Tips on Fishing with Fishing Reels

You might have bought your first fishing reel, or someone gave one to you as a present. You’re ready to go on your first fishing expedition, but you’re not quite confident in using your reel. Don’t worry, as this article will give you tips on fishing with fishing reels.

Types of fishing reels

To fully understand how to make the most of the best fishing reel you have, let’s have a brief review of the different types of fishing reels in the market. These include:

1. Baitcasting reel: this is the type of fishing reel that is ideal for fishing larger fishes such as catfish and large lake trout. It is a low profile reel designed to be placed on top of the fishing reel.

A baitcasting reel is known for being accurate. It is very much ideal for use for heavy fishing lines and heavy lures. However, it can be difficult to cast into the wind. It also doesn’t work well with light lures.

2. Spinning reel: this is very popular for newbies because it is very easy to use. It is designed to be mounted on the fishing rod. It is also known as the opened face reel.

The main difference between a spinning reel and a baitcasting reel  is that the former lacks a free spinning reel. Instead, a spinning reel has a fixed spool. The fixed spool won’t overrun, meaning you won’t experience a backlash or tangling.

Moreover, a spinning reel works well with light lures and lines.  It, however, doesn’t work well with heavy fishing line.

3. Spincast reel: like spinning reels; this is a fishing reel that’s great for beginners. It is very easy to use. It is also mounted on top of the fishing

Another similarity of spincast reel with the spinning reel is the presence of a fixed spool.

However, spin cast reels aren’t as accurate as spinning reels. It also doesn’t have much line capacity as a spinning reel.

Tips in Using a Baitcasting Reel

You may have a basic understanding of how to use your spinning reel, but you’re not confident that you can get a catch with your reel.  However knowing tips and tricks in using fishing reel is so important.

Here are some tips that you may want to try if you want to overcome baitcasting reel problems and enhance your casting:

1. Use large lines. As mentioned earlier, baitcasting reels don’t work well with light lines and lures. Thus you should use 10 pounds and above for light lights. This way, it would be less likely for the line to come off the spool and overrun.
2. Match your reel to a 6-6 medium heavy rod. If you have a baitcasting reel, you should match it with a 6-6 or even 6-10 medium heavy rod. This should make it easier for you to cast the reel.
3. Rehearse off the waters. Before you take your new baitcasting reel to the waters, tie it on a spinnerbait that is easy to see. This would help you practice your casting techniques. Practice in an open area, preferably away from overhead trees.
4. Practice sidearm casting of the reel in the backyard. You must lock your wrist and maintain some pressure on the spool. You don’t even need to throw far. You can eventually increase your distance as you gain confidence.
5. You can move your arm’s position to overhand once you are confident in your ability as well as your reel’s performance.

Tips in Using a Spinning Reel

If you have a spinning reel, there are certain techniques that you can employ to catch fish.  These include:

1. Bottom Bouncing: As you might deduce from the name, this is a technique that you need to do when trolling with the boat. You’ll use a live bait and cast it up the current. You’ll then let it bounce from the bottom.

In this method, your aim is to make noise at the bottom of the water so the fishes will be attracted to your bait. It’s a technique that is very effective in catching brown and rainbow trout.

2. Live Lining: To be able to pull off this technique, your boat should be anchored in an area with a stream. You’ll also need a live bait for this method.

Cast your bait and aim for it to reach the bottom of the water. You’ll have to allow the water current to do most of the work in retrieving your bait.

In this technique, your aim is for your bait to be able to be seen by game fish that hides in holes, rocks, and similar places.

3. Walking the Dog: This is a fishing technique where a topwater lure like a popper is used.

Simply make a cast and allow it to settle after some time. Then hold a rod at a height of around 1.5 feet above the water.

Keep the rod angled down slightly, with its tip close to the water.  Then using your wrist, you should start to move the rod left and right. The rod would have to be moved wider than the lure.

In this technique, the lure should be moved in a zig-zag fashion. Play the lure with the rod, using the reel to roll the slack.

4. Jigging: This is a popular method that allows anglers to catch different fish species by altering the rigs to find the right color, shape, and rod movement. This is best used in saltwater due to greater depths.

This technique is also very simple to do. Simply cast and wait until the jig rig reaches the bottom of the water. Use the rod trip to make a short hop before lowering it back down.

You don’t need the rod to be too high because it would not let you hook the fish. Reel down when you lower the bait, and then back up when you pull the bait off the bottom.

Indeed you may have the best fishing reel but if you aren’t aware of these techniques, then it would be difficult for you to catch a fish.