Why the Conventional reel vs Spinning - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

T-Rex · 12-28-2010, 04:20 PM

I lived on the east coast for 10 years and big spinning reels were very common. I used a big Shimano Baitrunner all the time for stripers, bluefish, cobia and smaller tarpon with no problems.

roadx · 12-28-2010, 04:31 PM

im with ya on the spinning reels, im in the market now, just trying to figure out the right size reel. spec's on the spinner are impressive.

-scallywag- · 12-28-2010, 04:49 PM

spinners have thier place.....the main reasons I don't use them is;

price- they are pretty expensive if you want one with the drags to handle braid...

reliability - alot more moving parts and tighter tolorences make rebuilding at home more difficult/time consuming/expensive.

no bait clicker or lever drag make trolling difficult

Line capacity - you would need a pretty big spinner to hold 200yrds of 40b mono.

All that so you can cast without backlash? whynot buy a mag'd reel or just practice casting?

roadx · 12-28-2010, 04:55 PM

the baitrunner series reels takes care of the trolling/fly lining drag

line capacity with 40lb lb spectra is not a concern, most medium size spinning reel will handle it

GregAndrew · 12-28-2010, 06:22 PM

On one tuna trip that turned into a YT trip a couple of guys were killing us by using spinners. They were able to get their flylined baits about 10 feet further away from the boat than anyone with conventional. Of course the captain was pissed cause it took them 5-10 minutes longer to land their fish when he wanted to move or reset. I agree with Scallywag on the Price and Reliability issues. In order to get a spinner that is saltwater and spectra approved and has a good enough drag that you can put the screws to a fish and not be afraid of a breakoff you must pay through the nose. You must also keep up with your maintainance more with most spinners. That said, I have seen 40+ lb YT and WSB caught on good spinning setups.

m1k3midg3 · 12-28-2010, 07:05 PM

whenever i go on a multiday trip i ALWAYS bring a spinning reel with 15 pound test. i have a shimano baitrunner and i absolutely love it. its great cause u can cast out the furthest which means u are ussually the first to be hooked up on a fish. the only downside is that by the end of the day, ure line is twisted and beaten to hell.

dsafety · 12-28-2010, 07:17 PM

I once went out on an albacore boat with a bunch of guys toting standard gear. We had a great day with most fishers catching multiple fish. One guy stood out. He was a tiny Asian guy fishing a spinner with 15 pound test line.

Maybe this guy was just good or maybe it was his gear. He caught twice as many fish as the next best guy on the boat and even got the jackpot fish.

From what I have read, there is a bit of a West Coast bias against spinning reels. I had one in my garage when I started out on the kayak but was shamed out of using it. Now I am very comfortable with my standard reels.

Different strokes for different folks.

Bob

stairman · 12-28-2010, 07:30 PM

The reasons spinners aren't too popular are numerous.
There only advantage is no backlash......but they make up for it by spinning the line if your not careful while fighting a big fish,by you often having to hold the line in front of the reel under tension if there is any slack and sometimes winding over loops on the opposite side of the reel that you can't see.
But the overiding factor the is first in my mind is the drag.When line comes off a conventional reel it rolls off in the same direction it must go through the guides.With a spinning reel the line goes out and makes a 90 degree turn before going out through the guides.This creates two things increased friction on that ninety degree turn and a much higher momentary force to get the spool turning back wards.
Try this.....put some line through a circle created with your thumb and fore finger and pull the rope through with it at a 90 and at angle more like how it goes through the first guide on a conventional reel.Feel the heat!
I realize that most spinning reels that are worth anything at all have a roller on the bail.....which kinda makes my point.
By having a higher momentary force to get the spool turning this means you can't fish drags as tight as with a conventional reel with out putting more strain on what ever is the weak link in your line.
Ok spin masters ....you can commence the beating!

FishinReelDeals · 12-29-2010, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -scallywag-

spinners have thier place.....the main reasons I don't use them is;

price- they are pretty expensive if you want one with the drags to handle braid...

reliability - alot more moving parts and tighter tolorences make rebuilding at home more difficult/time consuming/expensive.

no bait clicker or lever drag make trolling difficult

Line capacity - you would need a pretty big spinner to hold 200yrds of 40b mono.

