MH spinning set ups

[jwo1124]

Ok, some Fresh Water spinning rods come in MH and even H powers, while the other portion mainly stop at M power. In the world of bass fishing, where baitcasters rule supreme, most anglers never use a spinning rod over M or even ML. Most only have one or two of these forgotten spinning rods for drop shotting or other finesse tactics.

My question is, how many of you guys have owned, own, use or have used MH spinning rods for bass fishing or other freshwater fishing? I only ask because I have a MH Lighting Rod, and I have fished with it on a couple of occasions, and while the sensitivity if good, the rod is really really stiff. I am wondering if I should buy a new needed reel for it, (because I took one of the spinning reels off another rod so I could use the Lighting rod.) Should I bother? Or should I just sell it, forget about it and focus on baitcasters for anything over a ML power?

I love spinning reels, I am comfortable with them, and even though I tell myself I am going to buy a $100+ baitcaster and perfect the new reel, I keep thinking about sticking with spinning for as long as possible. I think it is a "leaving the comfort zone" type of deal...

I know that a MH spinning reel that is going to hold the heavier line is going to be heavier, almost twice as heavy as a biatcaster...but will that added 9 or 10 ounces of added weight for a larger spinning reel really make a difference? I mean guys use big spinning reels in the ocean for blue and stripers and chuck and wind plugs and lures for them for hours on end, and even look at surf casters...same deal...so why is there such a big deal with baitcasters and bass fishing? Some say the added weight of the larger spinning reel will noticeably fatigue your arm, but if you use the reel a few times, I'm sure your body will adapt to the added half a pound.

Just a thought. I would really like to be able to be skilled with a baitcaster, but it's the whole learning process filled with back lashes and frustration that gets me. Not to mention learning how to fish holding the rod in my left hand instead of my right and reeling with my right hand instead of my left...I guess I could just get a left handed version...

Why did they originally make baitcasters the complete opposite of the spinning reel, meanings which hand you hold the rod in and which hand you reel with?

[roadwarrior]

Fish Chris and LBH use spinning tackle exclusively. I think Fish's

biggest freshwater catch was only 300 lbs (sturgeon), but you

could probably catch some real size with this gear! He also throws

some swimbaits on spinning rigs that are bigger than most tournament

bass. It can be done.

8-)

[jwo1124]

Thanks Road, good to know. I had a feeling it could be done, just how well? My main concerns are the added weigth to the rod/reel set up for a heavier spin set up, and finding MH rods. I was thinking about getting a M power Tiger Lite(Ugly Stik) It's like 6'6" or 6'9" and hold up to 3 ounces. I was thinking about getting this for swimbaits and huge topwaters. See if I can yank out a trophy this year. Was gonna get a H power version of the same rod for coastal stripers.

[Chris at Tech]

How heavy a line are you hoping to throw?

First thing's first.  'Heavier line' can easily be thrown on spinning reels in the form of braid.  6 lb diameter/20lb test is on every spinning reel I own.  I used to throw a Stradic 2500 with BPS Extreme MH combo a lot (since moved to baitcasting for those applications)

Secondly, you don't need to double the weight of the reel.  Braid is an option, as I said above.  But you can also get a 3000 or 3500 sized spinning reel.  These guys can hold ~200 yds of 12lb line, so you can upsize the line size to 15 or even 17 and stil have plenty of line capacity.  You just need to be careful which line you choose to use, since line memory could be an issue (and would be trickier to deal with on a spinning reel).

Finally, as far as learning baitcasting. In this day and age, there is ZERO reason to get a right-handed retrieve if you're more comfortable reeling lefty.  Not all baitcasters have LH retrieves, but probably 80% do.  Just get one of those and don't look back

[Ballpark Frank]

I have always thought it odd that I see alot more spinning setups being used for fishing in Europe for large freshwater fish, including pike, zander, and bass. I am not saying this is true, just what I have seen. Maybe T-rig could clarify this. I know there are a few guys in the international section that almost always are pictured with a spinning reel.  I used a Browning(can't remember the exact model) 7' MH rod and size 40 reel for big jigs. At the time I was alot more accurate flipping and pitching with a spinning reel. I usually spooled the reel with 15# Big Game and had no issues. I have since learned to pitch and flip with a baitcaster. Funny thing is I had been using BC gear for a many years, but could never get the hang of it for flipping. I also used that setup for catfish. They may not fight as hard, but a 10-15# cat will give a rod and reel a workout. I have several friends that use spinning gear exclusively. The interesting thing, they usually have a lot less gear in the boat, maybe 3 rods max. If you are more comfortable with spinning gear, by all means us it and enjoy fishing.

