The Reel Body

Spinning reels, in comparison to baitcast reels, consist of a wider variety of parts.  Choosing a reel with the least amount of parts will be your safest bet in order to reduce the chance of mechanical breakdown. 

Reel bodies can be made up of graphite, aluminum, and plastic components.  Aluminum housing bodies will be stronger than graphite, however graphite will be significantly lighter.  Deciding whether strength or weight is more important is ultimately a personal choice, however; if the focus of your fishing is heavy duty or punishing aluminum should be the eventual winner.  If your chosen playing field is made up of saltwater, graphite is the way to go due to its corrosion-resistant qualities.

Another key factor to look for is a solidly constructed reel body.  There should be no loose or flimsy parts, and all moving parts should be smooth in performance and have no back play at all.

Reels come in all sizes so make sure you get the right one for you.

Reel Size

Choosing the correct size of reel can be a bewildering dilemma.  For most applications, ten-pound test line should be the highest strength and thickness that should be put on a spinning reel.  (This is not applicable for saltwater fishing or heavy trolling scenarios.)

The lighter the line you intend to use, the smaller the reel you should ultimately purchase.  Make sure that the reel you will be buying is rated for the pound-test line you intend to use.  (This information can be found on the reel spool itself.)

Case-in-point:  if you jig for smallmouth and walleye primarily, eight-pound-test would probably be your average line strength.  Therefore, choosing a medium-sized reel that is rated for six, eight and ten-pound test line would be your best selection.

Gear Ratio

Gear ratio refers to how many complete revolutions the spool makes with exactly one crank of the reel handle.  An example of a gear ratio would be 3:1 - the spool turns three times for every one time you turn the handle.  This is considered a slow speed reel as not much line is being "picked up" during the cranking process.  The benefit is that these reels provide more torque for reeling in large fish.  A 6:1 ratio is considered a high-speed retrieve.  Depending on the style of fishing you concentrate on, a high, slow, or medium speed rate of retrieve will be necessary.

If you can only choose one spinning reel, my recommendation would be for a medium speed model (4 - 4.5:1).  However, if you can afford more than one reel, choose a high and slow speed type to cover all of the bases.

Drag System

The drag system on a spinning reel is one of the most important aspects of the reel itself.  The drag is responsible for applying pressure to a hooked fish, and letting out line during the fight. Without a smooth, high-quality drag the risk of broken lines and lost fish is always a high probability.  Always ensure that the reel you will be purchasing has a smooth, non-constrictive drag.  The line should pull out steadily and without hesitation at whichever tightness you ultimately set it at.

There are two types of drag systems available on spinning reels: front and rear drag. This basically constitutes the location of the drag controls, although there are some differences between the two.  Front drag systems generally feature larger, multiple drag washers that offer increased durability and performance in comparison to the rear drag models.  Rear drag controls are easier to access (especially when fighting a fish) yet don't stand up as well to large fish species and the demanding conditions you may face.

Ball Bearings

spinning reels feature ball bearings or bushings placed within the body itself for smoothness, support and stability.  Most spinning reels also contain a roller bearing within the line roller.  It goes without saying that the greater number of bearings a reel contains, the smoother the reel will perform when in use.  (Sealed stainless steel bearings are preferable over bushings for added durability and control.)

Choose a reel with the most ball bearings that your wallet can handle.  At the bare minimum, I would suggest a reel with at least four ball bearings.  There's nothing worse than having a reel that doesn't perform well, or isn't smooth on the retrieve, so try not to scrimp and save when it comes to this part of the reel equation -- you'll only curse yourself all the way back to the launch ramp.

Spools

The spool on a spinning reel plays an important part, not only for holding line, but also for casting distance and smoothness.  Most spools on the market today will be either anodized aluminum or graphite.  As I mentioned before, graphite will be the lighter of the two materials, although the aluminum spool will offer greater strength and durability. 

Aluminum spools offer greater strength and durability.

Internal spools are mostly a thing of the past, although some manufacturers still have models available for sale.  Although simple in design, the one flaw was the ability for line to become entangled within the housing of the reel.  The newer skirted variety helps in eliminating this frustrating problem.

Another interesting design is the "long cast" spool.  Much as the name suggests, this spool is shallower than the regular style, although much longer in length.  This elongated spool allows for less line friction, allowing increased casting distance for the angler.  (A definite benefit for clear-water or sight-fishing applications.)

Spare spools are also a nice bonus when purchasing a reel as they allow you to outfit each with different pound-test line.  This is great for changing applications, and is as easy as alternating spools while out on the water.

Anti-Reverse Handles  

Anti-reverse handles are a prerequisite when searching for that perfect spinning reel.  This function simply implies that the handle will not spin backwards whatsoever, meaning that hook sets will be more powerful and accurate due to the lack of play in the reel handle.  If the reel you are interested in has any sort of play or backwards motion, my advice would be to look for a different reel.  Your landing net will thank you.

Choosing a spinning reel may seem like a tough decision, however; learning some of the traits and beneficial components can shorten the learning curve dramatically.  Pick wisely and purchase the best that you can afford.  Remember, it's going to be your "best" friend out in the boat for a lot of years to come, so make sure it won't let you down.

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