Like most fishing gear on the market, baitcasting reels come in a bewildering number of options, qualities, and parts. There are, however, a few simple things that even a beginner can learn quickly and that will help a lot when it comes to choosing a good baitcasting reel. Most important are the material and construction of the body, the material and construction of the bearings, and the turn ratio of the crank. People usually think that baitcasting reels are for more experienced anglers, but that's not always true anymore. Many of the reels on the market today are so well made that even a beginner fisherman can quickly learn how to use a baitcasting reel. Visit Fishing Reels Guide to learn more (see resource box below). A baitcasting reel's body is usually made of one of two materials: aluminium or graphite. Graphite reels are light and very resistant to corrosion. Because saltwater is so salty, this makes graphite reels especially useful for fishing in saltwater. But graphite isn't as strong or long-lasting as aluminium. If you want to go after big marlins or tuna, you should probably choose an aluminium reel because they are strong. On the other hand, if you only want to catch croppie or other small fish, a reel with a graphite body might be the best choice. The ball bearings or bushings inside the reel are another important thing to think about when shopping for a baitcasting reel. These are the parts of the reel that have the most direct effect on how smooth it is and how it "feels." As a general rule, bushings are not as good as ball bearings made of stainless steel. Also, the smoother the unit is to turn, the more ball bearings it has. Any good fishing reel needs to be easy to crank so that you can feel how the line moves in the water and know if you have a fish on the line or not. Baitcasting rules say that there can be anywhere from two to six ball bearings. A reel should have at least two bearings, but the fisherman should buy a reel with as many bearings as his budget will allow. Obviously, the price of a reel will go up the more bearings it has. Another thing to think about when choosing a good baitcasting reel is how many turns it takes to turn the crank. Baitcasting reels have different turn ratios that range from 2:1 to 1:6. The first number shows how many times the crank is turned. The second number shows how many times the spool turns. For example, a ratio of 1:6 means that every time the crank is turned, the spool turns 6 times. This is a very high cranking power. High cranking power is good for trolling, bottom bouncing, and jig work. Low cranking power is better for fishing from a bank or just hanging a line. A 4:1 ratio is a good middle-of-the-road number. When choosing a baitcasting reel, you should also think about the drag system, the controls for casting, and reels that are made for specific types of fish. Make sure to click on the link above to find out more about these advanced features.
