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Believe it or not, most of the pro Canal jiggers now use heavy duty spinning reels, like the Van Staal 275 and the Daiwa Saltiga 6000-Z, on their 1209s.
Having both a spinning and converntional built on that blank, I can tell you that it is much more difficult to load the 1209 for a decent cast when you use a conventional. The rod is very stiff and hard to load effectively--a "snap cast" works best and that is very difficult with a conventional--a snap cast is a prescription for a backlash on conventional.
The drags on those two reels will absolutely smoke most conventionals--especially an Abu.
If you think that a spinning reel can't match a conventional for distance--come down to the Canal and watch Slipknot one night. There isn't a guy this side of Ron Arra who can throw a 5 oz jig on a conventional as far as Bruce can on his 1209/Saltiga combo.
10 years ago, the breakdown among reels with Canal sharpies was, 90% conventional, 10% spinning. With the advent of braid, and the better performing/casting spinning reels of the last decade, the breakdown right now is about 65% spinning, 35% conventional.
Trust me on this--you will not enjoy throwing a 3 oz jig with your 1209 set up as a conventional. 5 oz and up, fine.
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