What Are the Bait Casting Reel Parts?
Bait casting reels Parts are famous among many anglers because of their long-distance casting, accuracy, and lightweight compared to other revolutions and rods.
So if you want to understand the working of bait casters and wish to take full advantage, then you know about its parts and working.
Bait Casting Reel Parts
In this article, you will learn about the parts of bait casters and their working.
1. Spool
The spool is the most crucial part of the Baitcasting reel. It is where fishing has existed and is stored .spool itself rotates and maintains the fishing line instead of moving up and down. Baitcaster spools are designed to engage lots of pressure, making them suitable for heavy fish lines and big fishes.
Its design makes it suitable for professionals. Their style of fishing needs lots of robust and tackle as line and lure come in contact with many water hurdles.
Spooling for beginners is tricky as it’s hard to manage the tension between the index finger and thumb. Make sure the spool surface is smooth, neat, clean ,and free of resistance and friction. Spool line is another important factor in casting. If you spool the line incorrectly, it will tangle the reel loop off and break.
2. Thumb Bar
The thumb bar reel works with an anti-reverse function and ball bearing system. It works with the spool.
Replacing the thumb bar is not easy. It’s tricky to fit it in the reel body as the manufacturer did.
3. Drag
Drag is just next to the handle in the shape of a star between the handle and reel body. If you try to steer the fish away from the cover, your drag will be set at a moderate level if you select it. Too loose fish will pull the line quickly. And if it is too tight, the giant fish can easily break the line. Learning how to set the star drag for moderate pressure is essential.
4. Tensioner
Another way to adjust the tension is through a tension control knob or tensioner. It locates at the side of the handle. It works by pulling the line off. It slows down the spool rotation, unlike centrifugal or magnetic brake did. It always works after adjusting the brakes.
An important thing to remember is that constantly adjust spool tension every time during different types of the cast. So you have to readjust it every time while casting the lure.
5. Reel Foot and seat
Foot is the point where the reel and rod are attached. It is rectangular or square-shaped, fitted with the holder. It helps to withstand the torque and pressure during casting or retrieving.
An essential factor of the foot is its placement on the reel. It ensures friction-free cast and retrieving in water. It also provides a smoother cast in water with a straight line.
The reel foot is also combined with a seat that is moved down by hand to fix the detachable reel. Another big thing is that the nut is tightened on the socket.
6. Handler
Reel handle is the most crucial and prominent part of the reel. It is responsible for moving gears and turning the spool. The handle constructs with the same metal as the body. Comfort always comes with handles for anglers. It usually has two knobs for the forefinger and thumb grip.
Handles are replaceable according to the material or quality used in their construction.
Most handles are made up of Aluminium handles that many professionals use with very high robust and heavy-duty.
7. Line
it is an essential feature of baitcasting reels. It enables the line to move freely in water and cast a lure. If the line is unspooled improperly, it will break and cause a tangle. It will reduce the breaking line by keeping friction low.
A line can move forward and backward, right or left, as the angler wants it to move by dragging the reel handle. Its motion is sometimes familiar to an old typewriter.
8. Brakes
This is important in controlling backlash and reducing the risk of bird nests. It is a challenge for beginners as it stops them from baitcasting.
Many Baitcasters have two types of brakes: Centrifugal or Magnetic brake. Magnetic brakes are simpler to use and priced over centrifugal brakes. Reel brakes situate at the side of the reel. It controls the rate of deceleration quickly and can readjust as it locates near to angler’s hand. It enables the anglers to readjust and readjust the spool speed quickly.
Brakes are usually adjustable and can change by screws on the reel body.
9. Control knob
they are also termed spool control knobs. They help in maintaining a smooth cast with no backlash. Depending on the reels, many reels have more than one knob, and they are present at the side of the handle. Fingers can rotate control knobs to maintain speed. You can easily replace these knobs according to different sizes.
Bait Casting Reel Covers
Baitcasting reel covers are used to protect your valuable and expensive baitcasting reel. It securely wraps around your baitcasting reel. Protect your organized it when you are taking it to some distance. They are water- and sand-resistant, giving complete protection and worthy impact. The cases are made lightweight, challenging, and durable. They can withstand millions of hours of durability in harsh environments.
Bait Casting Reel Handle
Baitcasting reel part that plays a vital role is the handle itself, which is the part of the reel that you turn to catch the fish on it and retrieve that lure. The speed of the spool depends on the turning of handles and the size of the gears.
