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How Does a Closed Face Fishing Reel Work?

You can be a starter or pro angler but enjoy fishing adventure then; you must have used a closed face fishing reel. It is considered an advanced fishing tool because you will feel more comfortable and convenient while using it than other reels.

How does a closed face fishing reel work?

A closed face fishing reel requires you to press a button to operate and cast, then release the button. It does not backlash or tangle like most other reels. Though it comes with a loaded fishing line, you will have to install a new spool line on them at least once during each fishing season.

What is a closed face fishing reel?

A closed face fishing reel has mechanics structured internally and covered with a top shell. The top shell acts as a protection to internal materials from outside interference. It does not have any bail arm or roller. They are designed for single-stranded thread only.

A closed face fishing reel has three parts-

  • The Front
  • The Handle
  • The Reel Body

The Front:

You will see the front of a closed reel is combined of three units: the front shell, the spinster head, and the reel spool.

The reel is structured around the spool and then placed inside with the spinster’s head.

You can unreel the spool line while releasing the button with the microscopic release button set on the spinster’s head.

The spinster head and the reel spool are kept with drag washers.

This entire structure is basically covered by the front shell, made out of plastic, and then warped upon the reel setting every component in the right place.

The Handle:

The handle of your closed face reel is crucial because of the four objects it possesses.

The first object is the starting handle. It has two or three grips. Next, you will find a locking knob to keep the starting handle in a safe place.

You can alter the drag adjustment with an adjustment wheel to make the line resistance more simply and easily. The wheel is star-shaped. You can also call it a drag star.

The Reel Body:

The parts of your closed-faced reel body include the anti-reverse switch, middle pole, thumb release, and the clench rig.

The anti-reverse switch in your closed and open face reel help to prevent the line from unrolling by itself. It is a vital task of the reel body.

The clench rig of your closed face reel’s body control’s the spool by letting the thread unroll it.

The middle pole is also a part of the release mechanism located in your closed faced reel’s body, ensuring the release.

How To Use A Closed Faced Fishing Reel?

To use a closed face fishing reel is more accessible and simpler than other reels as it is designed for kids or newbies.

Five Simple steps to use a closed face fishing reel-

  • Step 1- Hold the fishing rod firmly with your hands and aim for your target. Press the switch button and hold it.
  • Step 2- Level the rod tip with your shoulder. Make sure the thread isn’t twisted around on the rod tip.
  • Step 3- Hold you breathe. Lift and bend your elbow to bring the tip of the rod back over your shoulder.
  • Step 4- Then, bring the rod tip in a forward direction aiming at your target. You can now release the button.
  • Step 5- While releasing your thumb, you bring the rod forward, and you have to point in the direction where you want to throw your cast.

How much lines Should I Put on A Closed Faced Reel?

It depends on the size of your fishing reel and the type of line you are using. If you observe your closed face fishing reel, it will tell you how many lines of each type and tonnage it can grasp. However, there is a rule that you should fill it, leaving 1/4″ part empty from the edge of the spool.

Nevertheless, it is recommended for you to use 200 yards of line. But lines of that length is not available in the market. So, you have to use either a 150 or 300-yard spool. To avoid that problem, use a padding line.

You can save yourselves some extra bucks by starting with a cheap line. Thus, you would be able to finish off with a perfect line.

However, it would be best if you knew how much length you shouldn’t exceed. Remember always to keep the line below the lip. This way, you can ignore an unnecessary problem.

How do you put fishing line on a closed face reel?

You can put a fishing line in your reel by yourself at home. The process is relatively easy and straightforward.

Required materials-

  • Fishing Line
  • Fishing Rod

Step 1: Thread the line through the fishing rod’s hole from the rod tip towards the reel’s direction carefully so that the line does not get wrapped around the rod. You need to give two feet of slack every time after finishing.

Step 2: Press the button to open the covering of the spool. The spool cover focuses on the hinge.

Step 3: At a gap of 3 inches, tie a knot making a coil or loop. String the ring through the middle eyelets of the spool shell. Install the lock through the pointy side of the cover.

Step 4: Slide the coil over the spool and tighten the ‘fishermen’s knot.’

Step 5: Exchange the reel’s spool shell without touching the slackline in between the cover and the reel casing.

Step 6: Introduce assistance while holding onto the spool line. Ask him to straddle on a tool, select any slack from the bar and slightly pressurize to the sides of the spool. As a result, there will be some tension created. Note that he has to stand about 5 feet away from the rod tip.

Step 7: Take a break every 10-15 seconds while reeling the line. Keep spinning at a slow speed and notice how much cable has been reeled. Do not use too much line than the required amount. Stop immediately when the line is about 1/4 inch away from the tip of the rod.

Can you put braided line on a closed face reel?

Yes. You can put a braided line on a closed face reel. But you will have to aim for a shorter distance while casting. And carefully because the braided line may tangle.

You can put a braided line on a closed face reel quickly by yourself. Here’s how:

The materials you will require-

  • Quantum Optix
  • Braided line
  • Electrical Tape

First, lift the arm on your reel. Take the electrical tape and make a single layer wrapping it around the spool. Electrical tape is recommended for you cause of its density and sticky texture.

Use electrical tape as it is soft and sticky, and its density will make the reel spin around the spool smoothly.

Next, fold the line in half, making a crease and tie a little loop on end. Pull the loop and make a little knot.

Take a knife and cut off the tied en. Keep a gap of a quarter of an inch.

String the braided line with a loop on it through the last line guide.

Make another more giant loop beside the former circle and wrap it around the spool. Make it tight enough.

Are closed face reels any good?

Closed face reels are very effective for newbies or beginners to do any fishing adventure. Because it is effortless and simple to cast, you can master it and cast any place you want within a practice of a few days.

Closed face reels are generally recommended for kids. However, professional anglers use them too cause of their simplicity and efficiency.

How to fix a closed face fishing reel? 

Fixing a closed face reel is quite simple. You can fix your reel by following the given steps-

Dissimulate the reel:

This step is quite the risk. To dissimulate your reel if you have to have a good idea about your reel parts. If you don’t want to risk it, take help from the manufacturer’s manual before dissimulating it.

Identify the parts that need fixing:

Observe, and you will know which parts need fixing. Label the elements according to the number you took out first and sizes. Usually, the plastic components of your reel need fixing. Now take them out and replace them.

Apply lubricant:

Apply lubricant like grease under the gears. Please don’t apply on top of it; it will make it messier. Use a clean cloth while applying lube.

Reconstruct the parts:

To rearrange the parts the same as before, follow the numbers on their body that you put while dissimulating them. Use screwdrivers, nuts or tweezers if needs be.

Replace the line:

After you have successfully removed the worn-out materials, replace the line with a new one of the same amount. The line should pass through the eyelets of the rod’s guide. Finally, load the reel.

Open face reel vs. closed face fishing reel?

Though both open-face reel and closed face fishing reel serve the same purpose of catching fish, they have a few differences.

The open-face reel is a bit trickier to use than the closed face reels. Hence, the easy to use and simply fast face reels are suitable for newbies. On the contrary, pro anglers use open-face reels.

You will get more control over your distance and accuracy while casting with an open-faced reel. On the other hand, you can cast up to a certain distance on a closed face reel.

However, despite having some backlashes, beginners or kids can master fishing by casting through a closed face reel.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do electric fishing reels work?

How does a push button fishing reel work?

How does a conventional fishing reel work?

What type of reel casts the farthest?

Do fishing reels come with line?

What is the purpose of backing on a fishing reel?