Fishing reel

A fishing reel is a hand-cranked device used in angling to wind and stow fishing line.

While most reels are mounted onto a fishing rod, some are used on compound bows or crossbows for bowfishing. Modern recreational reels include specific fittings to assist with casting distance and accuracy. They also allow the angler to control the speed and tension of line retrieval. This control is vital to prevent the line from snapping or the hook from being dislodged from a fish.

Fishing reels are categorized into two primary design groups: rotary-spool and fixed-spool. In a rotary-spool design, the spool actively rotates to wind the line around itself. These can be single-action or multiplier models. Single-action reels have a synchronous relationship between the crank handle and the spool. Multiplier reels use an internal gear train to amplify the movement. For every one revolution of the crank handle, the spool performs two or more revolutions. This allows for much faster line retrieval.

Fixed-spool designs function differently, behaving more like a spindle. In these models, the spool itself has no rotating motion. Instead, a separate spinning mechanism revolves around the stationary spool to drag and wrap the line. Albert Illingworth patented a modern form of this fixed-spool spinning reel in 1905. In his design, the line is drawn off the leading edge of the spool. It is then restrained and rewound by a line pickup device that orbits the spool. Because the line does not pull against a rotating spool, anglers can cast much lighter lures.

Another specific rotary design is the centrepin reel, also known as a float reel. This is a single-action reel that runs freely on its axle, or centrepin. It is the earliest fishing reel design used by humans. Modern anglers often use it for coarse fishing or a method called "trotting." In trotting, a float on the line suspends bait at a certain depth to flow with the current. Because the reel lacks a mechanical drag, the angler typically uses their thumb to control the fish.

The history of the fishing reel began in China. The earliest textual evidence appears in a 3rd-century AD Chinese work called *Lives of Famous Immortals*. This text mentions a device called an "angling lathe."

Poets during the Tang and Song dynasties also wrote about "angling lathes" and "angle-fishing wheels." The earliest known graphical depiction is found in a 1195 painting by Ma Yuan titled "Angler on a Wintry Lake."

These early designs were likely derived from winches or windlasses. They closely resemble the modern centrepin reels used today.

Fishing reels appeared in the Western Hemisphere in England around 1650. The book *The Art of Angling*, published in 1651, was the first English language book to cite their use. By the 1760s, London tackle shops were advertising multiplying reels that used brass gears. In the United States, George W. Snyder, a watchmaker, created the Kentucky Reel in 1810. This was the first American-made design. It was later mass-produced by factories in the Northeast, making fishing more affordable for all levels of society.

In the latter half of the 20th century, the global market changed significantly. Japanese and Scandinavian manufacturers began to dominate the industry. Companies like Shimano and Daiwa rose to prominence. These companies were originally precision engineering manufacturers for watchmaking and biking equipment. They applied this technical expertise to reel production. Today, reels are used in many settings, from deep-drop trolling on ocean-going sport boats to fly fishing in small streams.