Spinning reels for tidewater

[Sliderite]

I have a question on what is the best approach to set up a newbie for salmon bobber fishing from a boat in tidewater. Been thinking about buying a spinning outfit that can be used by those not "trained" with the baitcasters and are just new to fishing (teenage nephew) as others.

What size spinning reel, make and other recommendations would you suggest? I am sure guides deal with this all the time.

Will power- pro work on spinning reels so a smaller reel can be used and if so what size?
Thanks

[ 10-02-2002, 10:26 PM: Message edited by: Sliderite ]

[Keta]

I don't think that I would use Power Pro on a spinning reel. I haven't used one in years but I thing that when the bail closes you would get a mess. Might be wrong but that's what I think.

[ 10-02-2002, 10:21 PM: Message edited by: Keta ]

[Wet_Willy]

Sliderite,
I have 20# powerpro on a spinning reel I use for steelhead bobber fishing. Works fine. I would think you could move up in #test and not have a problem. Just be sure you get a spinning reel with a good drag.
Bill

[fishbait]

My response would be to rig them up with a baitcaster, use a little extra lead for more weight and then crank down the anti-reverse a little. If you do use a spinning reel I have would recommend a large Quick if the still make them, they had very good drags.

[Williedrifter]

Sliderite,

Take a look at one of the newer abu anti backlash 5500's. I have a friend who has one and they work real well. Plus you can disconnect the anti backlash and it will function like a regular abu.

[husker]

i would suggest getting a a quailty spinning reel with enough line on it.......nothing more frustrating then to trying to learn to fish, while trying to get the bird nest out.....been there done that

GI joes or Fishermen has lots to choose from.....go the counter and ask the attendants.....they should be able to set u up.....

bobber fishing requires at least and 8' pole with some back bone......you'll want a reel with a quality drag system......which holds at least 100 yds of 50 power pro

[ 10-03-2002, 09:04 AM: Message edited by: husker ]

[kodiakfisher]

I will only add this, I spent two weeks on Kodiak bobber/egg drifting with a spinning rod and baitcaster. Caught many fish on both. The spinning setup went with me most of the time. Actually more often than not. I can cast spoons with baitcasters just fine but...when the fish are running up river and you're trying to make the perfect cast in front of them and something goes wrong i.e operator error it will make you :mad: . I have had shakespere reels and now I have Penn reels. The shakespere didn't last one whole trip. I now have two Penn reels one has made three trips to Alaska and the other two trips these reels still work like new. I believe you get what you pay for pay a little more to get good quality and you will be rewarded with fewer breakdowns. The Penn reels spend half their time in salt water with lots of grit and sand to deal with and they have never complained. :cheers:

[Nanook]

Go with a quality baitcaster for tidewater bobber fishing. Even my hardcore spinning reel partner converted over the years for bobber fishing. 50 Tuff Plus mainline. 40 clear Maxima leader. Don't lose your fish using and breaking a rod that can't handle the situation either. Without a quality drag system in those tight quarters, you could have more frustration than fun, not to mention not being able to land your fish.

Yea, I know, spinning reels will work too. :tongue:

Rick graemlins/program.gif

[ 10-03-2002, 11:45 AM: Message edited by: ****** ]

[crabbait]

What ****** said. :wink:

GI Joes has Abu Garcia 6500s for $75 and a Berkley IM7 for $80 (according to STS mag this month). Fill it with Tuf, 40lb Maxima leader and adjust it a little stiff to begin with.

When Tuf line (get the black and white stuff) backlashes it is not a giant mess like mono. Instead, it stops everything all at once (WHAM)(eggs in the tree tops). It is pretty easy to get the loops untangled. Usually just takes a second. Get a crochet hook if you have trouble getting your fingers in there. With a 6500 there is enough room for most chubby mitts.

It is worth the effort to learn to use a good casting reel and most catch on in no time. Watched a lady lose a nice chinook in tidewater the other day because she had no chance to turn the fish with the spinning gear she was using.

[ 10-03-2002, 03:08 PM: Message edited by: crabbait ]

[Keta]

When my son was learning to cast a casting reel I striped about 40' of line off of the reel and put some masking tape on the spool. When he backlashed it wasn't too bad.

[WaterDog]

Baitcaster all the way. Right now you can get a ABU 6500 for $59.99 :shocked: at GI Joes. :smile:

Click HERE for price info. (http://www.gijoes.com/product/index.jsp?productId=977530&cp=716957.717053.684427&parentPage=family)

[Nanook]

Even with all the fancy no-backlash gear, here is the most critical adjustment to any levelwind/baitcaster, that will prevent backlash problems most of the time.

o The middle round knob is your spool speed adjust. Not the star drag or any other anti-spin click by the numbers setting.

o With the weight attached to your line (whatever weight you are using at that time), reel up everything as tight as you can to the rod tip.

o Lift the rod tip as high as you can.

o Click or push the spool release (as if you were going to cast), while holding the middle of the spool with your thumb.

o Release your thumb and let the entire weight drop to the ground or floor.

o Tighten the middle knob adjustment until there is little or NO overspin on the spool of the line when the weight hits the bottom.

o When you get good you can loosen this up to your skill level for longer casts OR keep it tightened up so you have NO birdnests.

o Re-adjust with weight or device changes.

Try it. Easy, critical adjustment and very much overlooked reason for overspin and those nasty bird's nests.

****** graemlins/hearton.gif

[ 10-03-2002, 05:27 PM: Message edited by: ****** ]

[MasterCaster]

When I first set someone up with a baitcaster I like to set the "Mag" so that with the gear attached (be it bobber/weight or spinner/weight or corkies/weight or whatever) when you click the button and release your thumb the gear slowly drops to the ground. You can still cast easily and have few backlashes. The slower your gear drops the less distance you will be able to cast with lighter weight but the fewer backlashes you will have.

Just my .02

Jon :smile: :grin: :smile:

[husker]

if u go with a bait caster......practice before hitting the water......

i use baitcasters....and u cant beat them....but practice is necessary

[Nanook]

MasterCaster eh...... http://www.schwarzeskassel.de/apboard/smilies/darksky/015.gif :grin:

[ 10-03-2002, 05:59 PM: Message edited by: ****** ]

[MasterCaster]

They dont call me the MasterCaster for nothing :grin: :shocked: :grin:

Jon :smile: :grin: :smile:

[crabbait]

When you are ready to cast for distance and have an educated thumb, place your thumb on the spool and put the reel in free spool. Now loosen the adjustment while trying to move the spool back and forth. As soon as you feel "side play" tighten the knob until the side play disappears. The reel is now at its optimum setting.

Now you can really educate that thumb!

[ 10-03-2002, 10:39 PM: Message edited by: crabbait ]

[Sliderite]

Thanks for all of the replies with help. I have been using the ABU 6500 for years.. but was just worried that I would end up spending so much time fixing birdsnests for those trying to learn to cast. It would be better to crank down the anti-reverse for shorter casts until they get used to the feel of the baitcaster. With good instruction, they should be able cast ok. I'll just be sure to bring plenty of line to respool for them.
It is cheaper to respool line a few times than buy spinning rod and reel.
Thanks again