How Does a Conventional Fishing Reel Work?

If you are a newbie and fishing is your hobby, then there’s an obvious chance that you have highly thought over using a conventional fishing reel.

As the name applies, conventional fishing reels have the easiest functioning process, you just need to move the level wind to spool line evenly, and you’ll be done with casting. So catch your first fish by using a conventional reel.

How Does A Conventional Fishing Reel Work?

A Conventional fishing reel is functioned and controlled by an adjustment knob. When the knob is pressurized, it makes the spool brake system that is placed by the side of the reel faster or slower and enables the spool to release the line. Both the start and lever drag have this configuration.

Table of Contents

If you use the star drag spinning wheel, then use the star-shaped drag control knob to adjust the drag, and for the lever drag, then you can effortlessly increase and decrease the drag amount by adjusting the drag lever by shifting your arms forward-backward.

And when you wish to throw, if you are using a star drag model, then use the latch to discharge the fishing reel, but if you are a lever drag user, then by utilizing the drag arm, the reel will automatically release.

What Is A Conventional Reel?

Conventional fishing reels are systematically identical to the baitcasting fishing reels, but these are larger in the structure as these reels are used in hunting. And these reels are also known as trolling reels.

Conventional reels are mainly for trapping big and strong fishes in the jagged situation where any other reels can’t stand up to the pressure. People mostly use these reels for offshore fishing, but these can be used for drift, deep-drop fishing.

Conventional fishing reels are indisputably the easiest ones to learn, and beginners enjoy such a convenient fishing reel.

But these reels are not made for casting because they are larger in size, and it is difficult to cast such large reels. But sometimes, smaller sizes can be used for casting. Conventional reels are often mounted on stiff rods like boat rods.

How Do You Cast With A Conventional Reel?

Casting is the most basic and significant component of your fishing game. Presumably, it would be difficult for you to trap fishes without learning casting methods. Consequently, proper casting techniques will increase your opportunities for catching fishes.

Learning basic casting rules with a conventional reel may seem challenging, but if you patiently follow all these step-by-step guidelines below, sooner you will become a pro at casting with conventional reels.

Assemble your conventional fishing reel

The foremost step is to assemble your fishing reel appropriately. You must ensure that the conventional reel is in the downcast direction of your fishing rod. Because it will be convenient for you to utilize the conventional reel.

Get a proper dominant grip on your fishing rod

In this step, you are required to hold your fishing rod like you are giving hand for a handshake, then keeping your thumb at the upper part, wrap your fingers around the conventional reel’s handle.

Make sure that the fishing rod’s rear end or bottom is laid on your forearm and is in a relaxed position.

Load the conventional reel and cast it out the line

Roll the conventional reel until it goes on the upper side of the reel, then keep your index finger on the reel and drag the fishing line slowly against your fishing rod.

Then use your non-dominant hand to drag the height of the fishing line between 10 to 15 meters.

It lessens the conflict between your fishing rod and spinning reel. Also, you must ensure to have a clasp on the additional fishing line.

Cast the line

At this point, when you are ready to cast with your conventional reel, flick, or whip your wrist and forearm somewhat backward to drag the fishing rod straight.

Make sure to release the fishing line fully to unfold behind you.

Remember, having great a great sense of timing is everything here while casting with a conventional reel.

How To Use A Conventional Reel Without Level Wind?

The level wind mechanism of conventional reels often wraps up the line onto the spool without creating a spot that can stop the fishing reel from spinning.

Therefore, to make it easier for a step-by-step guideline has been given below, from where you’ll be able to comprehend how to use a conventional reel without level wind.

It’s all in the thumb

You constantly need to assist the line backward-forward using your thumb to use a conventional reel without level wind.

Cast the fishing line

After that, slowly, with a dominant hand, cast the fishing line and control the reel with your thumb.

On the retrieve

Lastly, direct the fishing cord with your non-dominant thumb and pull the spinning wheel back with another hand.

How Much Line To Put On A Conventional Reel?

When it comes to putting lines on a conventional reel, it is obvious for you to think over this heated topic because conventional reels require braided lines, and braided lines are nearly non-flexible.

Braided lines easily don’t come off, and perhaps you’ll get tangled as the lure tends to snap back and will give you a more tangled tangle.

Therefore, considering this fact, you better not use a counted yards of line on your conventional reel. Just use the specific amount that you are required to get your fishing done smoothly.

But while fishing at the lake or pond, a hundred yards of lines for your conventional reel will do the job perfectly. Just make sure of not getting a hefty layer of lines because then it will be a real headache for you.

How To Spool A Conventional Reel?

One of the effective ways of spooling a conventional reel is the bucket method. To make you understand how you can spool a conventional reel, detailed steps and all the materials you’ll be needing are given below. All you have to do is follow these steps spool reel like a pro.

Materials: For this particular reel spooling method, you will be needing-

A pair of thick gloves
A five-gallon bucket
Two-gallon water
Conventional reel

Step 1: Tie an arbor knot

First, tie an arbor knot or coequal to it to help your spool, then snip the end of the tag, leaving nearly an inch.

Step 2: Drop-in water bucket

After that, take your spool and plunge it into a bucket full of water.

Step 3: Hold and pinch the line

Then wear your gloves and hold the rod tightly, and with the help of your thumb and index finger, squeeze the line snugly.

Step 4: Pressurize the line

Lastly, pressurize the line while you reel using another hand. But make sure to move your hand, giving pressure from one side to another to put down the line evenly.

Can You Use A Spinning Rod Without A Conventional Reel?

Yes, certainly you can use a spinning rod without a conventional reel. Spinning rods are particularly made for spinning reels because both are shorter and lighter in size.

But on the contrary, the conventional reel is larger in size, so typically it requires a longer and heftier rod such as a casting rod.

Furthermore, conventional reels are used to trap heftier fishes and for short yet accurate casting. On the other hand, spinning rods are best for casting lighter baits and longer cast, and such a rod is used for inshore fishing or surf fishing.

Therefore, it is evident that a spinning rod can be used without a conventional reel.

What Is The Difference Between A Baitcaster And A Conventional Reel?

A conventional reel and a baitcaster have a lot of similarities, but the application of anglers in saltwater and freshwater has created a difference between them.

You still must be thinking about the difference, therefore have a look at the detailed description of the differences between these two types of reels.

Conventional Reel

Conventional reels are heftier and larger in size
Conventional reels are not a lower form of reels
The spool of conventional reel sits underneath the rod, and it’s perpendicular
Used for offshore fishing

Baitcaster Reel

Baitcaster reels are a little low-profile reel
Baitcaster reels sit on top of the rod and its spool inline with the fishing shaft.
Used for fishing in both saltwater and freshwater
These reels are lightweight

Conventional Reel vs. Spinning Reel

The major comparison between conventional reels and spinning reels is, conventional reels sit underneath the rod perpendicularly, and spinning reels sit parallel to the fishing rod and attach below the fishing rod.

Conventional reels accurately cast, but spinning reels don’t cast so accurately.

Conventional reels can run from backlashes, while spinning reels have fewer chances of having a backlash.

How Do You Hold A Conventional Rod?

Holding a conventional rod is easy; all you need to do is place the rod underneath of your arm, holding it tightly, operate the level wind side to side of the reel to spool line.

And the lines are evenly allocated as the reel allows it. Lastly, get a strong grip at the wheel and drag it back-forth to control the fishing rod.

Conventional reels are a game-changer while trapping big fishes, the variety and control over its spinning wheels help to cast more accurately, and it is suitable to use with any kind of fishing line. Thus, all these advantages made it popular for offshore fishing.