Spincast reels

[Reel Guy]

Here is my dilemma. This is my first year fishing for bass and it's been a great year so far! I have learned to use a spinning reel which I never could master before so that is good as well. My main reels have been Zebco 33 reels. They have done well but not as sturdy as I would like them to be. Catching a lot of fish with them and pulling good fish out of the weeds so they have had a lot of hard use. They still backlash inside sometimes and one I could spin the handle but the reel wouldn't catch line until there was pressure on it. I'm wondering if it's time to step up to a baitcasting reel? I like the spincast because of it's simplicity. Is there one that is good and sturdy or is it time to gear up? Just need some advice!

[crypt]

do what you feel is the way to go. some people don't like bait casting and that's ok. spinning tackle is great to  use. if you feel it's time to try bait casting get the best combo that your budget will allow,but don't skimp. remember you get what you pay for. plus if you get a quality setup it makes it easier to learn on.

[KDW96]

If you learned the spinning reel, you can definately learn a baitcaster. It will take practice,but youll get it. Just dont get too frustrated. I learned on a abu garcia 4600 round, that was given to me used.  So you dont need a expensive one to start. An ABU GARCIA BLACK MAX will be just fine to learn on, and wont cost a arm&leg.. As far as a sturdy spincast ZEBCO OMEGAS, but cost more than black max. Good luck

[fishnkamp]

I sent you a direct e-mail message. The Omega is a good option if you intend to continue with spincasting equipment. I have one you can try out. I would also suggest you spend some time with a good spinning rod and reel. For unweighted plastics, and lightly weighted lures they can not be beat. For heavier baits I really suggest you get a chance to practice with a good baitcasting rod and a good quality baitcasting reel. These reels are available for around $100 and up "retail" which means often for much less on the internet.

[MickD]

 Ditch the spincasters for a decent conventional spinning outfit, then progress  from that to baitcasting.  But baitcasting will not replace spinning; it will give you more flexibility to do more different techniques.  Spinning for finesse, lighter lures, casting for heavier lures, more power.  

This is a progression that most kids ultimately do if they are serious about getting skilled at fishing.  Nothing wrong with spincasters as a starting point, but don't be limited by them.  Go on beyond them.

[Molay1292]

Use what makes fishing fun for you, there are no rules when it comes to just having a good time.   There are high quality spincast reels available if that is what you choose to fish with.    

Don't sweat the small stuff, none of us are getting off this ride alive.

[fishnkamp]

You know what is funny, years ago (back in the nineties) I met a pro from Virginia that never used a baitcaster. He always used spinning and some big Zebco 808s. He almost won the BassMasters classic here on the Chesapeake Bay and finished high in lots of other tournaments.  It was not till near the end of his career he started using them.

[Molay1292]

2 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

You know what is funny, years ago (back in the nineties) I met a pro from Virginia that never used a baitcaster. He always used spinning and some big Zebco 808s. He almost won the BassMasters classic here on the Chesapeake Bay and finished high in lots of other tournaments.  It was not till near the end of his career he started using them.

Gary Klein carried a Zebco 33 in his boat during the 2014 Bassmaster Classic.  He said he was going to make a few casts with it.   Never heard if he did or not, but felt like it was a very cool gesture.    Seems like most anglers all have one version or another of a Zebco reel in their history. 

[bigfruits]

ditch the spincast. do not buy another!

stick to spinning for now since you are comfortable with them but eventually you will probably use spinning for finesse/light lures and baitcaster for everything else.

 

[buzzed bait]

if you stick with the spincast, i'd get a daiwa goldcast.  my dad's only reel he will use.  he has 2 of them and swears by them.  i've used one of his before and they are sturdy, built like a tank and no failures.

[the reel ess]

Yes, it is time to step up. Expect to spend more than $60 for a quality reel. You won't be sorry and you'll never go back to the Zebco. For the price of a really good spincast reel you can get an entry level baitcaster with a 1-piece aluminum frame and centrifugal braking system. This would be the bare minimum I would buy based on my experience with budget BC reels. This should last you years and be a good, inexpensive model to learn with. Nobody wants to spend a lot on the first baitcaster, but going cheaper than this would be a mistake.

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h20-xpress-mettle-mt2-baitcast-reel-right-handed#repChildCatid=903506

You can get a whole combo for $90!

This is a reel I am considering buying. And I have several reels over the $130 range. The Motive is a step up from the Mettle in speed and features and still well under $100. Great value at this price range and the reviews are great!

If you want good quality that will last a decade or more, get a reel in the $130-150 range and you won't be needing to replace it for a long time. Good luck.

[BobP]

I got schooled one time by a buddy using a 70's era Abu spin cast reel.  He made twice as many casts as I was able to make with an open face spinning reel and caught twice as many fish.  So it's a matter of the right tool for the existing conditions.  After that, I bought a few old Abu 505's and 608's on EBay.  But I still use mostly bait casting reels and modern spinning reels.  It depends on the water and the fishing conditions, what size bait I'm throwing, and how the fish are reacting.  If you fish for the pleasure of it like I do, you don't need to get swept up in the latest greatest equipment craze.  A baitcaster makes sense if you are using heavier line and if you want to expand your fishing experience to a new horizon.  And modern open face spinning reels are more durable than most spin cast reels that are designed for light duty panfish fishing.  But most of us fish for fun, not for competition or as a career.  So choose whatever equipment that helps you do that.

