Reel Coice

Question
I have done a decent bit of fishing in my life as I have been doing it soince I was a kid like most people who love it.  However I have never used a conventional nor do I even know what they are for and how to use them.  I have a friend offering me his for a good price and was wondering if this could be used as a fairly general pupose setup.  I have always used spinning reels. The rod he has for it is about a 6'6" medium Ugly Stix so that should be good for fishing off a very low level dock or off the beach.  Thanks for your time.

Answer
Hi Bret;

 Sounds like a perfect outfit for me.  I do most of my fishing from a small boat and use various rod and reel combos.  Currently, I have three ugly stix 6'6" rods of various ages and actions, with a Penn 930 on one, a Shakespeare 2000 on another, and a Abu-Garcia on the third.  Line tests of 12 to 15 pound test line.  Though I have quite a collection of various other outfits, both conventional and spinning, the 6'6" ugly stix with the baitcasting reels get the most use.  

 The advantages of a conventional reel over spinning is the ability to handle heavier weights.  Not necessarily heavier fish.  Since you apply pressure to the spool with your thumb when starting your cast, it is possible to control the weight of a heavier lure or bait much easier than with your index finger havint the line around it as with a spinning reel.  Also, for any vertical fishing from a boat, dock, pier or whatever, the conventional reel is much better to let out line, especially if dropping back at the first hint of a bite before setting the hook.  Finally, the playing of a large fish with conventional gear allows the drag system to work more efficiently than on a spinning reel.  With the conventional reel, the line is wound directily on the spool and any pressure from a big fish is transfered directily to the spool and drag.  On a spinning reel, the line must first make a 90 degree turn around the roller of the bail, and then to the spool.  

 The disadvantage of the conventional reel is that it will generally not cast as far as a spinning reel.  This is because the line must turn the spool as it leaves the reel.  With spinning, since the line comes off the stationary spool, there is less resistance.  But with today's modern reels, they are quite smooth turning, and with the use of ball bearings, do not cut back distance to any great extent.  The other disadvantage is the ever present backlash or birdsnest.  However, once more modern reels have pretty much eliminated this problem by the use of built in anit-backlash devices that are adjustable.  These incorporate various devices such as magnets, friction pads and other dampening methods.  

 If the price is right, I would suggest you give conventional tackle a try.  There are definitely instances where the conventional is superior to spinning, while at other times spinning is best.  By using both types, you should get a better idea of what works best under various conditions.

-Rich