Baitcasting rears are highly famous in the bass fishing world. They are commonly used for accuracy and fishing, where the fish call for more control and accuracy. Because of their Precision and accuracy, these reels are famous among professional anglers. Mastering Baitcasting reels are a perfect step for You to become a more advanced angler than a beginner.
In this article, we will discuss all the parts of baitcaster reel that make them a perfect choice for anglers and take your fishing experience to the next level. But before moving towards the parts of baitcaster reel, firstly, we all have some knowledge about what a baitcaster is.
Baitcaster or Baitcasting Reel
If you want to define a baitcasting reel, the simplest definition is that of a reel with a triggering handle with a casting rod on the top of which a revolving spool is attached. These reels seem opposite to spinning reels, having line guides facing down.
Many anglers face difficulty with baitcasting reels due to many fears. The only term that evokes reluctance to give a feary shake is bird’s nest.
It’s true about bait cast reels that these reels are a perfect suit for those anglers who want to fish with more proficiency and accuracy and want to play with heavier lines and fish. These reels give the ability to anglers to use more techniques. Nevertheless, with a little practice, any new anglers will easily master the baitcaster. They will give you quality time on the water rather than spinning reels. If you want to buy a baitcaster and don’t know which suits you best, check out our baitcaster for under $100.
Parts of Baitcaster Reel Explained
After getting important information about the baitcaster reel now, let’s look at the features and parts of baitcaster reel for further understanding.
Baitcaster reels have the following key features that make them perfect for experienced anglers and a bit tough for new anglers.
- Foot
- Handle
- Brakes
- Drag
- Spool
- Line guide
- Thumb bar
The Foot of the Baitcaster Reel
The common feature in almost all fishing reels is the point of attachment between the reel and rod. This point of attachment is also known as the foot of the reel.
The foot of a baitcaster has some features
- Solid
- Firmly attached
- Durable enough to withstand any pressure.
- Easily bear torque of retrieving and casting.
- Rectangular or square in shape.
- Perfectly fit to the shape of the holder.
Unlike spinning reels, the baitcaster foot is attached at the top of the rod rather than at the bottom. The reel should be lined up with a rod guide. The most important thing about any baitcaster foot is its placement.
This placement justifies that the line will come straight from the line guide. It will give a smoother and friction-free cast. The reel foot is also paired with the reel seat. The threaded keeper of any reel that moved down by hand to fix its detachable reel and it houses the reel is known as a reel seat. It is also part of the reel foot. These two parts will give you the assurity of a perfect cast.
Another important thing about the baitcaster reel foot is that the nut is tightened on the socket. Just double-check this before loading the reel into the water.
Brakes
To deal with the backlash, no doubt brakes play an important role as part of baitcasting reels. Backlash is the tendency of reel lines to get tangled. Backlash is a challenge for beginners, provoking them to use a baitcasting reel.
Two types of braking systems Are common in baitcasting reels. Centrifugal and magnetic brakes.
Centrifugal brakes are somehow difficult to operate. On the contrary, magnetic brakes are simpler to use, and this feature makes them more expensive than models having centrifugal brakes.
Reel brakes are usually at the side reel so that they will be easily accessible to the angler to use. And easy adjustments can be made by the angler’s hand.
- It would activate the initial spool for better working.
- The braking system of baitcaster comprised two brakes
- The initial brakes and the deceleration brakes.
Although the magnetic brake system has metal magnets in the reel, emf will help the spool slow down. A dial in the side of the reel controls the emf and magnetic brake system. This dial is loosened or tightened during the cast.
Handles
Handles ensure the work of the line, and it is the main interface between hand and reel. It is the most prominent part of any baitcaster reel. These handles work the same as other fishing reel does. They are responsible for moving the gear and turning the spool. Handles are the most important things that come into touch with the angler’s hand. These handles, likewise spinning reels, have two knobs on the handles for thumb and finger grip. The handle is made of the same metal as the reel’s body.
Handles also vary in quality and, although replaceable, based on the construction material. Although made of aluminium metal, Baitcasting reels are best suited and do a good job of holding up the reel with the perfect material.
Spool
The line of the spool is the point where the fishing line is held and stored and is considered to be the most important part of a baitcaster. Unlike a spinning spool, a baitcaster spool rotates automatically instead of moving up and down. Baitcasting designs can handle more pressure.
Their pressure-handling quality makes them more suitable for heavier setups and fishing lines. The baitcaster spool will go after the biggest fish.
The fishing style of baitcasting reel calls for more robust and durable tackle, both line and lure, that often comes into contact with obstacles. Spooling of a baitcasting reel is quite Difficult despite all the other benefits of the spool.
Making sure the surface is clean, smooth and free of other things should be the 1st point of action. While setting the reel spooling is a tough and important job. Incorrect spoiled lines will cause tangles, twists, and loop of the reel too quickly. For more details, let us have a look at Spooling of baitcaster.
