Level Wind and/or Baitcasting Reels over Spinning Reels.....Why?

Pdxfisher started a thread called "Reasonable priced sturgeon/salmon/rockfish rod" and while it was very informative at first, it sort of took a hard left and jumped the tracks. Its also now a month old, so I thought rather than adding this question on there, I'd start a new, sub question:

Why does there seem to be an overwhelming interest in Level Wind and/or Baitcasting reels over Spinning Reels?

And before you answer, here's where I'm coming from. First, I suck at using a baitcaster (unless a birdsnest counts for points). Second, even though I was born and raised in Salem and now live in Vancouver, Washington, I had spent my working years in Tucson, Arizona. Living in the desert translates to sunfish, Bass and trout that generally have no color other than silver and no fins because of being trucked across the country, to be thrown into lakes where they are caught immediately and hauled away in Wal-mart shopping bags (redneck creel). They also seldom grew over 12" so spinning reels were perfect. There was also Catfish in larger lakes that went into the fifty pound class, but that just meant bigger spinning gear.

So now, I'm retired, bought my first kayak and back in the PNW, having to learn how to fish all over again. I enjoy all types of Angling, but have no experience catching or even getting geared up for the likes of Salmon, Steelhead, salt water fish of any kind and maybe one day, even Sturgeon.

While not "high end" equipment, I do have several large spinning gear outfits already, so that's why I ask....do I really need to go to baitcasting/level wind gear or will spinning suffice?

My opinion...and its just that...my opinion. 

up until about 10 years ago, the answer was very simple for me.  the larger surface area of the drag washers on the baitcasting reels made it a no brainer.  The most expensive spinning reels couldn't hold a candle to the drag of even the cheapest baitcasters.  With new technology and advances in design, the mid to top end spinning reels have drags that are every bit as smooth as the baitcasting reels.  So that disadvantage is gone.

But since you are posting on a kayak forum, I assume this relates to kayak fishing.  Most of the kayak fishing I do is trolling or jigging of some kind.  In this situation the baitcaster is tough to beat.  You can thumb down on the spool to control the rate the line flows out or your jig falls to the bottom.  That's tough with the spinning reels. 

Outside of my kayak fishing and outside big fish like kings or halibut, I'd say 75% of my rods are now back to spinning reels.  As you pointed out, no backlashes, and they cast infinitely better against the wind, for the most part you can cast lighter terminal tackle. 

So you can tell I LOVE my spinning reels.  Despite the name, if I am casting lures or floats, i use a spinning reel.  If I am trolling, jigging or chasing big fish, I use a bait caster.  For big fish, typically a spinning rule suited for 30 pound kings is MUCH bigger than a baitcasting reel you could use on the same fish.  To me that's the biggest drawback.  I used to use light trout spinning reels for kings due to the fact I used light long rods.  But I also bought the reels by the half dozen because despite there ease of use, I'd blow up undersized spinning reels on big fish a couple of times per year.

Not sure I answered your question but that's how I look at it.

One thing makes all the difference in the world to me.

Thumbing the spool.

I can fight bigger fish with lighter gear and drag, because I can immediatly add more drag with the reel in my hand.... And just as quickly let it off.  This directly translates into faster response time with better control of the fish's head.

It takes a little practice to get used to casting, and you can't cast as far.

Well worth it in my book.

I started fishing when I was 6 years old with spinning reels, but didn't lay my hands on a conventional / baitcast reel until I was well into my 30's.    Now I use them exclusively other then when needing to cast very light bait / lures. 
 I can target cast much better with them since I can cast as if to go over my target,  but thumb the spool so to land exactly where desired.   Once the casting control is dialed in, birds nests are seldom a major issue.
Though I cast right handed,  I now only buy left hand baitcast reels so I don't have to move my rod to the other hand after casting  to reel in.     

When trolling from the kayak,  I like to use a lever drag reel which lets me set the perfect amount of resistance for getting my gear out behind me.   Once it is at the desired depth / distance behind me I can easily set the drag and turn on the clicker. 


No doubt is is all about what each angler likes and works best for them.    At one time or another,  I have been out-fished by anglers using every type of reel 

 
 

 

   

Whatever gets you on the water!

K84 and Yak have solid advice; and a baitcaster will get more comfortable as time progresses.  From being a bug wand person, I dig the feathering aspect.  Plus the difference in cost, when I snap/destroy/water gods demand a sacrifice, if a spinning combo, it happens.  When it's a Salmon/Steelhead rig, my liver is smiles.

As per your question, I bank fish everyday (unless it is sunny) and can hit any spot from the bank that I can from my yak (sturgeon) and throw a 12' spin combo.  When I do haul my barge out I always have a 6'6" spin combo on board in case I get bored and feel like pulling up some SMB.

Those ramblings aside, I did a mental count and came up with a 7:2 ratio of spinning:bcasters currently in my bedroom.  Once you have worked through a couple of two beer birds nests (technical term) you will learn the secrets to defeating them.  Yes I prefer spinning but I view it as a metric vs SAE issue, get comfortable with both because both will be options yet...

apples to oranges in my opinion.  There's a place for both conventionals & spinning reels.  Spinning for lighter lures (not necessarily lighter line or fish) while still casting well, conventional for line capacity, use of thumb.  Lots of other reasons for each...

