Gear questions - ling reel and fish finder

Using a bait runner spinning reel for bottom fishing is just the wrong tool for the job. Yes it will work, but you will never see a carpenter using a pipe as a hammer because a hammer is a much better tool. Spinning reels work great for throwing light jigs. They make catching bait a lot easier.
A conventional reel is the correct tool for bottom fishing. The biggest point is staying in contact with the bottom. It takes constant adjustment. Spinning reels are not good at that?

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I'd toss in the Eagle 350 fishfinder, about $230 with GPS and color screen.  I'm not claiming its better than the Lowrance Mark 4, just another one to consider.  I found one on sale for $170 and have been beating it up pretty hard for 6 months, but I'm fairly certain the Mark 4 would perform just as well.  Check them out side-be-side on display somewhere if you can.  You might like the layout of one over the other.  If you can't play with them before you buy...then I'd probably just grab a Mark 4.  Like all electronics, nothing last forever and you will upgrade or replace on average every 2 years.

I'd toss in the Eagle 350 fishfinder, about $230 with GPS and color screen.  I'm not claiming its better than the Lowrance Mark 4, just another one to consider.  I found one on sale for $170 and have been beating it up pretty hard for 6 months, but I'm fairly certain the Mark 4 would perform just as well.  Check them out side-be-side on display somewhere if you can.  You might like the layout of one over the other.  If you can't play with them before you buy...then I'd probably just grab a Mark 4.  Like all electronics, nothing last forever and you will upgrade or replace on average every 2 years.

The Eagle 350sMap isn't made anymore.  I looked long and hard for one 6-8 months ago, and the new ones were long gone back then.  So unless someone has come out with some new-old-stock somewhere you won't find them, except on the used market.

I paid $186.83 shipped for my Mark 4.  Got it from thedigitaloasis.com

good info!  I'll switch over to the Mark 4 next round.  OE (Seattle) has some of the Eagles left in stock, but if they're no longer made/support then no point in being sentimental. Not may choices left, sad isn't it?

Eagle, IIRC, was a Lowrance brand.  They replaced the Eagle 350 with the Mark/Elite 4.

Eagle, IIRC, was a Lowrance brand.  They replaced the Eagle 350 with the Mark/Elite 4.

I can't be sure, but it seems like the Elite 4 is starting to phase out as well. I was at Fisherman's Marine and Dicks on Saturday and they only carry the Elite 4X Gold  in stock which is the model with the model with the nav chip. Both stores said they don't know when/if they are getting more Elite 4s in.


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I would not recommend a bait caster for a backup.  If already have the talent of casting without getting backlash investing in a quality spinning reel is just kind of a waste.  I use a spinner and make it work because it is what I am used to and feel like I fish it well.  I hate spending time messing with a birds nest when I could be fishing.   Again, if you don't have that happen often, I would see no real value in buying a decent spinner for what you are talking about.

Using a bait runner spinning reel for bottom fishing is just the wrong tool for the job. Yes it will work, but you will never see a carpenter using a pipe as a hammer because a hammer is a much better tool. Spinning reels work great for throwing light jigs. They make catching bait a lot easier.
A conventional reel is the correct tool for bottom fishing. The biggest point is staying in contact with the bottom. It takes constant adjustment. Spinning reels are not good at that?

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I would strongly disagree with your Hammer / Wrench analogy.   Pipes were never intended to impact / pull nails or a hammer used to convey substances.     Both Casting and Spinning reels are designed to release and retrieve fishing line.

Much like a conventional reel,  moving the free spool lever of a Bait Runner does just that.  Allows the spool to revolve, releasing line just as a conventional or casting reels spool revolves..  It has it's own drag adjustment so it can be set to free spool very quickly to the point where you can even get a small backlash.    Ideally you preset it's drag giving some resistance so you don't have to worry about getting backlash if not paying attention.    Once you hit bottom,  you just flick the lever back and out of free spool    If you want to totally control the spool and decent rate of your gear, you can provide drag with your finger just as you would your thumb on a convention / casting reel.

I am not saying it is as ideal for bottom fishing as a conventional or bait casting reel is.   I think it would be ideal to have with you on your backup rod.   If you need it to continue fishing,  it will still work pretty well for bottom fishing.  If you decide to change tactics / targeted species,   I think you stated yourself that Spinning reels are great for tossing really light jigs / bait.    A Bait Runner type spinning reel allows you that option where another conventional/ bait casting reel as a back up would not.

If I am completely missing your point with the Hammer / Pipe example,  I am sorry.   Maybe it would make more sense if "Hitting The Pipe"     
 

Hey ... you are free to use any reel you like. Who knows you may actually revolutionize modern fishing practices and instead of learning to cast we will all buy spinning reels.

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Hey ... you are free to use any reel you like. Who knows you may actually revolutionize modern fishing practices and instead of learning to cast we will all buy spinning reels.

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hahaha, that's highly improbable


-Rodney-

My Barbie Pole has a spinning reel.

I'm finding that I really prefer casting reels to spinning reels, especially for kayak fishing. The damn bail on the spinning reel smacks my leg or the gunwale too often.

Craig, I read that whole thing and now I'm thoroughly exhausted.


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I would go back and read what I wrote to make you say that, but I don't have the patience 

Should I have just written "No, your the poopie head" and saved the bandwidth   

You made a good point so I deleted it.   Thanks

I have a reel that looks like that  video.  Okuma with that same lever for free spooling.  We used them casting live bait so fish can run at first.   I think I see just what your saying how it would work for bottom fishing.  Way better than a normal spinner anyway.    I caught your post about the pliers and leatherman example.  You shouldn't have deleted that part.  He might have grasped what your saying
maybe.
Pipe comment still has me laughing

Hope more ideas about Ling tackle keep coming in.   Sooo excited to go after them when mother nature is kinder.