A bait cast fishing reel includes a frame, a first side assembly disclosed on a first side of the frame and a second side assembly disclosed on a second side of the frame. The first side assembly includes a drive train. The second side assembly rotatably supports a spool shaft extending from the second side assembly to the first side of the frame and into releasable engagement with the drive train of the first side assembly. The second side assembly is separable from the frame to disengage an end of the spool shaft from the first side assembly so as to expose the end. The fishing reel further includes a spool having a center bore receiving the shaft, whereby the spool may be mounted onto the shaft or demounted from the shaft over the exposed end of the shaft.