Best reel for 16' or longer poles

**rayzor65** · 11-10-2015, 04:23 PM

I've started to get 16' long poles for spider rigging and long line trolling, I have watched videos and noticed when using the long poles catching fish in 8 fow the guys will play out line to get the fish to them. Right now I have spinning reels on my 12' poles and have had to play out line with them, not the ideal setup for sure. One of the factors would be to try to keep the cost down. I would appreciate any feedback.

Thanks for the comments.

Ray

**huntinslabs** · 11-10-2015, 05:08 PM

If your longlining a spinning reel would be best. I use and really like yhe Shimano IX1000 on my long poles fo longlining. But if only spider rigging a baitcaster with thumb bar and flippin switch would be ideal. I wojld hate to have to pay out 40' - 75' line off a baitcaster longlining. With a spinning reel a good cast gets ya there.

**Boatbottom** · 11-10-2015, 08:49 PM

Shoot a pm to cray. He buys bait casters on the web for around 15-18 bucks. I bought some and like em, just don't remember the website.

**canebreaker** · 11-10-2015, 09:37 PM

I use a Johnson Century 100, 100A, 100B on my rods. Let the line out and never reel it in until the day is done. I can set them up as an under spin with left or right hand reeling. I'm right handed and hate right handed reels.

**Eagle 1** · 11-11-2015, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by canebreaker

I use a Johnson Century 100, 100A, 100B on my rods. Let the line out and never reel it in until the day is done. I can set them up as an under spin with left or right hand reeling. I'm right handed and hate right handed reels.

what if you are only fishing with 4 ft. of line out on 16 FT. POLE ? Do you let off the drag to release line ? Thumb bar reels easiest to operate solo . jmo.

**canebreaker** · 11-12-2015, 12:09 AM

If I could find some reconditioned left handed baitcasters at a good price I'd get a few.
I've looked and can't find the link. There use to be a site that sold reconditioned reels for about $6 each when bought in a count of 5, buy 4 counts and get them for $5 each. Plus the site that Cray post a lot. I sent contacts asking about left handed baitcasters. Nope, they don't get them.

**BigRiverMarine** · 11-12-2015, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by canebreaker

If I could find some reconditioned left handed baitcasters at a good price I'd get a few.
I've looked and can't find the link. There use to be a site that sold reconditioned reels for about $6 each when bought in a count of 5, buy 4 counts and get them for $5 each. Plus the site that Cray post a lot. I sent contacts asking about left handed baitcasters. Nope, they don't get them.

I bought a bunch of the Diawa left handed refurbs from Grizzly Jig one time. Give them a shout.

**BigRiverMarine** · 11-12-2015, 07:53 AM

To answer the Original question. There is no BEST reel when choosing Bait Caster or Spinning. It's all in what YOU like best. Try both before you buy something and don't like it. I can let out line just as fast or faster with a spinning reel as I can a thumb bar. I like grabbing my rods forward of the reel for a firmer grip on the rod. ( y'all shut up

). With a bait caster, you have to move your hand back to the reel to hit the thumb bar. With a spinning reel, you just reach up and hold the bail open with your other hand until you let out the amount of line you need. With spinning reels you have the option to Spider Rig, Long Line (which is hard to do with a light bait and a bait casting reel), Power Troll and pull cranks with the Depth Hunter line and a little larger spool.

I've been considering going back to spinners on my long poles. I can't see an advantage with the bait casters and I've been using them for 3-4 years now.

**BigRiverMarine** · 11-12-2015, 07:59 AM

One more thing. After you try both types of reels, buy the best ones you can afford. The durability and quality of a good reel will pay dividends in the long run with the lack of failures you'll have with the cheap stuff.

**rayzor65** · 11-12-2015, 09:13 AM

Good feed back, I have spinning reels on my 12 foot poles now, playing out line with a fish on can be a pain, I usually wind up dropping the fish back in the water. I bought a LH bait caster from Grizzly today, will see how it does. I will change tactics when I'm out if slow trolling isn't working then I'll go to long lining, I really don't want to change reels on top of re rigging my lines. I will work with the bait caster and see what I can do with it. I also agree with big river on spending the money for a good reels. When I first got my poles I bought the cheap BP spinning reels, I think for around $16.00 a piece. They got me on the water, but I have went to set the hook with them and the bail would open up or when pulling a fish in the bail opens about half way and to get the fish in you have to over hand it to the boat, that rod got put to the side for the day. the handles on the cheap reels don't stay tight either. over time I replaced the cheapo's and put Mitchell Avocet's on. they aren't the most expensive around $34 buck but the have held up. I appreciate the help

Have a great day,

Ray

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