[islandbass]

JWO,

It has perplexed me and I am relatively new to bass angling with this upcoming season being my 5th, as to we so many bass anglers seem to be an either exclusive to one reel type or the other.

It is MHO, but I do not see why you should need to "give up" spinning reels, especially if you are already comfortable with spinning reels.

I see both reel types as tools and each might excel where the other might be lacking or somewhat adequate and vice versa.

I have a MH compre spinning to handle my "all around" spinning rod and have used it for drop shotting and t-rigs. It does well doing both.

I think it would be better to see the upcoming baitcast setup as an addition to your arsenal and not a sayonara to your spinning rigs.

I too felt awkward leaving my comfort zone as I too came initially from a spinning background, but I will say that I am glad I did. Baitcasters rock, but IMO, so do spinning reels. I like, love, and use both.  Bottom line, reels are tools.  Some anglers might think of it as a pride thing and that it is beneath them to use a spinning reel, and that is their prerogative.  But if they look down and frown on me for using a spinning setup, that is their problem.  A spinning reel spanks a casting reel for most finesse set ups. So unless they can cast a 1/16 oz lure and not have to pull line off their casting reels just to give the lure a more vertical drop for lighter items, I won't even give a second look.

As for a MH setup for bass fishing, you need not look any further that a 2500 spinning reel and a decent MH like something from Shimano's compre line. After the 2500 size, reels are just to heavy IMHO.

As for learning a bc reel, I will tell you that it is NOT is "hard" as you perceive currently. These modern reels out there like a Citica or Curado have such a high tolerance for user error in set up that I guarantee you that you can learn in as little as 3 twenty minute sessions of focused quality practice. I am dead serious. I taught my little girl when she was six and she was hooked after the first cast.

Heck, I could teach you how to use one in less than 10 minutes. And get reel with the handle on the same side as is found on your spinning reels. I think it is not worth it to spend your hard earned $$$ on a good casting reel and buy it with the handle on the opposite side. Just because most older bass anglers use RH casting reels doesn't mean that you have to.  They had to learn that way because back then, there really wasn't a choice as there is today.

I use LH casting reels and I will bet you a floating rapala minnow you will feel much better using LH ones too.

..."Why did they originally make baitcasters the complete opposite of the spinning reel, meanings which hand you hold the rod in and which hand you reel with? "...

It leads me to believe that the inventor of the baitcaster was left handed.

[surfer]

<-------  Spinning only.  Its my comfort zone and it works.

[zelmo]

I only had light spinning rigs, so I just got a MH setup.  I intend to use it for skipping docks and jigs & shakey heads deep.

I also have M and MH baitcasters and I didn't like them for skipping or times when I need to get down deep.  I got too many backlashes.

[LAO162]

I know where you're coming from.  Last year I picked up a Curado 200B.  It was fun casting, but I was always distracted by having to crank with my right hand.

At first I was going to trade the Curado towards a high end spinning rod, but now I'm thinking I might try a LH Baitcaster.

I think my decision will depend upon which way the wind is blowing

[David P]

I'm not opposed to a MH spinning rod, BUT I just dont' feel there's that much of a need for one.

I have a M and a ML, and prefer my ML rod. I still have the confidence in that rod to bring in a 10lber with moderate ease. Plenty of back bone, the bend of the rod is fun!

[islandbass]

I know where you're coming from. Last year I picked up a Curado 200B. It was fun casting, but I was always distracted by having to crank with my right hand.

At first I was going to trade the Curado towards a high end spinning rod, but now I'm thinking I might try a LH Baitcaster.

I think my decision will depend upon which way the wind is blowing

I made the same mistake on my first casting reel, which is why I suggested to JWO to go lefty first. If you make the switch, I can practically guarantee you will feel much more comfortable.  I have kept my righty reel because I can fish both ways now, but still a strong preference for the left. I only fish righty when salmon fishing and my left side is too tired to fish so I switch.  ;D

[ww2farmer]

This is just my own personal tastes, but I won't go above a M power rod in spinning. I like to fish line 10lb or less and like a bit of "give" to the rod so I don't push the line to it's extreme limits. Also I like 2500 and smaller size spinning reels, those reels have spools that are perform best with 6 or 8lb line. the 3000 and 4000 size reels IMHO are too big and clumsy.