As best that I can remember the standard reel was bait caster, after the fly
reel. You had to use the thumb for line control or you very bad backlashes.
Then came the spinning reel, open face. it did not have much feel of the
line or bait. It still had tangled line as it twisted the line where as
the baitcaster was a level wind & tghe line came in flat. Then came the
spincast, a combination between the standard baitcaster & the spinning reel.
It could be cast by a beginner with out backlash.

Now the baitcaster reels have brakes of different designs to slow dow the
spool to help prevent backlash.

The cost is usally dependant on the method of brake. The range fro friction
to computer driven.


I still use an Ambassador 3000 I purchased many years ago, at least 30, it
cost about $60.00 then at a discount store. The new 3000 models are about
the same price. You still have to lightly use the thumb for good control
after getting the brate set for line, rod, & lure weight or size.

I also use a Scientic Angler Fly Reel & a Martin automatic fly reel.

Keep them cleaned & lubed for many years of fishing.

Good luck




"Bob" wrote in message
om...
Hello all...I am a newbie to the whole fishing scene, and I was
wondering what the big differences are between conventional reels, and
the bigger, beefier looking baitcasting reels? I've been told that
conventional reels really aren't that great to cast with (supposedly
it takes some fancy thumb work to prevent recoil tangles), but
baitcasting reels on the other hand have the word casting attached to
their name...what's the difference? Do they have mechanisms that
facilitate casting in any way? (not to mention that with most
manufacturers, baitcasting reels are a LOT more expensive compared to
their conventional models.)


Thanks a lot!