| There are several different types of | | | | fishing and trolling. These reels can easily |
| conventional fishing reels, one of the three | | | | reach over a thousand dollars, but this type |
| major classes of saltwater and freshwater | | | | of reel is essential when targeting world |
| fishing reels, which also include spinning | | | | record-breaking trophies. Whether it's a one |
| reels and fly reels. Conventional reels when | | | | speed or two speed, star drag or lever drag, |
| used in saltwater fishing applications are | | | | live bait or trolling reel, using |
| commonly known as star drag, lever drag, high | | | | conventional reels requires some practice and |
| speed, two speed or trolling fishing reels. | | | | knowledge in proper casting techniques to |
| When used in freshwater fishing, anglers | | | | avoid backlashes and tangles. Conventional |
| refer to conventional fishing reels as | | | | reels are also ideal when fishing with live |
| casting, bait cast and bait casting reels. | | | | bait, as they are meant to be fished in |
| | | | freespool; with the spool of the reel |
| Most of the major tackle manufacturers | | | | disengaged, allowing the spool to spin with |
| produce a full line of both saltwater | | | | the pull and movement of the fishing line and |
| conventional reels and freshwater casting | | | | bait. |
| reels. Brand names like Daiwa(R), Shimano(R), | | | | |
| Penn(R), Okuma(R) and Accurate(R) continually | | | | Similar to the freshwater casting reel, the |
| introduce new lines of high quality | | | | saltwater conventional reel comes in a star |
| conventional reels like the Saltiga, Saltist, | | | | drag version, with adjustments in drag |
| Trinidad, Torsa, Tiagra, Torque, | | | | applied by turning a dial. The lever drag |
| International, Twin Drag and many more. | | | | reel is typically bigger and the drags are |
| Ranging in price from affordable to very | | | | adjusted by sliding a lever, usually to a |
| expensive, with the proper maintenance and | | | | strike position that is marked on the reel. |
| care, the latest conventional fishing reels | | | | This type of fishing reel comes in one speed |
| should provide for many years of fishing | | | | versions and different gear ratios, which |
| enjoyment. | | | | determine the amount of line that is picked |
| | | | up with each turn of the handle. Two speed |
| Freshwater casting reels are typically | | | | variations are typically used for bigger fish |
| smaller in dimension. Many have a line winder | | | | and trolling and are known as trolling reels. |
| mechanism, which helps guide the fishing line | | | | These fishing reels are bulky, heavy and |
| onto the spool in an evenly manner. These are | | | | powerful, with lower gear ratios for better |
| very popular among tournament bass fishing | | | | cranking ability. |
| anglers and are commonly referred to as bait | | | | |
| cast, bait caster and bait casting reels. The | | | | With so many choices in freshwater and |
| drags of this type of reel is set by turning | | | | saltwater fishing rods and reels, it is |
| a knob or sometimes a dial, which resembles a | | | | important to do your research when purchasing |
| ninja star and is known as the star drag. I | | | | fishing gear and equipment. Knowing the |
| prefer to use casting reels when I fish with | | | | proper name of the equipment that you are |
| less than 12lb. test line, as most reels will | | | | researching can save you time and money. I |
| hold a sufficient amount of line, are super | | | | hope that the next time you do an online |
| light and are easy to cast. | | | | search for tackle, you would know the |
| | | | difference between a freshwater casting reel |
| Saltwater conventional reels are the | | | | and a saltwater conventional reel. |
| preferred fishing reel for big-game saltwater | | | | |