Choosing the Right Fly Fishing Reels

Choosing the Right Fly Fishing Reels

By Serena N Ericson

In the past, fly fishing was a technique most often used to catch salmon and trout, but things have changed over the years. Fly fishing is now used to catch a wide range of different fish, including panfish, crap, bonefish, pike, bass, and more! With this type of fishing, you catch fish by using artificial flies that are cast with a special rod and line.

To achieve success with this particular type of fishing, choosing the best fly fishing reel is important. By opting for quality reels, such as Penn reels, you can greatly improve your chances of catching the type of fish you want. Don't make the mistake of assuming the reel you use is just a simple piece of equipment, it is an item that must work well with your line, leader, and flies for the best results.

Most fly fishing reels are made from aluminum. You must consider your fishing destinations when making your purchase because it will have an impact. For example, salt water fishermen want a reel with anodized polish to prevent the effects of salt from causing damage.

As previously stated, never assume that your reel is just a single piece of equipment you need to buy. It must be matched up with line weight and rod for the best casting possible. For example, a five-weight rod must be matched with a five-weight reel.

Another mistake is not considering the different types of reels available. You want to familiarize yourself with these differences.

For example:

• Single Action Reels: These are the most popular and most used; they are ideal for novice fishermen. With this reel, the fly is positioned on a spool and the handle connects to the spool instead of a gear system. With one single crank of the handle, you get one spool revolution.
• Multiplier Reels: Unlike single-action reels, they fasten to the gear system and this means multiple spool revolutions with one single crank. The greatest benefit of opting for this type of reel, like Penn reels, is the quick line retrieval.
• Automatic Reels: While lots of fishermen have claimed that an automatic reel takes away from the sport and the challenge, its increase in popularity due to ease of use. It allows for you to just flick a lever to recover the line.

One of the best ways to find out what type of fishing reel is best for you, is to talk to other fishermen. Make sure the fishermen you ask for opinions fish in the same type of environment as you, and have a similar price range or budget for their fishing equipment.

We have seen that sales of Penn reels are particularly strong, and reading reviews of Penn reels by other fisherman will show you that they are prized for their durability.

Please visit our website, and find out for yourself which fishing reels are right for you. You'll find a great selection of Penn reels and other sports fishing equipment.

Closeout Fishing Supplies Can Be Great Deals

Have you ever looked at buying closeout fishing tackle and accessories? Sometimes the deals can be terrific. You will be able to buy brand new, name brand items that may have been discontinued by the manufacturer. Most retailers only have the most current items in their stores. So, when a manufacturer discontinues items at the end of a season the retailer can sometimes return them back to the manufacturer or exchanges them for the new models. Sometimes a store may go out of business and a company may purchase all their items. Then they will sell to discounters and other retailers that sell closeout fishing supplies or discontinued items of any kind..

Every year manufacturers evaluate what items are selling and which are not. Then they evaluate profitability, marketing and the brand overall. Do we make changes so we can compete with other brands that are similar and make them more desirable? Maybe come up with new ways to make them ultimately sell better and provide better profits for the company. When the evaluations are decided, they will then decide to make changes for whatever reasons they may have or simply discontinue an item. When the company brand managers decide to discontinue an item, they also need to decide what to do with the remaining inventory. Another process now starts in their thinking. How much can we get for these items and how fast can we get them out of our warehouse? That is when they start to contact companies they know can buy all of the stock they have on hand, which may be numerous companies or only a few, then these companies offer these items as closeouts or discontinued models.

Let's take a fishing reel manufacturer for example. They make subtle changes to a reel, change the model number and maybe only make a few upgrades or changes depending on customer feedback or whatever the market needs are. What do they do with the reels they just introduced this year while introducing another next year? They typically sell them to the closeout companies. The reels are brand new with full factory warranty. Still a good deal!

So, as a rule purchasing closeout fishing supplies are usually a good deal and a bargain. The risk is minimal and the savings can be very lucrative as long as you are buying from a legitimate company that will guarantee that the closeout items are brand new in the box and with full factory warranty.

