No John, we use 'em. Lately though the mid priced spinning reels have been of such good quality and rugged enough to handle most situations and plug sizes that a conventional reel and rod has taken a back seat. As a matter of fact on my way home today I am stopping at a local shop to pick up a new Cabo conventional with level wind to replace the old Quantum IR420CX for which I cannot get parts for (Specifically the handle assm.) I gave me a good nine years though but I beat the living crap outa it.
