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How did the spinning reel change freshwater fishing?

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Bass fishing in Charles county, Md. — fishing The most popular gamefish in the United States is the largemouth bass, and boats are specially designed for bass fishing.

The invention of the fixed-spool, or spinning, reel in 1905 by English textile magnate Holden Illingworth revolutionized freshwater fishing by significantly increasing casting distance.1

In this design, the spool remains stationary and faces the tip of the rod, allowing the line to peel off freely during a cast. This mechanism, when paired with the development of smaller-diameter lines, enabled anglers to cast much farther than previously possible. Following its adoption in Europe after the 1930s and in North America after World War II, the spinning reel sparked a widespread boom in spin casting.1

Today, spinning tackle remains a preferred choice for various freshwater methods, including drifting bait into deep pools or beneath in-stream cover, and it is commonly used with lighter lures compared to traditional bait-casting gear.2