[new2BC4bass]

My daughter's fiance and his father only fish with spincast reels.  I've offered the fiance the use of any of my spinning or baitcast reels when we've gone out.  He refuses, so I bought him a Zebco Omega Z03Pro a couple years ago for Christmas.  That and an HMG to go with it.  He loves the combo.  Personally I am a baitcast reel fanatic, but if anyone wants to use something different that is fine with me.  You don't have to use what I use.  Different strokes for different folks.

Once I set my daughter up with a baitcast combo, she has never used her spinning combos since.  Use what you like.  It is all fun, and that is the name of the game.

[buzzed bait]

31 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Personally I am a baitcast reel ADDICT

fixed it for you...

[crypt]

12 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

You know what is funny, years ago (back in the nineties) I met a pro from Virginia that never used a baitcaster. He always used spinning and some big Zebco 808s. He almost won the BassMasters classic here on the Chesapeake Bay and finished high in lots of other tournaments.  It was not till near the end of his career he started using them.

Woo Daves is his name.  he still fishes the Opens when he can.

[new2BC4bass]

22 minutes ago, buzzed bait said:

fixed it for you...

  So true!

[OCdockskipper]

My first "new" rod & reel was a "Fishing Machine" http://www.somefishblog.com/2012/09/the-st-croix-cosmo-fishing-machine.html.  I was about 10 years old, saw the commercial for it and since the reel was on top of the rod & not the bottom, I thought it was like all of setups the pro's used.  I did catch fish with it, but you darn near wore your arm out trying to reel in Hellbenders & River Runts all morning.  

I eventually figured out it wasn't all it was cracked up to be and begged my mom for a Diawa Millionaire combo the following Christmas.  Had that setup for decades until I traded it in at the BPS Spring Fishing event just a few years ago.

[fishnkamp]

crypt you were correct, but I was not trying to out him. LOL! I met and talked to him every year he came to Baltimore for the big fishing show in Timonium. He was a super guy.   In fact I even have a video he did years ago. I am glad to hear he is still kicking it above ground.

[collards]

I have many rods & reels. Some spin & Bait casters that have cost me a pretty penny.  Old arthur has really gotten my hands and so I started getting different sizes of the omegas. I love them. I have caught  huge fish with them and they cast quite far. I have confidence and a lot of fun. That is what it is about for me. Fun. They are easy to use and well built. 

[Jaderose]

You may find it is easier to use a baitcaster than you think.  I went straight from a spincast to a baitcast  and found it fairly straightforward.  It was later that I learned to use a spinning reel and I'm still not great with it.  I went from a Daiwa Silvercast...which I still have and will throw occasionally for the fun of it to a BPS Pro Qualifier.  I still have that Pq too and it's still going strong even though I beat the ever heck out of it every year.  Buy it in winter and practice casting when you don't have anything better to do.  You'll be glad you did.

But if you DO decide to stick with spincast?  Cool......use what you like

[collards]

I have several baitcasters and spinning. It is hard to move my hand. The omega pro is really nice. I have daiwa gold and silver and there is no comparison. Make sure you get the black omega.It is really nice. I used baitcasters for around 60 years as I started with them and a zebco at around 5.  I have a new Lew's now which has never seen the water. It just works well for me using the omega. My hands are just not very nimble anymore. 

[bigfruits]

1 hour ago, fishnkamp said:

  In fact I even have a video he did years ago.

wormin with woo?

now that i think about it he talks about spincast in that video (i think he uses it for punching?) and uses spinning rods the whole time.

[Reel Guy]

I really appreciate all your feedback and advice! I will read over all the replies again and think about where to go with this. Just for the record, I have been doing most of my fishing with rubber worms, crawdads and lizards, and some frogs. I love the spinning reel and still learning how to cast correctly but it has caught some nice fish, including my personal best 21 inch largemouth at 4-5 lbs. Thanks again everyone and will accept any more comments!!!

[fishnkamp]

Nothing beats putting some lefty and right handed baitcasters as well as some spinning reels in your hands. In my case I can make that happen as well as give you a chance to throw an Omega as well.  Do not spend your money or make a decision till you get to throw them for yourself.  Let meet up soon. 

[OCdockskipper]

5 hours ago, Jaderose said:

... I went straight from a spincast to a baitcast  and found it fairly straightforward.  It was later that I learned to use a spinning reel and I'm still not great with it...

I had the same progression, not using spinning rods for bass fishing until after becoming proficient with a baitcaster.  My problem originally was that I had become accustomed to feathering every cast with the baitcaster, so accuracy distance-wise was never dictated by changing how hard of a cast I made.  I eventually solved it by choosing spinning reels with shorter necks, which allowed me to feather every cast with my index finger.  Once I educated that finger the same way I had educated my thumb, the two became interchangeable.