Baitcasting Reels

By design, a baitcasting reel sits on top of the rod so the spool is parallel to the rod. It works well with monofilament, fluorocarbon and braid line types. The line on a baitcasting reel comes off the spool directly in line with the rod while the line of a spinning reel is let off away from the rod.

When you’re baitcasting, the spool moves with the casting of the line, so it requires a more experienced angler to keep things under control. Otherwise, the spool ends up moving faster than your casting line is flying, causing it to tangle into a knotty mess known as backlash or a bird’s nest. With practice, this can be minimized or prevented. This complexity is why baitcasting reels are typically recommended for more experienced anglers. Despite their advanced nature, their versatility in accommodating various lures, baits, and lines significantly enhances their effectiveness in fishing.

HANDING M1 baitcasting reels offer exceptional performance, premium quality, and affordability, ensuring more anglers can enjoy fishing without exceeding their budget.

HANDING M1 baitcasting reels are best for strategically dropping your line in a more crowded area, or in a hot spot like a riverbed due to its unique spool rotation, which enables longer and more precise casts while minimizing the chances of line tangling and twisting. Typically, baitcasters are also better suited for big game fishing and other heavy lifting.

Depending on the quality, the reel can also handle offshore fishing tasks. When using a baitcasting reel, the dominant hand holds the rod to cast, and then the angler switches hands to reel in the cast, so the dominant hand controls the reel as well. Experienced fishermen will use their thumb to brake and control the line as they are casting to prevent backlash or tangling.

Learning how to cast a baitcasting reel isn't a difficult thing. It simply requires a little practice. Get simple tips on how to cast with it below.

Baitcasting Reel Tips

Don't allow a concern about backlashes to deter you from mastering baitcaster casting. In fact, if you intend to fish for bass using heavier lines and lures, learning to cast a baitcasting reel will provide you with an advantage. The best baitcasting reel options on the market usually are ones that have perfect cast control. HANDING Magic Soul Baitcasting Reel is a good option designed to make every throw effortlessly smooth.

Baitcasting reels are also better equipped to handle heavier lines and lures. A useful guideline is to opt for a baitcaster fishing rod and reel when fishing with line that is 10-pound test or heavier. If you fish waterways with dense vegetation, mastering the use of a baitcasting setup is advisable as it has the power you need to pull fish out of thick cover.

How to Cast a Baitcasting Reel: Step-By-Step

Step 1 - Ensure the spool tension adjustment knob is properly set before casting.

Step 2 - Position your bait/lure at least 12-18 inches away from the rod tip.

Step 3 - Press down on the release lever. Keep your thumb resting against the spool.

Step 4 - Pull your rod back approximately 180 degrees and then swing it forward with good force and movement. Maintain light pressure on the spool with your thumb to allow the line to release smoothly.

Step 5 - When your bait hits the water, lock the spool in place by turning the reel handle accordingly.

These step-by-step instructions will help you get the hang of baitcaster casting.

Selecting your first baitcasting reel can feel overwhelming with so many products and price points on the market today. To assist you in selecting the ideal baitcast reel for your setup, our fishing experts share some basics to know before embarking on your search for the optimal baitcasting reel.

Parts of a Baitcasting Reel

When purchasing a baitcasting reel, it's important to familiarize yourself with its components. Check each part and the function below:

• Reel Handle: This part is used to wind the line back onto the spool.
• Spool: This is what the line wraps around.
• Spool Release Button: This is the button used to open the spool.
• Spool Tensioner: This allows you to fine-tune the spool rotation speed.
• Brake System: This helps reduce backlash by slowing the spool’s speed.
• Reel Seat: This is where the reel attaches to the rod.
• Line Guide: This evenly distributes the line on the spool when retrieving.
• Drag System: This part adds tension to the reel when a fish is hooked.

Types of Baitcasting Reels

Baitcasting reels are categorized into two main types: low-profile and round. When selecting a baitcasting reel, it’s crucial to consider your fishing location and target species, as this will guide your choice between the two types.