Fishing Tackle Supply store with all your fishing needs - Like Refurbished Fishing Reels and Closeout Fishing Supplies.

Jeff Bausch has been fishing for over 40 years. He started a lake map business with the best fishing spots marked plus a fishing newspaper many years ago. Fishing has always been a passion, now he is sharing his fishing knowledge. His fishing tackle website has been in business since December of 2006. He sells new brand name products , closeouts, and refurbished fishing reels at the best prices possible.

Fishing Reel Review: Abu-Garcia Revo S series

Fishing Reel Review: Abu-Garcia Revo S series

Abu-Garcia Revo S series has 8 ball bearings with 1 roller bearing solid case with a carbon matrix drag system, 3 words for this one, bad to the bone for around 100.00, I have had mine for a few years and all I have had to do is clean & change the line. I also have enjoyed my spinning crappie rods & reels, a couple of my favorites that will cast a small jig a country mile is my Shimano Symetre with a rear fighting drag and virtually no line twist, you can adjust fighting drag as you go without breaking your line for any size crappie you bring up, then add a falcon low-rider rod to it and you can feel the slightest bump. This is a winning setup for the crappie angler for around 200.00 dollars and it will last forever.


Possible add on:

There are plenty of crappie rods & reels that are around thirty dollars, you take the rod with your little pinkie and bend it over double, and the reel that comes with it you will probably strip the plastic gears when you catch a sizable crappie with it. I am going to show you that spending a little extra money will bring you a lot of great times with your new crappie rods & reels setup that will last for years to come.

Fishing Reel Review: Abu Garcia Cardinal 800

Fishing Reel Review: Abu Garcia Cardinal 800

One reel that is sure to catch your eye is the Abu Garcia Cardinal 800. This high quality spinning reel is claimed to be the strongest rod on the market today that features an open face. It is made of the best aluminum alloy parts so it is defiantly built to last a long time. One thing you don't want is to purchase a reel that only lasts a few months, after all. This reel is specially designed so that it features a smooth drag and a strong retrieve. There is also the Johnny Morris Elite reel, produced by Bass Pro Shop. This is another great reel; it is a bait caster that features a titanium finish and is made of lightweight materials. Even though it is lightweight, this baby can handle a 20 pound fish without any problems.

Abu Garcia - Ambassader Blue Max Reel Review

Abu Garcia - Ambassader Blue Max Reel Review

This is a new reel by Abu Garcia from there Baitcasting range. They have produced a competitively priced low profile reel for anyone who wishes to have a go with a top quality baitcaster at a fraction of the cost of other leading models and brands. I tested out the right handed model and could not belive the standard of this reel for the money. It was very smooth casting, light, robust, and had all the characteristics of what you would expect from Abu Garcia reels. The model comes with 2+1 ball bearing and weighs approx 225grams, holds around 175m of 0.30mm line and finished with a electric blue outer spray job and a gold spool finish on the inside. This reel is ideal for a new baitcasting angler or anglers that fish from Kayak's due to its ease of one handed smooth casting ability.

The Blue Max has build in Levelwind, Rubber grip handles,hard outer body and has a machined built 5 star Drag System which is a nice added finish to the reel. A good fact about this reel is if it gets damaged or lost it is only a small price to replace espically when some of us fish on a tight budget.

If you where looking to upgrade from this model there is a Black Max which has 5 ball bearings and Duragear brass gears, also there is a Silver Max which comes with 6 ball bearings and a power full Magtrax brake system at the top end of this range.

The 5 Types of Fishing Reels For Beginners

The 5 Types of Fishing Reels For Beginners


There are 5 basic types of fishing reels; spin casting fishing reels ,spinning fishing reels, bait casting fishing reels, fly fishing fishing reels and electric fishing fishing reels. For beginners, understanding the 5 basic models of fishing reels is helpful to find the right one.

