Fishing terms

Bait Casting (or level-wind) Reel A reel with a revolving spool that is mounted perpendicular to the axis of the rod. The spool turns to dispense and retrieve line. Anglers cast a baitcasting reel by depressing or moving a switch that puts the reel into freespool, allowing line to come off the spool. Turning the reels handle automatically engages the reel and allows line to wind onto the spool. Baitcasting reels are mounted on top of fishing rods.

Bass Boat A type of boat that is functional where casting is required and presentation and boat positioning is important, averaging 17 - 20' in length and made of fiberglass, though some are made of aluminum.

Braided Line Intertwined strands of material (usually Dacron or polyethylene) making a multifilament line.

Crankbait Refers to various small-to-mid-sized treble-hooked diving and sinking lures that have a built-in vibrating or wiggling action. Some have "lips" attached to the front that force the lure to swim at a certain depth during retrieve. The term originated from the fact that the simplest way to fish such a lure after casting it is by cranking the reel steadily to bring it in with a nonstop retrieve.

Drag Clutch that that lets line slip from the reel at varying pressures as force is applied to the line. When using light line, if the drag is set tight, there is a good chance of breaking the line during or after the hookset.

Freespool Disengaging the gears of a revolving spool reel so that its spool can freely turn backward to dispense line.

Gear Ratio Ratio of the drive & pinion gears in a reel that establishes the number of revolutions made by the spool per turn of the handle.

Hookset Reaction to a fish strike when the angler ensures that the hook sets firmly in the fish's mouth, usually beginning with the rod tip held low & pointed toward the fish and ends with the rod butt held chest high.

Jig A lure with a metal head (usually lead) molded to a single hook. Jigs are usually dressed with pork rind soft plastic or and other synthetic material.

Line Test Breaking strength of fishing line, expressed in pounds. Livewell A containment device for keeping fish or bait alive. Usually aerated with a pump to provided added oxygen to fish.

Monofilament In the strictest sense, this means a single strand of line, but the term is commonly used to denote nylon line.

Playing Fish The time between hookset & landing a fish, often involving the use of pressure & rod position to keep the fish away from obstacles.

Soft Plastics Lures, or body components of lures, made with soft synthetic material and imitating worms, lizards, baitfish and other natural food.

Split Ring A small steel ring with two spiral turns, similar to a key ring but much smaller, used to connect the closed eye of hooks to a closed wire hook on a lure and to serve as a line connector to certain lures.

Spincasting (or pushbutton) Reel A reel that features a fixed spool situated parallel to the axis of the rod. Line flows freely from the reel when an angler presses and then releases the button on the reel with his thumb. The spool is mounted inside a cone-like hood with a small opening at its tip through which the line comes out. Turning the reels handle automatically engages an internal pin that guides line onto the spool as the handle is turned. Spincasting reels are usually mounted on top of a fishing rod.

Spinnerbait A lure with a V-like configuration when viewed form the side. The lower arm of the V has a tapered metal head and hook that is usually garnished with a skirt or soft-bodied grub. The upper arm features one or two freely revolving blades.

Spinning Reel A multipurpose open-faced fishing reel with a stationary spool that is situated parallel to the axis of the rod. Line is wound onto the spool through a device on the reels housing called a pickup bail. Gears inside the reel move the spool forward and aft to ensure line fills the spool in evenly distributed layers. Anglers cast a spinning reel by lifting the pickup bail, which puts the reel into freespool, and holding the line with one finger then releasing it when casting. Turning the reels handle drops the bail back into place and allows line to be wound onto the spool. Spinning Reels are mounted on the bottom of fishing rods.

Spoon A sinking, wobbling lure, primarily made of metal.