Conventional vs. Spinning

[FunnyFishMan]

Ok I'm sure there must have been a billion conversations on this topic. Now a billion and one. I have never used a conventional before. I was wondering if one is better then the other and why. I'm looking to completely redo my fishing arsenal and want to get some good stuff finally.

-FFM

[eklutna]

I did the same think you are thinking about some months ago. I use to use Mitchell 302n/9200 spinning reels and fiberglass Olympic rods. Today they are retired and I use only conventional reels and graphite rods. Here is what you can expect. You will be able to cast allot farther. You rods will be lighter and as a result casting will be a joy. However there is a learning curve. I recommend you take it slow and simple to start with. You will get a ton of opinions and many will conflict. Keep it simple to start with.

Buy a Penn squidder 140 with an aluminum spool and mag the reel. You should be able to do this for fewer than 50 dollars. You can learn how to mag a squidder on a website called www.bigtimefish.com. . I used this site and followed the procedure step by step and I can cast my squidder one hundred yards with out thumbing the spool until touch down. Expect blowups, it is part of the learning curve. You should also buy a second aluminum spool and this will cost about 20 dollars. Buy a pound of twenty # ande line, you will need it. This will keep a blow up from ending you casting day.

Spend about one hundred or a little more on a graphite rod. Ticha, Diawa’s and Ocean master make some good rods. I would suggest you get a rod about ten foot long in the two to six ounce range. Learn with this setup. You can get tournament reels and expensive rods later as you learn how to cast. Just take it slow and research and study.

[Railroader]

I'm with Eklutna all the way on this one.....Buy yourself a 10' Tica 2-8oz, and an E-Bay Squidder. You will have a little over a C-note invested in the whole thing, and it will ALWAYS be a solid combo, no matter what anybody tells ya.

You learn to cast that outfit, and you will be able to throw ANYTHING somone hands you. I learned on a non-magged squidder and an old Penn No. 9, thirty years ago.

Is casting better than spinning???? Yes, No, and sometimes....they both have their uses and its time you had the choice....:cool:

I still use the Squidder on a 12' Ocean Master 6-12 to throw my mud anchor when kingfishing, and people always go DAAAAAAAMMMMM! when I let that thing fly. The ol' squidder has a sound like nothing else.

Good luck, man!

[rattler]

this is an old ?...i agree that both have their place...i love my emblem/tica set-up...but i also love my slosh 30s...i have a millionaire/US inshore that will sling metal and small baits...and a 9'tica dolfin/salt striker spinner that will to...i fish with them all...lol...

[cygnus-x1]

I made my first foray into conventional land this year and so far I am LOVING it. If you are very concerned about the cost then do as the other suggested. I spent the winter scouring eBay and bought a couple of penn 525's (one was a mag). The non mag casts VERY well anyway and I got it fo4 $60 The mag was new and I snagged it fo4 $117. Then I got a 12' Tica for 70.00 and a 9' tica for $30 and that is what I started with. I had a little trouble at first but now I feel like a pro already. Conventionals ROCK in the surf !

[sand flea]

There's really no correct answer to this question. I prefer spinners and have a litany of reasons why I think they're better, but my reasons don't apply to every one.

Bottom line is that spinners never backlash (and even the best conventional casters do from time to time). When you get tired or unfocused with a conventional, you start to blow up. Not so with a spinner.

And while you may get a little more distance with a conventional, modern spinners come really close. They're just as good at catching big fish.

Why would you want to complicate things and make your task harder? For me, spinners equal simplicity.

There is one area, however, where conventionals win hands-down: they're a hell of a lot easier to break down and clean.

Before you make the investment, take a buddy's reel and try it for a day. And get them to give you some lessons.

[RedskinFan228]

I agree with sand flea here. However I switched to conventionals last season and absolutley love them. Dont get me wrong though I still have spinning gear and just had a custom spinning rod wrapped. I like the conventionals when fishing on the bottom from the surf for the bigger fish using bigger baits. When fishing for the small stuff or especially when fishing artificials I use spinners. They are easier to throw especially in the dark and you dont have to worry about how the line is going back on the spool. Both have there place so dont get rid of that spinning gear.

My suggestion for a first choice would be a slosh 20 or 30 set you back about 100.00 new. They are dang near bullet proof so if you drop them in the drink no problem (just clean when you get home) and they cast great. I prefer the smaller alosh 20 myself.

As for a starter rod if you want a heavy duty one cant go wrong with an Ocean Master 12'. Set you back 100-120 depending on any sales bass pro may be having. Tsunami, ticaa and penn all make a similar rod in the 10'-11'6" range also for around 75-100.00. String them up with an inexpensive line at first but not that 1.99 special crap. I started with 17 trilene on sale. now i only use suffix 17 lb on the reels that can hold it and 14 lb on the smaller reels. As for the spinners I only use braid.

The way I look at it is takes a little skill to throw a conventional seems a little more challenging. Kinda like deer hunting most anyone can take a shotgun and kill a deer but it is a little more challenging and skillful to take one with a bow.

Same hold true for me with a conventional vs a spinner.

Good Luck and remember get someone to show you how to throw it and then go to a field put on a sinker I use 8oz (make sure the rod can handle it) and practice practice practice. Oh yea remember bring your extra line with you you may need to restring the reel while you are practicing.

[FunnyFishMan]

Hey thanks guys...good info. I guess I'm a bit skeptical on the conventional, because I never used one! Not really sure how they work, but I hear really good things about fishing with them. Still, I'm all about learning...so off to ebay I go.

Thanks again.

-FFM