ANTI-BACKLASH BAIT CAST FISHING REEL

A fishing reel includes a frame, a spool coupled to the frame for rotation about a rotational axis, a light source, a first optic, a sensor, a second optic, a controller, and a braking mechanism. The spool includes a first flange and a second flange. The first optic is positioned such that light emanating from the light source and passing through the first optic generates a substantially collimated band of light parallel with the rotational axis. The second optic is positioned and configured to focus the substantially collimated band of light toward the sensor. The controller is electrically coupled to the sensor and is configured to receive signals from the sensor and to generate a braking signal. The braking mechanism is electrically coupled to the controller, and the braking mechanism applies a braking force to slow the spool in response to the braking signal.