about a reel?

[king fisher]

i need to no if i have to have a over head rod to use an over head reel or can u use a normal rod upside down?

[Dell]

You're gona need an overhead rod for an overhead reel cause rods are built with the spine on a specific side which suits the type of reel.

[Fisherman#1]

The guides on over head rods are smaller as well.

[Superduperman]

Providing there are enough giudes (to prevent the line rubbing on the blank) you can use a spin rod with an overhead reel. Using a Spin reel with an overhead rod reduces casting distance coz of the small stripper guide and the tip guide often is angled in a way that is more suited to an overhead.

It is better if you have a spin rod matched to a spin reel or an overhead reel matched to an overhead rod, but it is not essential to catch fish...it's just alot nicer to use the outfit if it was made for that purpose.