Spinning Reel Problem

[Tj Davis]

Im a rookie bass fisherman. I'd be using a zeboc 33 rod with a slightly bigger reel with14 pound line. I've always wanted a spinning reel and recently bought a shakespere rod n' reel (6'6). I have 12 pound line on it, but cant seem to throw it as far as i'd like. any suggestions?

[Dave T.]

What action is the rod? Medium light, Medium, Medium Heavy?

What is the weight of the lure you are trying to cast?

[roadwarrior]

Zebco 33 is a reel not a rod.

If that is the reel you have, respool with Yo-Zuri Hybrid #6 or your favorite brand in #8.

If that doesn't work, your rod is simply to stiff for smaller lures.

[Ern]

The rod may be a rod from a Zebco 33 combo. In which case it would say that on the rod. But the ole "33" the name of Zebco reel. Now for the spinning rod and reel. Sounds like maybe you got a combo. Pretty standard rigs at most sporting goods retailers. I would say the reel would be a 30 or 35 something and the rod a medium power. If this is the case the spool should have a line recomendation on the side. Again, guessing, 6-10 lb line. In most cases your reel will perform best with a limp mono. Starters would be standard Stren and Trilene XL. I would go with what ever the middle line lb. recomendation, 8lb, is for starters. The heavier 12lb. line is better for baitcaster and bigger spinning reels. Your rod should have Lure weights recomended also. For the most part stay within these sizes for the best performance from your outfit.

[Marty]

12# line is close to the practical maximum for spinning reels. Like others have said, lure weight and rod characteristics could have an effect. Also, what kind of line? Small diameter or large diameter line? What size reel? The ratio of line size to spool diameter is important, with the best line performance coming from bigger diameter spools, all other things being equal. You also want a spinning-friendly line. For example, Trilene XL would be spinning-friendly, while Trilene XT would not.

[SirSnookalot]

Lighter line, proper lure weight, a better quality rod generally casts better too.

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

Right. the trilene xl is great on a spinning reel. personally in my experience 12lb is pushing it and have never found it to cast well regardless of line brand unless it is put on a very large spooled reel.