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...