I think I have 11 spinning reels and no level winds...yet. That's just because that's what I am used to and I don't think there is any right or wrong about it. I intended to buy my first level wind this year for kayak salmon fishing. In the end, I had a really adequate spinning reel on the shelf and just went with that in order to economize. You can thumb the spool of a spinning reel , too. I still might get a good level wind for next year. The downside of the spinning reel for me is that it never fails that you get the mother-of-all line twists at the most inopportune times. Oh, yes, it's awkward to let out line with the spinning reel when trolling with a big flasher and dropper setup. That's probably why I will have a level wind by next year.

I almost always use a spinning setup.  I have always used them and find them way easier to manage.

Having said that, I just borrowed my step dads level wind setup.  I've only used it once but I think I'll continue to use it while trolling for salmon on the Big C.  Letting out line was just way easier to do (with control) while trying to paddle

I still can't cast one for crap!

I have a ton of spinning reels and a ton of casting reels. Here are the things that I have found to be true for me.

A spinning reel is great for lighter lines and lighter lures. It is the sensible choice here. I love all of my spinning reels. I use them a lot. The lack of a backlash is nice and makes it easier, but the liklihood of a line-twist snarl goes up significantly. A spinning reel's casting distance goes down pretty fast with line weight and I have usually found I could throw "heavy" lure farther with a casting rod/reel of comparable weight.

For heavier weights another problem with a spinning reel is that the line makes a 90 degree bend as it goes onto the spool and thus it is mechanically very inefficient. Try to fish a 30' deep diving crankbait on a spinning reel. It is a lot of work and no fun at all. I enjoy doing it on my low gear ratio casting reel. An additional problem with a spinning reel is that on every cast you untwist the line and on every retrieve you re-twist the line. Since the line does not lay exactly the same on every cast you slowly build up twist in a spinning reel - even if the drag is never engaged. If the drag is engaged the twist is worsened. If you reel while the drag is engaged it is an order of magnitude worse yet. However, once again for light lines I think that a spinning reel is the only sensible choice. I usually use spinning reels up to about 8 lb test. The only exception is that I do have a big surf spinning outfit. The driver in that decision was cost (got it in graduate school).

Personally, I like to use the best tool for the job. I do occasionally hammer a nail in with the back of my screwdriver but only when I do not have a hammer handy

Some of the Abu Garcia Ambassadeurs, like the 6600 series, are easy casting level wind bait casters.  They have an adjustable, integral brake which provides a bit of resistance to the spool when casting.  I can cast my 6601 (-01 = lefty) all day without a birds nest, but I can't cast my Abu BG7001HS (no brake) worth shit. 

That said, I have a 50/50 split between spinning reels and level winds.  I use the 7001 for trolling, mooching, jigging, and bottom fishing.  I use a big Penn spinner on a 12' surf casting rod, and the smaller Shimano spinners in freshwater.  The only level wind I cast is the 6601. 

Interesting read on people's take.  For the most part I think my line of thinking follows the crowd.  But the best points being made is if it gets you on the water, then it's a good reel!

Right now I have an old system 2, 7/8wt fly reel that I have loaded some spectra backing and plan on adding a topshot of mono.  Attach that to my 6wt or 9wt fly rod and instant mooching or ultralight slower action trolling rod!  I've done it before from PB and it is a BLAST! 

The only drawback to this system is it's not much fun when you have 100ft or more of line out.  But on a downrigger with no weigght on the line, it shouldn't be as much of an issue.

I don't really have much to add as I agree with everyone.  I used to use spinning exclusively but now use a level wind for Salmon and sturgeon.  For Salmon where I am trolling it is much easier to meter the amount of line I am letting out.  When targeting sturgeon I like to keep the reel in free spool with the bait clicker on until I get a hit.

Nothing to add really. I use both for all the reasons listed. I can throw a 1/16 roostertail with out a birds nest on my baitcasting reel but why would you want to since it is so easy to use a spinning. They both have their advantages and best to use what ever floats your boat and give you the best results given the situation.

Okay, as mentioned when I started this thread on Monday night, I don't own any bait caster or level wind reels, but do own a plethora of spinning and fly fishing gear. Ahhhh, but that was then and this is now.

After reading all the input from you guys and considering a lot of great information, I did what every self respecting fishing nut would do and jumped on Craig's List. And wouldn't you know, the very first post (under whatever keyword I used for a search), was not one, but two identical rod/reel combos. The guy was out of Portland and wanted $75 for each setup or if you bought both, he was throwing in all of his egg curing gear, to include drying racks.

Well, I have no interest in all of that (I'm thinking), but four months ago, I had no interest in ever owning a fully equipped kayak either.

So, off to Portland and I bought them both. Now I'm the proud owner of two Berkley IM 7's, designed by angling god Buzz Ramsey. The rods are a A92-9XH. Translation: Nine foot, Extra Heavy Casting. Capable of lobbing lures in the 3/4 to 3oz range and have a Trilene recommendation of 15-50 lb test line (parachute/550 cord?). Both are topped by matching Abu Garcia 6501c3 Bait Casting reels and are spooled with 80# braid.

So, a little over gunned for Steelhead, but ready for Salmon and most fish living in the Ocean full time. I’m still not certain if its best to go with a “medium” or “medium light” for the Steelhead because as fun as it would be to let them show off on the medium light, from a conservation view point, it may be better to get them in quicker, less exhausted and back on their way.