels utilizing a fixed spool were in use in North America as early as the 1870s.[7] They were originally developed to allow the use of artificial flies, or other lures for trout or salmon, that were too light in weight to be easily cast by bait casting reels.[7] Fixed-spool or spinning reels are normally mounted below the rod; this positioning conforms to gravity, requiring no wrist strength to maintain the reel in position. For right-handed persons, the spinning rod is held and cast by the strong right hand, leaving the left hand free to operate the crank handle mounted on the left side of the reel. Invention of the fixed-spool or spinning reel solved the problem of backlash, since the reel had no rotating spool capable of overrunning and fouling the line.
The name of Holden Illingworth, a textiles magnate, was first associated with the modern form of fixed-spool spinning reel. When casting the Illingworth reel, line was drawn off the leading edge of the spool, but was restrained and rewound by a line pickup, a device which orbits around the stationary spool. Because the line did not have to pull against a rotating spool, much lighter lures could be cast than with conventional reels.
In 1948, the Mitchell Reel Company of Cluses, France introduced the Mitchell 300, a spinning reel with a design that oriented the face of the fixed spool forward in a permanently fixed position below the fishing rod. The Mitchell reel was soon offered in a range of sizes for all fresh and saltwater fishing. A manual line pickup was used to retrieve the cast line, which eventually developed into a wire bail design that automatically recaptured the line upon cranking the retrieve handle. An anti-reverse lever prevented the crank handle from rotating while a fish was pulling line from the spool. With the use of light lines testing from two to six pounds, modern postwar spinning reels were capable of casting lures as light as 1/8 of an ounce, and sometimes lighter.
With all fixed-spool reels, the line is released in coils or loops from the leading edge of the non-rotating spool. To shorten or stop the outward cast of a lure or bait, the angler uses a finger or thumb placed in contact with the line and/or the leading edge of the spool to retard or stop the flight of the lure. Because of the design's tendency to twist and untwist the line as it is cast and retrieved, most spinning reels operate best with fairly limp and flexible fishing lines.
Though spinning reels do not suffer from backlash, line can occasionally be trapped underneath itself on the spool or even detach from the reel in loose loops of line. Some of these issues can be traced to overfilling the spool with line, while others are due to the way in which the line is wound onto the spool by the rotating bail or pickup. Various oscillating spool mechanisms have been introduced over the years in an effort to solve this problem. Spinning reels also tend to have more issues with twisting of the fishing line. Line twist in spinning reels can occur from the spin of an attached lure, the action of the wire bail against the line when engaged by the crank handle, or even retrieval of line that is under load (spinning reel users normally pump the rod up and down, then retrieve the slack line to avoid line twist and stress on internal components). In order to minimize line twist, many anglers who use a spinning reel manually reposition the bail after each cast with the pickup nearest the rod in order to minimize line twist.
Fixed spool reels are cast by opening the bail, grasping the line with the forefinger, and then using a backward snap of the rod followed by a forward cast while releasing the line with the forefinger at the same time. The forefinger is then placed in contact with the departing line and the leading edge of the spool in order to slow or stop the outward cast. On the retrieve, the left hand normally operates the crank handle, while the large rotating wire cage or bail (either manually or trigger-operated) serves as the line pickup, restoring the line to its original position on the spool.
Spin cast reel[edit]
The first commercial spin cast reels were introduced by the Denison-Johnson Reel Company and the Zero Hour Bomb Company (ZEBCO) in 1949.[12][13] The spin cast reel is an attempt to solve the problem of backlash found in bait cast designs, while reducing line twist and snare complaints sometimes encountered with traditional spinning reel designs. Just as with the spinning reel, the line is thrown from a fixed spool and can therefore be used with relatively light lures and baits. However, the spin cast reel eliminates the large wire bail and line roller of the spinning reel in favor of one or two simple pickup pins and a metal cup to wind the line on the spool. Traditionally mounted above the rod, the spin cast reel is also fitted with an external nose cone that encloses and protects the fixed spool.
With a fixed spool, spin cast reels can cast lighter lures than bait cast reels, although friction of the nose cone guide and spool cup against the uncoiling line reduces casting distance compared to spinning reels. Spin cast reel design requires the use of narrow spools with less line capacity than either bait casting or spinning reels of equivalent size, and cannot be made significantly larger in diameter without making the reel too tall and unwieldy. These limitations severely restrict the use of spin cast reels in situations such as fishing at depth, when casting long distances, or where fish can be expected to make long runs. Like other types of reels, spin cast reels are frequently fitted with both anti-reverse mechanisms and friction drags, and some also have level-wind (oscillating spool) mechanisms. Most spin cast reels operate best with limp monofilament lines, though at least one spin cast reel manufacturer installs a thermally fused "superline" into one of its models as standard equipment. During the 1950s and into the mid-1960s, they were widely used and very popular, though the spinning reel has since eclipsed them in popularity in North America. They remain a favorite fishing tool for beginners.
