Thread: Reel Types

What is the difference between a conventional reel and a bait casting reel? I see on the Penn website, they offer both.

I fish spinner reels, not familiar with these reels, may go in that direction to try.

And what is line level or level line?

Originally Posted by witler

What is the difference between a conventional reel and a bait casting reel? I see on the Penn website, they offer both.

Conventional reels are mainly used for drop fishing (dropping a weighted line and bait down to structure from a boat).
Bait casting reels are just what the name implies...reel used to cast a bait/lure.

http://www.saltwaterfishing247.com/Article/conventional-vs-baitcasting-reel-what%C3%A2%E2%82%AC%E2%84%A2s-the-difference-Page1.htm

Originally Posted by witler

I fish spinner reels, not familiar with these reels, may go in that direction to try.

Unless you have used a baitcaster and have mastered the art of casting, I'd stick with a spinning reel for the pier. Without the proper reel setup and thumb pressure on the spool, you'll wind up with a birdnest of epic proportions, especially when fishing in the wind.

Originally Posted by witler

And what is line level or level line?

Are you referring to level wind? If so, it's the line guide on the front of a baticaster that moves the line from one side of the spool to the other, to keep the line from stacking up on the spool in one place.

Originally Posted by hammerhead

Conventional reels are mainly used for drop fishing (dropping a weighted line and bait down to structure from a boat).
Bait casting reels are just what the name implies...reel used to cast a bait/lure.

http://www.saltwaterfishing247.com/Article/conventional-vs-baitcasting-reel-what%C3%A2%E2%82%AC%E2%84%A2s-the-difference-Page1.htm

Unless you have used a baitcaster and have mastered the art of casting, I'd stick with a spinning reel for the pier. Without the proper reel setup and thumb pressure on the spool, you'll wind up with a birdnest of epic proportions, especially when fishing in the wind.


Are you referring to level wind? If so, it's the line guide on the front of a baticaster that moves the line from one side of the spool to the other, to keep the line from stacking up on the spool in one place.

Gotta learn sometime.. have a large backyard and raised deck to practice from. Do people use them in surf fishing? just considering another option to add to the enjoyment of fishing, plus an excuse to buy more toys.

I see about 1 bait caster/conventional reel on the pier or beach for every 250 spinning reels.
That should tell you something!

Originally Posted by witler

Gotta learn sometime.. have a large backyard and raised deck to practice from. Do people use them in surf fishing?

They aren't used much at all around here for surf fishing. About the only time they are used is when fishing from a boat.

Now, the smaller baitcasters (Ambassador 4500, 5500, etc) can be used in the surf for smaller species (flounder, whiting, etc), but you just won't get the casting distance with the bigger baitcasters/conventional reels. I have an Ambassador 4500 and 5500 that I use on the pier, mostly for catching bait with a sabiki rig or ribbon. I also used them when I fished the old Dauphin Island pier for specks and flounder, but that was years ago.

Originally Posted by witler

just considering another option to add to the enjoyment of fishing, plus an excuse to buy more toys.

The enjoyment of fishing goes out the window when you are constantly picking a backlash out of a baitcaster or, even worse, wind up losing half of the line on the reel when you have to cut the backlash out.

The big conventional or level wind reels are not designed for casting as they have no breaking system to prevent backlash. If you want to learn how to use a bait caster what I did when teaching my kids was to tighten the tension on the spool so it would not free spool. I would then make an easy cast for me and put a piece of tape on the spool to stop the line from coming out. After they got used to that you can play with loosening the tension and taking the tape off. Biggest problem with fishing it on the pier is wind and people walking up behind you. If you ever hang anything when casting its usually get out the knife and cut all the line off and respool.

Originally Posted by hammerhead
Conventional reels are mainly used for drop fishing (dropping a weighted line and bait down to structure from a boat).
AND TROLLING
Bait casting reels are just what the name implies...reel used to cast a bait/lure.



The 'old' drum spool style Ambassadeurs (4600, 5000, 5500), small Penns (209, 309, etc.) & Shimanos (Calcutta, Corsair, etc.) were not well suited for getting the casting distance obtained by spinning tackle.
But 20-25 years ago there a growing contingent of surf casters who mastered distance casting (for fishing, not just competition) using 'magged' Ambassaduer 6500s, 7000s and Penn Squidders (even experimenting with ultra light oils "rocket oil" to gain distance and smoothness).
This was one of the early innovations that eventually led to the magnetic braking system employed in today's 'low profile' baitcasters.
Many of these reels feature 6 to 10 bearings (internal) plus 4 to 6 magnets to help control the spool rotation.
Good casting distance can be obtained with these systems, but IMHO the exposed worm gear and pawl on the line guide models is not in a 'friendly' environment on the beach.
Beach sand will ruin a line guide quickly!

Originally Posted by witler

Gotta learn sometime.. have a large backyard and raised deck to practice from.
Do people use them in surf fishing? just considering another option to add to the enjoyment of fishing, plus an excuse to buy more toys.

LOL, witler be like:

If you have never used a bait caster - I would not recommend going out and buying one. See if you can practice before you jump out there and buy. I started using bait casters two years ago and it was rough in the beginning. I now own 3 Penn 525 Mags and 2 Saltist BG30's - I am only using these when I need to get some distance on my cast. If you need to cast 100 plus yards then start practicing.

I know it's a "reality" show and subject to television editing, but unless they have done some serious production work that Jeremy Wade fellow from River Monster fame can cast the heck out of a Shimano Tiagra and even larger reels. Maybe it's not that big of a deal, but I've always thought that casting a large reel like that or similar was quite difficult.