New toy er...I mean tool.

[FinsnFur]

I picked up a new rig (fishing pole) a couple days ago. Ive always laughed at the guys that carry 10 rods and reels with them. What in the hell is the purpose of that?
Then a couple days ago out in the yak I found myself wasting too much time switching lures to fish vegetation to wood, to open water.
Anyway.....Ive always used open face spinning reels, my whole life. I couldnt get the hang of a baitcaster no matter how hard I tried. I finally just quit trying.

Meet my new fishing pole...


I like this thing soooo much I might turn my sacred "go to" open face over to the girls and get another one of these. Mannnn! They do not make these like they used to. You can actually use them now. I love this thing. Anyone here use a bait caster?

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[Todd Rahm]

I did the same Jim. Once I switched over, I really never went back.

[centerfire_223]

They both have their place in bass fishing. Normally I use my bait caster's 85% of the time but the other 15% of the time, it's awesome to have an open face. A lot of techniques just work out better with an open face, such as using a drop shot, finesse baits, light weight crankbaits and things such as that.

Normally when I am fishing a tournament out of my kayak or practicing for one, I will have 6 rods with me. All rigged up with a different presentation and I usually use them all till I find out what they are hitting. 

[Hawks Feather]

When you use a cane pole you never have to worry about anything.  Well, maybe if your sinker is too heavy for the bobber you pick, but other than that it is pretty easy.

Jerry

[Okanagan]

Nice rig and thoughtful report.  Thanks.  I've used baitcasters for bass size fish only when fishing as a guest and using a borrowed rig.  I cautiously liked them but have not tried the newest ones like you have.  I use a baitcaster exclusively for sockeye salmon in our big rivers and have caught Chinook up to 32 lbs. on it, but it is a lot bigger reel (Ambassador 6501 is the model if my memory is right).   Oh, caught some steelhead on a borrowed baitcaster years ago, and we use them for jigging from a boat in salt water, but rarely cast in that scenario.   Otherwise have been an open faced spin reel man for my whole life.  When I was about 10 years old, the Mitchell 300 took our fishing world by storm.

As a aside, when I was a teen, the outdoor magazines all put down open faced spinning reels.  Writers said that they could not cast as accurately as a baitcaster.  I laughed at them.  They were all old school fishermen, not used to the then-new spinning reels.  As a kid fishing brushy overhung rivers I had learned from the start to drop a lure on a dime way back under brush across a river.  It was a humorous micro-sample of the establishment's view of any new device in history.  Now technology is improving baitcasters to challenge spinning reels, maybe reversing the trend. 

Hmmm... one of those new models like yours is tempting.  I think that rig would be fun for pike if I ever make another run to northern Saskatchewan. 

[HaMeR]

I hated those baitcasters til I bought an Abu-Garcia MANY years ago. A tournament fisher buddy told me to roll my wrist to the left as I tossed the lure out. Damn if that didnt make a difference!! Wish I woulda kept it. 

[FinsnFur]

Yeah, rolling your wrist to the left changes the spool from the horizontal position to the vertical position... and with it spinning that way as it releases line it lessens the chance of a bird nest. But what your buddy should have told you is it's easier to cast with your wrist turned to the left then it is to cast and turn at the same time. ;-)

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[HaMeR]

He may have said it that way & I just picked up on it the way I did.    I certainly was skeptical til he showed me tho.

[Hawks Feather]

I may have to bring the casting reel out of retirement and give the 'twist' or 'turn' a try.

Jerry

[Dave]

I may have to bring the casting reel out of retirement and give the 'twist' or 'turn' a try.

Jerry

My thoughts exactly.  I don't want to miss out on anything, especially if I already have the toy tool.

[Hawks Feather]

I may have to bring the casting reel out of retirement and give the 'twist' or 'turn' a try.

Jerry

My thoughts exactly.  I don't want to miss out on anything, especially if I already have the toy tool.

Correct TOOL incorrect Toy.  I have to remember that.  If my wife asks I purchased a tool today (231 powder) that I will be able to use for my 9mm and .380 tools when I go out to play work.   


Jerry

[FinsnFur]

I thought everyone who used them casted them with a rolled wrist. Thats how I was taught, but I could never get it to work on the older models.
Most of the new ones have a magnetic brake in them now. Which I'm assuming works along the same lines as a centrifical clutch. I don't know how it works... it's adjustable and it works awesome though LOL


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[HaMeR]

Remembering back I also ran 20lb mono on it. The heavier line made casting much easier. A lot fewer bird nests & more distance. I was able to pull the boat to the tree with it too. Sometimes the lure just wouldn't stop.   

[FinsnFur]

Yep I had a buddy tell me to get heavy line for it or I would have trouble. But I wont fish heavy line. Just a personal preference that I feel hinders my presentation. But anyway, I put Suffix 832 braided on it like all my other poles and I absolutely love this thing.
I'm far from a pro, I strongly believe they make these things so much easier to use these days...or I'd still be stumbling with it.

[HaMeR]

I believe today's equipment is so much better than it was 25yrs ago that lighter line is a real possibility on these reels. I still on occasion look at the new rods & reels even tho I fish very little anymore. It's a nice surprise to see fishing equipment prices haven't quadrupled over the years & you can still get quality stuff for a nice price.

[KySongDog]

... and with it spinning that way as it releases line it lessens the chance of a bird nest.

Ahhh....the 'ol birds nest.  Brings back not-so-fond memories.   But I haven't fished in years so I'm glad to see that headache has been lessened with the new equipment.

[trailtwister]

For years, started with a Diawa mag force from the 1970's. Still my main reel for other than small gills and such.
All ya have to do is learn to thumb the spool.

OH the stuff today is good chit, Made in China to keep the price down and keep you buying.

Made in AMERICA stuff isn't cheap but will last a life time.
http://usamadeproducts.biz/outdoor-recreation-fishing-gear-fishing-reels.html

https://www.eagleclaw.com/about-us/

http://fishdinnerlures.com/index.php

  Al

[FinsnFur]

You still have to thumb the spool. They're just much more forgiving now and some sweet technology has made them more efficient.
There's nothing wrong with technology and efficiency. Just a guess, but I'm pretty sure the two combined is what kicks start your morning everyday when you grab your coffee. 
You or your parents maybe lit the rooms of their house with candles or some other flame emitting device.
Today....a little bit of technology has us using an led bulb for fractions of a penny, and getting 100+ times more light from it.

[trailtwister]

There is also nothing wrong with the old stuff. Used to be able to fix the truck with a hammer some bailing wire and duct tape. today it has to go to a shop at 80.00 or more per hour and betide into a dozen machines to fix.

  Al