Removing the bail on a spinning reel

[rdhdfmn]

My knowledge is very limited when it comes to offshore fishing. I have read a couple of times that people take off(or it comes like that from the factory) the bail on a spinning reel. So if you take the bail off all you have left is the thing that wraps the line back on? And why remove it? I am waiting on the new spheros and I saw that you could order it without the bail. Thanks for the info. RD

[Bill Fisher]

a bail can get bumped open?

[Privateer_01]

You get what's called a manual spinning reel. Penn and Mitchell made a lot of them in mid to late 60's. Penn actually just recently stopped making theirs, called a 706. They are/were really popular with fisherman in florida who fished with live baits, because you could quicky get into free-spool mode fast when a spooky fish took the bait. I fished with a 706 for everything from kings to snapper until two years ago, when the reel I had for 14 years was stolen out of a rod holder in Freeport.

Van Staal spinning reels are still made as manuals, but they are very expensive.

They take some getting used to, but if you fish for spooky critters that take live baits, say like a finicky ling, they are really handy.

Cheers

[Bill Fisher]

Originally Posted by Bill Fisher

a bail can get bumped open

or closed too....... 2 things not good with easily spooked fish like'e said

[rdhdfmn]

Please forgive my ignorance. What does having a bail on your reel have to do with fishing live bait? Im trying to learn. RD

[mcgolfer]

Originally Posted by rdhdfmn

Please forgive my ignorance. What does having a bail on your reel have to do with fishing live bait? Im trying to learn. RD

line comes off the reel with no resistance when the fish picks up the bait. some people get excited when they get a pick up and accidently trip the bail....rick

[rdhdfmn]

Very good. Thanks for the information. Is that the only reason to go without a bail? RD