Diagrams & Equipment Supplied By ANJU Sport
Fishing Puerto De Mazarron & GRAUVELL Fishing S.A.
THE FIXED SPOOL REEL
The fixed spool reel is without doubt the most popular reel used in the modern
world. It is used in all areas of fishing apart from fly fishing. The main
principle of the fixed spool reel is as its name suggests the spool is fixed in
position therefore it does not revolve. The line is wound onto the spool by a
rotating bail arm driven by a handle and gears. The only way the spool can be
allowed to rotate is by an adjustable slipping clutch mechanism when under
tension.
The fixed spool reels of the 21st century are very
sophisticated; they are designed and constructed using state of the art
materials and technology. The lightness and balance of the reel needs to match
the latest carbon and carbon / titanium mix rods they can be fitted to. Many of
the best fixed spool reels available are now made of aluminium which is very
light and very strong resulting in near perfect balance. The rotation of the
bail arm, when retrieving line, turns the line at a 90 degree angle. This
together with the power roller bearing ensures the line feeds onto the spool
perfectly evenly so on the next cast the line will fall away perfectly once the
bail arm is opened. A slight turn of the handle after casting and the bail arm
will shut in readiness for the next retrieve.
The drag system or slipping clutch mechanism is either adjustable on the front
of the reel. This is known as a front drag system, or the rear where it is
referred to as a rear drag. If a fish needs to take line the clutch can be
adjusted accordingly allowing the fish to take line under resistance rather than
break the line, as the fish tires the clutch can be tightened and reeled in.
Rear Drag Reel
Carefully Oiling The Spool Drive Shaft
The need to maintain your reel is very important and it is absolutely essential
that after use you wash the reel and spool off under luke warm tap water before
drying off with a clean cloth and storing. Special reel oil can be purchased and
this should be applied to several parts after cleaning. The most important part
is the bail arm power roller which turns the line on retrieval. This roller is
put under extreme pressure and it is essential it rotates freely otherwise line
breakage will occur. Test the roller regularly by cutting a piece of thick line
and pull it back and forth over the roller making it rotate, if it does not move
freely oil it immediately or have it checked by your tackle dealer. Also
regularly remove the spool and lightly oil the spool drive shaft - just a drop
will do. Wipe all excess away because oil on the line may put fish off coming
near your bait. Give the handle joint a drop also as these usually fold either
by slackening a knurled retaining knob or pressing a button which enables easier
storage.
This all may sound as though it will be a little too much bother after a long
fishing trip. Look at it this way, why spend good money on a sophisticated piece
of equipment like this and just let it decay for the sake of five minutes? When
you fish at night just watch the saltwater spray coming off the line on
retrieval in the beam of your headlight……..enough said.
Coned Competition Spool
Front Drag Large Distance Reel
If you are using a large distance casting reel with very thin line and a coned
spool, you will probably change spools frequently whilst fishing. The coned
spool enables line to come off the spool on casting at high speed as the weight
takes it out to sea. Whilst changing spools take care not to get sand underneath
the spool and subsequently on the shaft drive - easy to do especially at night.
Always check all spare spools for grains of sand on the inside as they can do a
lot of damage.
When loading line onto your reel spool always check the markings on the spool.
These indicate how much line and of what thickness can be loaded onto the spool
so you gain the most effective use from your reel.
Copyright © Gary Smith & Luigi Mateos
