Abstract: An open-faced spin-casting reel utilizes a weighted member which in response to a casting motion will automatically release the line from the spool, and drag control mechanism is incorporated directly into the reeling mechanism off of the crankshaft to control the amount of drag on the line as it is reeled onto the spool.

Abstract: A fishing reel is comprised of a hollow casing, a shaft extending through the casing with a nose disposed at one end thereof and a rearwardly directed skirt in spaced facing relation to the casing defining an annular gap therebetween, an axially reciprocal line spool on the shaft with front and rear flanges, and a fishing line wound therebetween extending radially through the annular gap. A line pick-up includes a forwardly extending rod and gear mechanism for imparting rotational and axial movement thereto so as to advance the rod into the path of movement of the line for winding the line onto the line spool and for retracting the line pick-up member and rod away from the path of movement of the line. A drag control is mounted on the shaft to impart a selected adjustable amount of resistance to rotation of the line spool via guide rods between the nose and lure spool. A manually adjustable drag sleeve is mounted on the shaft and is axially movable into frictional engagement with the nose.