Thumb Bar
The thumb bar will be worked in pairs with the spool, ball bearing and anti-reverse function of many baitcasting reels. It is highly expensive to change the thumb bar on the reel, and it is also tricky.
It’s hard to match the thumb bar exactly to the manufacturers. Placement just inside the body of the reel will cause different adjustment problems due to the dimensions of its thumb bar.
Line Guide
The useful feature of the line guide allows the line to move freely into the water during the cast and retrieval.
If the line is not spooled and irregularly, it will also cause tangles and twists. It keeps the friction low and also decreases the line breakage. For proper functioning, the reel line guide must be properly constructed. The line guide is the moving component of the spool when the line is fed off the reel.
Drag
The drag controller is the button of the knob often presented on the right side of the reel that is close to friction. It is the best option to control backlash effectively and decrease the time fixing tangles.
Drag setting is always essential with playing a big fish and retrieving the line.
Drag control of baitcaster is often named star drag because of its features. The drag setting can lessen the tension and improve the angler’s catch rate.
What Should You Search for in a Baitcaster
It is important to understand the working of parts of baitcaster reel for its perfect working. When buying a new baitcaster reel, it is somehow confusing what things you should consider. This guide will help you to understand the process of buying a new baitcaster.
- Choosing a lightweight baitcaster with a high gear ratio for bass casting would be best.
- For long-distance casting, a round profile baitcaster is used.
- Try to buy a reel constructed of aluminium.
- Used to get a gear ratio higher than 7:1
- you must select magnetic brakes.
Low Profile Versus Round Baitcasters
- Low-profile baitcasters:
These baitcasters are constructed for high comfort. They are so lightweight and small in size. Their light weight ensures the perfect casting for many hours, and they are famous for bass fishing.
- Round baitcaster:
These baitcasters have a relatively large spool. They are heavier than the low-profile baitcasters. They have a bigger line capacity and are best suited for surf fishing. They have the capacity for long-distance casting. They are the best and most helpful for casting bigger fish and work well with pounds.
Reel Material
Mostly baitcasters are constructed and designed of two types of material aluminium and graphite.
- Aluminium-constructed baitcasters are highly suggested because they are more durable than the others. Although these are a bit heavier, they are preferable to graphite-constructed reels. Aluminium reels are better and best suited for saltwater fishing.
- Graphite-constructed reels are lighter, but their foot sometimes comes during a cast. Graphite is unsuitable for saltwater fishing as it loses its corrosion-resistant quality. These are lightweight and suitable for all-day-long casting.
Gear Ratio
The gear ratio will tell us how many times the spool rotates in one handle rotation during the cast. They come within a number between 6.1 to 8.1. Baitcasters usually have higher great ratios than other fishing reels; it helps in quicker retrieving of line.
This fastest reel would help pull strong fish. If you don’t want a super fastest reel, go for a gear ratio of 7:1 for your purpose.
Brake System
Older baitcasters have only one type of brake, but the advanced model comes with two braking systems: centrifugal and magnetic.
We prefer a baitcaster having both kinds of braking systems. These two systems would be adjusted externally by the dial on the side. It will help you to reduce backlash during casting. It would provide the greatest adjustments of brakes and provide you with the highest braking effect.
Drag
Drag will help avoid the breakage of the line when a big fish makes a powerful run. It helps to pull off the line of the spool. It usually refers to the weight a reel can easily handle and still function smoothly.
Other Things to Consider
Ball bearings: Try to select the reel with a maximum ball bearing up to 10 in number, but they are only quality ones. These bearings are often shielded, non-shielded or sealed. Choosing an expensive reel with quality ball bearing will let you play the game a full day.
Handle: Handle must be designed with soft rubber knobs, and oversized work best.
How the Reel Works
In all reality, a baitcasting reel is veritably simple. When you go to cast, right when the rod reaches the right angle (the exact angle you choose to release the line depends on the casting distance you hope to achieve), you must press the thumb bar.
It would be best if you held the thumb bar for the duration of the cast to allow the line to come off the spool.
Once the cast is complete, let go of the thumb bar and use the handle to reel in the lure and, hopefully, a fish.
Of course, you also need to master confirming the thickets, the drag, the pressure, and the cast control clump to match your style of fishing.
Conclusion
Compared to all other fishing reels, baitcasting reels are highly difficult to use at the start, but as you have gone through them and understand all their parts and how the parts work, you will be able to choose the best reel for fishing. With little practice and complete knowledge about baitcaster, soon you will be among the best and most highly experienced anglers using baitcasting reels.
To choose the best baitcaster for this purpose, you must also understand the difference between different fishing reels. If you are in the market and have to choose a new baitcaster, check our articles on Best Baitcasting Reel for Beginners.