Types of fishing reels

Five reel families drawn at one scale, at the cast and at the risk of overrun.

The five common reel types are spinning, spincast, baitcast, conventional and fly. Spinning and spincast reels cast from a spool that stays still; baitcast, conventional and direct-drive fly reels turn their spools to take in line. Controls and drag systems vary within each family.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Who usually starts with what

Spinning and push-button spincast outfits offer straightforward ways to learn casting and winding in: both let line leave a spool that stays still.7 13 14 15

Fig. 1 · Photographs

Five reel families, photographed

Match your reel by how it lets line out: an open bail, a covered spool, or a spool you can see turn.

Spinning reel
An open spool with a curved wire, the bail, around it. The reel hangs under the rod.13 14 16 17
Photo: Jonathan Ewen & Stephen Ewen CC BY 3.0 Image details
Spincast reel
A cover hides the spool, and a push button releases the line for the cast.7
Photo: Petey21 CC0 1.0 Image details
Baitcaster
The spool sits between two side plates, under the thumb, and turns to let line out.4 5 6 11 12
Photo: Xxrevsxx CC BY-SA 3.0 Image details
Conventional reel
A round spool that turns, clamped on top of the rod. This one has a star drag beside the handle; others use a lever.4 18 19
Photo: Seabee314 CC0 1.0 Image details
Fly reel
A narrow spool with a small handle on its face. On a direct-drive fly reel the handle is fixed to the spool.8 9
Photo: R. Henrik Nilsson CC BY 4.0 Image details

Mechanism lab

Reel

State

Compare reels

View

Compare with

Reel stateCastOverrun risk

What turns when line leaves the reel?

Can the spool feed line faster than it leaves?

1 of 2

Still frame. Play a short demonstration.

Try a prediction

Fig. 2

Spinning reel

Bail open: line leaves the fixed spool in coils over its lip. No part of the reel turns.14 15

Why it works this way

Because the spool is fixed, the cast needs nothing to spin; the coils are why the first rod guide is large.14 15 17

No rotating-spool overrun on this cast: the spool stays stationary. Loose or twisted line can still leave in loops and tangle.1 2

Why it works this way

The spool does not rotate during a normal cast, so it cannot feed line by continuing to spin. Loose or twisted line can still tangle.1 2 5 10 11 12

Fig. 3

Baitcast reel

Thumb bar pressed: the spool is freed from the gears and spins as the lure pulls line off it.3 4 5 6

Why it works this way

This is the mechanism that differs from a spinning reel: the spool itself revolves to pay out line.1 2 3 4 5 6

The lure has slowed but the spool is still turning: line lifts off in loose loops that pile on the spool.5 10 11 12

Why it works this way

Three separate checks slow the spool: spool tension, the brake system, and the thumb as the lure lands.4 5 6 10 11 12 20 21

Fig. 4

Spincast reel

Holding the button retracts the pickup pin; releasing it lets line leave the fixed spool in coils through the nose hole.7

Why it works this way

The spool stays stationary during the cast, so rotating-spool overrun does not apply.1 2 7

No rotating-spool overrun on this cast. Loose line can still tangle behind the spinnerhead or inside the cover.1 2

Why it works this way

Overrun needs a revolving spool.5 10 11 12

Fig. 5

Conventional reel

Free-spool lever set: the spool is released from the gears and turns as the weight pulls line off; the thumb controls it.4 5 6 11 12 18 19

Why it works this way

Releasing the spool from the gears is what lets a revolving spool pay out line.18 19

In free spool, the spool keeps turning after the sinker or lure slows and loose line lifts off.5 10 11 12

Why it works this way

A rotating spool can outpace the outgoing line. Thumb control helps; some conventional reels also have casting brakes.5 10 11 12 19 22

Fig. 6

Fly reel

No baitcaster-style spool release is shown: this cast uses loose line prepared beforehand and controlled by the line hand.8 9

Why it works this way

The line hand releases the prepared line through the guides as the cast unfolds.8 9

The cast shown has no free-spool release. Overspin can still occur when line is pulled rapidly from the reel and the pull then eases.8 9

Why it works this way

Spool inertia can continue its rotation when the pull eases; drag resists this overspin.7 8 9

fishing line active partdashed = far side or inside

Simplified mechanism examples. Arrows show the direction of motion; sizes and timing are illustrative.