Pressing a button on the rear of the reel disengages the line pickup, and the button is then released during the forward cast to allow the line to fly off the spool. The button is pressed again to stop the lure at the position desired. Upon cranking the handle, the pickup pin immediately re-engages the line and spools it onto the reel.
Underspin reel[edit]
Underspin or Triggerspin reels are spin cast reels in which the reel is mounted underneath a standard spinning rod. With the reel's weight suspended beneath the rod, underspin reels are generally more comfortable to cast and hold for long periods, and the ability to use all standard spinning rods greatly increases its versatility compared to traditional spin cast reels.
A lever or trigger is grasped or rotated (usually by the forefinger) and this action suspends the line in place. During the forward cast, the lever/trigger is released, and the line flies off the fixed spool. When necessary, the lever can be activated once again to stop the lure at a given point in the cast.
Reel mechanisms[edit]
Direct-drive reels have the spool and handle directly coupled. When the handle moves forwards, the spool moves forwards, and vice-versa. With a fast-running fish, this may have consequences for the angler's knuckles. Traditional fly reels are direct-drive.
In anti-reverse reels, a mechanism allows line to pay out while the handle remains stationary. Depending on the drag setting, line may also pay out, as with a running fish, while the angler reels in. Bait casting reels and many modern saltwater fly reels are examples of this design. The mechanism works either with a 'dog' or 'pawl' design that engages into a cog wheel attached to the handle shaft. The latest design is Instant Anti-Reverse, or IAR. This system incorporates a one-way clutch bearing on the handle shaft to restrict handle movement to forward motion only.
Drag mechanisms[edit]
Drag systems are a mechanical means of applying variable pressure to the line spool or drive mechanism in order to act as a friction brake against it. This supplies resistance to the line after hook-up to aid in landing the fish without the line breaking. In combination with rod flex and fishing technique, this allows larger fish to be caught than the straight breaking strength of the line would suggest.
The mechanics of drag systems usually consist of any number of discs (drag washers) arranged in a stack on the spool shaft or in some cases, on the drive shaft. There is generally a screw or lever mechanism that presses against the washers—the higher the pressure, the greater the resistance. Drag washers are commonly made of materials such as steel, Teflon, carbon fiber, other reinforced plastics or metal alloys. Since large fish can generate a lot of pulling power, reels with higher available drag forces (which generate greater heat) for higher test lines will use stronger and more heat resistant materials than reels designed for low test lines. A good drag system is consistent (generates the same force over and over), durable and smooth (no jerkiness).
Spinning reels have two types of drag: front or rear. Front drags, which have the adjustment located on the spool itself, are mechanically simpler, usually more consistent in performance and capable of higher drag forces. Rear drags, with the adjustment screw on the back of the reel, are more complicated mechanically and usually not as precise or smooth as front drags since the drag itself is often part of the drive shaft and not the spool. They are however, easier to adjust in mid-fight.
Conventional overhead, trolling or baitcasting type reels usually use one of two types of drags: star or lever. The most common and simplest mechanically is the star drag—so-called because the adjustor wheel looks like a star with rounded points. Star drags work by screw action to increase or decrease the pressure on the washer stack which is usually located on the main driving gear. Reels with star drags generally have a separate lever which allows the reel to go into "freespool" by disengaging the spool from the drive train completely and allowing it to spin freely with little resistance. The freespool position is used for casting, letting line out and/or allowing live bait to move freely.
Lever drags work through cam action to increase or decrease pressure on the drag washers located on the spool itself. Most lever drags offer preset drag positions for strike (reduced drag to avoid tearing the hook out of the fish), full (used once the hook is set) and freespool (see above). Lever drags are simpler and faster to adjust during the fight. And, since they use the spool for the washer stack rather than the drive gear, the washers can be larger, offering more resistance and smoother action. The disadvantage is that in freespool, there can be residual and unwanted resistance since the drag mechanism may not be completely out of the picture without resorting to more complex mechanics.
Setting the drag[edit]
Proper drag setting depends on fishing conditions, line test (break strength) and the size and type of fish being targeted. Often it's a matter of "feel" and knowing your setup to get the drag right.
With spinning reels, closed-face reels and conventional reels with star drags, a good starting point is to set the drag to about 1/3 to 1/2 the breaking strength of the line. For example, if the line is rated at 20 lb (9 kg) test, a drag setting that requires 7 - 10 lb (3 - 4.5 kg) of force on the line to move the spool would be appropriate. This is only a rule of thumb. For lever drag reels with a strike position, most anglers start by setting the drag at the strike position to 1/3 the break strength of the line. This usually allows the full position to still be safely under the line rating while providing flexibility during the fight. Depending on the conditions, some anglers may leave their reels in freespool then setting the anti-reverse or engaging the drag on hookup.
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