Baitcasting reels work with the weight of the bait or lure as it pulls on the line and turns the spool to release more line. The heavier the lure, the longer the cast.

With practice, this style of reel also will allow you to cast more accurately

These are typically preferred by more experienced anglers, especially when using heavier lures and lines designed for bigger fish

Most baitcasting reels now incorporate a drag system designed to adjust the resistance--or drag--on the spool to control how much resistance is needed to pull the right amount of line off the spool, without breaking the line. Star drags or a simple drag knob is common.

You can also select a baitcasting reel for your style of fishing

These even come in casting styles, with pitching to cast overhead or sidearm and flipping to cast underhand in tight situations such as underneath tree branches

Spinning reels are open-faced

Your line is released from a stationary spool by flipping a bail wire, a piece of metal wire across the spool called a bail

This stationary spool keeps the line in place and helps prevent snarls and tangled line

The weight of your lure or bait propels the line forward

Spinning reels can handle smaller bait but today's spinning reels are designed for light to heavier fish

You also need to ensure that your reel is a left- or right-hand retrieve, or can be adapted for either hand

Spinning reels use an anti-reverse, a simple mechanism you set by letting go of the bail wire after casting. This keeps your line from spooling off once you get a strike from a fish.

The anti-reverse lock is usually a lever mounted on the gear housing cover

It prevents the reel handle from turning in reverse when you hook a fish and it runs or when you are trolling

Automatic anti-reverse requires no manual settings.

Spincasting reels are closed-faced, and combine spinning and casting. The spool remains stationary until you use a thumb button to cast. When you release the button, your bait or lure propel your line.

The ease of spincasting reels make them a good choice for beginners both for the in ease of casting and their reliability, with few bells and whistles that cause problems while your fishing

The closed face does limit line capacity, but you can still find models that will handle light to medium fish

The spool is the part of the reel that holds the line

It is a detachable component of the reel

Spools are made of either graphite or aluminum

Graphite spools are designed to be lighter than aluminum spools

Aluminum spools generally cost more and some consider aluminum to be more durable

Either material is designed to resist corrosion from the water

The frame is what gives a real its shape

Frames can also be either made of graphite or aluminum

Once again, this is a question of weight and the price you are willing to pay for a reel

Line capacity is a key consideration in selecting a reel

Reels can handle as little as 15 yards to as much as 900 yards

The amount of line you'll need depends on your fishing. For example, fishing in your favorite pond or park will probably require only minimal line capacity. If you plan on fishing in the Great Lakes, though, you may need more line capacity to handle the water's depth and the type of fish that may run with your line.

Gear ratios tells you how quickly a reel will retrieve line per revolution of your reel's crank

As a guide, lower ratios provide more power for bringing fish from deeper depths, while higher gear rations benefit when pulling fish from closer to the surface

Ball bearings are used to help reels work more smoothly by supporting the moving parts

Generally speaking, the more ball bearings, the smoother the reel works, especially under pressure