Image version This diagram as a picture, to save or print

Diagram of the spinning reel, baitcast reel, spincast reel, conventional reel and fly reel side by side at the cast stage, with the fishing line and the parts that move highlighted.

What differs, row by row

Typical, as described by the sources

Types of fishing reels: mechanism and typical trade-offs
Aspect	Spinning reel	Baitcast reel	Spincast reel	Conventional reel	Fly reel
Spool	Stationary during normal casting and retrieval	Revolving; thumb-bar release shown	Stationary under a cover during a cast	Revolving; lever control shown	Revolving; direct drive shown1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 18 19
Cast release	Open the bail	Press the thumb bar	Push button	Free-spool lever	None; line is stripped by hand4 7 8 9 14 15 18 19
Overrun risk	No turning-spool overrun; line can still tangle	Possible; brakes and thumb help limit it	No turning-spool overrun; line can still tangle	Possible; the thumb or brakes help limit it	Not from a cast; a fast pull can over-spin it1 2 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 19 20 21 22
Drag control	Front knob shown; rear drag also exists	Star shown	Dial on this example	Lever or star, depending on model	External knob or internal adjustment2 4 8 9 18 19

How to identify your reel type

Two clues point most reels to one of the five families: how the reel releases line, and which part moves when you wind. Look for an open bail, a push button under a cover, or an exposed spool with a lever or thumb bar, then watch what turns with the handle. Those two clues point to the closest example in the lab.

Body shape alone can mislead: baitcasters can be round, and conventional reels can have casting brakes.19 22 A level wind or a particular drag belongs to some models rather than marking out one family.

Other reel names you’ll see

Many reel names describe a use or a feature rather than a sixth mechanism.

Centrepin (centerpin): a single-action reel whose spool runs freely on its axle, usually with no mechanical drag, so the thumb or palm controls it.10 23 A revolving spool.
Trolling and line-counter reels: usually revolving-spool reels on top of the rod; a line counter counts spool turns to estimate how much line is out.24 25 26 The conventional layout.
Electric reels: a motor turns a revolving spool, and many can also be cranked by hand.27 28
Underspin reels: a spincast-style covered reel mounted under the rod and released with a lever or trigger.10 13 See spincast vs baitcast.

Where is the drag on my reel?

The spinning example has its drag knob on the front of the spool; rear-drag spinning reels also exist.2 4 Some fly reels resist over-spin with an internal click-and-pawl mechanism.8 9 The manual for your model shows where the drag is and how to set it.

Questions people ask

What are the main types of fishing reels?: Spinning, baitcast, spincast, conventional and fly. Spinning and spincast keep the spool fixed; the other three revolve it.1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9
Which reel type is usually used first?: Spinning and push-button spincast outfits offer simple ways to learn casting and retrieving. Spool release and the grip still need practice.7 13
What is the difference between a conventional reel and a baitcaster?: Both use a revolving spool, and their names overlap in some fishing contexts. Baitcasters can be round or low-profile; conventional reels can include brakes or a level wind. The examples here show one layout from each family.18 19 22
What is a centerpin reel?: A centrepin, or centerpin, is a single-action reel whose spool runs freely on its axle, usually with no mechanical drag; the angler’s thumb or palm controls the spool.10 23
What is a line counter reel?: A revolving-spool reel, usually used for trolling, that counts spool turns to estimate how much line is out. The reading depends on the line diameter and how full the spool is.24 25 26

Sources

First cited on this page

All references 28 in total

Show citation numbers in the text

Who usually starts with what

Five reel families, photographed

Spinning reel

Spincast reel

Baitcaster

Conventional reel

Fly reel

Mechanism lab

Spinning reel

Baitcast reel

Spincast reel

Conventional reel

Fly reel

What differs, row by row

How to identify your reel type

Other reel names you’ll see

Where is the drag on my reel?

Questions people ask

Sources