Fishing Reel

retroedaddy

retroedaddy

Infidel
Joined
Apr 7, 2010
Location
Bahama NC
I know this will probably be arguable to most, but I finally at 35 years old and fishing since I was 3-4 years old, I spent the money and got a really nice rod and reel. To me nice was $149 on something sturdy with a great open face reel. I have since discovered I don't like open face reels. Where I was impressed with the distance I could get with them, it seems like more babysitting than a closed face. I am sure I am about to get an education in Reels, but I am seeking some advice. I want to put a decent Reel on my existing pole. I don't want the typical open face, but what about those ones that look like a hybrid of the open/close face? Any info is appreciated, I don't even mind the close face ones other than what I've used in the past always breaks.
 
There are three major reel types/
1- closed face
2- open face/spinning reel
3- baitcast

1 and 3 use the same rod.
An open face or spinning reel hangs down below the rod and uses a different style rod.

There really is not a closed face reel that will deliver the casting performance, line flexibility etc of a bait cast reel.

However properly set up and properly cast there is no more "baby sitting" required, but it isnt a pick up and master first try proposition either.
 
A Zebco close face reel is an old trusty reel. But I wouldn't classify it as a nice reel. It'll get the job done and is pretty much disposable.

What open face reel did you get?

Sounds like maybe you just need to get used to a new reel. What don't you like about it? What lure(s) are you using? Rooster tails will cause line twist and can be a PITA. But they are a must have lure in my book.

Also, how you cast makes a big difference with spinning reels. You can't just let go when you cast and wait for it to hit the water. I feather the line coming off the reel with my index finger. Then just as the lure touches down on the water I stop the line coming off the reel so that everything is held tight on the spool and not all loose and floppy. If you cast and just let it fall look down at the line between your spool and your first eyelet. More often than not it's drooping down. Now when you flip the bail you get loops and eventually cause a mess on your reel after repeated casts.

A spinner is a must have in your arsenal, same for a bait caster. I like my Phfluger spinner and my Abu bait casters. And a rod matched to the reel and weight that your casting can make a big difference in the ease of use as well. You don't want to cast a 3/4 oz lure on a lightweight rod. Or an 1/8 oz with a heavy duty rod.

Oh and please tell me that you have a spinning reel on a spinning rod. And that it's suspended from the bottom of the rod, not on top like a bait caster. I've seen it and it makes me want to strangler the person using it like that.
 
Don't think you will like a bait caster if you don't like open face. To get a bait caster that doesn't leave a birds nest you gotta spend some money and it's not like casting a closed face.

Dave
 
I would recommend getting a casting plug or an old crankbait and take the hooks of and practice casting and sticking your finger down to slow the line as the lure nears the ground at the end of the cast in your yard in your spare time. When reeling lightweight lures while fishing pay attention to the line tension as you wind it on the spool, you don't want to reel slack line in or you'll create the loops that cause tangles, you want to swing or raise the rod to take up slack or put tension on the line before, or while reeling in your bait if you pause the retrieve. With some practice I think anyone can master a spinning reel. mbalbritton is correct about lure, line weights and rods if your fishing small light lures for panfish you want light line ( I like 6lb. ) and light or medium action rods are much more forgiving and cast lighter lures/baits farther w less tangles.
 
I absolutely despise a baitcast/closed reel. I used to own a few, and no matter how "nice" they were they were always tangling. I have two open face reels now, a Zebco and a Southbend and I love both of them. The Zebco is by far my favorite, the Southbend is good but the rod is a little long for my taste. I bought it in a package, it is mostly my wife's (she likes a long rod :lol: ). The Zebco I went out and picked the reel and rod separate to exactly what I wanted.

Man, now I want to go fishing......
 
When I put new line on, I always get some one to walk a hundred yards from me with the line and pull it tight for a bit and then reel it back in with slight tension on it. Keeps it from getting the spooled loops in it when you cast. I'm no professional by far, I buy all my rods and reels at yard sales.
 
W spinning reels I lay the spool on a table or the floor, run the line thru the first guide on the rod and tie it to the spool. Then hold the butt of the rod on my waist and hold the rod a foot or more from the reel w one hand and pinch the line w thumb/finger to put tension on it as I reel the line on. Reel a few times and check for twisting, if it's twisting turn the spool over.
 
I still think folkd ITT are using multiple names for the same thing and the same name for different things.

That said:

Closed Face Reel:
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(NOTE Rod is shown the way it is held with the reel facing up)


Spinning reel:

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Again shown the way you hold the thing reel facing down.

Baitcast:
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Again shown the way you hold it reel up.




An open face rod will have a very large eye at the bottom. This is becaue the line comes off it cirumvential to the rod, where as both a bait cast and closed face reel will have a small lowest eye as the line should feed directly out. Also an open face rod will not have a trigger, anywhere. And sometime bait cast rods will not have a trigger either.


