~The Reel Doctor~

"Reel" advice for Fishermen! There are a number
of topics that we will explore along the way,
such as fishing products, fishing techniques, and
of course a few lies about the big one that got away!

Monday, October 27, 2008

Choose the right reel for the fishing job!

The fishing reel is a very important piece of fishing gear and just like anything else it comes in many different styles and varieties from a wide array of manufacturers. Like other fishing tackle, fishing reels can be inexpensive or surprisingly expensive.

Having a good fishing reel is a key for successful fishing and there are a few types of reels on the market today which makes choosing one a little bit of a challenge. You can narrow this down a bit though by knowing what type of fishing your going to be doing.

If you are taking up fly fishing and there are specific reels for that style of fishing but if you will be casting then you want to choose from one of the many spinning reels available.

Fly casting reels are usually the most expensive type of reels. Since fly fishing commands a specialized set of skills the equipment used to do it is also very specialized. Fly fishing reels need to be lightweight so that you can cast and move smoothly. The fly reels usually don't have gears so when you turn the handle once the spool also turns once. These reels are narrow and dish shaped requiring a special touch.

Spinning reels come in a wide range of varieties and there is something suitable for everyone from children just beginning to learn how to cast to professional anglers. The closed face reels are easy to operate and ideal for beginners.

These have a button that you press and release to let the line out and the fishing line is kept in an enclosed case. Although the button makes them very easy to use they can be harder to clean because the debris returned with the line gets trapped inside the case and can cause problems with your drag.

Once you graduate from a beginning fishermen you'll probably want an open faced reel. These reels have the line exposed and usually have a bail that you slide over and hold down while you are casting releasing it at the last minute to let the line fly out. These come in a huge variety of styles and manufacturers and most anglers will have more than one in a fishing arsenal.

The type of fishing you are doing dictates where the reel is mounted. For fly fishing the reel actually acts as a counterweight to balance the fishing rod and his mounted below the handle. The spinning reel is mounted on top of the rod and is equipped with a drag system that adjusts the tension and keeps the line from breaking when you have a fish on.

Once you have narrowed it down to a particular fishing reel model you'll need to budget yourself a price range. Just like anything else buying the cheapest one probably won't be worth your while but if you're just starting out find the most expensive one might not be your best solution either.

Most people like to pick a mid priced reel and then graduate to more expensive ones as you get more experience. Once you have been fishing for a while you probably have a better idea of which reel is the perfect one for you.

Find out more about finding the right fishing gear by visiting http://www.fishinggeartips.com - a website that offers information on fishing including tips on fishing line, fishing rods, fishing lures and finding that perfect fishing reel.

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