Ball-handle reels were immensely popular with the New York tackle retailers and manufacturers throughout the 1800s. Used for larger game fish and some saltwater applications, they were a popular choice for bait anglers, but the offset handles of the multiplying reels were problematic for fly anglers, with the line often catching under the handles. Single-action, center-mounted handle versions found favor among fly fishers, offering a reduced chance of line fouling.