All that so you can cast without backlash? whynot buy a mag'd reel or just practice casting?

x2 Way Way to expensive for a quality one. If my lotto #s ever come up, all be buying a couple of stellas!

THE DARKHORSE · 12-31-2010, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -scallywag-

All that so you can cast without backlash? why not buy a mag'd reel or just practice casting?

Just sayin'

12-28-2010, 04:20 PM	#1
T-Rex Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita Posts: 770	I lived on the east coast for 10 years and big spinning reels were very common. I used a big Shimano Baitrunner all the time for stripers, bluefish, cobia and smaller tarpon with no problems. __________________ Last edited by T-Rex; 12-28-2010 at 07:18 PM.

12-28-2010, 04:31 PM	#2
roadx . Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,155	im with ya on the spinning reels, im in the market now, just trying to figure out the right size reel. spec's on the spinner are impressive. __________________

12-28-2010, 04:55 PM	#4
roadx . Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,155	the baitrunner series reels takes care of the trolling/fly lining drag line capacity with 40lb lb spectra is not a concern, most medium size spinning reel will handle it __________________

12-28-2010, 04:49 PM	#3
-scallywag- Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: on the road... Posts: 598	spinners have thier place.....the main reasons I don't use them is; price- they are pretty expensive if you want one with the drags to handle braid... reliability - alot more moving parts and tighter tolorences make rebuilding at home more difficult/time consuming/expensive. no bait clicker or lever drag make trolling difficult Line capacity - you would need a pretty big spinner to hold 200yrds of 40b mono. All that so you can cast without backlash? whynot buy a mag'd reel or just practice casting?

12-28-2010, 06:22 PM	#5
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	On one tuna trip that turned into a YT trip a couple of guys were killing us by using spinners. They were able to get their flylined baits about 10 feet further away from the boat than anyone with conventional. Of course the captain was pissed cause it took them 5-10 minutes longer to land their fish when he wanted to move or reset. I agree with Scallywag on the Price and Reliability issues. In order to get a spinner that is saltwater and spectra approved and has a good enough drag that you can put the screws to a fish and not be afraid of a breakoff you must pay through the nose. You must also keep up with your maintainance more with most spinners. That said, I have seen 40+ lb YT and WSB caught on good spinning setups.

12-28-2010, 07:05 PM	#6
m1k3midg3 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 108	whenever i go on a multiday trip i ALWAYS bring a spinning reel with 15 pound test. i have a shimano baitrunner and i absolutely love it. its great cause u can cast out the furthest which means u are ussually the first to be hooked up on a fish. the only downside is that by the end of the day, ure line is twisted and beaten to hell.

12-28-2010, 07:17 PM	#7
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,122	I once went out on an albacore boat with a bunch of guys toting standard gear. We had a great day with most fishers catching multiple fish. One guy stood out. He was a tiny Asian guy fishing a spinner with 15 pound test line. Maybe this guy was just good or maybe it was his gear. He caught twice as many fish as the next best guy on the boat and even got the jackpot fish. From what I have read, there is a bit of a West Coast bias against spinning reels. I had one in my garage when I started out on the kayak but was shamed out of using it. Now I am very comfortable with my standard reels. Different strokes for different folks. Bob

12-28-2010, 07:30 PM	#8
stairman Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 84	The reasons spinners aren't too popular are numerous. There only advantage is no backlash......but they make up for it by spinning the line if your not careful while fighting a big fish,by you often having to hold the line in front of the reel under tension if there is any slack and sometimes winding over loops on the opposite side of the reel that you can't see. But the overiding factor the is first in my mind is the drag.When line comes off a conventional reel it rolls off in the same direction it must go through the guides.With a spinning reel the line goes out and makes a 90 degree turn before going out through the guides.This creates two things increased friction on that ninety degree turn and a much higher momentary force to get the spool turning back wards. Try this.....put some line through a circle created with your thumb and fore finger and pull the rope through with it at a 90 and at angle more like how it goes through the first guide on a conventional reel.Feel the heat! I realize that most spinning reels that are worth anything at all have a roller on the bail.....which kinda makes my point. By having a higher momentary force to get the spool turning this means you can't fish drags as tight as with a conventional reel with out putting more strain on what ever is the weak link in your line. Ok spin masters ....you can commence the beating!