Fixed Spool Reels

Of the several designes of fishing reel available in the UK the Fixed Spool reel is the most popular type used by anglers.

With a fixed spool reel casting out a line becomes much easier due to the fact that line is freely pulled of the fixed spool on casting. Retrieval is also much faster than with a centre pin reel due to a geared winding ratio, commonly around 5:1 retrieval rate, meaning that for each turn of the handle five turns of line will be wound onto the spool.

As the name suggests the spool is fixed and line is wound around the spool by a rotating bale-arm.

A common design feature of the fixed spool reel is the adjustable clutch, which may be positioned at the front of the spool or at the back of the reel. The clutch enables the angler to allow fish to take line from the spool while the fish is being played, thereby reducing the possibility of line breakage.

In more recent years the fixed spool reel has acquired a new design feature in the form of a freeline facility. This means that at the flick of a lever the reel spool can be allowed to rotate and give line, again controlled by a clutch mechanism.

This freeline mechanism is designed so that if a rod is left unattended and a bite occurs, line will be given out rather than the rod being pulled in by the fish!

Freeline reels are sometimes mistakenly called baitrunners. This is incorrect, Baitrunner is a trade name of the Shimano company and should only be applied to Shimano reels (like calling a vacuum cleaner a Hoover even if made by a different company - the power of advertising).

One problem associated with fixed spool reels is the tendency of line to come off the spool in loose coils if the bale arm is left open. Resulting in a bird's-nest tangle. Another problem is the amount of twist that can be given to the line when retrieving line under tension. This can be avoided to some extent by retrieving line only when the rod is being moved forward to reduce tension on the line. In other words, by using a pumping action.

For best results when casting with a fixed spool reel the spool should be filled to within one millimeter of the rim of the spool. This allows the line to leave the spool freely and without friction or drag.

When buying a fixed spool reel the general rule of thumb is that the more ball bearings the better the quality. The number of ball bearings is nearly always printed on the reel, if it is not, don't buy the reel.

Fixed Spool Reel Operation

To cast with a fixed spool reel wind in line until the float or feeder are about three to four feet from the rod tip. Open the bale arm while trapping the line against the rod butt with your forefinger, then, on making the cast, release the trapped line when the rod reaches about 45° in front of you.

Make sure you know the breaking strain of the line loaded onto your spools by sticking a small label inside the spool's skirt.
Load your spool correctly. If the spool is underloaded it will not give line freely on casting. If over loaded it will spill line causing tangles. Load a spool to within two millimeters of the rim.

Fixed Spool Reels

Fixed Spool Reel Operation

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