| Casting | | | | can, and probably will get a backlash.Tips: |
| Casting reels have a visible line spool that lays | | | | When first starting to learn to use a casting reel, |
| perpendicular to the rod so it functions much like a | | | | adjust your spool tension as follows: |
| winch. This type of reel has a trigger to release the | | | | |
| spool and the spool turns when the crank is turned. | | | | |
| There is usually a spoke wheel drag adjustment | | | | 1. Tie on the lure you are going to use. |
| around the base of the crank handle. There will be a | | | | 2. Hold the rod out horizontal and trip the trigger. |
| spool tension adjustment knob and sometimes an | | | | 3. Allow the lure to fall to the ground/water and |
| adjustment for tuning the spool rotation speed when | | | | observer the spool. Tighten the spool tension so they |
| you are casting. The last two adjustments are used | | | | spool stop rotating on its own when the lure strikes |
| to maximize the casting distance while minimizing the | | | | the water. This will help reduce backlashes. |
| amount of backlashes. Backlashes occur when the | | | | 4. As your skill increases you can adjust the tension |
| spool rotates faster than the line is pulled off the | | | | and magnetic drag systems to fine tune your reel. |
| spool. This causes the line to start winding back | | | | Fly |
| around the spool in the opposite direction and | | | | Single Action Fly Reels |
| somehow you always end up with a knot or a | | | | Single Action Fly reels consist of a simple spool with a |
| complete mess that requires clippers to solve. | | | | housing around it. The housing has a large hole for |
| To cast a rod equipped with a casting reel do the | | | | the line to come out of. There is a small handle on |
| following: | | | | the spool used for cranking and a simple drag |
| | | | system. These reels are the most widely used of the |
| 1. Place your thumb on the trigger and make sure it | | | | fly reels. They are used to hold line and fight a fish |
| overlaps the spool. | | | | when one is hooked. |
| 2. Press the trigger and use your thumb to keep the | | | | Automatic Fly Reels |
| spool from turning. | | | | Automatic fly reels have a spring system located |
| 3. Start your casting motion. | | | | inside the reel and a trip lever to wind the line back |
| 4. On the forward part of the casting motion remove | | | | on the spool. As you pull off line the reel spring loads |
| your thumb from the spool. | | | | up. When you trip the lever it releases tension in the |
| 5. As the lure flies through the air, you may need to | | | | spring and causes the spool to rotate and wind the |
| lightly touch your thumb to the spool to prevent it | | | | line back in. Automatic fly reels are not designed for |
| from rotating faster than the lure pulls line. This | | | | fighting fish, and as such, have no drag system. |
| usually will happen during high wind situations, or when | | | | Casting a flyrod will not be covered in this article |
| your lure goes up farther than out. | | | | because entire books are written on the subject. I |
| 6. When your lure hits the water, place your thumb | | | | may write an article about fly casting at a later date. |
| on the spool to stop rotation. If this is not done you | | | | |