A baitcaster includes a housing, a spool, a drivetrain, a bearing housing, and an input shaft. The housing defines a first member and a second member. The spool is positioned between the first member and the second member. The spool is configured to rotate in a first direction and a second direction. The drivetrain is positioned proximate the first member and is configured to rotate the spool in the first direction and the second direction. The bearing housing is positioned between the spool and the drivetrain. The input shaft is disposed along at least a midpoint of the baitcaster. The input shaft is configured to coaxially align the spool, drivetrain, and bearing housing. An axial force is generated between the spool and the drivetrain. The axial force is distributed through at least a portion of the bearing housing to prohibit the axial force from transferring into the drivetrain.

A baitcaster for retrieving a fishing line includes a spool, and a compound gear set. The spool is configured to be driven to take up the fishing line. The compound gear set includes a ring gear, first planet gears, second planet gears, and a second shaft. The ring gear is configured to receive an input torque from a first shaft. The first planet gears are driven by the ring gear. The second planet gears are driven by the first planet gears. The second shaft is driven by the second planet gears and is configured to drive the spool to take up the fishing line.

A fishing rod assembly includes a rod and a reel assembly. The reel assembly includes a housing, a spool positioned within the housing, the spool configured to rotate about an axis to retrieve or let out a fishing line, a drive mechanism concentric with the axis, the drive mechanism configured to receive rotational kinetic energy from a user and drive the spool to take-up fishing line when a counter-torque provided to the spool by the fishing line is less than a target torque, and a drag mechanism. The drag mechanism is drivable by the drive mechanism to (a) drive the spool to take-up the fishing line when the counter-torque provided to the spool by the fishing line is less than the target torque or (b) provide a drag force to the spool when the counter-torque provided to the spool by the fishing line is less than the target torque.

A reel system includes a fishing reel including a spool, an electrical module, and a multi-gear system. The electrical module is coupled to the fishing reel. The electrical module includes a motor configured to turn the spool. A first position in the multi-gear system is configured to turn the spool via the motor.

A baitcaster includes a housing, a spool, a drivetrain, a bearing housing, and an input shaft. The housing defines a first member and a second member. The spool is positioned between the first member and the second member. The spool is configured to rotate in a first direction and a second direction. The drivetrain is positioned proximate the first member and is configured to rotate the spool in the first direction and the second direction. The bearing housing is positioned between the spool and the drivetrain. The input shaft is disposed along at least a midpoint of the baitcaster. The input shaft is configured to coaxially align the spool, drivetrain, and bearing housing. An axial force is generated between the spool and the drivetrain. The axial force is distributed through at least a portion of the bearing housing to prohibit the axial force from transferring into the drivetrain.

A reel system includes a fishing reel including a spool, an electrical module, and a multi-gear system. The electrical module is coupled to the fishing reel. The electrical module includes a motor configured to turn the spool. A first position in the multi-gear system is configured to turn the spool via the motor.

A fishing rod assembly includes a rod and a reel assembly. The reel assembly includes a housing, a spool positioned within the housing, the spool configured to rotate about an axis to retrieve or let out a fishing line, a drive mechanism concentric with the axis, the drive mechanism configured to receive rotational kinetic energy from a user and drive the spool to take-up fishing line when a counter-torque provided to the spool by the fishing line is less than a target torque, and a drag mechanism. The drag mechanism is drivable by the drive mechanism to (a) drive the spool to take-up the fishing line when the counter-torque provided to the spool by the fishing line is less than the target torque or (b) provide a drag force to the spool when the counter-torque provided to the spool by the fishing line is less than the target torque.

A fishing reel in which a maximum drag force can be increased as needed while the size of the reel is kept from increasing includes: a reel body; a handle rotatably mounted on the reel body; a drive shaft configured to rotate integrally with the handle; a spool rotatably supported by the reel body; a drive gear configured to rotate integrally with the spool; a first drag mechanism for restricting relative rotation between the drive shaft and the drive gear; a spool shaft configured to rotate integrally with the spool; a second drag mechanism configured to restrict relative rotation between the spool shaft and the reel body; and a restriction switching mechanism configured to switch the second drag mechanism between a restricted state and a non-restricted state.