CASTING REEL

Casting and spinning reels have distinct characteristics. Depending on your fishing style, the species of fish you're targeting, and the size and weight of your lures, you'll likely choose one or the other.

The fishing reel was invented in the 18th century, but its evolution was gradual. The first metal fishing reel, as we know it today, was invented in 1650 in England, according to some historians.

Modern spinning reels were popularized in the 19th century. Over the years, reel design has evolved with technical innovations to improve performance, durability, and ease of use.

Modern reels, like those we use today (spinning, casting), continued to evolve in the 20th century with major improvements in materials, design, and technology, particularly in the 1940s and 1950s, with the invention of reels like the Mitchell 300 (1948) and the Abu Ambassadeur 5000 (1952).

There is a very wide range of reels, and their quality, durability, and therefore price can vary enormously. Budget reels are often made of plastic, while higher-end models are made of aluminum. The number of ball bearings and the quality of the gears are also factors in durability.

The casting reel is placed above the fishing rod. The casting reel has several advantages and disadvantages depending on its use and the angler's preferences.

The casting reel is widely used for predator fishing, particularly for pike fishing in Sweden. It allows for more precise casts, making it particularly useful for short- to medium-range fishing. It also provides better line control thanks to its magnetic brake system. When properly adjusted, this system prevents the "wigs" (line tangling) so dreaded by anglers.

Thanks to its design, the casting reel is a true "winch," generally more powerful than spinning reels, allowing for faster and more forceful retrieval. Casting reels are very effective for casting heavier lures such as the "big baits" used for pike fishing. It's also very effective for using soft lures such as shad and swimbait, hard lures such as jerk and swimbait, and large spinner baits, which are very effective for pike fishing.

As for the disadvantages of a casting reel, the settings can be more difficult for beginners to master. The weight and price are often higher than those of a spinning reel.

SPINNING REEL

The spinning reel is mounted under the fishing rod and is generally less expensive than the casting reel. It is one of the most popular and widely used types of reels, especially for beginners and all-around anglers. Unlike the casting reel, the spool is fixed, and the line is wound by rotating a part around the spool. To release the line before casting, you must raise the "pickup."

The casting technique is more intuitive, and there is less risk of "wigs" (line winding) than with a casting reel.

One of the first "modern" spinning reels was the "MITCHELL 300," created by the French brand in 1948. This reel was one of the first to use a fixed rotor system and quickly became one of the most iconic and popular models in the fishing world.

This type of reel is extremely versatile and suitable for a wide variety of fishing techniques, whether float fishing, trolling, using small lures, carp fishing, catfish fishing...

Compared to casting reels, spinning reels generally require less maintenance and are less prone to line tangles, due to their simpler mechanism. Spinning reels are particularly effective for long casts.

On the downside, a spinning reel offers less control over the line during casting, especially for heavy lures. This can result in a less precise casting trajectory.

Spinning reels are less effective for casting heavy lures but are still very suitable for pike fishing with smaller lures than casting reels. Their design is less suited to handling heavy loads or large lures such as "big baits."

In summary, casting reels are perfect for anglers looking for precision, control, and power, especially for heavy lures. However, they require a certain amount of expertise and more extensive maintenance.

Spinning reels are ideal for their versatility. It is easy to use, lightweight, and suitable for a wide range of techniques, but it lacks precision and power for certain specialized situations.