Types of Fishing Reels: The Ultimate Guide

Types of fishing reels

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the different types of fishing reels on the market.

Some types of fishing reels are much better suited to different kinds of fishing. Pairing the right fishing reel to your targeted catch is a sure-fire way to catch more fish and bigger ones at that.

Read on to learn all you’ll need to know about the different types of fishing reels available and how to use them to land your biggest fish ever.

The Most Common Different Types of Fishing Reels

From the humble spincast reel to monster offshore trolling reels, there’s a different type of fishing reel for every fishing scenario.

The types of fishing reels below represent the most popular options on the market.

Spincast Reel

The humble spincast reel is familiar to everyone who has ever held a fishing rod before. Their popularity does appear to be waning in favor of spinning or baitcasting reels. But spincast reels remain the least expensive and easiest to use of any fishing reel type.

Spincast reels

These fishing reels feature a push button that you depress while casting to allow the line to spool off of the reel. They’re accurate, and removing tangles is quick and easy. This makes them forgiving to all the snafus that you’ll likely have as you master casting with this style of fishing reel.

While spincasters are very affordable and easy to use, they do have some limitations. A spincast reel isn’t intended to stand up to the wear and tear that professional quality fishing reels are. Most spincasters only make it a season or two before they need replacement.

Spincasters are typically the stuff of ponds, streams, and small lakes. They are fine for smaller species like perch, crappie, bluegill, or other panfish. But they aren’t designed to battle big fish the way other fishing reel types are. So, if you’re planning on targeting big fish, a spincaster is going to be far too undersized for the task.

You can read our other article Best Spincast Reels to learn more about these types of fishing reels.

Spinning Reel

Spinning reels, also known as open reels, are the most versatile and popular of all fishing reel types. Depending on the size of the reel, you can use a spinning tackle to target most fish on earth. Spinning reels are easy to use, and they aren’t susceptible to bird’s nests and tangles the way other reel styles are.

Spinning reel

Spinning reels mount to the underside of a rod. The spool spins as the line is retrieved and is neatly returned to the reel for your next cast. Spinning reels have a metal bale that works as a pickup mechanism to spool the line back onto the reel.

When casting, anglers must flip up the bale to disengage it while holding the line against the rod to keep it from coming off the spool. As you make your cast, release the line you’re holding against the rod so that your lure can travel towards the spot you’re casting to.

Spinning tackle is best suited to freshwater and saltwater fishing. You can use any saltwater spinning reel in freshwater, but a freshwater reel usually doesn’t hold up to the rigors of saltwater fishing for long.

Saltwater models are sealed to prevent saltwater from penetrating and causing corrosion.

If you’re looking for a type of fishing reel that’s versatile and easy to maintain, a spinning reel could be best for you.

Want to know more about these types of fishing reels? Check out our other article Best Ultralight Spinning Reels.

Baitcasting Reel

Baitcasters are another very popular type of fishing reel. They are well suited to a variety of fishing scenarios. A baitcasting reel is a wise choice whether you’re bottom fishing or looking to bomb monster casts.

Baitcasting reel

Baitcasters come in two different styles. The round style is like a conventional reel, albeit on a smaller scale. The low profile style is more streamlined and ergonomic. They usually provide greater casting distance than the round style.

Many anglers bottom fishing prefer a round baitcaster. With the low-profile versions generally being the better all-around reel.

Baitcasters are a bit more difficult to cast than a spincast or spinning reel. Since the spool on a baitcaster can spin freely, it’s easy for the line to tangle when the line is coming off the reel.

To combat this, many low-profile baitcasters feature a magnetic system that helps slow the rotation of the spool to prevent bird’s nests.

Once you get the hang of casting with one of these types of fishing reels, you’re likely to fall in love with them. They provide tremendous stopping power for targeting larger fish. And even the larger low profile reels are small and lightweight.

Baitcasters are good for all sorts of fishing including bottom fishing and fishing in heavy cover. These fishing reels are the most powerful pound for pound. They make it easier to muscle a big fish like lingcod off the bottom or pluck species like bass, walleye, pike, or snakehead out of heavy cover.

Check out our other article Best Baitcasting Reels to learn more about these types of fishing reels.

Fly Reel

Fly reels, as their name suggests, are designed for fly fishing. They have the most straightforward design of any type of fishing reel.

