Spool
From The Angler's Dictionary — your encyclopedia of fishing rods, reels, and tackle
The spool is the cylindrical component inside a fishing reel that holds the fishing line. It is one of the most critical parts of any reel because its design affects casting distance, line capacity, and drag performance. Spools are typically machined from aluminum for strength and lightness, though some budget reels use graphite or stamped metal spools.
On spinning reels, the spool remains stationary during the cast while line uncoils off the front lip. The spool lip profile matters — a wider, smoother lip reduces friction and increases casting distance. On baitcasting reels, the spool rotates during the cast, so spool weight directly impacts castability. Lighter spools allow you to cast lighter lures because less energy is needed to overcome spool inertia.
Line capacity is printed on the spool or in the reel specifications, typically listing multiple line weight options. For example, a spool might hold 200 yards of 10-pound monofilament, 180 yards of 12-pound, or 160 yards of 14-pound. Braided line, being thinner per pound test, allows significantly more line on the same spool. Many anglers spool braided backing underneath monofilament or fluorocarbon to maximize capacity without wasting expensive line. Some reels come with spare spools or accept aftermarket spools, letting you switch between pre-spooled line types on the water without re-rigging.