The mechanics of the reel will depend on your judgement at the place of purchase, as there is plenty of quality tackle available to anglers. Line is another important link. Reels must be kept topped up for maximum performance. After any heavy session, strip off the first 5 to 10 metres used and discard it. This section takes most of the wear and tear and reduced the overall strength of the line.
Knots are critical.
Learn the good knots. Hooks are another important factor. They must be razor sharp for quick an easy penetration. Prime example is the wily bream. The idea is to let the bream swallow the bait and smaller hook so the hookup rate increases.