Fly fishing reel

Fly reels use a weighted line that allows the angler to cast and fish at a specific depth where the fish are feeding. Braided backing line can also be added to the reel to give the fly line a platform to sit on and add extra line for fighting fish that go on long runs.

Most fly anglers land a fish by pulling the line in with their hands. So these types of fishing reels usually have a basic drag system and only a few different parts that make up the reel.

Fly reels are sized according to the line weight on the reel, and the reel is only compatible with one or two line sizes. Most anglers will buy spare spools for their reel in different sizes. They then switch spools whenever fishing conditions call for different line weights.

Replacement spools can be about half the price of a reel, so it’s expensive to outfit your reel with lots of spools. But, cheaper options like plastic cassettes allow you to outfit your reel with different line weights for just a few bucks.

Surf Reel

Surf reels are designed for anglers who fish from the beach. This type of fishing reel is almost always of the spinning variety. But some larger class baitcasters lend themselves well to surfcasting.

Surfcasting reel

Surfcasting presents a few unique challenges that you don’t have to worry about when fishing from a boat, dock, or shoreline.

For one, anglers must cast long distances to put their bait far enough out from shore to reach the fish. Surf anglers also have to contend with sand, which can quickly ruin a reel.

To help make long casts, surf reels are much larger than the average spinning or baitcasting setup. While most anglers use reels in the 1,000-6,000 class range, surf reels usually start in the 8,000 size range and move up from there.

Surf reels take durability a step further up. They are built with the most shielding to protect against sand since it’s always present when you’re fishing from the beach.

Offshore Reel

Like surf reels, offshore fishing reels are designed for battling the largest sportfish in the ocean. From monster bluefin tuna or swordfish to sharks, an offshore fishing reel is what you’ll need if you plan on hooking a monster.

Offshore fishing reels

Offshore fishing reels are very large spinning reels. They’re much larger than the tackle you’d use when fishing inshore. Offshore reels are typically in the 10,000 and up class. They offer tons of line capacity to handle a running fish and tons of drag power to help you bring the fish to the boat.

These reels are among the most expensive types of fishing reels on the market. Even the budget-friendly options running north of $500. Anglers can expect to spend upwards of $1,000 for a top-of-the-line reel for offshore fishing.

Conventional/Trolling Reel

A conventional fishing reel, also known as a trolling or casting reel, is among the oldest modern fishing reel designs. They’re what round-style baitcasters are modeled after.

Conventional fishing reel

While they’re often referred to as casting reels, these fishing reels are far too large to cast. Conventional reels are best when targeting enormous bottom feeding fish or trolling from the rear of a boat.

These fishing reels provide tons of line capacity and drag power to help you win a prolonged fight with a trophy sportfish or deal with aggressive pests like barracuda. Both star drag and lever drag models are available. Most anglers prefer a lever drag reel for the extra power they provide.

Electric Reel

Electric fishing reels are large baitcasters with an electric motor that engages the reel for you, so you don’t have to crank a handle.

Electric fishing reels

When fishing in depths of 500 feet or more, reeling up a big fish or checking your bait becomes very taxing on your arms and shoulders. After a few hours of fishing with a manual reel, your arms become so tired that it’s almost impossible to reel in a big fish.

Many anglers opt for electric fishing reels with manual overrides. These also allow using the handle instead of the motor. These fishing reels are great where you’d like to fight your fish to the boat, but prefer not to burn your arm out checking your bait or changing lures.

Electric fishing reels often have a line counter function which looks like a car’s odometer. This device indicates the amount of line you have out so that you can fish at a specific depth. These fishing reels are quite large, with tons of line capacity and 40 pounds of drag or more. They are one of the best types of fishing reels for big fish in deep waters.

Which Type of Fishing Reel is right for you?

Here’s what you’ll need to know to select the perfect type of fishing reel for you.

Gear Ratio

One of the major features that separate different fishing reels is the gear ratio. The reel’s gear ratio refers to how quickly the reel can pick up line, and it’s expressed as a ratio.

The second number is always 1, while the number to the left indicates how many times the reel’s spool turns each time you make one crank of the handle.

The higher the first number, the faster the retrieve rate. Depending on the type of fishing you’re doing, the gear ratio can be a critical concern. As a rule of thumb, lower ratios offer more power, while higher ratios provide the fastest retrieve speeds.