Fishing can be a wonderful hobby and a highly satisfying hobby. But, if you do not have the basic skills to match your equipment, you will spend more time fixing your equipment than actually fishing.

First, the spin casting fishing reel. The spin casting fishing reel is the most common type of fishing reel .This sort of fishing reel is less prone to tangles and snares and casts with the push of a button. By pressing and holding the thumb button on the back of the spin casting fishing reel, you essentially push and hold a spindle and peg which locks down the fishing line. By letting go of the button when you cast, the bait or lure lobs out to the water.

Second is the spinning fishing reel. Spinning fishing reels have open faces and you can see the string in the reel. Most professional fishers use a spinning fishing reel to catch their fish on. Because you can control the way the string leaves the reel, you can get very accurate casts when you cast into reeds or other areas fish like to hide.

Third is the bait casting fishing reel. Bait casting fishing reels are some of the most difficult types of fishing reels to learn how to use. You are expected to understand how different weights will affect you cast and the operation of the fishing reel. If you do not have the proper skills necessary to use this type of fishing reel it will be an exercise in frustration.

Fourth, fly fishing fishing reels and electric fishing fishing reels are very advanced and designed for very specific situations. Neither of these fishing reels are suited to beginner fishermen.

Spinning Reel Tips

Spinning Reel Tips


I'm going to discuss three spinning fishing reel tips that will help the average angler be much more successful.

1. Make Sure Your fishing reel Matches Your Rod - Whenever a spinning reel is purchased, on the packaging it says what weight it is: ultra light, light, medium, or heavy. You want the weight of the reel to match the weight of the rod, and you want the weight to match the type and size of fish that your fishing for. For example, if you're fishing for trout in small rivers and streams, you want to use an ultra light spinning fishing reel and rod. Light action would be the heaviest in trout fishing situations such as these. This is also a great reason to not buy combination sets with the rod and spinning fishing reel sold together. In most cases these combination sets arte made with very cheap rods and spinning reels. It's better to purchase the two separately, so that you can get the feel and balance that you desire.
2. Maintain Your Spinning Reel Properly - I personally make it a habit of cleaning my spinning fishing reels before the start of every fishing season. This is a great idea, especially if your reels get a lot of wear and tear. Cleaning and greasing your spinning fishing reels is a lot easier than you might think, and can help them last for years and years. Just do a search on Google for "cleaning your spinning reel" or something to that effect, and you should be able to find instructions on how to do it.
3. Pay Attention To The Number Of Ball Bearings - The more ball bearings a spinning fishing reel has, the less play it will have in the crank. This makes a big difference to those of us who like to fish with live bait in the flowing waters of both rivers and streams. I like to have no "play" in my handle. In other words, when I turn the handle, I want the bail to immediately turn. I like to have no "play" at all. This normally means that I want at least 6 ball bearings in my spinning fishing reels. Pflueger makes some great spinning fishing reels, for anyone who happens to be in the market?

Choosing Saltwater Fishing Reels - How To Pick A Winner

Choosing Saltwater Fishing Reels - How To Pick A Winner


Pick one with a high gear ratio as this will help you fishing reel in your catch faster and also help you gain more line though those with low gear ratios do grant more power while trolling or bottom-fishing! Use your discretion to choose one that suits your needs.

The winding mechanism of a saltwater fishing reel is crucial to deciding how you select the bait casting spool as this level works back and forth along the fishing reel to evenly draw the line in, great for keeping it tangle-free. Heavy ones are recommended for those fishing in salt waters but since level wind mechanisms do not wind up these easily enough, perhaps you can cut out this piece of fishing gear when going saltwater fishing with a specific fishing reel.

You may also need to test ball bearings as different saltwater fishing reels have lowered numbers as compared to what is advertised (don't fall for these marketing gimmicks and ensure you get the right number for saltwater fishing reel that should ideally have higher number of ball bearings); these will keep your line neat and smooth to wind up besides making it easy to capture your chosen catch!

