Parts of a Spinning Reel – Look for When Buying a Spinning Reel?

The first thing you need after deciding to go for fishing is the fishing reel that you cast the line with. For the type of reel, spinning reels are the most popular option for beginners with an easier mechanism than baitcasters. A spinning reel under 50 bucks can get you much better control and result than a 200-dollar baitcaster. 

Choosing your first spinning reel can be a daunting job, especially when you have no idea about the different parts of the reel. If you’re planning not to end up with the wrong reel for your first fishing job, it’ll be a wise option to get to know it first. Stick to the article to understand different parts of a spinning reel as your fist fishing gear to become a successful angler. 

Parts of a spinning reel

Understanding the parts of a spinning reel will help you control it better and get the most out of your fishing rig. Here are the most important parts of a spinning reel that you must know about for a fishing career you love-

Body 

The spinning reel body is the sole structure of the reel that holds on all the mechanisms, drag and gear systems, etc. The body is a single skeleton that holds on all the little pieces of the reel and makes the whole mechanism work in harmony with each other. It’s mostly made of aluminum; some come with a plastic build, and the ones with composed graphite are the most rigid and strong. Choosing the build material depends on the budget you have because they vary depending on the build material. 

Reel foot/seat

The part of the reel you attach the fishing rod to your spinning reel is the foot or seat with a T shape to it. It’s the most rigid part of the body with a unibody shape for a rigid bridge between the rod and the reel. You have to make sure the reel foot is firmly attached to the rod because the strength of the fish will go directly to this part of your rod. 

Handle

A handle on a spinning reel is the knob that you can rotate with your left or right hand to pull the line back to the spool. You can adjust the reel’s handle on either side, depending on whether you’re left-handed or right. Unscrew the handle from the opposite side and re-screw it on your dominant side of your hand. You need to complete this process because it’s the part that drags the line, hopefully with the fish on end. 

Gear Housing

The gear housing or the gearbox runs the whole process of dragging the line to letting it out. This part sits on the back or the bottom of the spinning reel and comes with different ratios to turn the handle to rotate the spool. The ratio may differ from 1:1 up to 1:6, where the ratio 6 means six rotations on the spool with a rotation of the handle. 

Spool

The spool on a spinning reel is the part where the fishing line collapses in when you drag the line. It comes with a design to prevent any tangling or twists on the line and keep it straight. You can avail of different sizes of the spool to accommodate different sizes of the line. The spool size depends on the type of fish you’re after, such as if you’re bass fishing, it should be about 8 to 12 lbs of braided line.

Front drag knob

You’ll use the front drag knob of a spinning reel to adjust the fishing line’s tension. It will help you keep consistency on the speed you’re pulling the line and wrapping it on the spool. 

Bail arm

With the bail arm on the top of a spinning reel, you’ll lock or unlock the free release of the line when you cast it. You have to lock the line when you cast the bait on the water and reach the target spot to stop the free release. 

Anti-reverse switch

The anti-reverse switch is also a locking mechanism that locks the gear system to keep it from rotating the spool. It allows you to control the gears to rotate them in either direction along with the lock mechanism. It gives you more stability on the lock mechanism. 

What to look for when buying a spinning reel?

Here are the specifications, qualities, and the things you should look for in your first spinning reel:

• Material and weight: Always go for the highest amount you can effort for the investment on the spinning reel. Get a graphite or aluminum composite reel for a strong build and smooth, lightweight construction. 
• Gear ratio: As I mentioned earlier, gear ratio makes a big difference; be sure to get a higher gear ratio on the reel. It will give you much better control over the reel.
• Spool material: The spool material differs from the actual reel material. You have to make a wise investment here as well and go for a lighter yet strong material like graphite or aluminum.
• Handle and drag system: A poor quality drag adjustment knob will be prone to a large fish, and the handle will compromise. Check all the variables like build material, ball bearing, jerk-less drag, strong grip, etc.

Frequently asked questions

Here are the most frequently asked questions about different parts of a spinning reel that you also know about: 

Final thought

Fishing can be an excellent hobby or a great profession if you’re interested in it and have the patience it takes. A simple spinning reel can easily help you with almost any sort of fishing, no matter you’re doing saltwater fishing or bass fishing. 

However, you must choose the right reel to get the right output you want from it. Knowing about the parts of a spinning reel can help you choose the best spinning reel for the money to get the best output from it. Never forget to equip your fishing tackle with the right gear on your backpack.