Conventional or Spinning - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

canalboy · 07-07-2008, 07:49 PM

Hi I am new on the site but have been fishing since I was 5. just starting getting serious and bought a "all-star su 1209". I have heard it is a great rod and Im planning on using it to jig the cape cod canal. I have a "gsb 120 1m" lamiglas with a Diawa Emblem Pro 5000 spinning for the canal. It can throw small jigs but I need something to throw bigger ones, hence the 1209

With my new rod I don't know whether to go with a conventional or spinning. Even if I did know what kind of reel to go with I don't know what kind to go with, i.e. Van Staal or another daiwa emblem.

All I am asking is for your opinion. and what you would use for a reel on this beast

Thanks

canalboy

fishbones · 07-07-2008, 08:34 PM

Welcome to the site, Canalboy. I'm not trying to be a smart alec, but is the rod a spinning rod or a conventional set up? That should help you with your answer.

canalboy · 07-07-2008, 08:43 PM

Actually I have to have the rod customized. I don't know what to have it customized too. I forgot to add that. Sorry.

gone fishin · 07-07-2008, 08:51 PM

Definately conventional for the ditch & heavy stuff!

niko · 07-07-2008, 08:53 PM

if you're jigging it might as well be a convench w/ an abu7000cl

Mike P · 07-07-2008, 09:27 PM

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.

canalboy · 07-07-2008, 10:03 PM

Thanks Mike. I think I will go with spinning. I rather not explore the new turf of conventional till I can put aside alot of time for practice. Thanks to you guys who put input to my decision but I have made my choice. Spinning it is and probably with the Van Staal 275.

Back Beach · 07-08-2008, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike P

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.

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.

Good advice. I've been using spinning more and more with stuff up to 3.5 oz. Still using conventional above 3.5. One of the guys I fish with regularly is considering a saltiga 6000 for heavier stuff. He's my guinea pig for full fledged spinning. If I could only have one rod to jig with it would be a spinner. There is no longer any advantage to conventional as far as distance goes.
I just need one of those Michael Jackson gloves you guys wear and I'll look like a real canal pro..

hyefisherman2 · 07-07-2008, 10:04 PM

good decision ^

Saltheart · 07-08-2008, 08:24 AM

If you can afford a $600 spinner , that will work and be a lot easier. If not , go with a $150 to $200 conventional. A cheap spinner will not cut it.

capecodkid · 07-08-2008, 08:46 AM

Go with spinning.

chris L · 07-08-2008, 01:02 PM

go with a good spinner . that rod is a beast and like mike said is better for casting a spinner . And if your not good at a conventional you will end up with birdsnests too often .

Hey JP your no slouch yourself when it comes to gorilla jigging .

Bronko · 07-08-2008, 01:06 PM

All roads just keep leading me back to spinning....

Although my calcutta 400 got a workout throwing eels to dinks this past weekend.

Slipknot · 07-08-2008, 01:27 PM

Jim, stand to my left

Mike, I get it out there where the fish are, it's when the line is no longer attached that it might compare to close to a Ron Arra cast. I do OK with conventional too, 4 oz cripple herring with a 1205 xra .

canalboy, you'll do fine with spinning, try the breakaway cannon release thing instead of a glove, you might like it better once you're used to it. good luck

hyefisherman2 · 07-08-2008, 01:33 PM

ditch, you say 65% of canal jiggers use spinning reels now adays. most of the guys i see are still using conventional...

beaver · 07-09-2008, 08:00 AM

I've definitely noticed a surge of spinning reels in the ditch in the past few years. I am guilty of using a penn squidder conventional on an old 10" harnell blank. Nothing like the 1 to 1 ratio of a squidder. Have been straying away from that though, as I have an 8 ft All Star paired with an Abu 7000 I use with light jigs now 1.5-3oz. There is still a place in my heart for the harnell and 3-5oz. canal jigs. Normally tip my jigs with a red pork rind, but have had success with white sluggos and chartruese curly tail grubs. Go with the spinner though, especially if you want to use braid. Would love to have a VS myself....lil jealous.