A fishing reel (1) is constructed with a drag mechanism disposed between a first end of a spool shaft (8) and a spool limiting relative rotation between the spool (7) and the spool shaft (8). A rotor (5) disposed around the spool (7) is rotated in response to rotation of a handle on the housing (3) for reeling in a fishing line. The handle is connected to a face gear (15) disposed within the housing (3). A pinion gear (18) contacts the face gear (15) transmitting torque there from to a rotor shaft (8) and then to the rotor (5). A sub-drag mechanism (28) is mounted within a housing (3) proximate a second end of the spool shaft (8) which selectively limits relative rotation between the spool shaft (8) and the housing (3). A sub-drag mechanism (25) actuation mechanism is disposed on the same side of the face gear (15) as the pinion gear (18) for locking and unlocking the spool shaft (8) against rotation within the housing (3), thus enabling and dis-enabling the sub-drag mechanism. The position of the sub-drag mechanism (25) actuation mechanism being on the same side of the face gear (15) as the pinion gear (18) allows for a downsizing of the housing (3) of the fishing reel. <IMAGE>
