Components of a typical open-face spinning reel.

"I got a bite!" Keeping the bite on the line depends on more than skill. It also depends on your fishing tackle being in top shape so it can rewind the line with the proper speed and tension. When you've got a fish on the line, it's too late to fix a broken reel. So checking and fixing your fishing reel is a good thing to do before you set out to catch the big one.

How Does It Work?

A fishing reel is a small winch mounted on a fishing rod to retract a fishing line. The four most common types of fishing reels are fly reels, open-face spinning reels, closed-face spinning reels, and bait-casting reels. If you're a fisherperson you already know which to use when. Here's how to troubleshoot and repair them.

What Can Go Wrong?

Keeping a fishing reel clean and lubricated will avoid many problems. Parts do, however, wear out and break. The spring on a fly reel spool can become fatigued, causing the spool to loosen. The spring-and-pawl mechanism that keeps the spool from turning on its own in the frame may wear out or break. The bail of an open-face spinning reel may break. Bait-casting reel drag washers and springs may wear or break.

Fix-It Tip

Fly reels last longer if cleaned with a small amount of alcohol or kerosene after every use. Also apply lightweight oil on other moving parts of the reel before storage. The same advice goes for spinning and bait-casting reels. A little preventive maintenance can add years to your fishing enjoyment.

Components of a typical open-face spinning reel.