Patent ID: 7070139

Claim:
A reel unit for a dual-bearing reel that is adapted to be mounted to a fishing rod, the reel having a handle disposed on one side surface of the reel unit and a spool that is adapted to reel out fishing line and is disposed inside the reel unit, the reel unit comprising: a frame that has first and second side plates between which the spool is disposed, and a connection member connecting the first and second side plates; a first side cover that is mounted to the first side plate, the handle being adapted to be mounted to the first side cover; a second side cover that is mounted to the second side plate so as to be opened and closed relative to the second side plate; and an operating portion that is provided on the second side plate without protruding from the second side plate in a direction toward the second side cover, the operation portion being designed to assume one of first and second positions, the second side cover being locked in a closed state when the operation portion assumes the second position, the operation portion allowing the second side cover to be opened and closed relative to the second side plate when the operation portion assumes the first position.