Abstract: A fixed spool fishing reel having a winding shaft wheel which is rotatable about the winding shaft axis by operation of a handle on the winding shaft. The winding shaft wheel engages a rotor drive which rotates about a first axis which is generally transverse of the winding shaft axis and which drives a spool reciprocating worm shaft. The latter is rotatable about a second axis generally parallel to the said first axis, via reduction gearing. The reduction gearing rotates about a third axis generally parallel to the said first and second axes. The said first, second and third axes are all on the same side of the plane of the winding shaft wheel in such a way as to enable winding shaft attachment means to be provided on both sides of the winding shaft wheel, so that a winding handle may be attached selectively to either one or the other of the two sides of the reel.