No AR Switch- No problem

[Mobasser]

For over thirty years, I've been a backreeler with a spinning reel. Every spinning reel I've owned has had an anti reverse switch.               My newest spinning reel is a Shimano Sahara 2500fi, and, it has no AR switch.                                                     At first, I thought this might be hard to get used to. But, it's been an easy transition. The drag on this reel is so smooth, and easily adjustable, that I havnt missed the AR switch at all. One thing I always liked about an AR switch, was that if you accidently reeled the bait too close to the rod tip, you could flip the switch, crank the handle back a couple of times, and get the bait to drop a few inches before you cast again, without opening the bail.                                                       Other than that, I can get by without the switch. I still fish on and off with a couple of older spin reels, mainly a Shimano Sedona, and an old ABU Cardinal 4, both of which have an AR switch. I'll continue to use those as I always have.                        The AR on the newer Shimano spin reels is super tight, with no backplay, and the drag is so much better than reels of even ten years ago.                               Many of the newer reels still feature an AR switch, and , I've liked the Lews, and Diawa models that I've seen. Both companies make some great reels. But if your on the fence about buying a new reel with no AR switch, you don't have to worry.                    Many folks think this may be a trend in the newer reels, eliminating the AR switch completely. I'm not sure if this is true or not.                     I've also experimented by setting the drag overly tight, hooking a fish, then backing off the drag while fighting a fish.                      Of course, this is not the recommended way to land a fish, but with a drag this smooth it's not hard to do. That, coupled with light pressure from your forefinger on the spool as needed, gives you a lot of control.                                                To sum this up here, my new reel, with no AR switch, is working great so far. When I'm ready for a new reel( hopefully not too soon), I can choose either style of reel, and the lack of an AR switch won't be a concern.                                 

[Team9nine]

Speak for yourself  jk, but I'll never buy a spinning reel without the AR switch unless they're simply phased out and not available any more. Some things you simply can't do without one if you're a dedicated backreeler (knowing there aren't that many of us left - lol).

[RoLo]

 

I've done my share of back-reeling, so I know how it feels on both sides of the fence.

I admit to conceding to fishing without an anti-reverse, but I'm not happy about it.

As you mentioned, I also back off the drag when I feel its a good idea, after the fish is out of cover.

The worst part of altering the drag tension is remembering to restore your default setting  ?

 

Roger

[Mobasser]

8 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

Speak for yourself  jk, but I'll never buy a spinning reel without the AR switch unless they're simply phased out and not available any more. Some things you simply can't do without one if you're a dedicated backreeler (knowing there aren't that many of us left - lol).

Glad you commented here. I know your a dedicated backreeler from way back. I started on it after reading about Charlie Brewer and Billy Westmoreland, landing bass of all sizes on light line by backreeling. Over the years I got better at it, and it worked well. As near as I can recall, I've only lost two bass this way, and that was completely my doing. I'll continue on with both ways. I do hope they don't discontinue the AR switch comepletly. But, if they do I'll be prepared. Backreeling does work well.

[J Francho]

15 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

I'll never buy a spinning reel without the AR switch

Okay boomer!  ?

[Mobasser]

2 minutes ago, RoLo said:

 

I've done my share of back-reeling, so I know how it feels on both sides of the fence.

I confess to conceding to fishing without an anti-reverse, but I'm not happy about it.

As you mentioned, I also back off the drag when I feel its a good idea, after the fish is out of cover.

The worst part of altering the drag tension is remembering to retore your default setting  ?

 

Roger

Agree, that's the tricky part. I can get it close, but not exact.

1 minute ago, J Francho said:

Okay boomer!  ?

J Francho, do you backreel also?

[J Francho]

I do not with a spinning reel.  When using a centrepin for much larger, harder fighting fish, I use a similar technique, though my pinky and ring finger exert drag pressure on the arbor, and occasionally back reel.  You can find many videos showing it.

 

 

[BrianMDTX]

Never backreeled. Likely never will. But, as stated above:

 

1 hour ago, Mobasser said:

One thing I always liked about an AR switch, was that if you accidently reeled the bait too close to the rod tip, you could flip the switch, crank the handle back a couple of times, and get the bait to drop a few inches before you cast again, without opening the bail

I probably do that 5-10 a day. I could live without AR, but I wouldn't want to!

[Steveo-1969]

I used to backreel in my teenage years because the couple spinning reels I had were so cheap the drags didn't work at all. I backreeled when fighting fish and got really good at it.

 

Now-a-days I don't backreel when fighting fish, I set the drag and let it do it's job. But I still won't buy a reel without an AR switch. I want the ability to back the line up when my bait is too close to the rod tip or when I have weeds or something on my bait and I need to clean it off. I don't want to get used to not having an AR switch.

[jbrew73]

Baitcasters don’t need an AR switch, just saying. 

[MickD]

16 minutes ago, jbrew73 said:

Baitcasters don’t need an AR switch, just saying. 

But they have an easily accessible thumb control that free spools the reel and allows one to give a little line.  Unlike a spin reel.  Two different animals.  Because casters don't have a switch is irrelevant IMO.

[Hammer 4]

I prefer a AR switch, my Diawa reels have them. However I also have a new Sahara w/o an AR switch, yeah I can make due, but I doubt I'd buy another reel w/o it.

[BrianMDTX]

1 hour ago, MickD said:

But they have an easily accessible thumb control that free spools the reel and allows one to give a little line.  Unlike a spin reel.  Two different animals.  Because casters don't have a switch is irrelevant IMO.

True. Personally, I think picking up the line on my index finger on a spinning rod and reel will instantly transmit a faint strike I'd likely not feel on a baitcaster. 

 

Different rigs. Different applications. 

[Tywithay]

I backreeled until a striper took my crappie jig. Lucky I still have knuckles.

[plawren53202]

11 hours ago, Mobasser said:

To sum this up here, my new reel, with no AR switch, is working great so far.                            

I've never tried backreeling, so AR is not an issue for me either way...but glad you're digging the Sahara. A month or so into getting mine (in the 1000 size) I couldn't be happier with it. Paired with a Dobyns Fury spinning rod, I've used it enough that the honeymoon period is about over and I still can't believe how much rod and reel I got for what I paid.

[WRB]

Set your drag 1/3 rd the line strength and trust it. If you need to add pressure it's easy with a finger tip on the spool.

Tom

[Todd2]

I adjust the drag by feel and just trust the drag. I've never back reeled. To be honest, the main work out my drag gets is on Drums and Catfish...lol 

 

 

[J Francho]

19 hours ago, jbrew73 said:

Baitcasters don’t need an AR switch, just saying. 

I still have a few Daiwas that had an AR switch AND a flipping switch.  They are from the late 80s, and did not have instant AR.