A line guide for a reel unit for winding a fishing line onto or unwinding it from a spool is provided on the housing of the reel unit and comprises a carriage guide and a carriage element with at least one line eye. The carriage guide can be functionally linked with the gear mechanism of the spool. Advantageously, the carriage guide is configured as a spindle-shaped pilot shaft and the carriage element is provided with an internally threaded guide channel for guiding on the spindle-shaped pilot shaft.