• Low-profile Reels: Low-profile reels, characterized by their smaller frame and handle, offer enhanced comfort for prolonged casting sessions. They include adjustable settings such as spool tension and line slack, making them ideal for freshwater fishing, particularly for species like bass and walleye. Check HANDING low-profile baitcasting reels.
• Round Reels: Round reels, characterized by their larger and traditional design, are excellent for surfcasting or targeting larger species. Their capacity to hold more lines makes them suitable for trolling, and their size enables casting heavier baits and lures over greater distances. They are particularly well-suited for saltwater fishing or pursuing pike and muskie.

What to Consider When Buying a Baitcasting Reel

When deciding which is the best baitcasting reel for your requirements, there are many factors to be considered. Baitcasters are versatile, but not all baitcasters are created equal. Investing time in selecting the right reel for your specific conditions will save you time and money, and enhance your overall enjoyment during your fishing trips.

Handedness

Handedness is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a reel, as it can greatly affect your fishing experience depending on whether you reel with your left or right hand. Beginners using a baitcasting reel are advised to stick with their preferred hand from spinning reels. Consistency in reeling hand minimizes adjustments during casting and hook setting, leading to a smoother transition and increased comfort.

Gear Ratio

Selecting the right gear ratio is very important as it can significantly improve your overall experience and satisfaction when purchasing a baitcasting reel. Gear ratio, present in all fishing reels, determines the speed at which your reel retrieves line back into the spool after casting.

• All Purpose: For those just starting out or who want a reel that can work for various techniques, a casting reel with a gear ratio of around 7.2:1 is highly recommended. At a retrieval rate of 7.2:1, the reel will be able to pick up line quickly enough so that anglers can get an easy hookset, but not so fast as to pull a reaction bait like a spinnerbait out of the mouths of hungry fish. Check HANDING Magic Soul Baitcasting Reel with 7.2:1 gear ratio.
• Bottom Contact Baits: For fishing lures that require you to react swiftly to fish strikes, higher gear ratios in high-speed reels are needed to reel the fishing line in more quickly. A higher gear ratio enables swift pickup of slack, facilitating efficient hook setting.
• Moving Baits: When fishing with reaction baits such as spinnerbaits or bladed jigs, reeling too quickly can prevent fish from catching up to your presentation, resulting in missed bites. Opting for a reel with a gear ratio between 6.1:1 and 7.2:1 ensures you can maintain a pace that keeps your bait in the strike zone, making it accessible for fish to strike at it easily.
• Topwater Lures: When fishing topwater lures like hollow-body frogs and buzzbaits, a high gear ratio reel facilitates effortless manipulation of your lure across the water's surface. Additionally, it enables swift retrieval of slack, ensuring a solid hookset before the fish can eject the lure and escape. Opting for a reel with an 8.1:1 or 8.5:1 gear ratio enhances the likelihood of successful catches when employing topwater lures. However, it's important to note that higher gear ratios may accelerate wear on the gears, particularly when landing larger fish.

Line Guide

Line guide is usually an easily overlooked element when purchasing a baitcasting reel. However different types of line guides vary a lot regarding smoothness and precision. There are two common types: funnel-shaped line guide and cylinder-shaped line guide. The former outperforms the latter by facilitating tighter and more organized line spooling. This reduces friction, allowing for super long casts and precise targeting of elusive fish. Commonly, funnel-shaped line guide is found in higher-end baitcasting reels.

The best fishing reel is the one that works for you. In fishing, what is considered "best" is always subjective and varies greatly depending on an angler's skill level, knowledge, casting technique, and personal preferences.

At HANDING, our experts are dedicated to meticulously crafting premium fishing tackle, ensuring that anglers of all skill levels can experience the joy of fishing to the fullest! In our store, you can find HANDING M1 Baitcasting Reel - a big performer of super lightweight design, and HANDING Magic Soul Baitcasting Reel - designed to make every cast and retrieve effortlessly smooth.

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Warranty

At Handing, our mission is to achieve affordable innovation and we strive to provide you with great products at the best price. Handing warrants to the original purchaser that any Handing products are free from defects in materials or workmanship for one (1) year from the date of purchase.

For instructions on requesting repair or return of your Handing® products, please see Reels warranty, Rods warranty, or General warranty.

If the warrantied products are defective in workmanship and/or materials, you can simply email us at service@handingfishing.com. Handing customer service professionals will determine the cause of the defect and whether it will be covered under this warranty or not.

Our professional customer service expert will guide you through the smooth process.