Central Pennsylvania Fishing

Spinning reels are probably the most popular and versatile type of fishing reel on the market. They can handle a variety of fishing situations, lures, and lure weights. Coupled with the fact that most manufactures offer an arsenal of spinning reels capable of casting baits as small as 1/32 oz. and up, its not surprising to see a lot of these reels used on the streams and lakes of Pennsylvania’s multi-species waters.

Fishermen often refer to spinning reels as “open face” reels because the spool that holds the fishing line is exposed. The key components that make up a spinning reel are; the bail, the spool, the drag, and in most cases the anti-reverse switch. The picture below illustrates these components.

In closed position, the bail serves to pick up the line as it is retrieved and guide it onto the spool. When open for casting, the bail allows the line to “free spool’ off the reel facilitating long casts. A spinning reel spool does not spin as the line is retrieved or cast however it does oscillate as a bait is retrieved so that the line is evenly spread over the spool.

Spinning reels commonly have the drag control situated either at the front of the spool or at the back of the reel. A drag control on the front of the reel is the most common configuration. The drag on a spinning reel, when adjusted properly, allows fish to pull off line before it reaches the breaking point.

Many spinning reels, but not all, have an anti-reverse switch. This is usually at the back the reel. When disengaged the anti-reverse allows the handle to turn both ways. Many fishermen use this as a substitute for the drag. When the anti-reverse is disengaged and a fish makes a hard run the angler simply “back reels” so as to feed line out to the fish. Back reeling takes some practice and finesse but many fishermen feel this method beats relying on the drag to protect line from breaking.

Casting a spinning real is fairly simple. When the bail is open for casting the fisherman uses the index finger to trap the line (figure 1). As the fisherman completes the forward casting motion, the line is released from the index finger and the lure shoots toward its target (figure 2). At least in most cases!

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