halibut fishing reel question

[pjb3]

Why does everyone use a bait casting reel? I like spinning reels and was wondering what are the pros and cons?
I have both and they are basically the same ratio

[h20hunter]

I think you need a BIG spinning real to equal the durability of a good level wind. I've seen some vids of bigger butts smoking a lesser quality reel.

[C-Money]

I like the big Penn reels cause they have an abundant line capacity. It would take a huge spinning reel to hold enough line for me to be comfortable using one on deep sea trips.

[JKEEN33]

Shimano TLD 20 or 25. If you want a faster retrieve you can get the two speed models. They hold a ton of line and the drag is easy to adjust when fighting a fish.

[crane]

The drag on a spinning reel is no where near as strong as the drag on a good open face reel.  You won't get the drag power you need to get a decent halibut up.   Penn 6/0 high speed (pre China) with a power mate electric reel and 6' stiff rod no roller tip.  600' deap using ten to twelve pound homemade stainless steal jigs for me.  Woohhoo May 12th out of La push for me, cant wait.

[pjb3]

Reason I ask is its harder for me to reel up a bait than a spin. Not sure Y but...
I might give it a try. I use 25lb test on both so should be the same

[Button Nubbs]

When a big fish takes multiple long runs on a spinning reel it tends to twist the line really bad causing it to get weak. It even effects braided line. With casting reels you can put a little more heat on the fish too.

[YoterHunter]

if your useing the spinning reel becouse it has bigger crank handle. they make bigger handles for level wind reels .i use pen 340 and 345. great reels and holds lots of line . remember if  you snag bottom and break your line.  you mite be done fishing with a spining reel.

[TONTO]

Reason I ask is its harder for me to reel up a bait than a spin. Not sure Y but...
I might give it a try. I use 25lb test on both so should be the same

 Are you using a right or left hand retrieve on the bait caster? Aside from the drag issue, most spin reels just don't have enough drag and reeling against the drag will twist your line up pretty damn good, but also line capacity. Spin reels generaly just don't hold enough line. Fishing in 600' of water I like to have atleast 350 yards to account for drift.

[pjb3]

I only fish in 60-180' of water so I don't think the spool is an issue.
As for the cranking, the bait is left handed and spin is right. I don't just reel, I pump/reel. Maye I'm doing it all wrong but when pulling up 180' of line from bottom, its hard with the bait caster

[jeepster]

i use an OLDSCHOOL Penn 49 with 250 yards of 85lbs braid....

i applaud you for using a spinning reel and light gear....


think of it this way.... spinning gear vs level winds is comparable to towing a large boat with a 1/2ton 6 cylinder pickup vs a 1 ton diesel dually.

methaphorically speaking, you will get your boat to the same place with either truck, but the diesel will outlast and win when it comes down to crunch time.

my just gotta find a reel that you are comfortable with, these days they make so many different handle styles....

[ICEMAN]

Agree on the older Penn reels. I keep finding them at garage sales for a few bucks....  If Warn Winch made fishing reels I would buy theirs.

[Button Nubbs]

Get a right handed bait caster. Problem solved.

[pjb3]

Thanks for all the input guys, will figure out something, got a month and 1/2 to go

[jeepster]

as a matter of fact i use mostly penn reels for my boat rods. 209, long beach, and 49s....

some of mine may be 40+ years old (2x as old as i am) but the only plastic on them is the outter covers/cowlings, but they are on my first-string rods

ive found i can buy 3 or 4 old penn reels, clean them up, replace parts and referbish them for the price of buying one new reel/rod combo.... if you know how to fix them, they are the best bang for the buck.... in my mind.

 they might not have a high speed ratio or anything special, but i have the reels my grandpa bought when my dad was a kid, and still use them on my boat.... i think the most ive paid for one is like 40 bucks

 i can rely on them 110% of the time no matter what under any condition... 

