spinning reel

American  

noun

1. a fishing reel mounted on a spinning rod, having a stationary spool on the side of which is a revolving metal arm that catches the line and winds it onto the spool as a handle is turned, the metal arm being disengaged during casting so the line spirals freely off the spool, carried by the cast lure.

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Etymology

Origin of spinning reel

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

A medium-sized spinning reel holding more than 100 yards of 6-pound test fishing line will do.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 19, 2014

You don’t need any high-tech gear to catch them, and usually a light salmon fishing rod with a spinning reel using 6- to 10-pound test line will get the job done.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 28, 2013

"It was quite a fight and took me about 25 minutes to land it with a very underpowered spinning reel," MacKenzie said.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 4, 2011

For example, my four-pound-test ultralight outfit consists of a Penn Slammer 260 spinning reel and a rod rated for eight- to 15-pound test.

From Time Magazine Archive

He brought a rod and I got out my own and rigged a spinning reel, and had to find my glasses to tie on the bright painted popper.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck