What does the term "Level wind" mean when it comes to fishing reels?
Posted on Sep 05, 2009 under Fishing Reels | 3 CommentsI know that it’s a feature found on some bait casting reels but I’m unsure of its meaning or purpose.
The level wind is a small loop that the line passes through as it is wound onto the reel, as you wind in the line it moves back and forth across the face of the reel ensuring that the line is wound onto the reel in a uniform and level manner.
Most seasoned fishermen remove this feature as in casting it actually slows down the rate at which the line leaves the reel and therefore cuts down on distance, that being said, it is a great addition to have when fishing at night or spinning.
September 5th, 2009 at 8:06 am
It a line guide that moves back and forth that keeps the line level on the spool as you wind or reel it in.
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September 5th, 2009 at 8:56 am
The level wind is a small loop that the line passes through as it is wound onto the reel, as you wind in the line it moves back and forth across the face of the reel ensuring that the line is wound onto the reel in a uniform and level manner.
Most seasoned fishermen remove this feature as in casting it actually slows down the rate at which the line leaves the reel and therefore cuts down on distance, that being said, it is a great addition to have when fishing at night or spinning.
References :
September 5th, 2009 at 9:43 am
I think it’s pretty much standard on baitcasting reels not so on conventionals which have either or the level wind feature or not. To me fishing off a pier where I fish under them between and up against pilings, with the level wind when fishing in a cluster of structure the focus of the fight is on the reeling at the proper point the rod comes up as well as guiding the head of the fish away from running around the pilings and not having to deal with hand (or finger) feeding the line on to the reel) which does take a bit of concentration during the fight. Out in open seas where structureless fishing is primary for big game, the level wind feature is not quite needed. However for downrigger fishing and trolling many love the feature. The way around the line guide causing enough friction to actually lesson the casters ability to cast as far as those without the line guide is: before casting setting the guide into the middle of the spool so when releasing line the difference between say a guide on the right with the line coming off the left side of the spool. Where evening out the distance from left or right side location to middle will certainly lessen the fiction and allow further casts.
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