Side drifting Reels and style

[Gus Orviston]

do you all like the rear drag systems for side drifting, or are most of you guys staying with the conventional front drag?

Seems the rear drag systems would be best, but is there something I am missing , I am pretty set on getting some Shimano reels, but the Stradic is only front drag I think, and the Symetre offers both options.

thanks, gus

[Grant Scheele]

They sidedrift in China?

[whackemnstackem]

Someone told me that front drag systems have a larger surface area therefore a smother, better drag.dont take this as the gospel,but Ive always used front drags since then.Also my buddy & I just got new reels for side driftin , he got the 2500 stratic & I got the 2500 sustain,I've only used them a couple times so far but they seem like nice reels.I've used shimono's for years & dont't think you could go wrong.

[Striper Club]

Front Drag reels feel more comfortable to me, although I like the convenience of rear drag for mid-fight drag adjustment. Either way, Shimano spinning reels will treat you right.... I still have one of the first TX-120 'Quick Draw II' models to come out and it still works like a champ after almost 20 years.

[Gus Orviston]

Thanks for the great information....and those throwing nuts from the peanut gallery , I know who I am not calling for a trip when I get home :shocked:

Grant you crack me up...

Being in China is just like being in Oregon: I can carry out many fishing rituals; read through the regs, watch river levels, buy gear through the mail, build fishing rods, read fishing magazines, fondle my gear :blush: but I just can't fish. Oh, I can post fishing stories, not that anybody would believe I really went fishing, but all my fishing storie are made up anyway.

Shanghai Gus, or now my team calls me Tang Hai

[Cyclops]

I just picked up a Shimano Symetre 2500FI for $64.00 off an online tackle store. I first ordered from Boater's World, and they sent me the Symetre 2500FH which is the Aero model (cheap version). I sent it back, and ordered elsewhere. I just searched Shimano fishing reels, and clicked on River Marine Supply. I haven't tried it yet, but got it loaded with 10# hivis Izor for side drifting. It sure look/feels great.
Also, stay away from rear drags!

[Richter]

Stay away from rear drag reels, front drags are much smoother. I have a couple of Shimano Stradic 2500FH that I really like. They are super smooth.

Rich

[Thumper]

Being basically a meat fisherman, I go with a Shimano Stradic in 4000 size or a Penn 4500. Ain't no fishy gonna spool me!

[Reel Premier]

I just picked up some Shimano stradic 2500's and they are awesome. I got the front drag reels and they work great. I also use the symetre's by shimano and these are solid reels as well.

[spinner53]

Rear drags are for trout and pumkinseed. You'll never see any higher quality reels with rear drags !, nor will they have that quick-fire bail opening nonsense ( nothing like letting the reel turn backwards until it clunks into the one spot in 360 degrees, all this while waiting for a real subtle bite !! Come On. ) Beside anything of quality has had unlimited reverse going back 4 or 5 years..

Excuse the RANT !, I'm jones-ing...

Rear drags are for trout ad pumkinseed

It took me a bit to figure out what this thread was about...It's about them funny reels that hang down and have that thingy that goes round and round twisting up your line.
The drag should be on the side and the spool perpendicular to the rod.

[Thumper]

The drag should be on the side and the spool perpendicular to the rod.

Then you haven't spent much time side-drifting low water for summers using a #4 hook and a 3-shot slinky. Try casting that with your baitcaster. :whazzup:

Thumper,
I have a sweet little Calcutta 51 that does that quite well. You don't want to see me try using a spinning reel :whazzup:

[nuke]

I have a bunch of Shimano spinning reels - Stradic and a bunch of Sedonas. I like them all. The only ones I can't stand are the rear drag models. There is very little adjustment in the drag, and at the top end of the tension, they all but seize up... good way to loose a fish :depressed:

[Musicman]

I just picked up a Shimano Symetre 2500FI for $64.00 off an online tackle store. I first ordered from Boater's World, and they sent me the Symetre 2500FH which is the Aero model (cheap version). I sent it back, and ordered elsewhere. I just searched Shimano fishing reels, and clicked on River Marine Supply. I haven't tried it yet, but got it loaded with 10# hivis Izor for side drifting. It sure look/feels great.
Also, stay away from rear drags!

Great reel, good line. Sounds like you made a good choice! Dont forget you're 1141/equivalent!

[FishOrDie]

Thumper,
I have to go with Keta on this one, I have a low profile Quantum that I use on my lightweight gear and I find the baitcaster to be very reponsive and capable.
That being said I still went out an bought an Okuma Epixor, proabably one of the smoothest reels I have ever casted.
To each his own.


Just my .02


FOD

[Thumper]

FOD:

For higher water flows I agreed with you. My PR600 Quantum reels are the cat's meow. But we just throw too little weight during the summer. During higher flows I still use the baitcaster, but when it gets down to 900-1,500 CFS I get the Stradic out.

