Often times, reels are chosen based on personal preference. For example, if given the choice, I prefer spinning reels over spin cast reels. But I like spin cast reels for small kids - since they're easier to cast with.
Below is a description of some of the more common freshwater fishing reel options. Hopefully, this will help you understand the differences a bit better.
Spinning Reels
These are probably the most common type of reels used for trout fishing. Fishing line is spun onto a spool and wraps under a bale before it's thread through the eyes on the fishing rod. To cast, the bale is lifted to release the line. As line comes off the reel, the spool stays stationary. So line is fed off the spool when casting.
Casting is pretty easy with spinning reels, and the whole reel is easy to handle. You can easily swap the handle to accommodate left or right handed fishing and the drag feature is easy to adjust. Many spinning reels also allow you to easily swap out the spool of line so as to use a heavier or lighter line and continue fishing.
The open design of the reel, makes it easy to see twisted line, kinks and knots as they happen (which allows you to fix them quicker).
The downside of spinning reels, is that the line twist is very common - which can lead to knots and make reeling in line very difficult sometimes. The drag feature on spinning reels can contribute to the problem.
But overall, these are fairly good fishing reels, and are still my personal favorite for trout fishing.
Spin Cast Reel (also called Spin-Casters)
These are very similar to regular spinning reels, except that they're enclosed and have a button which is used for casting. To cast, you simply push and hold down the button until your ready, and the let go to cast.
This makes casting easy. You don't have to open the bale, and hold the line while you cast. This advantage alone make spin casters a good choice for novice anglers, kids and handicapped people.
In theory, the enclosed reel is supposed to make it easier to manage line and reduce kinks and knots. But my experience has been the opposite is true.
Since the reel is enclosed, you can't see the line on the spool - which means kinks and knots have a tendency to go unnoticed until they become a bigger problem (and headache). This is why I don't like spin cast reels for my own use - but I still buy them for my nephews.
Baitcaster Reels
These reels are favored among bass fishers and other anglers fishing lures. They offer better accuracy in casting than spinning reels. Lures don't tumble as much during the cast so the presentation is better. This has to do with the design of the reel.
On baitcaster reels, the spool rotates so line is pull off the reel during casting. This allows for greater accuracy - which is often needed for lure fishing. But because you need to apply the right amount of pressure on the line with your thumb while casting in order to achieve accuracy, casting with these reels is trickier. It takes a bit of practice to get the hang of using these reels.
Because the way line is pulled off the reel, you can also get greater casting distance with this reels. When saltwater fishing this can big plus. When freshwater fishing, greater distance often isn't needed.
The down side to baitcasters are that they require more attention. Another downside is that they don't work as well for lighter lines (2-10 lb test). They perform better with heavier lines (12-20 test). So if you're in a fishing situation where you'll be using 2-10 lb test line, you may do better with a spinning reel.
Fly Reels
As the name implies, these reels are used for fly fishing. They're designed to be mounted on a fly rod. When choosing a fly reel, you can get one that allows for manual retrieve (where you turn a handle to reel the fish in) or an automatic retrieve (where you push a button and the reel the automatically reel in your fish).
These reels are strung with backing and fly line. And the type of fly line used depends on the type of fishing you intend to do.
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