Spin-Casting Reels
A spin-casting reel is often the first one a new fisherman buys. Also called closed-face reels, they're simple to operate and often very inexpensive. Most are made to sit on top of the rod, but a few are designed to hang under it. You can buy a quality spin-casting reel that works well, but many of the cheaper ones often have problems and don't work as well as other kinds of reels.
FIGURE 5-1
A spin-casting reel.
How a Spin-Casting Reel Works
A revolving cap sits over the spool of line inside the cover of the reel. A push button or a lever on the reel allows you to hold the line tight in the reel while making a cast. A pin in the side of the cap works in and out with the push button and handle of the reel. When you push the button the pin drops back into the cap and a locking device engages, holding the line in place. When you release the button the locking device releases the line, allowing it to unwind from the spool and move freely around the cap.
When you turn the reel handle the pin pops out to pick up the line. As the cap revolves around the spool it winds the line back on it. The line rubs on the eye of the cover of the reel as it makes a sharp turn to go around the cap and then rubs on the revolving cap and pickup pin as it goes around it back to the spool. Both those points can be causes of problems.
If the line is not pulled tight coming out of the reel, the pin sometimes won't pick it up. It's best to hold the reel so your thumb and trigger finger can pinch the line in front of the cap and pull it tight as you start to reel.
Putting Line on a Spin-Casting Reel
Putting line on a reel correctly will solve many problems. If line is put on the wrong way it will twist and won't cast right. In spin-casting reels, twisted line will jam on the pin and inside the cover, making it difficult to clear without taking the cover off the reel. Light line works much better than heavy line on spin-casting reels. Ten-pound test is usually the heaviest line that should be used, and lighter is even better. The reel will have the suggested line size printed on it or in the instructions that come with it.
To put line on a spin-casting reel you must know which way the revolving cap turns. Open the cover and turn the handle to see the direction. While the cover is off the reel, run line from the tip of the rod up the guides, through the hole in the cover and then tie the line around the spool under the cap. Put the cover back on the reel and lay the new spool of line on the floor. If the cap in the reel is turning clockwise when observed from behind, lay the spool of line on the floor so the line unwinds from it clockwise, too.
Most new reels come with line on them. Take the cover off and notice the way the line is wound tight on the spool, how full the spool is, and which direction it runs. This will help when you have to put new line on the reel.
Hold the line tight between your thumb and trigger finger and reel the new line onto the spool. Holding the line tight makes it tight on the spool and less likely to cause problems. Fill the spool to one-eighth inch below the lip. Putting on less line will make it drag and interfere with casting; putting on too much will make it hang on the cap and not cast at all.
Spin-Casting Reel Quality and Drag
Reels can be made of many materials from steel to composites. They must be strong enough to hold up under constant use and light enough to balance the rod but not tire you out. Many cheap spin-casting reels are made of plastic with plastic gears. Avoid these. Metal gears are best for long-term usage and a metal cover will hold up better than plastic. The handle should be large enough to grasp comfortably and turn easily. Make sure it's not so small it bumps your hand as you turn it.
The drag system should allow line to be pulled off the spool smoothly and evenly, without any jerks. Pull line from the reel and adjust the drag until the line slips easily, then tie the line to a solid object and pull against it making the rod bend. The drag should slip and allow line to come off the reel when the rod is bent. You can attach a scale to the line and pull, adjusting the drag to slip at two-thirds to three-fourths the breaking point of the line.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Spin-Cast Reels
These are some advantages to using spin-casting reels:
Spin-casting reels are cheap so they're not a big loss if children break them or throw them in the lake.
It's easy to learn to use spin-casting reels.
They can be either right-or left-handed, and some have handles that can be moved from one side to the other.
A good-quality spin-casting reel will last a long time.
Spin-casting reels can handle extremely light line and are a good choice for two-and four-pound test ultralight fishing.
These are some disadvantages to using spin-casting reels:
Spin-casting reels are not good for heavy line or fighting strong fish.
You're limited to light line, and the drag system isn't as good as it is on other kinds of reels.
It's hard to keep the line tight on the spool.
Twisted or loose line will jam the reel and you have to take the cover off to correct the problem.
