A fishing reel, such as a spincast reel or a spinning reel, has a clutch assembly mounted on a shaft adjacent to the rotating component, the clutch assembly for frictional engagement with a rotating component. The clutch assembly has a first and a second protuberance. A bite alert contact is located for engagement with the first protuberance. A calibration member is adjacent the clutch assembly for engagement with the second protuberance. The calibration member provides a selectable amount of resistance to rotation of the clutch assembly, thereby regulating an amount of rotational force required to activate the bite alert contact. The fishing reel may further include a sensitivity switch for adjusting the selectable amount of resistance provided by the calibration member, which may adjust the resistance in discrete amounts.