Fishing Reel Basics - See What Reel Is Best For You

Fishing Reel Basics - See What Reel Is Best For You


The three main types of fishing reels match the three most popular fishing styles - bait casting, spin casting and fly-casting.

Fishing Reels for Bait Casting

This type of fishing reel is extremely complicated. The weight of the lures being used pulls the line off the rod. It's then thrust forward as part of the casting motion. Most bait casting fishing reels include a device to lay the line evenly across the rotating cylinder that forms the reel's core. If you don't cast smoothly, you will most likely have problems when you reel the line back in. It can become tangled, which is very frustrating. After all, who wants to spend ages untangling the line? For this reason, bait-casting fishing reels are generally not recommended for beginners or children.

Fishing Reels for Spin Casting

When it comes to spinning fishing reels, there are two types to choose from - closed faced and open faced. If you're learning to fish, the closed faced spinning fishing reel is a great choice. It's mostly trouble free, and is perfectly capable of bringing in your catch. When you're casting there's a push button release, and there's also an opening in the top where the line comes out during casting. You mount this type of fishing reel on your fishing reed. When you buy a prepackaged rod and fishing reel, it will almost always have this type of fishing reel, and spinning reels are very popular with beginners, children, hobbyists and casual sportsmen.

An open faced spinning fishing reel can be more difficult to use. They come in a range of sizes, to suit different conditions. An ultra light model can be used for catching pan fish, but if you're going game or ocean fishing, you'll need a larger model. The advantage of an open-faced fishing reel is that it has a much greater line capacity, and can be used for salmon and trout. The drag is smooth, so they're a great choice for longer run game fish.

It's common for fishing enthusiasts to start out with a close face-spinning fishing reel, and then graduate to an open-faced fishing reel as they gain experience. It's always worth spending a little bit extra to get a good quality fishing reel. Many cheap fishing reels contain plastic parts, and you run the risk of them failing if you catch a larger fish. A common rule of thumb is that the lighter the line, the smaller the fishing reel needs to be. So check and make sure your reel matches the fishing line you're going to use. If you only want to buy one reel, then go for a medium speed one. If your budget runs to two fishing reels, choose both a low and high-speed fishing reel. Also, reels are different for right and left handed people, so make sure you mention this when you're shopping for a fishing reel. Right-handed fishing reels turn clockwise, whereas left-handed reels turn counter clockwise.

Fishing Reels for Fly Fishing

Fly fishing involves another set of skills, and so a different type of fishing reel. You need to ensure that your fly fishing reel's drag is highly responsive. You also need to buy a fishing reel that can cope with the tension and strain of a really big catch. These are generally the most expensive type of fishing reels, so make sure there are no plastic parts that can fail - something which happens far too often with a big fish on the line. Buy an all-metal fishing reel, and you won't have to tell as many 'the one that got away' stories.

Interesting Facts About Fishing Reels

Interesting Facts About Fishing Reels


Beginnings of the Fishing Reel

The fishing reel is estimated to have had its origins in the seventeenth century. However, some historians have recently discovered the fact that the Chinese have been using it ever since the twelfth century. Until the nineteenth century, the fishing reel was used only for the purpose of storing the excess line. Later, the fishing reel was improved upon and a large number of models were invented. Now you have a variety of fishing reels made of a number of material such as nickel or brass.

Two points should be taken into consideration before you purchase the right fishing reel:

Fishing Spot

Where do you intend to go fishing? The fishing reel that is used while fishing in the stream or river is different from that used by experiences anglers who try their luck on the open sea.

Your Budget

Hundreds of models are available. If you have selected the most appropriate one for yourself, check if the cost fits into your budget.

Are All Fishing Reels The Same?

Are All Fishing Reels The Same?


