Abstract: A return feed locking or anti-reverse mechanism is provided to prevent reverse (unwinding) rotation of fishing reel winder. The fishing reel includes a crank operated driving shaft for rotating gearing connected to a driven shaft and line winder. The anti-reverse mechanism includes a ratchet attached to the driven shaft and engaged by a pivoted pawl or bolt to limit rotation of the winder to a single, winding direction. The pawl is pivotally mounted and interconnected to a rotational responsive spring ring carried on the driving shaft. The pawl also includes a forked end of appropriate proportions to receive a manually positioned adjustment member. The adjustment member includes a button slidable on the housing between three defined positions.