What are the main features of a trolling reel? How is it different from other types of reels?

A trolling reel is a specialized fishing gear designed for trolling fishing. Trolling is a fishing method that involves dragging bait or bait lines while a boat is moving slowly to attract fish. Compared to other types of reels, trolling reels have some unique features in design and performance that make them particularly effective when trolling. This article will explore the main features of trolling reels and how they differ from other types of reels.

1. Main Features:
(1) Powerful Drag System
One of the most prominent features of a trolling reel is its powerful drag system. This system is used to control the tension of the fishing line, ensuring that sufficient resistance is provided when a fish is hooked so that the fish will not easily break free. The adjustability of the drag system allows anglers to adjust the resistance according to different fish species and fishing conditions, providing more precise control. During trolling, fish often struggle strongly, and a powerful drag system helps to better cope with these situations.

(2) Large-capacity reel
Trolling reels are usually equipped with large-capacity reel cups that can hold a large amount of fishing line. Compared with traditional reels, trolling reels require longer fishing lines to track the location of fish schools and maintain a certain tension during trolling. This allows trolling reels to accommodate a variety of wire specifications to meet the needs of trolling fish of different sizes and at different depths.

(3) Corrosion-resistant materials
Since trolling often occurs in saltwater environments, trolling reels are usually made of corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel or aluminum alloy. These materials can resist the erosion of saltwater, ensuring that the fishing reel has a long service life in environments such as sea fishing and reducing the risk of rust and damage.

(4) Multi-speed ratio design
Trolling reels usually have a multi-speed ratio design that allows anglers to adjust the speed as needed. During trolling, the speed of the boat and the movement of the bait are key factors. The appropriate speed ratio design can help maintain the optimal trolling state of the bait and attract fish to the hook. The multi-speed ratio design provides greater flexibility to adapt to different fishing environments and target fish species.

(5) Powerful transmission system
Trolling reels are usually equipped with a powerful transmission system that can maintain efficient power output during long-term trolling. This system can not only smoothly reel in large pieces of bait, but also provide sufficient pulling force when fighting large fish, helping anglers to easily cope with high-intensity trolling challenges.

2. Differences from other types of fishing reels:
(1) Compared with traditional spinning reels:
Traditional spinning reels are mainly used for light fishing, especially for casting fishing. Spinning reels are usually designed to be lighter and suitable for small fish or near-shore fishing. Unlike trolling reels, spinning reels have smaller spools and lower capacity, cannot accommodate too much fishing line, and lack a powerful traction system. Therefore, it is not suitable for long-term and large-scale trolling activities.

Trolling reels have larger capacity and stronger traction systems, which are suitable for ocean fishing, lake fishing, and scenes that require long-term trolling. At the same time, trolling reels are usually heavier to meet the pulling force requirements of large fish, so compared with spinning reels, trolling reels have a stronger structure.

(2) Compared with Baitcasting Reel: Baitcasting reel is usually used for casting fishing, which is suitable for fishing activities that require accurate casting and quick line recovery in a short time. Baitcasting reel has higher precision and is suitable for anglers who pursue high precision. However, the line capacity and drag of Baitcasting reel are smaller than those of trolling reel. It is more suitable for precise control of small baits, while trolling reel relies more on large-capacity spool and strong drag to deal with larger fish.

Trolling reel usually does not require very accurate casting, so its design focuses more on durability, large line capacity and strong transmission, while Baitcasting reel focuses more on fine control.

(3) Compared with Conventional Reel: Conventional reel has many similarities with trolling reel, especially in sea fishing, many trolling reels are also a variant of Baitcasting reel. Both can deal with larger fish and have higher line capacity and drag system. However, trolling reels tend to focus more on long-term trolling and stability when the boat is moving, while marine reels offer flexible applications in a variety of fishing methods and have a wider range of uses.