Spinning reels...why a reverse? - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

capndave · 12-12-2002, 08:44 AM

With all the problems that can be associated with the anti-reverse on spinning reels, I’ve often wondered what useful purpose there is for the reverse in the first place.
Does anyone actually feed line by reeling in reverse?
Manufacturers have added innovations like “infinite anti-reverse” and the “free-spool” feature…so why not just eliminate reverse entirely?
Has anyone found an absolutely indispensable use for it?
Forgive me if I’ve missed something glaringly obvious, but I’ve never found it anything but a pain in the a$$.

Dave

fishsmith · 12-12-2002, 08:49 AM

How can you not like it when the reel is accidently in the reverse postion, you go to pull some line thinking your just using the drag and then you've got a small birds nest to deal with. This usally happens to me when the seas are rough and the fish are breaking next to the boat. Good question, I have no idea why that feature is there.

nor-easter · 12-12-2002, 09:37 AM

The "original" spin casting reels were built to allow their use by anyone, left hander righthander and even the guy that reels backwards.

When complaints started coming in the manufacturers just added that little 'dog' to stop the reel from spinning both ways.

Now, the BIG QUESTION has always been,
Which is the correct and proper way to turn a spinning reel?

MountainBreeze · 12-12-2002, 09:57 AM

Oh great... Another opportunity for me to show my ignorance...

Is it possible that my new PENN Slammer, which I have yet to use, does not have the ability to spin in reverse?

I have held the reel for all of 15 min and did not see that it had the ability to switch - not that it is a big deal because I do not see the need.

Rob

Mr. Sandman · 12-12-2002, 11:13 AM

OK...here I go:
You guys crack me up. I like that feature. In the middle of the night when you are standing there and can't see a thing and you reeled the plug or eel too close to the tip and you want to back it up a foot or so, a quick flip of the anti-reverse and a slow back up will allow you to position the plug/bait in the perfect exact casting position. This allows you to not have do pull the line out with your hand and not #^&#^&#^&#^& with the preset drag.

The live bait drags are used at a differnet time, although I suppose you could use it and pull the line out but that is a crude means for positioning the lure.

The machanics (inside the reel) to do an anti-reverse are pretty nil...I have never had one let go (it is a simple cam)...the machanics to do a live bait dual drag is much more complicated. Not that many reels actually have them and they do crap out now and then but I still like them for live eel fishing...IMO it is better then flipping the bail and free-spooling a spinning reel with your hand...another crude activity. Further, the live bait system offers different ways to fish live bait when not casting. I just wish someone would make a $400-500 spinning reel with all the features I want, that was well built and held up. This is not an impossible task. I don't think you need to go to the simplistic extreme that the VS reels do and offer great materials and a well built reel but no features. I like a bail and the dual drags.....I am sorry I just do, it is a personal perference..I also like power windows too, instead of the hand crank...but hey, thats ME. That said I am buying a VS this year to see for myself if I can live with it and if it is really that good. Most fisherman who have them like them but I have run into several that said..."save your money" they break like any other reel and are over priced for what you get. But I will see for myself. During the derby there was a guy cursing his VS reel in one of the tackle stores... It was pretty new and something must have went wrong. He seemed to have an attitude problem and I avoided him but it was clear he hated the reel.

Everyone has their own preference...I find I have to actually use something myself but like to get input from others so I know what I am in for....

As far as being in the wrong position...I can't recall that happening to me because I only touch the line when I set the drag (and my index finger to cast). To back up the the bait I use the switch and reverse the direction of the turn of the crank. I rarely pull on the line to get some slack. You can't do it with any degree of control and your hand will get cut up to #^&#^&#^&#^& in no time in cold weather. You will find the anti-reverse a nice feature that deliveres effortless control for that. Most people don't use it or don't use it correctly IMO.

JohnR · 12-12-2002, 11:59 AM

Well, I just hit the clutch & cast with my thumb on the spool

- no reverse, just clutch, cluth, and more clutch....

But onto spinning reels

, like Sandman said, I only use the reverse to adjust the line before a cast when I'm using my little spinner. Otherwise, I don't use it. And 80% of my fishing is done with conventional anyway. No knuckle breaking, just thumb burnin'

Young Salt · 12-12-2002, 05:07 PM

Getting that light yo-zuri type plug out there. I haven't done it that much.....but i've read that the old-timers would use this method when they were fishing a breachway, or inlet to a cove, or similar kind of water. They would make a 45 degree cast....out and across current. Then they would flip the switch and let the current take the plug further out from shore than you could cast. Once the plug gets either far enough to reach the fish, or so far from shore that the current gets too weak to move the plug anymore. After that, they can retrive and work the plug like normal if they want. I've also read of guys catching fish with this method without retriving at all....just switching back to normal and letting the current sweep the plug...just like a wet-fly swing presentation.

capndave · 12-14-2002, 07:53 AM

One of the more amusing answers I got to this question...

"So if your scarf gets caught in your reel, you don't DIE!"

Thanks Thill,

Dave

Got Stripers · 12-14-2002, 09:22 AM

Go have this same debate on a smallie board I know and it will be lively. I don't backreel, because I feel a reel with a good drag, set correctly is less likely to cost me a good fish, than my screwing up trying to backreel. There is a large group of freshwater guys, specifically those that target large smallies with light line, that feel backreeling is a must.