Apparatus and methods are described for spooling line on and off of a reel using a turnbuckle mechanism that is adapted to securely fit between two opposing handles on the reel and includes a power driver attachment for quickly turning the tumbuckle mechanism.

A fishing reel configured to forwardly release a fishing line includes a reel unit, a spool rotatably supported by the reel unit, an electric power generator that generates an electric power upon a rotation of the spool, an electric component including a controller, an overvoltage protection circuit, and a bypass circuit. The controller operates using the electric power generated by the electric power generator. The overvoltage protection circuit is electrically connected to the electric power generator and the electric component, the overvoltage protection circuit limits a voltage of the electric power output from the electric power generator to a predetermined magnitude. The bypass circuit supplies the electric power generated by the electric power generator to the electric component by bypassing the overvoltage protection circuit upon a determination that the voltage of the electric power generated by the electric power is less than or equal to a predetermined value.

A fishing reel configured to forwardly release a fishing line includes a reel unit, a spool rotatably supported by the reel unit, an electric power generator that generates an electric power upon a rotation of the spool, an electric component including a controller, an overvoltage protection circuit, and a bypass circuit. The controller operates using the electric power generated by the electric power generator. The overvoltage protection circuit is electrically connected to the electric power generator and the electric component, the overvoltage protection circuit limits a voltage of the electric power output from the electric power generator to a predetermined magnitude. The bypass circuit supplies the electric power generated by the electric power generator to the electric component by bypassing the overvoltage protection circuit upon a determination that the voltage of the electric power generated by the electric power is less than or equal to a predetermined value.

A dual-bearing reel comprises a reel unit, a spool, a rotation detector, a moving member, a spool actuator, a cooperative actuating mechanism, and a spool controller. The spool is for winding the fishing line, and is rotatably mounted to the reel unit. The rotation detector detects a rotational position about an axis. The moving member is rotatable about the axis, and the rotational position is a position of the moving member. The spool actuator is electrically controllable and performs an action with respect to the spool. An operating member is movably mounted to the reel unit, and adjusts a state of the spool actuator. The cooperative actuating mechanism rotates the moving member in accordance with a movement of the operating member. The spool controller controls the spool actuator based on the rotational position.

A fishing reel including a low-speed and a high-speed drive gear mounted on a crankshaft. The drive gears are affixed axially relative to the crankshaft. An engagement hub is mounted on the crankshaft between the drive gears. The hub is movable axially relative to the crankshaft. A yoke has a first end portion engaging the hub. A shifting mechanism engages a second end portion of the hub. A speed sensor detects rotational speed of the crankshaft. When the speed sensor detects rotational speed at or above a threshold speed, a command signal is sent to the shifting mechanism to move the yoke to axially urge the hub to engage with the high-speed drive gear. When the speed sensor detects rotational speed below the threshold speed, a command signal is sent to the shifting mechanism to move the yoke to axially urge the hub to engage with the low-speed gear.

A variable speed motor driven fishing reel is powered by a brushless DC motor and adapted for remote control operation by adapting a salt water bait-casting reel with a motorized drive assembly including an end plate having an environmentally sealed cover removably connected thereto, and mounted on the opposite side of the reel from the manual crank, the drive assembly including a brushless DC out-runner motor having an output shaft connected to a planetary gear system configured to power rotation of the fishing reel spool axle for driving the spool. A power cable provides 12.0 volt DC power from a suitable on-board vessel power source. An electronic motor control system allows for variation of DC motor speed via a manually actuated speed control knob. A remote control device is adapted for wireless communication with the electronic motor control system to allow for remote activation of the DC motor in low and high speed modes.

A variable speed motor driven fishing reel is powered by a brushless DC motor and adapted for remote control operation by adapting a salt water bait-casting reel with a motorized drive assembly including an end plate having an environmentally sealed cover removably connected thereto, and mounted on the opposite side of the reel from the manual crank, the drive assembly including a brushless DC out-runner motor having an output shaft connected to a planetary gear system configured to power rotation of the fishing reel spool axle for driving the spool. A power cable provides 12.0 volt DC power from a suitable on-board vessel power source. An electronic motor control system allows for variation of DC motor speed via a manually actuated speed control knob. A remote control device is adapted for wireless communication with the electronic motor control system to allow for remote activation of the DC motor in low and high speed modes.

A dual-bearing reel includes a reel body and a spool. The reel body includes a spool housing portion having an inward opening. The spool includes a first flange that has a larger diameter than a bobbin trunk. The outer peripheral part of the first flange includes a first and second outer peripheral parts, and a connecting portion. The first outer peripheral part is disposed at a first prescribed distance away from an inner peripheral part of the first spool housing portion. The second outer peripheral part is disposed at a second prescribed distance away from the inner peripheral part and has a smaller diameter than the first outer peripheral part. The diameter of the connecting portion gradually increases from the second outer peripheral part toward the first outer peripheral part and couples the first outer peripheral part and the second outer peripheral part.

A dual-bearing reel includes a reel body and a spool. The reel body includes a spool housing portion having an inward opening. The spool includes a first flange that has a larger diameter than a bobbin trunk. The outer peripheral part of the first flange includes a first and second outer peripheral parts, and a connecting portion. The first outer peripheral part is disposed at a first prescribed distance away from an inner peripheral part of the first spool housing portion. The second outer peripheral part is disposed at a second prescribed distance away from the inner peripheral part and has a smaller diameter than the first outer peripheral part. The diameter of the connecting portion gradually increases from the second outer peripheral part toward the first outer peripheral part and couples the first outer peripheral part and the second outer peripheral part.

An electric reel includes a reel unit, a spool, a level wind mechanism and a plate member. The reel unit includes a fishing rod attachment leg and a frame. The frame includes a first side plate disposed on the same side as a handle and a second side plate disposed opposite the first side plate so as to enable the spool to be disposed between the first side plate and the second side plate. The spool is rotatable with respect to the reel unit. The level wind mechanism includes a fishing line guide that is disposed forward of the spool and is reciprocatable along a spool shaft as a rotation shaft of the spool. The plate member is a plate-shaped member disposed between the spool and the fishing line guide along the axial direction of the spool shaft, and is attached to the reel unit from a side lateral to the frame.