One of the most common questions posed by inshore saltwater anglers is which reel type to purchase. The two options, a level wind conventional reel or an open style conventional reel have both advantages and disadvantages depending on a number of features. This is a decision that nearly ever angler is going to have to make at one time or another, so having the information on the benefits and pitfalls of each type of reel is critical to purchasing the right one.

The decision of what type of reel to purchase requires that you not only consider your personal preferences, but also how you intend to use the reel (what type of fishing) and what type of line that you normally fish with. Each factor must be carefully weighed and once you have accounted for them, you can make the best possible decision about which reel works best for you.

A level wind reel is perfect if you’re fishing almost exclusively with monofilament line. A level wind uses guides that will ensure that your line rewinds smoothly without the bunching up that is common in an open wind conventional reel when you’re reeling in that big catch. The reel uses a simple pawl that runs back and forth across the front of the reel on a worm shaft. This is completely unlike an open style conventional reel which has no guide line. Those who use open style conventional reels will find they have to take certain steps to ensure that monofilament line is correctly spooled back to their reel.

While the bottom line is that most anglers will decide which reel to use based almost entirely on their personal preference, you’re likely to find that most inshore saltwater anglers prefer the open wind reel. The reasons for this if you talk to an inshore salt water angler are mainly based on the fact that level wind reels have far more likelihood of breakdown and some anglers feel that the level wind reel also interferes with proper casting. Repairs are nearly impossible to rebuke – level wind reels have more moving parts meaning an increase in failure possibilities. Since inshore saltwater anglers will nearly always wander off on foot to their favorite fishing spot, they likely will carry only a single rod and reel meaning that an equipment breakdown is a major inconvenience and will result in a wasted day of angling. Remember, a level wind reel requires impeccable cleaning since a single grain of sand can cause the reel to fail when you are fighting with a fish and could cost you the catch of the day.

Another article will take on the differences in fishing line types, but it is important that you consider this when you’re purchasing a reel. if you are primarily fishing with monofilament line, you’re probably more likely to need the benefits offered by level wind reels and if braided line is your preference then you’ll be better off with an open wind conventional reel. Dacron braided lines and monofilament lines have significant differences in how they reel back in after that big catch.

Monofilament is a great line – it’s cost effective, it’s lightweight but it does have some downsides. One of them which can be problematic when you’re reeling in the catch of the day is this lines tendency to pile up in one spot on the spool when you’re reeling it in. Let us face it – we all understand the mechanics of reels – the more line that piles up the more likely it is to get high enough to interfere with proper reel operation. Worse yet, this line can bind the spool against the frame which creates even more problems. It’s a bit ironic – these types of issues almost always occur when you have a fish headed right for you – the line piles up at the back of the reel and you’ve missed your opportunity.

This common characteristic forces anglers to learn how to guide their line back on the open reel. This is not difficult to do, it merely takes some practice to learn how to rewind your line evenly. Using their thumb, most anglers will quickly find that their line will go back on an open reel easily. One of the downsides however, is that it’s easy to get distracted from the care necessary for even winding when you’re reeling that big fish in.

For anglers who use braided line, this typically is not an issue. Because of the additional weight and its overall construction, braided line doesn’t tend to bunch up on an open wind reel. In fact, braided Dacron line tends to go back on the reel as nearly perfectly as one could expect with very little attention from the angler. For those who prefer braided Dacron lines, an open wind reel is definitely the one to purchase.

I will tell you, and you can confirm with any repair shop owner that far more level wind reels come in for repair than open wind reels. The reason for this is very obvious – an open wind reel has far fewer moving parts which result in far less opportunities for failure. It’s important that anyone purchasing a reel is aware of this issue, and understands that there is no manufacturer that is spared these additional repairs. The fact is that the overall construction of the level wind reel with its additional small parts will result in more breakdowns. The additional pressure resulting from a large fish, minute grains of salt and sand all combine with the pawl to put additional pressure on fishing line. Throw in failure to properly clean and lubricate a reel and the end result is that the reel is going to fail at some point. Open faced conventional reels simply do not have these drawbacks.

Take into consideration your personal preferences and the type of line you’re going to be using and combine this with whether you’re rigging or casting and these factors will help in making your final decision of whether to purchase an open wind reel or a level wind reel and you’ll ultimately make the right choice.

With all the different types of reels out there things can get confusing. Doing your research before hand can save yourself a headache. Some of the most popular reels include: Seaborg SB300FB, Daiwa Viento, and Shimano Stella FD.