If we listen to the manufacturers, fishing reels are as different as the shape of the rocks on the bottom of your favorite trout stream, but is this true? Or are all fishing reels created equally? First of all, of course they aren't all created equally. There are degrees of difference, but the basic functions are all the same, and as long as you stick with a well-known manufacturer, you should be in good shape. What do I mean by a well-known manufacturer? Companies such as Pflueger, Daiwa, Okuma, and Quantum are all quality manufacturers. Basically, companies that you've heard of, and have been around a while.

The bottom line is not to be so concerned about price that you buy a fishing reel for less than twenty dollars. Fishing reels that cost less than twenty dollars usually aren't any good, and you end up hating them. How do I know this? Because I've wasted my own time and money on these cheap spinning reels before, and this is exactly what happened. There is also not much need to spend any more than fifty bucks on a fishing reel. Especially for normal freshwater fishing situations. If you're in the market for a fishing reel, look for something between the prices of 25 and 50 dollars, made by a quality manufacturer, and you'll be good to go.

Another thing to keep in mind when it comes to fishing reels, and especially spinning fishing reels, is the number of ball bearings that are in the reel itself. The description of the fishing reel will tell you how many ball bearings it has, and usually the more, the better. The more ball bearing that there are, the less "play" your spinning fishing reel will have in the handle. Fishing reels with 6 or more ball bearings generally have no "play" at all in the handle, which is a great thing.

Helpful Tips For Buying a New Fishing Reel

Helpful Tips For Buying a New Fishing Reel


Tips on buying fishing reels would consist of quite a few points to consider. The sport of fishing has evolved greatly and finding the most suitable equipment for your venture may be tougher than it was in the past. Are you buying a fishing reel for an expert fisherman or a novice? What type of fish are you fishing for taking size and weight into consideration? Will your fishing trip take you to a lake or stream? These are some general questions to consider but let's focus on some specific key tips on buying a fishing reel.

There are different types of fishing reels on the market today. The spinning fishing reel is the most common of fishing reels and is great for general use. The design of the fishing reel was made for the comfort of the fisherman but it does take some skill to master the use. Fishing line has the tendency to become tangled if you do not have the experience with this type of fishing reel. This is not a fishing reel for a beginner.

The spin casting fishing reel is a good beginner's reel. Reason being is that the design has been improved upon to eliminate most line issues. One major difference between the spinning fishing reel and the spin casting fishing reel is the casting distance. A spinning fishing reel can be cast a longer distance than the spin casting fishing reel which would be an advantage for most anglers. A beginner would not need the distance as much as they would need the confidence of casting a line successfully.

Other tips for buying a fishing reel to consider would be the gear ratio and the amount of bearings the fishing reels are designed with. The amount of bearings will determine the smoothness of the reel. In general the more bearings, the smoother the fishing reel. The gear ratio is the number of rotations of the fishing reel after a full crank. If you need to bring your lure back in quickly, a reel with a higher ratio will be necessary. Bottom fishing may not require a higher gear ratio.

The size of the fishing reel being another important point. Depending on the type of fish you are fishing for should determine the size of test line you will be using. Different size fishing reels will accommodate different size test line. If you are going to use six to ten pound test line choose a medium size fishing reel.

Fishing Reel Varieties

Fishing Reel Varieties


Fishing reels have two classifications: the fixed spool reels and the conventional reels. Fixed spool reels are immobile. Conventional reels, on the other hand, feature spools that revolve and are commonly used in saltwater fishing. These are further divided into three varieties: spinning, spincasting and baitcasting.

Baitcasting fishing reels
This is a small and conventional type. It can easily fit into an angler's while mounted on a fishing rod. This is used mainly for a bigger catch. Baitcasting fishing reels are excellent because of their sensitivity to movement by the fishing line's end but they are inaccessible to ultralight lines sizes as well as with "backlash" tangles. Learning how to use this method is actually a bit difficult. People who use this are mostly professionals or very skilled already.

