"egg weights" thats the term I should use. I now have two two ounce and one four ounce 'drop sinkers" and half a kilometer of monofilament line, maybe 2.5 kg test. Its thin but pretty strong. But the reel has some notches in it that make it unsuitable for spooling off its reel quickly, and the fishing line is so thin it tangles instantly.
So I need a reel. There are a lot of nice looking ones on ebay from China for around $10 but I have no idea which one is the kind to buy for fast trouble-free outflow and easy tangle free reeling in.
I am not the fishing type, have not done it since I was a kid.
I hate killing anything. I don't even kill bugs, I catch them and put them outside.
I will try to get some images from ebay of the kinds that I am considering after I have my morning coffee.
One post on e-ham or similar suggested "the cheapest zebco" reel. Looking at them they seem to be what you call "closed face" with a conical cover over the reel and a hole which faces towards the end of the pole for the line and a button to release the reel so the line can play out when the line is cast. That would work.
Some of the others have an open reel which then must spin (more mass) as the line plays out. Some of the others are open but have a (pretty) visible mechanism which seems likely to be similar to whatever is inside the zebco but open. It has a winding arrangement that is what is used to rewind the line when its reeled in which appears to flip out of the way when casting. I think that is what I will want. But I don't see where its released.
Prices appear to be very low. Maybe its time to break out Google Chrome and try to find some reviews of the Chinese fishing reels.
If I am going to buy a fishing reel, even if it is super cheap, I might as well try to find a decent one.
I could see the capability of casting out a line and reeling it back in being useful.
I have to say, I am very happy to see the explosion of recreation and hobbies in China (and brands, where companies take pride in their products.) that we are seeing, that's a very good thing.
IMHO, the often very hard working Chinese people deserve it!
Really, the entire world is becoming more connected, pretty quickly.
Despite all the efforts to slow it down or stop it.
We are different, but we are the same family: Vive la difference!