Anyone use spincast reels? What rod type?

[Spoonminnow]

Zebco 33 is one of the best spincast reels I own. Daiwa Sivercast is another. Improvements over the years: smoother drag, 3:5 gear ratio (more line taken in for each turn of the handle) and smooth long casts using 8# test braid.

The rods that came with the original Zebco's were spincast rods. But a few years ago I questioned why. Baitcast reels with level-wind spools need line to come out straight from the spool that turns on an axis. But spincast reels are no different than spinning reels regarding the line's circular unwinding off the spool as it goes out, regardless of the small line-exit hole in the cover.

I use both rod types and they do fine with spincast reels. Of importance when using lighter lures is rod action. Light action to be sure for longer and more accurate casts!
Of course I still take along spinning reels - especially for very light lure casting.

[M R Dux]

Zebco ZO2

Best reel made for Redear and bluegill fishing. Super slow 3.0/1 retrieve ratio. If I know a client who doesn't know how to use most tackle is going to be aboard, I throw a couple ZO2 combos into the boat.

[Spoonminnow]

Funny ypu mentioned the 202 with its lower ratio. I have another brand reel with the same ratio and a bit smaller spool. It casts fine, but the slower rate of retrieve isn't great when fighting a larger fish from a distance or taking in line to recast again.

I'm so happyd I found that 8# test / 4# diameter braid casts light jigs a long distance and when flipping lures into weed pockets, the line comes off the spool smoothly and with solid hooks. I just got another #33 in the mail today and the mono coming out was as curly as line can get from memory. Zero chance of casting a 1/32 jig + plastic with that! (BTW, Kastking braid works great with spincast reels.)

[Spoonminnow]

Just discovered something:
Zebco 33 reels aren't all the same. The one I just got in the mail has a line exit hole that it too small for braid - either to cast or retrieve. An Authentic Zebco 33 reel should have been sent that has a larger hole and not substituted. The one I got cast mono or f/c fine but I like braid for all my fishing - even casting ultra light lures.

[GreenLine]

Daiwa gold cast is what I like.


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[Spoonminnow]

Daiwa gold cast is what I like.
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Do you use braid with it?

[Grainraiser]

I use a Daiwa Silvercast to skip docks. It works great but it hard to find a ML casting rod. I have found that braid does not work very well when throwing a spincaster.

[Dollfly]

I picked up an old 33 at a hard sale the other day. Brought back a lot of memories.

[Spoonminnow]

Daiwa Silvercast 100A reel is great casting 6-8# test braid and 1/32 oz jigs + plastic over 30' !
Tip I've found useful that prevents the frustration when using spincast reesl:
One necessity is the even layering of line on the spool. Without it I get small loops that catch the line, limiting a smooth cast. To do this I take off the spool cover (held by a hex nut), ever so often to check the line going around the spool. If uneven, I will pull out line until I get to smooth winds and carefully hand-wind the line evenly and tightly around the spool, turning it ever so often to be sure all areas are covered.

Since I put on half a spool of mono toward the center and use a uni-knot to attach braid for the outer half (to save line), the only line taken out is to the area that seems uneven or has small loops. Even casting heavier lures will mess up when line is uneven and with loops inside the spool. This also applies to spinning reels, but less so.

Also, the inside of the cap must be clean as well as the cloth wire that surrounds the spool. Any friction from algae and dirt kills a distance cast when using light lures.

[chaunc]

Pfluger president has a spin cast model that is very good.
Pflueger President(R) Spincast Reel - Pure Fishing