I'm spinning tackle challenged

Me too man. I feel like a little girl trying to throw one. Baitcast FTW

Its really not a hard thing to do.

I fish spinning and baitcasters both with no problem. I started out with spinning reels and went to baitcasters when I was around 40 years old. I can fish one or the other.

I can give lessons for a mere 50 dollars an hour if you'd like.

There are a few tips that will help you with spinning tackle. One is how you load the line on the reel. Make sure the line is coming off your filler spool in a counterclockwise direction. This will put the line on your spinning reel in the correct direction and lessen line twist. Make sure you check the end of the rod a few times as you are loading the line on the reel for twist. If it is twisted, flip the filler spool over for a few turns then back over so its coming off in a counterclockwise direction.

Never close the bail with the reel. Make sure you close the bail by hand. One of the most important things with a spinning reel is to keep the line tight and uniform on the spool. You can accomplish this by feathering the line as you cast then stopping the line from coming off the spool as soon as your lure hits the water. Then close the bail with your off hand and just tug the line a little to make sure it has no loops in it. This will save you more headaches than you will ever know.

I use spinning tackle here with my service about half the time. Most people that I teach a few tips too end up loving spinning tackle. It is just a tool that has its place. We do a lot of vertical fishing here since the water is so deep and clear. Spinning tackle is a must for a lot of that fishing.


Also make sure the line size is good for the reel you are using. For 2500 series spinning reels, do not go over 10 pound test. You will usually cause some headaches with 12 on that size reel. Step up to a 4000 size reel for bigger line.

Hope this helps

Cool , I didn't know quantum made one like that. They make one designed for 4 or 6 lb test ?

The snap shots are different than the hypercasts. I do find that the "firing pin" on the snapshot (the thing that holds the line) is prone to break off so I place a drop of super glue where it is inserted at the begining of every season.

Lanier spots has some good advice, but one thing I would like to add is quality. I saw you posted that a Shimano is somewhat working for you and there is a reason for that. To get the most out of spinning gear you need to get quality equipment. Shimano, Daiwa, Quantum, etc...

You can't buy a Wal-mart spinning reel and expect performance.

I am by no means saying you're using the cheap stuff now, but just wanted to add this in for advice.

like dawgfan said though the snapshots are not high quality reels and they will tend to wear down afer a while.

quote:

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that was lesson number one (just the way my dad started me)

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Agree. If you can't put your bait where it needs to be...

Even bream fishing yesterday with my boss. I'd flip my cricket tween two trees, etc. and caught 20 while he caught only one and I mean ONE. For the most part, he would cast where it was comfortable and the couple times he tried to get close to the trees he hung up.

My accuracy with a baitcaster isn't an issue , I can put it exactly where I want it 95% of the time either casting or flipping , I'm only slightly less accurate with my UL spincasters. If I'm using my thumb I'm good and I think that's why I struggle with the spinning gear.