Spinning reel trouble

[top_dollar]

I use spinning gear quite a bit and have a learned a thing or two, here is my 2 cents.  

1.) Use larger sized reels than you're used to.  I don't use anything less than a size 30, generally a 35, or 40.  Pflueger used to make a wide spool reel called an Arbor, but they no longer make it.  I still look for as wide a diameter spool as possible.   

2.) You may be putting too much pressure on the line when you spool up.  Just lay the spool so that it turns the same direction of the bail and let the line move through your fingers with only light pressure.

3.) After you secure/tie the line to the spool, make sure it has no twists in it.  

4.) Use lighter line.  I personally don't put anything on a spinning reel heavier than 6#.  As mentioned, mono is the way to go.  Huge fan of 4# S.O.S trout magnet.  I have used 4# FC on my reels with no problems, but mono may be easier if twist has been an issue for you.  If I have to use heavier than 6# line Ill use casting gear, or braided line. 

5.) After I apply my line, I spray it with some silicone spray, and I also spray my eyelets with it.  IDK if it does anything, but in my head it cuts down on friction during casting. 

6.) Change your line out early and often.  I generally change out my line after every couple of trips, and if I have any twist problems I take it off and respool. 

7.) I also spool about half of the spool with cheap 10# line.  Then I use a piece of tape (Not duct or electrical, they leave a gummy residue.  3M 401+ leaves no residue.) and a small drop of super glue to secure the tape permanently.  Saves time respooling and uses less line.  I add line until there is about there is just about 1/8" from the spool.  Under spooling is better than over spooling, but you will lose casting distance.

[Biglerma]

Tons of great advice on here!

[rps]

I dislike spinning gear. I cannot accurately cast, and my touch is not as good. In fact, the only time I use spinning gear is in locations like drift fishing a large river. There, accuracy does not matter as much, and often I am using 6# or less.

I dislike it so much that I built a bait cast rig to cast neds. A 1/16 jig head with half a zinker? No problem with a good reel and the right rod.

It may not be everyone's solution, but it's mine.

[top_dollar]

11 hours ago, rps said:

I dislike spinning gear. I cannot accurately cast, and my touch is not as good. In fact, the only time I use spinning gear is in locations like drift fishing a large river. There, accuracy does not matter as much, and often I am using 6# or less.

I dislike it so much that I built a bait cast rig to cast neds. A 1/16 jig head with half a zinker? No problem with a good reel and the right rod.

It may not be everyone's solution, but it's mine.

I've heard of that bait finesse stuff.  I thought I may give it a try at some point, but id need a whole new dedicated setup.  I want to get one though and compare my casting distance vs spinning gear. 

I often fish for crappie/bluegill from the bank and I've spend countless hours trying to throw a 1/64-1/32 oz jig with a 2 inch swimming minnow as far as I possibly can.  I feel I've developed I pretty solid technique and can get that dude out pretty far.  I know a weighted cork is a solution, but I hate those and only use them when I absolutely have to. 

[Dutch]

1 hour ago, top_dollar said:

I've heard of that bait finesse stuff.  I thought I may give it a try at some point, but id need a whole new dedicated setup.  I want to get one though and compare my casting distance vs spinning gear. 

I often fish for crappie/bluegill from the bank and I've spend countless hours trying to throw a 1/64-1/32 oz jig with a 2 inch swimming minnow as far as I possibly can.  I feel I've developed I pretty solid technique and can get that dude out pretty far.  I know a weighted cork is a solution, but I hate those and only use them when I absolutely have to. 

I have a dedicated bait caster for Ned rigs.  It is a Gloomis ml Bronzeback rod with a Curado XG 70 reel and 6# line.  There is no way I can cast it as far as my spinning setups.

[Flysmallie]

13 hours ago, rps said:

I dislike spinning gear. I cannot accurately cast, and my touch is not as good. In fact, the only time I use spinning gear is in locations like drift fishing a large river. There, accuracy does not matter as much, and often I am using 6# or less.

I dislike it so much that I built a bait cast rig to cast neds. A 1/16 jig head with half a zinker? No problem with a good reel and the right rod.

It may not be everyone's solution, but it's mine.

I use a bait caster for light baits for the same reason. Usually it has an unweighted floating worm on it. I’m much more accurate and can work the bait better like this. It’s a high dollar rod but I don’t use very expensive reels and just replace them every couple of years. I can cast that thing farther than I need to. 

[rps]

On 3/24/2024 at 9:56 AM, Dutch said:

I have a dedicated bait caster for Ned rigs.  It is a Gloomis ml Bronzeback rod with a Curado XG 70 reel and 6# line.  There is no way I can cast it as far as my spinning setups.

There are few times when the farther you cast the better. Fishing trout or or smallmouth in shallow and clear water. When fish start chopping the top some ways from you. Bank fishing as TopDollar says. Maybe a few others. The majority of times, directions count more than distance, especially when the distance difference is negligible.

I am not saying I can tie a bait casting rod that can throw a 1/16th ounce crappie jig. I am saying I have built a rod than can easily cast a 1/16th head plus half a zinker.

MHX 7'6" blank, SJ 9000 rated for 6-12 line, 1/16 to 3/8, ML, F action. Diawa Zillion SV TW. Spiral wrapped with Recoil micro guides. I built this 6 or 7 years ago, right as the Ned was first becoming popular. @Quillback has fished with me while I used this rod.

 

[Dutch]

Is that the rod that is in my garage?

[rps]

5 minutes ago, Dutch said:

Is that the rod that is in my garage?

No, the one in the garage was built for niko rigs,  senkos, and shaky rigs. It also works well for finesse jigs. Please try the rod and tell me what you think.

[Quillback]

Yep, I have seen Randy use that BC setup for light stuff.  I made a few casts with it once at a OA One Bass Tourney, it threw that Ned rig well.

I'm a spinning rod fan myself for light baits, pretty much gone to braid and leader for the light stuff.  I like my Zolo McSmalls, I can throw 1/8 oz Neds and up to a 1/4 oz swimbaits with it.