Spinning fishing reels
Spinning fishing reels are the most commonly used these days. It has a fixed spoon reel that has housing along its stationary spool parallel to the axis of the rod, spinning around it when the handle is turned.
When using a spinning fishing reel, a casting technique called "spinning" is produced. However, since the spool is set and fixed, having a backlash is one thing you will never encounter. This type is available from ultralight up to medium-heavy sizes. They are also less sensitive as compared to Baitcasting fishing reels. They are also bulky because of their large size, along with the bait and heavy lure attached to it.

Spincasting fishing reels
This is featured as a combination of stationary and conventional fishing reels. Spincasting fishing reels are angler friendly and are more advisable for beginners. Even children may easily use it because of the simple push-button mechanism. Hence it is also alternatively called pushbutton fishing reels.

It is the least sensitive among the three types. This is as far as movement along the end of the line is concerned. As a negative feedback, you cannot fully control the fish and the luring of the fish, resulting to poor Spincasting.

Fly Fishing Reels - An Important Piece Of Equipment

Fly Fishing Reels - An Important Piece Of Equipment

Fly fishing reels are an equally important piece of fishing tackle as fishing rods. As there are different types of rods for different sorts of fishing, there are also different sorts of fishing reels too. It isn't essential to spend a lot of money on a fishing reel, although you can do. You will probably find that a basic fishing reel will be more than suitable for your needs. If you buy the right fishing reel, toy might not need to replace it or upgrade it for several years.

Most people who fish for trout prefer to strip the fly fishing line manually, rather than by using the handle. This is because it is quicker to strip the line by hand, rather than using the fishing reel handle. In addition, you can also get a better feel by holding the line in your hand.

In some situations when trout fishing, you will want to wind the line in using the handle. This could be when you are following a big fish, and want to be able to control the line better, or when you are fishing in somewhere where there are overhanging branches, or there is a risk of your line snagging on something. If you are moving around in the water a lot, you might also prefer to use the handle.

If you're fishing for salmon, then you are likely to wind your line in. This is because you are much more likely to be in the water. Dedicated salmon fly fishing reels are bigger than trout fishing reels, and are more efficient at winding the line back in.

Fishing technology has come on in leaps and bounds, and today, fishing rods and other bits of fishing tackle are getting lighter than ever. Not all anglers prefer a very light reel though, as they feel as the fishing reel helps to balance the rod, a very lightweight reel upsets the balance.

If you are purchasing a new fly fishing reel, you might want to purchase additional fishing reels, so that you know they will fit your reel. By marking the line weight on the reel, you will always be able to identify your reels. This can save precious time whilst you are setting up.

To protect your investment, you should consider getting a bag for your fishing reel. Reels spend a lot of time at the bottom of tackle bags, and so can easily get damaged. You might not discover that your fishing reel has been damaged until it's too late.

Fishing Reel Fundamentals

Fishing Reel Fundamentals


Using a fishing reel for the first time can be tormenting, particularly if the style of fishing reel is new to you. Novices often start with a closed-face, spin cast fishing reel which assists keep the line from snarling and is basically push the button and throw the line out. This is the type of fishing reel I embarked on my son using and once he got the hang of the art of casting, and it is an art, I moved him up to a spinning fishing reel

The spinning fishing reel is in all likelihood the most popular style. With these the fishing reel hangs under the rod and the line is held on an open spool. The line is controlled by a bail for casting and drag gears for controlling the fight. Casting takes a little practice, but keeping your forefinger pressing the line against the handle before casting will prevent the line from coming off the spool. It is a little bit harder to master than the spin cast fishing reel but once conquered very few go back to the spin cast reel

Then there is the baitcasting fishing reel that many weekend fishermen stay clear of. The baitcast fishing reel takes a little more effort to learn to use. Therefore, a bit of practice is in order to become accurate and avoid backlashes in your line.

Whatever you do, do not expect to buy a baitcasting fishing reel and head out fishing without first learning how to handle it. If you do bring a back up rod and fishing reel. This kind of fishing fishing reel has become the favorite for most pro-bass fishermen because of both the distance and the accuracy you can achieve from them once you learn how to effectively cast your baitcasting fishing reel.

Fishing Reels

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