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

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

A medium-sized spinning reel that can hold at least 100 yards of 6-pound test fishing line is plenty.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 22, 2010

The panel agreed that gold had no place on a spinning reel, yet gave the ZX 2000 a hefty endorsement.

From Time Magazine Archive

Then I clamped down on the spool of the spinning reel and backed up until the line snapped.

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen