Reels
Sizing, gear ratio, and drag — and which reel type fits your fishing.
Reel Size & Line Capacity
Spinning reels are numbered (1000–20000). Bigger numbers hold more/heavier line and have stronger drags. Match size to the fish and the line you'll spool.
Reel Size & Line Capacity
Spinning reels are numbered (1000–20000). Bigger numbers hold more/heavier line and have stronger drags. Match size to the fish and the line you'll spool.
- 1000–2500: panfish, trout, light finesse bass
- 2500–3000: bass, all-around inshore trout/redfish
- 3500–5000: bull reds, snook, light surf, small tuna
- 6000–10000: surf, big inshore, nearshore
- 10000+: offshore spinning
- Putting a 6000 on a finesse rod
- Undersizing so you run out of line/drag on a big fish
Gear Ratio (Retrieve Speed)
Gear ratio is how many times the spool/rotor turns per handle crank — it sets your retrieve speed. Slow = power and moving baits; fast = picking up line quickly.
Gear Ratio (Retrieve Speed)
Gear ratio is how many times the spool/rotor turns per handle crank — it sets your retrieve speed. Slow = power and moving baits; fast = picking up line quickly.
- Low (5.x:1): deep cranks, big swimbaits, power over speed
- Medium (6.x:1): the do-everything range
- High (7.x:1+): worms/jigs, burning topwater, quickly reeling slack
- Using a super-fast reel to grind a deep crankbait and burning out your arm
Drag: Strength & Smoothness
Drag is the reel's brake — it lets line slip so a running fish doesn't snap you off. Smoothness matters more than max numbers; sealed drags resist salt.
Drag: Strength & Smoothness
Drag is the reel's brake — it lets line slip so a running fish doesn't snap you off. Smoothness matters more than max numbers; sealed drags resist salt.
- Set drag around 20–30% of your line's rated strength as a starting point
- Loosen for light line and long-running fish, tighten near structure
- Fishing a locked-down drag
- Never checking drag before a trip
Reels types
Spinning Reel
EasyThe easiest reel to learn. The spool is fixed and line peels off the front. Handles light lures and light line beautifully and pairs with a spinning rod.
Learn moreBaitcasting Reel
ModerateSits on top of a casting rod with the spool turning as line leaves. More power, accuracy, and line control for heavier lures — but you must learn to avoid backlash.
Learn moreConventional Reel
ModerateA stout round reel for bottom fishing, live-baiting, and trolling. High line capacity and winching power; drops baits straight down and cranks big fish up.
Learn moreLever Drag Reel
AdvancedA conventional reel where a lever sweeps drag from free-spool to strike to full. Precise, repeatable drag settings — the offshore trolling and big-game standard.
Learn moreStar Drag Reel
EasyA conventional reel with a star-shaped wheel behind the handle to set drag. Simple, tough, and affordable — great for bottom fishing and live bait.
Learn moreFly Reel
AdvancedHolds fly line plus backing and provides drag on running fish. For trout it mostly stores line; for saltwater the drag and backing capacity are critical.
Learn moreTrolling Reel
ModerateA high-capacity conventional (usually lever-drag) reel built to pull baits and lures behind a moving boat and hold hundreds of yards of line for long runs.
Learn moreElectric Reel
ModerateA powered conventional reel that cranks baits up from extreme depths at the push of a button. Used for deep-drop fishing well beyond hand-cranking range.
Learn moreQuick picks
Balances a 7' inshore rod and holds plenty of 10–20 lb braid for reds, trout, and snook.
Light enough for worms and jigs, strong enough to pull a good bass out of cover.
Snapper dive for structure — you need capacity and drag to stop them off the bottom.
Grouper bury into rock; you need cranking power and heavy drag to turn them immediately.
Long casts and line capacity for big surf fish that make long runs down the beach.
Precise strike drag and huge capacity for fast pelagics on a moving spread.