Due to the friction natur eof a clsoed face reel they will never ever ever cast as far as a properly used open/spinning or baitcast reel.

For me I like spinners for ultra light stuff, and baitcast for damn near everythign else.

I hate damn baitcasters as a kid, until I was like 10 and my dad took me to an uncles one morning during the summer who had this giant swimming pool (probably 50' foot long) He dropped me off with a bait cast rod, a rat-l-trap with no trebles, 3 spools of line a pocket knife and a cooler with lunch in it. He said if you can throw that thing 10 times without a back lash when I get home we are going fishing if you cant I am going by myself.

(he left me at probably 6AM and wouldnt be back until 5:30)

When he got home I was exhausted, sun burnt, cranky, but could sling that baitcatser with nary a backlash. Now the first time I picked a different bait caster up...well thats a different story.
 
I love my ultra light spinning reels. I use a abu reel and a uhgly stick g2 with 4 lb test. Love it for rooster tails and sassy tail jigs. When we go for the big stuff we use a abu garica 5500 or 6500 on an ugly stick cat rod and 20lb test....

I will say that the line also makes a huge differnece. I have found that the suffix line cast well for me and is made local from what i was told.
 
Some of the Pro fisherman at Bass Pro introduced me to the Shimano Sahara 2500FE and it has been hands down my favorite reel- I liked it so much I picked up a second one. It's been the smoothest reel I've used and I have had zero problems with them (one running 8lb mono and the other running 20lb braid).

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mommucked said:
W spinning reels I lay the spool on a table or the floor, run the line thru the first guide on the rod and tie it to the spool. Then hold the butt of the rod on my waist and hold the rod a foot or more from the reel w one hand and pinch the line w thumb/finger to put tension on it as I reel the line on. Reel a few times and check for twisting, if it's twisting turn the spool over.
Click to expand...

This is how to load a spinning reel.

you want the line coming off the supply spool from the side. When loading a baitcaster you want it coming straight off the spool and onto your reel.
 
I only fish with spinning reels. I can fish with a bait caster but I'm not consistent enough to be able to depend on my self to always cast right when the fishing gets good. I usually carry 3 different poles fishing wherever I go. Ultra Light spinning, medium action spinning and my stiff Bass rod. Ultra lights are real fun and easy to use. Whatever you do don't get the cheap stuff and don't go to crazy, stuff adds up quick.
 
Get a Zebco 33. The newest ones look sweet. You can buy three for the price that you paid for your current setup.

That being said I have different rod/reels for different situations.

Zebco 33's for pan fishing/crappie fishing.

Large spinning reels that see double duty as catfish/surf

Large conventional reels for catfish/surf(if I feel lucky)

A few older round bait casters for inshore fishing and a nice KVD Spinning reels that is super smooth.

That being said the only type of fishing that I don't really do is bass fishing. I don't have the right boat for it and it's a lot of work!



When you get a chance post up what you have, that will help clear up a lot!
 
Ok so from reading, I have a Spinning Reel, I always called that open face. I've used Zebco stuff my whole life ( All Closed Faced ) and had OK luck with them other than the occasional total failure birds nest.I usually just trash them rather than try to re spool, I'll just pay the $25 for a replacement ready to go. Buying something nicer was prompted by moving to a house that is on a lake. My son and I sneak down to the water to fish almost every chance we get, usually with my middle daughter in tow. Whether or not we get to stay is precipitated by if my wife brings a couple cold beers down to me or Hollers my name from the porch. Point being, I usually don't have a lot of time to fish and I hate spending it untangling a reel.
 
REDLYNER said:
Some of the Pro fisherman at Bass Pro introduced me to the Shimano Sahara 2500FE and it has been hands down my favorite reel- I liked it so much I picked up a second one. It's been the smoothest reel I've used and I have had zero problems with them (one running 8lb mono and the other running 20lb braid).

View attachment 153437
Click to expand...

I have the sahara also and absolutely love it for bass fishing. But when it comes to baitcasters i have to have my abu garcia for carp fishing. If i have my carp fishing baitcasters setup right i can almost cast them longer than my spinning reel, but i mostly carp fish now.
 
mommucked said:
Is the bank clear all around or just some holes in the woods around it where peeps fish?
Click to expand...
We are on almost 5 acres. There are 2 really sweet spots, probably 35-45 feet long with no trees. There is a 3rd spot that is nice, but not as easy to cast from.
 
BDR jr said:
I have the sahara also and absolutely love it for bass fishing. But when it comes to baitcasters i have to have my abu garcia for carp fishing. If i have my carp fishing baitcasters setup right i can almost cast them longer than my spinning reel, but i mostly carp fish now.
Click to expand...


I like the 55000 and 6500 fors carp or striper fishin.

Like Shimano Curados better for bass
 
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