Reels for Bass Fishing Rods

Reels for bass fishing rods are spinning reels and baitcaster reels and vary in speed (amount of line per rotation) and line capacity (amount of line). 

Why are Reels Important?

Reels are important for:

  • Fishing Speed: The reel speed can assist in speeding up or slowing down the fishing speed based on the gear ratio. 
  • Catching Up to Fish: Fast reels are easier to catch up to a caught fish when they are moving towards the angler.
  • Longer Casts: Reels with more line capacity generally can cast lures further.
  • Manage Fatigue: High gear ratio with larger lures can require more energy similar to going uphill on a bicycle in high gear.
Reel Options
  • Reel Gear Ratio = Fast Reel or Slow Reel: Gear ratio is the number of revolutions of the spool per one revolution of the handle. This directly impacts how fast the lure is retrieved. Gear ratio is presented in 2 numbers; the first is the number of revolutions of the spool and the second is 1, representing 1 reel handle rotation.  As such, just need to focus on the first number. For example 6.5:1 means the reel revolves 6.5 times on 1 turn of the reel handle revolution.
    • High Number: 7.5 to 8 or higher is a fast reel.
      • Fishing Fast Returns: Fast reels assist in fast retrieves, for example a burn retrieve. It is also suggested for fishing to cover water.
      • Landing a Bass in Cover Returns: After the hook set you want to get the fish back to the boat fast; more common when using high test line and looking to get bass out of grass cover. 
      • Quick Return after Pitching, Punching, Skipping: Where you want to make lots of casts in shallow water and to do so the lure is retrieved fast after it is out of the strike zone. 
      • Long Casts: When you are casting a long distance, you have a long retrieve so some suggest high speed reels.
    • Medium Number: 6.4 to 7.5 is medium or moderate speed reel which is common.
      • All Purpose Reel: Some suggest the medium number for horizontal presentations, in other word moving baits.  Some say 7.0 being the best all purpose gear ratio. 
    • Low Number: 5 and 6.3 are slow speeds which is less common.
  • First Number Focus: Some suggest just focusing on the first number which for most cases is going to 8, 7, 6, 5 and thus you can think 8 is fast, 7 and 6 as moderate and 5 is low(relativity).
Where to Find Bass

Drag: Drag is a friction setting on the reel that sets the level the bass pulls on the line (or a snag) to which the friction is overcome and the reel rotates letting line out and preventing the line from breaking. Setting the drag factors include:

  • Line Test: Lighter the line the less drag, in other words, set the drag so the line won’t break on hook sets or when snagged.
  • Line Type: For the same test, line with stretch (fluorocarbon and monofilament) will require slightly less drag as the stretch in the line will absorb some force.
  • Rod Power: For the same line type, moderate rods will absorb more force than heavier rods, which can affect the drag setting.
  • Drop and Set Firm Hook Sets: Hard hooks sets, for example the drop and set firm hook sets, require high drag setting as as light drag setting will negate the hook set – meaning the hook will not be set.
  • Tire fish: To increase catch rates anglers will loosen the drag (after the hook set) to help tire the fish to minimize the thrashing moment when the fish is near the boat to help reduce the chance of the fish dislodging the lure near the boat.
  • Setting the Drag Techniques:
    • Hand Test: Use your hand to pull line and adjust the drag based on your experience and comparatively to other rods.
    • Bend the Rod: Secure the line to a fixed object and bend the rod until it loads up, in other words, bends to the desired arch and set the drag.
    • Use a Scale: Tie your line to a securely fastened scale and tighten the line and set the drag to a % of the test possibly 20% to 50%.
    • Use a Weight: Tie a weight which is a percentage of the test, say 20% to 50%, and set the drag to start with weight.
  • Alternatives to Drag:
    • Back-Reeling a Spinner Reel: When using a spinner reel there is an option to use back reeling which is generally an alternative to drag as you reel backwards to let out line, in other words, you reel the opposite direction when you want to reduce the load on the rod.
    • Thumb Control on Baitcaster Reel: When using a baitcaste, release the spool and use your thumb as the drag on the spool.
  • Hand/Finger Drag: On a spinner reel set the drag to low and use your finger on the spool to create extra drag instead of tightening the drag on the spool during the retrieve. This can also be done on a baitcaster reel with some horizontal presentation lures.
  • Spinning Reel: For spinning rods and for thinner fishing line (lighter test):
    • Reel Size (Amount of Line): The amount of line a spinning reel will hold depends on the thickness of the line and thus closely related to the lb test , the type of line, and reel capacity:
      • Large Reels (3000 to 5000 series) Most Line Capacity: These reels typically have increased line capacities and are built to handle heavier lines and lures providing the maximum strength and power. They generally hold most line. 
      • Medium Reels (2500 to 3000 series) Medium Line Capacity: These reels are versatile and can handle a broader range of fishing techniques. They offer a balance between line capacity and manageable weight, making them suitable for various bass fishing applications.
      • Ultralight Reels (1000 to 2500 series) Least Line Capacity: These smaller reels are suitable for ultralight fishing techniques, such as finesse fishing or targeting smaller bass. They generally have lower line capacities and are lighter in weight, making them ideal for casting lighter lures and fishing in smaller bodies of water.
    • Anti-Reverse: Spinning reels come with a switch that allows you to reverse the direction of the reel, in other words let out line by turning the reel backwards. This is not a common setting for bass fishing. On rare occasions some suggest using the reverse reeling to fight a fish instead of the drag setting. 
Where to Find Bass
  • Baitcaster Reel: For baitcaster rods and larger fishing line (heavier test):
    • Reel Size (Amount of Line): Baitcaster reel spool sizes are provided by manufacturers typically numbers from 100 to 400 in some cases 10 to 40 as there is no standard. The number is a measure of line capacity in yards which varies based on line type and test. For example, a reel that has 20lb test braid with 150 yards capacity; with 40lb test will have 105 yards capacity. Sizes:
      • Medium Spool Size (100): Common, somewhere around 100 yards.
      • Larger (200): Not common.
      • Smaller Spool Size (Less than 100): Smaller baitcasting reels are generally lighter, have lower line capacity, lower maximum retrieval speed, and lower maximum drag pressure.
    • Backlash: A backlash, birds nest, professional overrun, is a characteristic that can be managed of a baitcaster. Essentially, the spools travels faster than the fishing line. 
    • Adjust Tension Control Knob: For each new lure adjust the tension control knob on reel such that when you release the spool the lure hits the ground/dock/boat without backlash.
Where to Find Bass
Additional Considerations
  • Spare Washers: Many reels come with extra parts including washers. If your spinning reel is spooling unevenly either the washer has been lost or needs to be replaced.
  • 10 Speed Bike Comparison: Low gears are better for hills with high resistance and high gears are better for speed with little resistance.
It's About the ALLURE™

Common Baitcaster Rod Lures for baitcaster reels. 

Common Spinner Rod Lures for spinner reels.

Videos by Experts
Articles by Experts
error: Content is protected !!