Bass Fishing Reels

What's the difference between casting reels, spinning reels, and spincast reels?

Each reel type has unique advantages depending on your skill level and fishing style:

Casting Reels (commonly referred to as baitcasters) utilize a spool that rotates as you cast and retrieve, offering greater control and power, which is perfect for heavier lures and line. They require some thumb control to prevent the line from tangling, making them best suited for intermediate to advanced anglers.

Spinning Reels feature a fixed spool and bail system, which makes them easier to cast and manage. Spinning reels are best suited for lighter lures, lighter line, and are much more forgiving when casting, making them a great choice for beginners and finesse anglers.

Spincast Reels borrow features from both casting and spinning reels, creating a super straightforward operation. Spincast reels are the easiest to cast and are a great choice for kids and first-time anglers.

How much should I spend on my first bass fishing reel?

When buying a reel, like most things in life, the price range is going to boil down to your personal budget. Luckily reel technology has come a long way over the last decade, so you don't have to spend a ton of money to get a quality, entry-level reel. Whether you're looking at spinning reels or casting reels, you can expect to spend anywhere from $70.00-100.00 to get your foot in the door.

Can I use the same reel for both freshwater and saltwater?

While some reels can be used in both saltwater and freshwater, most bass fishing reels are only suited for freshwater applications. If you're looking for a reel to pull double duty in both conditions, look for features like fully sealed bearings, ceramic bearings, and corrosion-resistant materials that can stand up to saltwater environments. Most reels on Tacklewarehouse.com that are suited for saltwater will be noted in the product description and/or features.

What's the difference between left-hand and right-hand retrieve?

For fishing reels, handedness refers to which side the handle is positioned on the reel. While it's not a hard rule, most anglers prefer to use their dominant hand for reeling, which means right-handed anglers tend to prefer right-handed reels. On spinning and spincast reels, the handles are usually interchangeable to accomodate left-hand or right-hand anglers. Every Tackle Warehouse reel product page has a specification chart which indicates handedness in the "retrieve" column.