[4 REEL]

Look, I've been using my Shimano Curado 201BSF for side drifting/boondogin' or what ever you want to call it. Long before everyone started to make a big deal about it.
I always wondered how long it was going to take before it caught on.
Anyway, why have one of those big ol' floppy line twistin contraptions. When, if adjusted right, the little level jewel will out perform any day. Not gospel, just my opion.
AHHH...that ought to stir the pot!

[Tilla]

I have Stradics. Two 2000's, two 2500's, and two 4000's.
The 2000 you need to keep the maximum amount of line. The 4000 seems a tad heavy. The 2500 seems perfect and has newer features.
You can use baitcasters, but remove the cast controls (if you can) and 8 lb the whole way.

Tilla,
20lb power pro. The Calcutta 51 is a very small reel and I would be afraid of getting spooled with mono.

Thumper,
When I use one of them "funny reels" I keep putting my thumb down on the back of rod and the bait ends up in the trees

With practice, one can cast a 2 shot slinky with the small newer bait casting reels. It all comes down to preference.

[Tanner]

It also comes down to line control. I have always been a firm believer in levelwinds until I started fishing a jig and a float. Different methods call for different gear. Float and jig fishing is 10 times more effective with a spinning reel than a bait caster. Easier to mend the line, easier to pay line out for an extended drag free drift and, I don't care how good of a levelwind you have, I guarantee you a rookie with a spinning setup will out cast a pro with a levelwind everytime when it comes to throwing light weights. It is a matter of the simple physics of how the line is delivered off of the spool.

As far as the original question, I wouldn't waste my money on a rear drag reel. Every one I have ever owned was crap.

[4 REEL]

Tanner, Man do you need to go back and read the subject? No one said anything about bobber.
Right on Keta!

[Timber]

4Reel you stirred it. I want to see you and keta casting 6 to 8 .175 bbs with any accuracy out of a moving boat under limbs and the such. It is to each his own but with the small light stuff it gets a whole lot easier with the spinning reels. The drags would also surprise you. By the way Gus I'm triing out the 2500 shimano sahara's and really like them so far. Tim

[steelie69]

I have owned a Stradic for at least 8 years. The olds ones are awesome and the new ones are even better. The 2500 is an awesome reel.

Tanner,
I've never fished that method but want to. I have a NIB Shimano Sedona 1000FA but no rod.

Timber,
With the two reels we mentioned it is easy to do that, I cast 2 shot slinkies all the time. Now I wouldn't want to try it with a 5600.

[Tanner]

4 Reel,
Maybe you better go back and read my post again. I was using bobber and jig fishing as an example of a method where a spinning setup outperforms a levelwind. I don't do much in the way of side drifting so I could not speak to that.

[4 REEL]

TIMBER, I rarley use that many beads. Mostly only three. I can cast into a one foot area UNDER limbs with pretty good accuracy.
OH OH can I smell a CAST-OFF Island?

[Timber]

Keta and 4 reel I'm not knocking your ability to cast a light weight at at all. I just know in the situation that a spinning reel is more effective.As you have noticed that is what most of the guides use and for a good reason. Tim

As you have noticed that is what most of the guides use and for a good reason

Timber,
You didn't come across as a slam.

The reason guides use spinning reels is backlash.

[DanS]

The reason guides use spinning reels is backlash.

Partly true, but only partly. Guides use the spin gear when they fish themselves, too.........and it isn't because they just love spin gear so much.

[Straydog]

The trend regionally, seems to be back to spinning reels.

Not everyone can afford the high end cast reels needed to throw very light weight rigs and the chance of backlash is greater the lighter you go, I don't care how good think you are.

Used properly and with the right terminal tackle, you will get zero line twist with a spin reel.

Most any of the mid to high range spin reels from the major factories are more than sufficient, but I would definately stay with a front drag. Much better system and better suited for Steelhead runs.

Most retail clerk's will try sell you on the number of ball bearings, but most can't tell you where in the reel they are........

Stay in the $40.00 to 60.00 range and you should just fine with a midsized (2000, 2500, 3000 depending on brand) spin reel.

The bottom line is, use what you can afford, are comfortable with and enjoy........ fish don't care if the bait is delivered with a spin or a cast reel.

[Jet Drifter]

I use this Abu Garcia Cardinal 3 and another Cardinal 4
for side drifting for winter steelhead.

I like the idea of a rear drag and have needed to adjust
the drag during a run, but that was mostly for coho runs,
rarely winter steelhead when I'm recovering from shock,
hands locked on the rod and reel handle.
I hope it still has its mojo

[judyfish99]

The fisherman call spinning reels "coffee cans" where I fish and I am the only woman there fishing independently besides a few girlfriends of guys that hang around...I can cast just like the guys because that is who taught me and they use level winds.... :grin:judyfish99

[SeanD]

I tried using my curado bsf for side drifting, and I can cast it far enough with two .250 shot. But with a spinning reel you can just flip it out there and cast from any position and not worry about a backlash at all. I prefer the spinning reel. It is just easier to use.