level line vs knuckle buster...

[id. painter]

For the last three years I have spent a week in Augest fishing buoy 10 and in the ocean. I also fish in B.C. Canada. In Canada no one uses a level line reel. Every one has gone to a style called a Moocher(Knuckle buster). Why dont more of you use a moocher? I have been fishing Salmon my entire life and have used many different reels. For fun,how long your line will last,wenching aspect, line capasity, durability,drag control, you cant even compare the two reel styles the Moocher is better, for trolling . I also used them on the river for springers,anchored with Kwikfish. I would never go back to a level line reel except when deep water jiging for Ling and bottom fish. The only advantage of a level line is retrieval speed . Last summer i watched as person after person pulled and reeled , pulled and reeled, pulled and reeled , just to reel in thier jet divers. With a moocher the wenching capabilities are wonderful.You can just reel , the leverage is much better. Please remember this a friendly criticism.I would like to help some of you MEN to grow up and use a real mans reel.... you cant be a baby, you have to let go of the handle when a fish runs , this can be tough for green horns, who get a fish to the boat and cant let go for it to run. I really think some of you should try one, you will never go back to a level line. The moocher 2000 is only around 50$ and will hold 250 yards of 30lb. Maxima .... id. painter

[Red]

I've used Canadian mooching rods and Knuckle-buster reels while trolling for coho in Alaska. What a kick :cool: !! We never picked up the level wind reels and more stout rods after the first exposure. However, I agree with wetaline about the difficulty to get deep with a flimsy rod and lead weight. The ability to set a hook is also somewhat hampered. Now that I've spooled up with power-pro, I think It would be awesome to put spectra on this type of set-up.

[id. painter]

You guys are right about the noodle rods. Last year i switched to a Fisheagle 2 ,,its a 7ft muski rod with bunch of backbone and a sensitive tip, rated for 15 to 30 lb. line. I really liked it for use with downriggers and trolling bait... id. painter I

[wetaline]

id painter... I've got a Canadian mooching setup ... 10 6' rod and the shimano 2000 gt... Lots of fun for pulling herring or chovies in the ocean or big tide water.... They arnt good however for trying to keep lead on the bottom - it can be done - but w/ out a thumb release for free spool it can be combursome, especially if your running the kicker....

I agree though its the funnest and most productive way to fish the open water w/ bait. Our moochers outfished the regular rods w/ divers 4 to 1 over and over.....

you didn't mention if you were using that reel w/ the rod or not.. but the problem for plunking w/ those rods is theres no backbone to set the hook on the take down if using lures like kwikfish or spinners etc....