[pjb3]

as a matter of fact i use mostly penn reels for my boat rods. 209, long beach, and 49s....

some of mine may be 40+ years old (2x as old as i am) but the only plastic on them is the outter covers/cowlings, but they are on my first-string rods

ive found i can buy 3 or 4 old penn reels, clean them up, replace parts and referbish them for the price of buying one new reel/rod combo.... if you know how to fix them, they are the best bang for the buck.... in my mind.

 they might not have a high speed ratio or anything special, but i have the reels my grandpa bought when my dad was a kid, and still use them on my boat.... i think the most ive paid for one is like 40 bucks



 i can rely on them 110% of the time no matter what under any condition...  

My rod/reel I use for halibut is a real old Penn model 309, bought for $20 10 years ago and that is with the rod too

[pjb3]

I might try to see if I can make it a right handed crank

[pjb3]

DUH, I went out and got my poles, the spinning reels are left crank and bait caster is right. I prefer the crank to be on the left but oh well. My issue really is when I crank on it, teh pole twists, maybe because the reel is on the top of the pole where the spinner is on the bottom, more leverage


CONFUSED

[Button Nubbs]

Then you need to get a lefty caster. I'd be willing to put money on it that it will feel more natural.

I have both lefty and righty casters, I am a little better with rightys but can use leftys just fine. A little practice is all it takes to be a switch hitter

[pjb3]

Just did some research on what I have, I don[t even have a bait caster, its a conventional reel.

[jeepster]

PJB3


not to be a smartass



but just flip the rod over so the crank is on the left. probelm solved.


im left handed, and thats how i fish. i have 12+ levelwind rod/reels, and i fish every single one of em "upside down"

 besides its better for your rods to be fished "upside down" because it loads the rod properly, the line isnt sitting on top of the rod, its handing under it so the spine of the rod supports the line.... if that makes any sence. thats why the reel hangs down on spinning and fly rods.

if i reeled with the line "on top" of the rod ("right side up") id invest in twist rods.... but thats just me, and a whole nother can o worms

[pjb3]

PJB3


not to be a smartass



but just flip the rod over so the crank is on the left. probelm solved.

If I did, wouldn't you have to crank the handle in reverse?

[lokidog]

PJB3


not to be a smartass



but just flip the rod over so the crank is on the left. probelm solved.

If I did, wouldn't you have to crank the handle in reverse?

Yes.

I grew up with left handed spinning reels, before you could switch them back and forth.  The Penns work great for me but I have been trying to build up the muscle memory for realing with my left hand so that I can comfortably go either way.  The state put a little damper on that closing rockfish in the sound last year though.   

BTW, don't tell anyone else about how good the old Penns are!   

[Button Nubbs]

Jeepster,
Excuse my ignorance as I know virtually nothing about rod building but are you saying the spine is always on the opposite side of the guides? Why are ALL casting rods made to be fished with the guides up and all spinning/fly rods made to be fished with the guides down? It dosent make sense to me.

[wildmanoutdoors]

Casting/level wind/conventional reels are always fished up. Thats the standard.
Spinning and fly reels are made to be fished down. Thats the standard.

Believe me, the casting rods fished with the eyes up are correct in every way. And spinning rods fished with eyes down are correct in every way.

Its up to the rod builder to ensure the spine is correct for either style they build. If you have a conventional, and fish it upside down, your fishing it wrong. And the line hitting the blank hurts or effects nothing....

Not saying Jeepster cant do it his way. But it is not the norm and very odd. Kinda like when you see a guy with his spinning reel up.

If you fish enough the correct/standard way, you will get used to it.

And most big game conventional reels don't come left or right. People just get used to it.

[wildmanoutdoors]

The only other thing Ill add is if you don't like the wobble when reeling a Halibut off the bottom with a conventional like all old Penn's have, look into a low profile style or one that has the handle close to the rod blank on a gear reduction. Penn 340 and 345 for low pro. And look at the Avets for high torque gear reduction. Awesome reels those Avets...

[pjb3]

The only other thing Ill add is if you don't like the wobble when reeling a Halibut off the bottom with a conventional like all old Penn's have, look into a low profile style or one that has the handle close to the rod blank on a gear reduction. Penn 340 and 345 for low pro. And look at the Avets for high torque gear reduction. Awesome reels those Avets...

