Fishing is a timeless pastime that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. If you’re new to fishing and looking to learn the basics of using a spinning reel, you’ve come to the right place.
Spinning reels are a popular choice for beginner and experienced anglers alike, thanks to their ease of use, versatility, and affordability.
With the right equipment and techniques, anyone can learn how to use a spinning reel and catch a variety of fish species in both freshwater and saltwater environments.
In this beginner guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know to get started with spinning reel fishing, from choosing the right reel to casting techniques and more.
Let’s dive in and discover the world of spinning reel fishing together!
Major Parts of Spinning Reels
- Drug adjustments
- Line roller
- Handle
- Bail
- Reversible handle
- Line spool
- Reel foot
Drug Adjustments
Drug system is basically made with metal and fabric washes that are built in the spool of a spinning reel.
It has a hole in the center; this is a pair of plates which placed inside the fishing reels, theses reels helps to prevent the line from breaking at the time of fishing, specially to take the weight of the fishing.
Think about when you got a big fish the line becomes tight, at that moment the drag system allows you to pull the reel under tension, and reduce the extreme pressure on the line rod and angler.
Line Roller
A line roller is a component of a spinning reel that helps to keep the line taut by rolling along it. This keeps the fish on the hook longer and increases your chances of landing a big one!
Bail
Bail is the lever that lets you release the line from the reel when you are ready to put your fish back in.
When you set bail, it creates a resistance on the line which keeps the spool from turning rapidly.
This slows down the forward motion of your bait on the spool and gives you more time to react if a big fish takes your bait.
Reversible Handle
When you’re looking to catch a big fish, it is important to have a reel that can handle the power.
A spinning reel with a reversible handle is perfect for this purpose. This type of reel allows you to switch between left-handed and right-handed reeling without having to stop and change gears.
Line Spool
A spinning reel must have a line spool. A line spool is what holds your line when you are using it to catch fish.
When you want to fish, you need to be able to pull in the line on the reel and not run out of line before you get a bite.
Spools stored in fishing line. spools have variations, these generally depend on the type of reel you’re using.
Basically spools are fixed on the spinning reels, Beside line capacity also different for different types of spools.
Reel foot
Reel foot is a small piece of metal that attaches to the reel. It usually has a float in it, which keeps the line from tangling up when you’re not using your reel.
It’s a flat object with a hole in the center that holds your line.
Moreover a clear spool has a transparent center. A clear spool is great for viewing your line when you’re not fishing.
White, a white spool has a white center. This is good to use if you plan on fishing at night, or in cloudy weather.
How To Use A Spinning Reels?
Spinning reel fishing is a great way to experience the thrill of landing a big fish. It can be challenging, but with the right gear and technique, you can land your dream catch.
Obviously now a basic question arises in your mind: how to use spinning reels? No problem. I will guide you step by step how to use it :
Loading the Reel
When you’re ready to start fishing, load your reel with a line. To do this, place the spool of line on the base of the reel and wind it in a clockwise direction.
Make sure you keep tension on the line while winding it so that it remains taut when installed on the reel.
To release the line, grasp the spool and pull it out of the reel. As you’re rewinding the line, check the condition of your reel.
If it is no longer in good working order, replace it before fishing again. Check the line under a bright light to see if there are any broken or frayed strands.
Drag Setting
At this time once you’ve placed the line and spool the line, it’s important to change the drag setting as per your need.
You can make it too hard or too soft, but I suggest keeping the drag to the average range.
A button on front of the spool allows for drag manipulation. Turning to the right will tighten it while rotating to the left will loosen up the drag.
I usually set my drag so that the line is about 1/4 inch from the bottom of the spool.
I will also set up a weight to keep it at the right level on your rod. Spinning this way, you can make your line turn very fast and be able to catch fish with precision.
This is the first time I’ve used a reel like this and I was surprised at how well it worked. It’s easy to set up, but takes some practice to master.
Bail Functioning
The bail on a spinning reel is an important design feature that allows the fisherman to easily remove the bait from the reel.
Bails come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but all function the same way- by attaching to the spool using a hinge and allowing the fisherman to lift it off of the reel.
Many fishermen prefer a bail with a small hole that is surrounded by teeth, which makes it easier to remove bait from the reel.
This is a popular bail design, but it is also the most complicated and difficult to use.
If you are not familiar with a bail, we recommend using a small circle bail that simply lifts out of the way when you want to remove bait from your reel.
Usage of Anti-Reverse Button
The Anti-Reverse Button (AB) on the handle of the reel can be used to prevent the reel from spinning in reverse. It can be manually locked and unlocked.
Basically, it helps to use the spinning reels freely. The AB button can also be used to help you control the line when fighting a fish.
When reeling in, the line can be pulled out of the water and then reeled back in slowly.
You can use this anti-reverse button to move the handle only in an anti-clockwise direction if you are skilled in fishing; otherwise, I suggest you use the normal usage in which the anti-reverse button is locked.
Benefits of Using a Spinning Reel:
- Drag can be easily adjustable when fighting with fish.
- suitable for lightweight lures and tackle
- Not get easily tangled
Things to Remember
- Not useful for deep water fishing and fly fishing
FAQs
Are spinning reels easy to use?
Yes, once you understand how to use the reel properly. First, set the handle so that it is straight up and down.
Then, lift the bail arm off of the spool by pulling on it until it comes loose from the reel.
Are spinning reels easy to handle when casting?
Yes, the large bail arm keeps your hand from getting in the way of your cast. It also makes it easier to put a lot of pressure on the line with your thumb, keeping the bait on the hook for longer periods of time.
In conclusion, spinning reels is the most important equipment for fishing, it plays a major role in fishing. It helps you to do the fishing easily and quickly.
All you need to choose is a spinning reel that has good speed, amount of drag, handling qualities, and also some other features like a good casting ability.
Through this article, I tried to share with you the effective use of a spinning reel. Hope you understand how to use a spinning reel, for the perfect catch.
