Spinning, baitcasting, fly and conventional — matched to line and job, not to price.
Last reviewed 26 September 2026 · Editorial policy
Reel type is mostly determined by how the line leaves the spool. That single mechanical difference explains the casting behaviour, the lure weights each type handles, and the learning curve.
The spool is fixed and the bail wraps line around it. Line peels off freely, so light lures cast well and backlashes are impossible. This is the default choice for most anglers and almost all light-line fishing. Sizes run roughly 1000 (ultralight) to 8000+ (heavy saltwater and carp).
The spool rotates during the cast. That gives more casting accuracy, better power and line control under load, but the spool can overrun into a backlash. Best above about 1/4 oz lure weight and with heavier line. Braking systems reduce but never eliminate the learning curve.
Mostly a line-storage device for smaller trout, where you strip line by hand. On big fish — salmon, saltwater — the drag becomes critical and a sealed, smooth drag earns its cost.
Gear ratio is inches of line per handle turn: low ratios (around 5:1) pull crankbaits steadily, high ratios (7:1 and up) pick up slack fast for jigs and topwater. Drag should be set to roughly a quarter to a third of your line's breaking strain, checked by pulling line off by hand.
| Size | Mono capacity | Braid | Typical species |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1000–1500 | 2–6 lb | 6–10 lb | Panfish, small trout, ultralight perch |
| 2000–2500 | 4–10 lb | 8–15 lb | Trout, perch, smallmouth, general finesse |
| 3000–3500 | 8–14 lb | 15–30 lb | Largemouth, walleye, light inshore |
| 4000–5000 | 10–20 lb | 20–50 lb | Pike, catfish, surf and inshore saltwater |
| 6000–8000+ | 15–30 lb | 50–80 lb | Big carp, large pike, offshore |
