Fishing reel control apparatus, comprising a pulley carried for rotation in opposite directions; a ratchet wheel carried for rotation; a spring wire wrapped about a portion of the pulley and having a projecting end; a pivoted dog connected to the wire end so that endwise displacement of the wire effected by pulley rotation operates to release the dog from the ratchet wheel when the pulley is rotated in one direction, whereby a fishing line spool attached to the ratchet wheel is free to rotate, as the line pays out from the spool; and whereby when the pulley is rotated in opposite direction the wire is displaced to pivot the dog into engagement with the ratchet wheel, and the spool is rotated by the ratchet wheel to wrap the line as the pulley is rotated relative to the wire.