There’s no correct answer when it comes to what the ideal retrieve speed is, and it depends on where, how, and what you’re fishing for.

If you’re fishing freshwater lakes and ponds for bass, a faster retrieve speed is usually preferred. Saltwater anglers after gamefish are usually happy to sacrifice speed for the extra torque that a lower gear ratio provides.

Reel Size

Whether you opt for a spinning reel, a baitcaster, or anything between, the size of the fishing reel is another critical consideration you’ll need to make.

As you may imagine, larger fishing reels are a practical need for targeting ocean gamefish. Smaller fishing reels are better suited for freshwater and inshore fishing.

Depending on the manufacturer, reel sizes correspond to a two, three, or four-digit number. As a rule of thumb, the first two numbers are the ones that show the reel’s size, regardless of the manufacturer.

Fishing reels sizes

For example, a 3,000 size reel is usually the same as a 300 or 30 size reel. It’s all about how the manufacturer prefers to label their equipment.

Freshwater and inshore anglers opt for reels in the 1,000-4,000 class range. These fishing reels have a smaller line capacity and less drag, making them a wise choice for targeting smaller fish. These reels are light, easy to maintain, and usually inexpensive.

Fishing reels in the 3,000-6,000 class are ideal for nearshore saltwater fishing. These reels can easily handle nearshore sportfish, and they offer enough torque and drag to muscle the occasional giant to the boat.

Offshore fishermen targeting trophy fish such as giant bluefin tuna or swordfish opt for reels in the 10,000+ class. These reels offer tons of drag power and huge line capacity to handle a monster fish that’s running.

The larger the fishing reel, the heavier and more difficult it is to fish with. As you’d imagine, smaller fish call for smaller reels.

You won’t need a larger reel than these unless you’re targeting deepwater pelagic species.

Line Weight

Line weight refers to the size and strength of the fishing line. A line’s weight is expressed by its pound test, which indicates how much weight the line can handle before it breaks.

Smaller line weights are for freshwater and nearshore fish. Whereas larger line weights are best for bigger offshore species, catfish, carp and buffalo fish, and monster bass.

All fishing reels can accept a variety of line weights, and the amount of line the reel can fit depends on the size of the spool. Larger reels for offshore fishing hold the most line. Whereas smaller reels usually only provide 100-200 yards worth of capacity.

Drag

The drag system is a collection of washers or disks that rub against the spool to restrict its motion. This feature allows big fish to run with the line instead of snapping it off because you’re putting too much pressure on the fish.

Most anglers set their drag to about 33% of the breaking strength of their line, i.e., a 30-pound test line would call for a drag setting in the range of six pounds.

Caring For and Maintaining Your Fishing Reel

Regular maintenance is best if you’re looking to protect your investment and keep your fishing reel in top shape for years to come. Thankfully, there’s very little you’ll need to do to keep your fishing reels running in top condition.

How to maintain your fishing reel

After fishing, you’ll want to wash down your reels with fresh water, especially if you have been fishing in saltwater. Any water source will do, but hot water does the best job of eliminating saltwater and corrosive agents. If you can, throw your gear in the shower and rinse it down after a trip.

Once a year, you should fully service your fishing reel. Most tackle shops are happy to perform standard maintenance for around $20 per reel, or you could take care of regular maintenance on your own.

There are tutorial videos that detail how to break down and service almost every reel on the market. If you have one or two fishing reels you use, it may make sense to take care of service on your own.

But, if you have a ton of different fishing reels you need to maintain, it often makes sense to let your favorite tackle shop take care of them.

You should also replace your fishing line regularly if you want to reduce the chances of line breakages. It’s quick and easy to re-spool your reels using a fishing line spooler. Read our other article Best Fishing Line Spooler to learn more about using one of these helpful gadgets.

If you need to know how to fix a fishing reel that spins both ways then we have a great article on that too. Check out: My Fishing Reel Spins Both Ways – How To Fix It?

Final Thoughts

There are lots of different types of fishing reels on the market. Take some time to do the research and make sure you get the best fishing reel for you and how you like to fish.

Check out our fishing reel buying guides and reviews designed to help you navigate and find the best fishing reels available.

Then match your fishing reel with the right type of fishing rod. To learn more about the different types of fishing rods available check out our other article: Types of Fishing Rods: The Ultimate Guide.

Pairing the right type of fishing reel and rod to the species you’re targeting is the best way to maximize your catch.

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