Northwest Fishing Reports

what kind of reel do you for salmon/ steelhead i use a spinning but my uncle let me use his and it was a baitcaster what is the better reel

baitcaster

I use both, baitcaster for floats and spinning for drifting.

I'v heard baitcasters are better, you can't controll the spool on a spinning. This is just what I hear on different websites.

I hate baitcasters but that is only because I have never taken the real time to learn how to cast with them properly. I do know for float fishing they are better though. It is all up to the fisherman, I really don't think one is better than the other when it comes to throwing out spoons, spinners or drift gear. I love spinning reels for fresh water fishing, that is all I used growing up.

I have both, but mainly use my spinning rod. I have had good success with both. It comes down to what you're comfortable with.

baitcasters have a more effecient drag design then spinning reels. the other benefit of a baitcaster is if u gotta turn a fish's head, just put ur thumb on the spool to give u that extra lil bit of pressure. i use a spinning rod tho for jig & bobber cuz it's easier for me to cast the lighter weights with accuracy. the most important thing tho is knowin how to fight a fish.

If I had to choose between the 2 I would go with a baitcaster. And this is from a guy who almost tossed his Curado in the river because I just couldn't cast it . With help of some of the fellas on here and practice, practice, practice, I can almost cast a spoon over Mt Rainier.

This is tempting me to go buy a baitcaster today.

scott080379 wrote:This is tempting me to go buy a baitcaster today.

I still have issues casting light weight, but I just feel cool using one. I landed about an 18-20lb King and 11-12 Steelie a couple weeks ago with my Curado and the feeling reminded me of that girl you have a secret crush on and then finding out she feels the same way.

The one thing about a bait caster I can't stand is when it backlashes on you. I know it's a personal problem and one that I have to get better at. As you say Jens, practice, practice, practice! But it really ruins a trip when you have the mother load of all birds nest and it takes 30 minutes to get it untangled, especially if it happens twice in one day.

I have a Shimano Citica E, the step down from the Curado. I like it alot, and for the price it's a great reel.



One thing you also need to consider about a bait caster is do you want to retrieve left handed or right handed? On a spinning reel I'm a left handed retriever. So why not get a left handed retrieve on a bait caster? I don't see the logic, IMHO, casting with your right, then switching the rod into your left hand only to retrieve with your right. Never understood that. So I always make sure the one I want has a left handed option.

For my spinning reel, I went to WalMart and bought this $40 Abu Garcia Cardinal 104.



This is an excellent spinning reel that I caught this beautiful Springer on . . .



In the end, you have to ask your self, does it do what I want it to do in the most efficient manner?

I just picked up a Shimano Symetre 3000FJ a couple weeks ago and it is the best spinning reel I have ever used. I will look into the Citca since I need another baitcaster. I have been eyeballing the Curado 200E and just use it for my hardware set up.

I started off with spinning reel and been happy with it. But due to peer pressure of trying the baitcaster, I find the baitcaster reel once you get the hang of it, you can cast much farther and is extremely light (low profile baitcasters). I also have a left handed reel, cast with my right and retrieve with my left, equal less work. You have to expect bird's nest every once in a while, but I find it happens to me when I'm not paying attention. Whatever you pick, make sure you pick a good quality reel, nothing more frustrating when you have a nice 30#er on your line and your cheap reel malfunctions. Of course that's never happened to me before, I meant the 30#er on my line.

Like Spokey9 said, the most important thing is knowing how to fight the fish.

I use baitcasters for bass, but spinning reels for my river setups. I have a couple of Pflueger President 6730s one on a 10'6" rod for float/jig and the other on a 9' rod for everything else (throwing spoons/ spinners & drifting). They have worked great for me.
I have thought I would like to switch over to baitcasters, but that would mean new rods too and since what I have has been working, I haven't been too motivated to change it!

Jens......that wasn't my curado by any chance u were about to chuck into the river was it?

tommytitan08 wrote:Jens......that wasn't my curado by any chance u were about to chuck into the river was it?

Your stuff is my stuff, and my stuff is my stuff . Get the picture? LOL
I purchased the Curado 300e after you let me practice with yours.
Let's do Pho' next week and you can have your gear back. Thanks bud. :cyclops: :cyclopsan

i use the Curados, it has taken alot of big fish and is still kickin

All about personal prefrence and if you can even use the reel. Bait casters tend to hold more line then spinners. If you do end up with a baitcaster really and i mean REALLY pay attention when you cast. Birds nest are the worst when you can pull them out in more than 30 seconds. good luck with your choice

curado wrote:i use the Curados, it has taken alot of big fish and is still kickin

So if you use a different brand will you change your handle?