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

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!

taggermike · 12-28-2010, 08:24 PM

There is a bias around so cal against spinning reels. Spinners have come a long way in drags, strength, and reliability. But when I was a kid spinners were deffinately for beginers or fresh water guys who hadn't yet switched over to "real" reels. Maybe that old school bias lingers on. I have fished spinners but I don't like the way they feel. The bail revolving around doesn't feel ballanced. The ones I have used don't seam to have any real cranking power either. But for me the huge draw back is when fly lining I can't keep a feel for the line or bait. I just like to have my thumb on the spool. I guess its a personal preference thing. MIke

12-28-2010, 07:05 PM	#1
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	#2
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	#3
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!

12-28-2010, 08:24 PM	#4
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	There is a bias around so cal against spinning reels. Spinners have come a long way in drags, strength, and reliability. But when I was a kid spinners were deffinately for beginers or fresh water guys who hadn't yet switched over to "real" reels. Maybe that old school bias lingers on. I have fished spinners but I don't like the way they feel. The bail revolving around doesn't feel ballanced. The ones I have used don't seam to have any real cranking power either. But for me the huge draw back is when fly lining I can't keep a feel for the line or bait. I just like to have my thumb on the spool. I guess its a personal preference thing. MIke