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Level Wind Reels – Pros and Cons

It’s a fairly regular occurrence in my shop – an inshore angler (saltwater) will drop in and ask for our assistance on purchasing a reel. Many want our guidance on whether to purchase a level wind conventional reel or an open style conventional reel. These products are completely different – the open style conventional reel doesn’t have the level winding features. While both styles of reel have definite benefits, they both also have their unique challenges.

The best answer to this question is simple – take into consideration how you fish, your personal preferences and finally, what kind of line you intend to use most of the time. These factors will help you make an informed decision about which reel type is best for your needs.

Open wind reels have fewer moving parts, while level wind reels use a pawl that runs across a worm shaft on the front of your reel. While the open wind reel requires interaction from the angler to properly rewind a line, the level wind reel accomplishes this through the mechanism that is inherent to this reel type.

While the bottom line is that most anglers will decide which reel to use based almost entirely on their personal preference, you’re likely to find that most inshore saltwater anglers prefer the open wind reel. The reasons for this if you talk to an inshore salt water angler are mainly based on the fact that level wind reels have far more likelihood of breakdown and some anglers feel that the level wind reel also interferes with proper casting. Repairs are nearly impossible to rebuke – level wind reels have more moving parts meaning an increase in failure possibilities. Since inshore saltwater anglers will nearly always wander off on foot to their favorite fishing spot, they likely will carry only a single rod and reel meaning that an equipment breakdown is a major inconvenience and will result in a wasted day of angling. Remember, a level wind reel requires impeccable cleaning since a single grain of sand can cause the reel to fail when you are fighting with a fish and could cost you the catch of the day.

Another article will take on the differences in fishing line types, but it is important that you consider this when you’re purchasing a reel. if you are primarily fishing with monofilament line, you’re probably more likely to need the benefits offered by level wind reels and if braided line is your preference then you’ll be better off with an open wind conventional reel. Dacron braided lines and monofilament lines have significant differences in how they reel back in after that big catch.

Most people still use monofilament line – it’s inexpensive, it’s lightweight and it’s readily available. It’s not however without its drawbacks especially when you’re fishing an area that offers an abundance of large fish. If you’re using an open wind conventional reel with monofilament line, you’re going to need to control your line when you’re reeling it in. Monofilament line tends to pile up on an open wind reel and is more prone to being high enough that it interferes with the operation of a reel. The overall problem comes when the line piles up at the back of the reel, binds the spool against the frame and ultimately causes you to miss an opportunity to land a great fish.

It is probably this single characteristic that means that an angler has to learn how to use their thumb to guide the line back and forth on an open reel. This allows the line to spool nearly evenly back on an open, non-level wind reel. This does take some practice, and unfortunately when you’ve got a fish that is destined to become one of your best catches, chances are pretty slim you’re going to be considering how evenly your line is rewinding.

For anglers who use braided line, this typically is not an issue. Because of the additional weight and its overall construction, braided line doesn’t tend to bunch up on an open wind reel. In fact, braided Dacron line tends to go back on the reel as nearly perfectly as one could expect with very little attention from the angler. For those who prefer braided Dacron lines, an open wind reel is definitely the one to purchase.

I will tell you, and you can confirm with any repair shop owner that far more level wind reels come in for repair than open wind reels. The reason for this is very obvious – an open wind reel has far fewer moving parts which result in far less opportunities for failure. It’s important that anyone purchasing a reel is aware of this issue, and understands that there is no manufacturer that is spared these additional repairs. The fact is that the overall construction of the level wind reel with its additional small parts will result in more breakdowns. The additional pressure resulting from a large fish, minute grains of salt and sand all combine with the pawl to put additional pressure on fishing line. Throw in failure to properly clean and lubricate a reel and the end result is that the reel is going to fail at some point. Open faced conventional reels simply do not have these drawbacks.

While your personal preferences are certainly going to play a significant role in your final decision, also take into consideration your line type and your fishing habits – rigging or casting – and you’ll be able to make a sound decision between the level wind conventional reel and open conventional reel.

With all the different types of reels out there things can get confusing. Doing your research before hand can save yourself a headache. Some of the most popular reels include: Daiwa Seaborg 300FB, Daiwa Viento, and Shimano Stella FD.