Barrel style reels

[Cam1988]

Gday everyone. I used to go fishing with my old man back in the day and I always preferred a lure. My 4 year old got a rod for Christmas so I am going to get back into it with him.

I recall my dad buying me a special rod and reel for lures and the reel was a barrel style that sat horizontally and the line came straight off and down the guide rings. I remember having to keep my thumb on it while casting or it would birds nest.

Having just been down to the local sporting shop I was surprised to see no reels of this design at all. Is there something inherently wrong with the reel design? I remember thinking it was great. If they still exist does anyone have any experience with them and know what they are actually called

Cheers,

Cam.

[ellicat]

Haha, welcome to the forum.

What you are looking for is called a 'baitcaster' or, in a bigger version, an 'overhead'.

They are very popular, so your sports store must not cater to fishermen well.

[Cam1988]

2 minutes ago, ellicat said:

Haha, welcome to the forum.

What you are looking for is called a 'baitcaster' or, in a bigger version, an 'overhead'.

They are very popular, so your sports store must not cater to fishermen well.

Thanks mate, you're a legend. What a relief. I'll drive to a better shop I reckon.

I remember having to be gentle with the rod because it was more fragile than a fibreglass rod. Or maybe the old man was pulling my leg and wanted me to stop being rough

[ellicat]

He was probably fair dinkum. Rods these days are often not fibreglass, but graphite/carbon. These do need to be treated well. A scratch can create a weak point and their tip is unforgiving if it's bent too far.

They are better for throwing around lures though.

 

[Bretto77]

Sounds like you're old man was either very patient or had great confidence in you, or both...Overhead reels are definitely not on the agenda for my kids yet

[Ed.]

If you are going to get a reel, and you want to get an overhead/baitcaster, just make sure that the rod is suited for that style of reel. Chances are that the rod your son got for a pressie is probably or most likely a spinning reel type of rod, rods are built different to suit each type of reel.

[Old Scaley]

Baitcaster or overhead reels are a bit more difficult to use than spinning reels and would be very difficult for a 4 year old (just my opinion).  I wonder if your old man had you using a closed face reel? Google it and you will see it looks a bit like like a barrel. And you don’t see them in many tackle shops. @Ed. is right about rods for different reels. Any decent tackle shop should be able to match the right reel to your son’s rod.  Good luck. I hope you enjoy teaching him to fish.

[Cam1988]

47 minutes ago, Ed. said:

If you are going to get a reel, and you want to get an overhead/baitcaster, just make sure that the rod is suited for that style of reel. Chances are that the rod your son got for a pressie is probably or most likely a spinning reel type of rod, rods are built different to suit each type of reel.

Thank you. I got an unweighted inline spinner lure to chuck on my sons little 4 foot rod and I'll be keeping the standard reel.

I am looking at the baitcaster for myself. Good to know not to buy a reel on its own for any old pole though as there are plenty of old rods available in my dads shed when I get around to driving there to collect a few.

 

I appreciate everyone's help. I've been looking at rods, reels, lines, lures and fish in my area for about 6 hours straight now. Rainbow trout, brown trout, tench (whatever that is), estuary perch, yellowbelly and redfin.

[Cam1988]

22 minutes ago, Old Scaley said:

Baitcaster or overhead reels are a bit more difficult to use than spinning reels and would be very difficult for a 4 year old (just my opinion).  I wonder if your old man had you using a closed face reel? Google it and you will see it looks a bit like like a barrel. And you don’t see them in many tackle shops. @Ed. is right about rods for different reels. Any decent tackle shop should be able to match the right reel to your son’s rod.  Good luck. I hope you enjoy teaching him to fish.

I just had a look and it's definitely a baitcaster and not a closed face. I was likely closer to 10 years old when I started fishing with my dad. I am trying to start a lot earlier with my son. The first attempt when he was given the rod he fished for about 15 minutes and then climbed the rocks around to the beach to make sandcastles. I'll be fishing at the lake with him later this week where a playground is nearby