Most handles have two main points, one for the forefinger and the other for the thumb. They are made up of aluminum metal alloy or some reinforced heavy metals. It plays an essential role in contact between the hand and the reel. It works as same as other fishing reels do.
They should be well designed and comfortable because they are related to touch. It helps turn the spool knob to control the retrieving line of the reel.
Bait Casting Reel Sizes
When buying a baitcaster most crucial thing you should notice is the size of the baitcasting reel. Consider which size suits best for your purpose.
If you want the best results for baitcasting, use the best-suited reel size. And it also depends upon the type of fishing you want.
Bait casting reels come in sizes between 100 to 400. But sometimes it comes in between 10 to 40. These sizes are not standardized. It has a significant difference with different manufacturers.
Baitcasting Reel Size Chart
| Name | Baitcaster reel size | Weight | Line capacity (lb/yd) | Retrieve rate (it) | Max drag |
| Recommended use | 50 | 5 oz | 12/65 | 23″ to 29″ | 10 lb |
| Ultralight fishing for trout and bass | 70 | 6 oz | 12/85 | 23″ to 32″ | 10 lb |
| Finesse fishing for bass | 100 | 7 oz | 12/120 | 26″ to 34″ | 11 lb |
| Most bass fishing applications | 200 | 8 oz | 12/200 | 26″ to 36″ | 12 lb |
| Heavy bass fishing applications | 300 | 11 oz | 12/260 | 26″ to 36″ | 22 lb |
| Inshore saltwater fishing | 400 | 12 oz | 12/330 | 26″ to 38.” | 25 lb |
This table specifies many components like:
- Size
- Weight
- Line capacity
- Retrieve rate
- Max drag
Remember, all these given values are approximations. Specified values vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
The first thing to discuss is the retrieval rate. It varies for both sizes of the reels. If you turn the spool of a small reel, it will retrieve back slower than the reel having a high spool turning gear ratio.
A smaller spool provides less surface area for casting lures and gives minimum drag and pressure. But a more oversized spool offers a large surface area for gust and maximum pressure.
Small Baitcaster Sizes
Many bait casters provide small reel sizes starting from 100, but some give less than this size, between 50 and 70.
Some examples are:
- Shimano Aldebaran MGL (size 50)
- Shimano Curado 70 (size 70)
- Daiwa Steez CT SV (size 70)
The smallest size is used for ultralight fishing, which is 50. It is most suitable for fishing in ponds. 70 is somehow more significant than 50. It works well with downsizing baits and tactics
100 sized
They are often termed low-profile baitcasters. It primarily works with many applications.
Examples:
- Daiwa Tatula 100
- Lew’s Speed Spool
- KastKing Speed Demon
They are best for casting stronger and heavier lures.
200 sized
This site is for spooling of 65 to 80 casting lies. They are best for heavy fishing.
Examples:
- Daiwa Tatula 100
- Lew’s Speed Spool
- KastKing Speed Demon
This reel size has great line capacity than smaller sizes. It is suitable for casting large fish baits or open water fishing. They help you to launch a considerable distance.
300 sized
This site is mainly used for saltwater fishing as they have higher line capacity and maximum drag pressure. It’s used in fighting with bigger fish.
Examples:
- Shimano Tranx 300
- Daiwa Lexa 300
- Shimano Curado 300
They can easily give long-distance casting than all other small-sized models.
400 sized
These models have the latest corrosion-free technology. They are metals suitable for bass fishing in salty water or harsh conditions. They have metal bodies and shielded ball bearings.
Examples:
Here are some examples:
- Daiwa Lexa 400
- Shimano Tranx 400
- Shimano Calcutta 400
These reels are best suitable for casting extra-large distances as any other smaller model. They are best for handling the saltwater environment.
Baitcasters Line Capacity
Their line capacity increases with the size
- Size 50: 65 yards
- Size 70: 85 yards
- Size 100: 120 yards
- Size 200: 200 yards
- Size 300: 260 yards
- Size 400: 330 yards
These values may vary from brand to brand.
Which Size Is Best
- It depends upon what type of fishing you want.
- 100 size baitcaster is less water. It will help you to fish all day without getting fatigued.
- For saltwater fishing, 400 size is best as they have protection against corrosion that increases their durability.
- If you are fishing on the heavy cover, long-distance measures between 100 and 200 will be best suited.
Many round baitcasters come in even more significant sizes than 1000 upwards. They are best for heavy fishing applications.
