FISHING REELS:  Fishing reels come in four basic types.  The simplest to use is the closed-face spinning reel, which is operated by a push button and helps protect against getting bird nests (tangles) in your line when you cast.  Sometimes an open-faced spinning reel lets you cast a little further, so once you get used to the closed-faced reels, they are a good next step.   The picture below shows two types of spinning reels (the blue one is a closed-face reel and the other is open-faced).  How big the reel is depends on how heavy a fishing line you are going to use and how much of it you need.  For small bream a moderately short length of light line works so you don't need a big reel.  Saltwater anglers going after bigger, stronger fish need heavier line and more of it so the reel has to be larger.

Another type of reel is called a bait-casting reel.  The name is misleading, since you can cast live or natural baits with either a spinning or bait-casting reel, and you can also cast artificial lures with either type.  Bait-casting reels can be used to cast a little further and may let the angler place the lure or bait a little more accurately, but you have to thumb the spool to stop the line and that takes some practice.  The image below shows a fly-fishing reel.  Unlike spinning and bait-casting reels, a fly reel is not cast, and is mainly a place to store the line and keep it free from tangles.  Line is pulled from the reel, then the rod is waved overhead to work the line out.  The artificial fly is worked by retrieving the fly line by hand.  When fish are hooked they can then be retrieved by turning the reel handle.