| As with every other sport, fishing has developed | | | | the most capable in the art of casting, and are |
| a huge set of associated equipment from | | | | available in models strong enough to take on a |
| numerous manufacturers, covering every | | | | real granddaddy catfish, though the issue of |
| conceivable niche in the sport. Within that | | | | strength is the one which will let you down with a |
| gargantuan array of gear, there is further variety | | | | spinning reel, if anything does. Look at Quantum, |
| among the various general components, and | | | | Mitchell and Daiwa reels, here. If you go this route, |
| fishing reels are certainly no exception. For | | | | make sure that the spinning reel you choose has |
| something that is basically a spool to wind your | | | | a strong foot, a solid casing, and a bail made of |
| line on, fishing reels have developed into an | | | | serious metal - no cheapo parts - along with a |
| amazingly complex and scientific breed of | | | | strong hand-crank and a smooth, powerful drag |
| equipment, each model specialized to a particular | | | | control. |
| application, quarry, preference or technical point of | | | | The spincasting reel is similar to a spinning reel, but |
| prowess. For the specialized pursuit of catfish, the | | | | has an enclosed spool, and an "automatic" casting |
| main points of prowess in a reel need to be | | | | system which allows it to be easily handled by |
| durability, reliability and outright strength. Within | | | | novice anglers. Casting is done by depressing and |
| that realm, one can then take into account the | | | | holding a thumb button on the back of the reel, |
| particular style of reel one prefers to use, and the | | | | and releasing it, just as the cast moves to the |
| features and appearance of the reel, to narrow | | | | appropriate release point overhead, which sets |
| down the options. | | | | the line free to be pulled off the reel. Experienced |
| As far as the basic design of the reel goes, | | | | fishermen also use spincasters, but the issue of |
| regardless of the fish sought, there are essentially | | | | strength leaves this design in a questionable light, |
| four designs, or types of reel to choose from. | | | | where really big cats are concerned. Fishermen |
| These are the fly reel, the spinning reel, the | | | | who are after only small or medium-sized fish, |
| spincasting reel and the baitcasting reel. Each | | | | though, will appreciate the simplicity and compact |
| design has its strengths and weaknesses, | | | | design of spincasters, as will those with children or |
| depending on the fishing technique you intend to | | | | other novices whom they are teaching to fish. |
| employ. Different manufacturers make various | | | | The predominant manufacturer in this design is |
| models of each of these four reel types, in | | | | Daiwa, with Mitchell offering a series of |
| varying price ranges, so your choice of reel will | | | | respectable models also. Once again, for heavy |
| come down to its basic capacity to handle the fish | | | | fish, this is not the preferred choice in a reel |
| you expect to hook, the design you prefer to | | | | design, so for any catfish pursuit, make sure that |
| use, and the price you are willing to pay to get | | | | the model you are looking at is rated for a pretty |
| the features you want. | | | | decent sized fish, because cats will put even the |
| To begin, let's look at each of the reel types, as | | | | sturdiest gear to the test. |
| they apply to catfishing. The first reel type, the | | | | The final category, baitcasters, are the |
| fly reel, is only rarely used in catfish fishing, and | | | | catfisherman's best choice, in most arenas, |
| only by folks with strong hands and a penchant | | | | primarily due to their exceptional strength. |
| for torture, fishing in small-cat waters. This is | | | | Baitcasters are the "original" mechanical reel, with |
| because a fly reel is, simply, a manual reel, period. | | | | a strong, horizontal transverse spool, driven by a |
| A heavy catfish can be easily over forty pounds, | | | | high-reduction drive from a large, sturdy |
| and the fly reel's direct, simple and unbridled | | | | hand-crank, and generally equipped with a drag |
| operation make for a chancy option at best, for | | | | control and a level winding device. The biggest |
| landing one. If you really, really want to use a fly | | | | shortfall of baitcasters, is the technique required |
| reel, use a mighty strong fly rod to go with it, | | | | to cast with a conventional reel, although modern |
| and get a reel by one of the better | | | | reels have a number of advancements onboard |
| manufacturers - you're going to need it. | | | | which have made that task somewhat easier. |
| Moving on, the spinning reel is probably the most | | | | However, as far as a reel which can handle even |
| common reel in use today, if not the ultimate | | | | the biggest bait, when casting, and which will |
| preference for the pursuit of catfish. Spinning | | | | withstand all that the heaviest catfish can dish |
| reels use a central, horizontal inline spool of line, | | | | out, baitcasters take it, walking away. Their low |
| with a rotating carriage, called a bail, which wraps | | | | profile, close connection to the rod and strong, |
| the line around the spool, or, alternately, can be | | | | transverse spool design make them pretty tough |
| pulled open to cast the line out. These reels are | | | | to knock off their game. |