Reel Types

I used to cast a Penn 113H with the metal spool for cobia---from a boat. No joke. I had to send my thumb off for a post-graduate degree, but I could do it. The reasoning back then was that we (the charter boat captains) had to hand the hooked up fish to some inexperienced client who was apt to break off or otherwise screw up a fish hooked on lighter tackle.

Don't get me wrong---if I had the opportunity to go back, I'd use spinning gear in a New York minute, but back then, it was viewed as untrustworthy by the old captains who taught me. Lots and lots of advances in tackle and knowledge since then.

Now, I only use casting reels for sheepshead, bait fishing and bass fishing. Not for anything really important to me. I hate backlashes (professional overruns) almost as bad as I do wind knots.

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Originally Posted by j. gravy

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.

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no editing necessary. If you know what you're doing you can cast a conventional style reel. Depends on how much weight you have on the business end to regulate how much line comes off the spool.

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Originally Posted by SNAKE

no editing necessary. If you know what you're doing you can cast a conventional style reel. Depends on how much weight you have on the business end to regulate how much line comes off the spool.

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i will concur with that.

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Originally Posted by SNAKE

If you know what you're doing you can cast a conventional style reel.

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Most all muskie/bass fishermen out there have mastered the practice and can often throw a very long cast. The best reels have an adjustment for lure weight which reduces backlash. Backlashes can still happen though, especially when your excitement level is peaking and I hate it then. Can cause very tense moments.
I like Haywires term ("Professional Overruns").

Back in my "bassin" days, I feared no wind or weight of plug. I had a deck full of bait casters and rods custom tuned to the lure on the end of the line. The more bearings the better. Magnetic brakes, centrifugal rollers and rocket oil provided confidence to sling away.
But all them little gizmos and bearings don't fare to well in salt air....today I prefer simple and easy to clean. And grease, lots of grease.