SPINNING vs. CONVENTIONAL IN THE SURF

[Gunpowder]

might want to narrow down your question..... don't know if the site will hold 2000 different responses to that question.

[spence]

You might as well be debating two vs three button suits.

-spence

[numbskull]

Can cast further with conventional...........cause spinning tackle makes you grow breasts that get in the way.

[DZ]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Can cast further with conventional...........cause spinning tackle makes you grow breasts that get in the way.

Too funny Numbskull. Thanks to you and Spence I'm going to keep this ball rolling.

I use spinning tackle and back in the 1970s I was able to cast almost as far as my conventional toting brethren but only when I wore my two button suit. Then after breast reduction surgery I could get equal distance even while wearing my three button suit. But now with the advent of super braided lines for spinning reels I'm second guessing my surgery. I could have had the best of both worlds: distance with spinning and breasts, and I could even have worn my double-breasted suit!

Disclaimer: I do not encourage or endorse breast reduction surgery to keep up with those who use conventional tackle.

[eelman]

Conventional tackle has come a long way

I have fished with revolving spool for the better part of 20 years, never once did I wish for a spinning outfit. I can cast the smallest of baits or lures and the largest, I never had a problem with wind etc..I like conventional because there is no arguing the fact that it has superior fish stopping power and more overall control. all of my surf fishing was done with conventional tackle. Most people do fish spin gear and it is much easier, it takes time to master the other but in my opinion well worth it.

Like I said, the tackle has really come a long way and you can easily do anything with casting tackle that you can do with spin...The real plus is the overall control and fish fighting power..

Oh almost forgot, your original question, I would get the same distance as spin gear if not further...

[Flaptail]

First off, in surfcasting both spiining and conventional have thier respective places.

Casting a 4-1/2 oz jointed eel plug and putting enough umph behind it to get it where it needs to be on a spinning rod will take the top of a finger off as the drag will surely slip a bit. Gotta have a conventional outfit for that type of duty.

Spinning meanwhile will help in throwing smaller offerings when those nights occur when the fish get picky foir smaller baits.

As for casting distance from the beach the only times it really makes a difference, at least in my experience on the outer cape, is when bluefish are busting out over the bar in daylight.

99% of the time when true surfcasting is being done on an open beach in high surf the fish are at your feet so distance is almost meaningless as opposed to the action of the rod in subduing one of the beasts and getting her in through crashing waves and receding white water.

Casting for rock platforms along islands and shores strewn with boulders where very little surf but lots of obstacles abound just under the surface may give the nod to conventional gear where you leverage is greatly enhanced to get fish away from and around boulders. As my good friend George says ,"with my JK Fisher conventional and 30 pound Big game I can just move the rock if the bass goes around it".

When I plug from a boat, no matter where I am, I use conventional gear. When, as infrequently as it has become for me, I am on the canal, I use conventional, when I am on the beach in a howling N/W or N/E wind and ch#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&g metal, I use conventional.

When I fish with George on rocky island shores, I use a spinning rod just to listen to him go on and on about spinning vs conventional.
I love it when he babbles on and I just look like I am paying attention but really it's all just going in one ear and out the other.

BTW they have made big strides in treating GYNOMASTIA for all you weho do not know how to throw conventional!

[ThrowingTimber]

For me it depends on whether I plan on wading deep or not. Wading deep I'll take my spinner. (vs300)

If I'm staying higher and a bit dry 'er and fishing current I'll take my conventionals (avet sx or abu7000i).

I look at them as tools for a job and try to apply them as such.

[Mike P]

It really doesn't make a difference any more. Use what you're comfortable using.

Braid lets spinning guys match conventional guys for distance, and the drag/gear train of offshore-type spinning reels like a Saltiga-Z or Accurate Twin-Spin can pull the guts out of most of the surf-sized conventionals. They weigh so much that you may need a truss or a back brace by the end of the season, but they also level out the "better control over a fish" advantage that conventionals have over most spinning reels.

Still, at the end of the night, you appreciate that 14 oz Newell 220 or that 15 oz Calcutta 400 more and more. There's your big advantage with conventional--weigh and ergonomics.

[zimmy]

heavy weight conventional. Spots where I have very limited room for a backcast or if I am plugging light or expensive lures-spinning.

I sark at conventional. Here's why: I can throw jigs for hours at a time with out busting one off. However, put a 3 oz custom popper or needle on there and I am bound to get a backlash or knot and there goes a $20 (now a days $80?) plug out to sea when the braid snaps. I just can't do the custom plug on my conventionals bit without going broke or at least crying alot over a season.

If there isn't room for me to make a nice smooth backcast I snap em off... if it is valuable, I snap it off...

New spinning reels made for braid can cast as far as conventional.For me spinning wins out most, less I am throwing jigs at the canal or (gasp!) chunks or tins (for drum down south).

I only button the second button on the suit and I only have ever owned one suit and don't know about 3 button and my mams don't get in the way when I cast, but I would like real pockets for storing gear, not them fake things.

[RIROCKHOUND]

Originally Posted by DZ

Too funny Numbskull. I could have had the best of both worlds: distance with spinning and breasts

Would have given you something to entertain yourself with on those slow nights on the bar!

[fishbones]

Originally Posted by spence

You might as well be debating two vs three button suits.

-spence

I'm tall, so I usually wear well tailored 3 button suits. I think they are a little more slimming, too. But, a classic 2 button is a look that never goes out of style.

[spence]

Originally Posted by fishbones

I'm tall, so I usually wear well tailored 3 button suits. I think they are a little more slimming, too. But, a classic 2 button is a look that never goes out of style.

A three button suit may be visually more slimming but only if you have a slim/short build to begin with. For those with a broader or in the case of surfcasters, "portly" frame, a two button suit by revealing more shirt/tie will break up the mass of suit cloth and make for a more visually attractive shape.

Technically speaking, both are classic depending on the period.

As an extreme example, the ex-professional football players wearing 4-6 button suits on TV with their massive bodies just look plain silly and out of balance.

-spence

[The Dad Fisherman]

You guys forgot to mention Leisure Suits......maybe Tan with a Nice Blue Paisley Poly Blend shirt underneath....I consider that very slimming and a Timelss classic look. Not to menttion extremely comfortable since you don't need a tie.

Originally Posted by spence

A three button suit may be visually more slimming but only if you have a slim/short build to begin with. For those with a broader or in the case of surfcasters, "portly" frame, a two button suit by revealing more shirt/tie will break up the mass of suit cloth and make for a more visually attractive shape.

Technically speaking, both are classic depending on the period.

As an extreme example, the ex-professional football players wearing 4-6 button suits on TV with their massive bodies just look plain silly and out of balance.

-spence

[bloocrab]

TDF - Get it in the famous "Pin-stripe" fashion.......that always reduces size in a visual confrontations.....just make sure the stripes are going vertical....

[The Dad Fisherman]

Timeless, I'm telling you....Timeless. This is styling

[striperman36]

Originally Posted by spence

AAs an extreme example, the ex-professional football players wearing 4-6 button suits on TV with their massive bodies just look plain silly and out of balance.

-spence

And dudes on HGH like Mr. Clemens. Didn't he look friggin stupid?

[spence]

Originally Posted by striperman36

And dudes on HGH like Mr. Clemens. Didn't he look friggin stupid?

While some of these guys may be able to wear a three button suit, they really should leave the top button undone (as I always do) to present a more graceful line. Especially considering they're most likely wearing bespoke garments with fully canvassed lapels and chest pieces.

-spence

[Raven]

http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripert...ional+spinning