Why not sealed spinning reels here?h

[Spook]

I just read a thread about distance casting for topwater with baitcasting reels and problems related to dunking and water inside these reels.

As a recent transplant from the New England with 55 plus years of surf fishing, the question that keeps nagging me is why don't Texas anglers use light, sealed spinning reels like the VanStaal VS-100 or VS-150 or the ZeeBaas ZX-22 in the surf.

From what I've seen, Texas surf fishermen dunk reels and get more water on them that even the rockhoppers and rock swimmers up in Yankeeland whose demands for sealed reels led to the designs of these reels.

Water in the GOM is typicaly saltier than the Atlantic and its northern estuaries. So, to me, at least, going to sealed spinning gear for topwaters would make sense.

As usual, am I missing something?

[Gilbert]

real men don't use egg beaters (spinning reels)

[Tailshot]

Originally Posted by Gilbert

real men don't use egg beaters (spinning reels)

Sure they do...you should try one, shrimpy.

[GusDawg]

I personally think it's an ego thing for the most part. (See Gilbert's comment). For high winds, and light lures, a bait caster cannot compete with a proper spinning rod. There is a reason spinning rods are more popular in florida.

Bait casters do excel at throwing heavier lures (1/4 oz and up) and lures which require a lot of cranking (i.e. spinner baits, buzz baits, crank baits). For throwing something like a tout on a 1/16 or 1/8 jig head, you will get more distance (and less head ache's) from a spinning rod.

Originally Posted by Spook

I just read a thread about distance casting for topwater with baitcasting reels and problems related to dunking and water inside these reels.

As a recent transplant from the New England with 55 plus years of surf fishing, the question that keeps nagging me is why don't Texas anglers use light, sealed spinning reels like the VanStaal VS-100 or VS-150 or the ZeeBaas ZX-22 in the surf.

From what I've seen, Texas surf fishermen dunk reels and get more water on them that even the rockhoppers and rock swimmers up in Yankeeland whose demands for sealed reels led to the designs of these reels.

Water in the GOM is typicaly saltier than the Atlantic and its northern estuaries. So, to me, at least, going to sealed spinning gear for topwaters would make sense.

As usual, am I missing something?

[fishguru00]

the price of those bad boys might deter many from using them...

[sharkchum]

I would say the first reason is because most people don't want to pay $650 to $900 on a reel to wade in the surf with.Second reason is they are to heavy to cast all day.VanStaal vs 100 is over 11oz and ZeeBass zx-22 is 15oz and that's not counting the rod.They are by far the best spinning reels on the market,but its not something the average plugger wants to play Twitch,Twitch,Reel with all day.Just my opinion.

[JFolm]

I mainly fish with a spinning reel. It is about $700 cheaper than those though. Lol.

[monkeyman1]

I don't like jacking with the bail (bale?). I also like to thumb my spool if my cast is going long. I like to use spinner ultra light reels though...lots of fun when you stick a decent sized fish.

[Pete A.]

The reels mentioned, VanStaal's are awesome reels but also are big bucks. A great level-wind can be had for $150 (get 3 for the price of you Van Staal), lots of guys here have curado 200B's that are 20 years old that work fine on every trip.

Wading along the gulf coast involves lots and lots of casting. I bet we cast more than most bass fisherman. This will allow problems to show up where it would not for slower fishing styles. It can be a heck of a long way back to the truck for oil, screws, oil, etc.

In my experience spinning reels have more mechanical issues than levelwinds. The bail in my view the the single biggest issue. These get bent, busted and/or quit flipping over. I haven't/don;t afford the $150+ spinning reels but have been with those who do and thses problems show up. I have a cheap Daiwa Exceller($70+/-) that just keeps on ticking, it's our back-up or lender, 2 brothers & one brother in-law haven't broken it yet.

When wade fishing one has to hold the rod 4"-6" higher with a spinning to keep it out of the water. After a 4 hour wade those 4"-6" will weigh on your arms. This reason alone is why my sons did not start wading until they could handle a Curado

I'm as vocal as any of about water into reels, i'm really beeing quite picky about that as many only get their reels service once a year. Most Curado's, Diawa's & ABU's will take a lot of banging and corrosion but still function close to top performance. Try that when the bail quits flipping.

For shear distance a spinning has a slight advantage. However I'll accept the occasional backlash to the spinning's dreaded birdsnest that come flying off the spool. Distance falls off after trimming that birdnest out of a spinning reel.

When fishing with larger live/dead bait l prefer the level wind in free spool with a clicker on. The wind won't strip line off as a spinning reel will allow, but gives positive indication when bait is picked up. Who can resist the sound a clicker screaming when a bull red picks up you crab?

Hard to describe but you can feel the bite and lure action with the close coupled mounting of the levelwinds much better. They make left hand retrieves if the switching hands thing is an issue.

Pete A.

[Jean Scurtu]

Originally Posted by Gilbert

real men don't use egg beaters (spinning reels)

Sure i am not "real men" because i am fishing with spinning reels, but i can tell you i am average fisherman and i was catching many nice fish with spinning reels in fresh and salt water and i don't want to fish with baitcast reels how long i can catch the same fish like the fishermen's with baicast reel.
I don't like to cast with right hand and after to move the rod in left hand!!!

I am happy because you are real men. Congratulation!!!