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If you want to buy a reel as a holiday gift for your favorite angler, there are a few things you want to avoid.

Avoid off-name brands. Make sure the reel you choose is manufactured by a reputable company. Abu Garcia, Penn, Shimano, Pflueger, Mitchell, Shakespeare, and Zebco are some of the best known brands. If you have doubts, ask the staff in the tackle store. In some sporting good stores, the staff doesn't really know about the products they are selling. Avoid those stores unless you are sure what you want.

Avoid the wrong type of reel for the fishing your angler prefers. Certain reels are better for different types of fishing.

Spin casting or closed-face reels are mainly used by inexperienced people and kids. These are less prone to tangling the line and are controlled by a push button. The closed-face limits the amount of line that can be put on the reel. This restricts the casting distance. Don't insult your fisherman by giving him a closed-faced reel.

Bait-casting reels allow the angler to cast farther for a better presentation to the fish. Artificial lures can be used with these reels as well as live bait. You have to use your thumb on the reel to control the release of the line. That takes a little practice. Bait-casting reels are popular for bass fishing and for trolling with a boat.

Spinning reels are open-faced and have a metal wire across the spool to control the release of the line. These reels are easier to use than the bait-casting reels and come in right-hand or left-hand models. Some of them can be used for either hand. Avoid giving your angler the wrong model.

Avoid buying a reel with a small number of ball bearings. These ball bearings support the moving parts and allow the reel to work more smoothly. The higher the number of ball bearings, the smoother the reel will operate. If you're buying a reel for use in salt water, the ball bearing should be made of stainless steel.

Fly fishermen use a very specific type of reel. It is a simple spool with a hole for the line to feed through. The casting is done by feeding the line with one hand while casting with the other. It takes a lot of practice to cast well with a fly rod. There are fly fishing reels intended for use in salt water that are high quality and that have a disk type drag system.

If you avoid getting the wrong type or quality reel, you'll make the angler in your life very happy with your gift.

Learn more about this author, Lynn Jordan.
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