Triggers on spinning reels

[tyrius.]

So, does anyone here fish with the trigger systems (like the Shimano Quickfire) on their spinning gear?  I'm trying to decide whether or not to get it on my ultralight setup.  I like it because it is very easy to cast.  However, like all of these systems it does not have instant anti reverse.

Is this just an area of personal preference or should I really go without the trigger system?

[.ghoti.]

I've had a few of those type reels, and will never have another one. Every one failed rather quickly. The trigger / bail mechanism was what failed.

If you're only intending to use one a few times a year, for light duty panfishing, you'd probably be OK with one.

If you're gonna use it every day, I'd say don't do it.

Cheers,

GK

[ABC123]

I used to have a couple reels with them, one Shimano, and one Diawa. I never had an issue with them. Guy I fish with uses them with Lightning rods. It's an item that needs to be maintained so it can work smoothly. I have to admit, everytime this subject comes up, the majority of people had issue with them, so I'm a little leary of recommending them, but again, I had no problem with them.

[Marty]

I don't think that there's any doubt that most experienced anglers prefer the non-trigger models. I've used a number of trigger reels over the years and had no particular problems, though.

[tyrius.]

I've had a few of those type reels, and will never have another one. Every one failed rather quickly. The trigger / bail mechanism was what failed.

I've got one right now.  It was my first spinning reel and I still use it (it's oh probably over 15 years old)!!  Shimano makes GOOD stuff!!!   8-)

[tyrius.]

I don't think that there's any doubt that most experienced anglers prefer the non-trigger models. I've used a number of trigger reels over the years and had no particular problems, though.

Why don't they prefer them?  Is it the non-instant anti reverse?

I really like the trigger on mine now and am leaning towards getting another, just trying to see why they are not preferred.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I don't think that there's any doubt that most experienced anglers prefer the non-trigger models. I've used a number of trigger reels over the years and had no particular problems, though.

Why don't they prefer them?  Is it the non-instant anti reverse?

I really like the trigger on mine now and am leaning towards getting another, just trying to see why they are not preferred.

Exactly.  You have 1/2 to 3/4 of a full rotation before you get any response.  WAY too much.  

[tyrius.]

Exactly. You have 1/2 to 3/4 of a full rotation before you get any response. WAY too much.

Is this really only a concern in presentations such as trolling or dropshotting or other presentations where your hand is not on the reel handle at all times?

When reeling in with my current trigger reel I've got my hand on the handle pretty much at all times so my hand is keeping the reel from reversing.

Decisions, decisions, decisions...  :-/

[.dsaavedra.]

if it has no instant anti reverse.....DO NOT GET IT!!!

you wont get very good hooksets if you have 1/2 to 3/4 of a rotation before it stops moving. i think manually opening the bail is a small compensation for missing alot of hooksets. plus, ive used them things and after a while, it puts a hurtin on my index finger! specially when the trigger gets stickier to open.

[Jeff H]

I liked the old Quick Fire trigger and never had any problems with mine.  I actually miss it and wish they'd put it on some of their better reels again.  I won't trade it for anti-reverse but I'd buy a reel with both in a heartbeat.

[burleytog]

Can't have both.  With IAR, the trigger wouldn't return to center every time.

I've fished them a lot through the years.  Daiwa, Quantum, and Shimano.  I still use a Spirex as my drop-shot reel.  The lack of IAR isn't that big of a deal to me.

For the money, the Spirex front drag is a fine reel.  My Daiwa WE1355 was a d**n good reel.  Used it from 91 until last year before retiring for newer stuff.  The trigger never missed a beat.

The Quantum Snapshots were decent reels.  An SS2 was my do-everything reel from 97-04, used it so much I wore the thing out.  

[Micro]

I have a Spirex front drag reel.  It's nice, but it's excessively heavy.  The QuickFire II system is a neat gimmick, but I stopped using it altogether after a few trips.  I like opening and closing the bail with my hand.   The reel itself is nice.  It's relatively smooth, but the bail closes very hard.  And it's overweight.  

[Triton9]

ive fished with a few in the past and i think its pretty much obsolete, wayyyy too much backplay and your finger gets tired of using the trigger after like half an hour, i dont like them at all

[tyrius.]

you wont get very good hooksets if you have 1/2 to 3/4 of a rotation before it stops moving.

I hear this all the time, but I've used my current reel (with trigger) for 15 years and don't notice a difference in hooksets with it compared to a baitcasting reel.  With my hand on the handle I can control any backplay in the hookset.  Maybe I'll just fish with the current crappy reel with instant anti reverse and see if it makes any difference in hooksets.  I know that that reel takes much more effort to cast though.

[.RM.]

Why don't they prefer them?  Is it the non-instant anti reverse?

Not really. It is the off balanced wobble that the reels posses. Besides being the first thing to wear out (if not serviced and maintained regularly). You can't have an infinite anti reverse with a trigger that must land up on the zero axis of the rotor to work.

But then again if you learn how to open and close the bail with your hand, instead of a trigger. You don't have to worry about were the trigger lands, to be able to pick-up the line and open the bail simultaneously.

Oh and BTW to trigger or not to trigger is personal preference no matter how you look at it.

Just my .02¢

Tight Lines!!!

[Sam]

I hate the trigger.

I tried to remove it from one of my spinning reels and it was not productive so I put it back.

In the future, all spinning reels WILL NOT have any trigger, no matter the size.

What Reel Mechanic says is correct, as usual.  Use your hand to throw the bail open and close and your spinning reels will last a long time without any problems.

P.S.  The 6 year boy I take fishing is always having trouble casting with the trigger reel.  Drives me crazy as I have to stop and unwrap the line from the rod when this happens.

[tyrius.]

What Reel Mechanic says is correct, as usual.  

I agree.  To quote Reel Mechanic.  

Oh and BTW to trigger or not to trigger is personal preference no matter how you look at it.  

Use your hand to throw the bail open and close and your spinning reels will last a long time without any problems.

I think 15 years is a pretty good lifespan for a spinning reel with a trigger.   ;D

I actually liked his point on the reel being better balanced without a trigger.  That one makes a lot of sense and would probably justify the extra steps in having a reel without one.