Thats what I dont like, so it is "normal"? The "wobble" that is.  I get it now, just have to get used to it I guess. I thought it was me or the rod/reel

[Button Nubbs]

That's what I thought wildman

[wildmanoutdoors]

Its because the cranks shaft is up off the rod in the center of the reel. The closer you get the cranks shaft, the less wobble you have.
Most just kind of lay it against there forearm thats not doing the cranking. Its completely normal. And its also the reason Penn came out with the 340 and 345 GT,s eliminates the wobble.
See how the Avet's crank is low on the reel off a gear reduction? It not only eliminates wobble but also is like a winch. No strain at all. they really haul line effortlessly.

[pjb3]

Well I just might get rid of the reel, really don[t like it at all

[wildmanoutdoors]

I hate em too. but to each there own. I gave all mine away years ago. Got a couple 340's and 2 Avets and haven't looked back! The 340 is good, but you should try an Avet. A bit more spendy, but man there slick!

Check em out!
http://www.charkbait.com/cs/csrAvet.htm

[lokidog]

The only other thing Ill add is if you don't like the wobble when reeling a Halibut off the bottom with a conventional like all old Penn's have, look into a low profile style or one that has the handle close to the rod blank on a gear reduction. Penn 340 and 345 for low pro. And look at the Avets for high torque gear reduction. Awesome reels those Avets...

Thats what I dont like, so it is "normal"? The "wobble" that is.  I get it now, just have to get used to it I guess. I thought it was me or the rod/reel

They make rods with a recessed + at the end of the butt and fighting belts that have a corresponding wire to grab the groove.  Maybe there is an aftermarket butt cap that cpould be put on.  Fighting belts are nice anyways when hauling up a bunch of weight, helps prevent thigh and other bruising.....   

[pjb3]

Well I decided to just use my spinning reel, if it doesn't work for my first 50-100lb halibut, then will change.
Final answer

[lokidog]

I used to fish for yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and mahi mahi with an old medium large spinning reel.  Put some braid on there and you'll do fine.  After a couple of screamers, you might need to change the drag discs.  At least in the sound there's a bottom.  I hooked a yellowfin that was about five feet long once, we saw it hit my jig about 50 feet from  the boat, he headed for the bottom, two or three thousand feet below.....  I grabbed my spool so I wouldn't lose all my line when he broke off.  At least I got to see him, BTW I had 25 lb mono on it....   

[pjb3]

I just cleaned my spin reel, put 65LB braided line on it. Should be OK!!

[cohoho]

In reality how big of Halibut do you tend to tackle?  Are you using this for other fish too, is it a combo sized reel or set up only for barn doors?  Doubtful your catching day to day 200 plus pounders each and every day here in Washington, so why be set up like your off the coast of Homer, AK.  If you are then-  I want to be your friend.....  Get the reel that feels right, as stated above Conventional reels are designed to be fished up right, not upside down reeling backwoods, not natural.  And the thought of the line, somehow being that close to the fingers with 80-100 bradied and a big fish on the other end.... might be way too close for comfort or even dangerous to the longevity of your fingers...  There are several salt water series spinning reels designed for big fish, that are made with proper drag system, some are better than others of course, but it will cost you alot of money, my dream spinning reel is a VAN STAAL.  I am currently switching to AVET reels for Over Sized Sturgeon and Bottom fish, right and left versions for those that do not like reeling with the factory standard right hand....  I like them- a lightweight package but extremely durable and powerful too.  Best part American made.    But you can't beat or argue with PENN for years and years of use and testimony.  I also went with a bit newer design than the traditional heavy fiberglass Halibut rod and went with Heavy E-blend Jigging rods, that you might think about.  Super lightweight and packed with performance... I can use them for all Ocean bottom fish, tuna and of OS sturgeon and have fun, unlike the traditional broom stick rods that you won't know you got a rock fish on the other end of the line.......  Just some thoughts, go to a bigger store and try the different reels and see what works for you is the most important part..  If your not comfortable then get rid of the reel you got and get the one that you like..

[pjb3]

I'll be using this set up for halibut and sturgeon only, have others for ling and what not. I strickly fish in Puget sound area, they commonly reach 100lbs where I go
I use a medium heavy rod, 7'er.