Fishing Advice Blog

One of the most common questions posed by inshore saltwater anglers is which reel type to purchase. The two options, a level wind conventional reel or an open style conventional reel have both advantages and disadvantages depending on a number of features.  This is a decision that nearly ever angler is going to have to make at one time or another, so having the information on the benefits and pitfalls of each type of reel is critical to purchasing the right one.

The decision of what type of reel to purchase requires that you not only consider your personal preferences, but also how you intend to use the reel (what type of fishing) and what type of line that you normally fish with.  Each factor must be carefully weighed and once you have accounted for them, you can make the best possible decision about which reel works best for you.

Open wind reels have fewer moving parts, while level wind reels use a pawl that runs across a worm shaft on the front of your reel.  While the open wind reel requires interaction from the angler to properly rewind a line, the level wind reel accomplishes this through the mechanism that is inherent to this reel type.

While the bottom line is that most anglers will decide which reel to use based almost entirely on their personal preference, you’re likely to find that most inshore saltwater anglers prefer the open wind reel. The reasons for this if you talk to an inshore salt water angler are mainly based on the fact that level wind reels have far more likelihood of breakdown and some anglers feel that the level wind reel also interferes with proper casting.  Repairs are nearly impossible to rebuke – level wind reels have more moving parts meaning an increase in failure possibilities.  Since inshore saltwater anglers will nearly always wander off on foot to their favorite fishing spot, they likely will carry only a single rod and reel meaning that an equipment breakdown is a major inconvenience and will result in a wasted day of angling.  Remember, a level wind reel requires impeccable cleaning since a single grain of sand can cause the reel to fail when you are fighting with a fish and could cost you the catch of the day.

Another article will take on the differences in fishing line types, but it is important that you consider this when you’re purchasing a reel.  if you are primarily fishing with monofilament line, you’re probably more likely to need the benefits offered by level wind reels and if braided line is your preference then you’ll be better off with an open wind conventional reel.  Dacron braided lines and monofilament lines have significant differences in how they reel back in after that big catch.

 Monofilament is a great line – it’s cost effective, it’s lightweight but it does have some downsides. One of them which can be problematic when you’re reeling in the catch of the day is this lines tendency to pile up in one spot on the spool when you’re reeling it in.  Let us face it – we all understand the mechanics of reels – the more line that piles up the more likely it is to get high enough to interfere with proper reel operation.  Worse yet, this line can bind the spool against the frame which creates even more problems.  It’s a bit ironic – these types of issues almost always occur when you have a fish headed right for you – the line piles up at the back of the reel and you’ve missed your opportunity.

It is probably this single characteristic that means that an angler has to learn how to use their thumb to guide the line back and forth on an open reel.  This allows the line to spool nearly evenly back on an open, non-level wind reel.  This does take some practice, and unfortunately when you’ve got a fish that is destined to become one of your best catches, chances are pretty slim you’re going to be considering how evenly your line is rewinding.

If you are a braided line user it’s inevitable that you have noticed that braided line simply doesn’t have the issues of monofilament line.  While braided line doesn’t have the memory of monofilament, it somehow winds back perfectly on a reel without you needing to guide it with your thumb.  If you’re using braided Dacron line, chances are that you will not need to consider purchasing a level wind reel.  If you are fishing monofilament line, the level wind conventional reel is most likely worth purchasing.
Ask any repair shop owner, myself included, and you’ll find that the level wind reel is one of the top items that are repaired annually.  It doesn’t matter who made it, each manufacturer is treated equally in this case.  Level wind reels are far more susceptible to failure than open reels. This could be in part that when you’re fishing with a 20lb drag, and you land a good sized fish, additional pressure is put on the line guide system.  Combine this additional pressure with salt and sand that might be missed during cleaning and insufficient lubrication and you’re no doubt going to have your level wind reel fail.  If you use open faced conventional reels, you are not going to have this problem.

Take into consideration your personal preferences and the type of line you’re going to be using and combine this with whether you’re rigging or casting and these factors will help in making your final decision of whether to purchase an open wind reel or a level wind reel and you’ll ultimately make the right choice.

Making sure you have the best fishing supplies will make sure you have an enjoyable fishing experience. Some of the most popular fishing supplies out on the market include: Daiwa SLD 30 and Penn International 965.

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