Thread: Does anyone still use spincast reels?

Spincast used to be all I used when I fished primarily with a bobber. I've experienced what your talking about. I think the line gets wrapped around it's self as spool of the less expensive spincast reels don't oscillate like on a spining reel. Even the ones that do oscillate the height of the spool is much shorter than the spool of a spinning reel. Bothe the Zebco ZO reels and the Diawa Goldcst reels have oscillation for the spool, not sure what others do.

Options are somewhat limited on spincast reels compared with the wide variety of spinning reels. I tried the higher priced Zebco Zo2 reels both the black and silver. They don't work very well if using a bobber stop that gets into the reel. After the Zebco's tried the Diawa Goldcast, still have a couple of the GC 80 and GC 100, that I use for bobber fishing in the summer or as guest rods on the boat. I like that the opening for the line is much larger on the Goldcast than on the Diawa.

Originally Posted by zekepa

Spincast used to be all I used when I fished primarily with a bobber. I've experienced what your talking about. I think the line gets wrapped around it's self as spool of the less expensive spincast reels don't oscillate like on a spining reel. Even the ones that do oscillate the height of the spool is much shorter than the spool of a spinning reel. Bothe the Zebco ZO reels and the Diawa Goldcst reels have oscillation for the spool, not sure what others do.

Options are somewhat limited on spincast reels compared with the wide variety of spinning reels. I tried the higher priced Zebco Zo2 reels both the black and silver. They don't work very well if using a bobber stop that gets into the reel. After the Zebco's tried the Diawa Goldcast, still have a couple of the GC 80 and GC 100, that I use for bobber fishing in the summer or as guest rods on the boat. I like that the opening for the line is much larger on the Goldcast than on the Diawa.

Right now, we are using a couple from Daiwa, Lews, and that Iprofishency (sp) brand. She really likes that Ipro brand. I used to cling to Zebco for all of them as I had a lot of respect for them as a company, but over the years the quality has really declined in them. I had high hopes for the Daiwa reels and I had used them in the past as well, but they suffer from the same issue in regards to the line sticking.

I have and use two underspin reels on my light jiggling rods. I find that they are very particular about older mono that has taken a set. Since they hold very little line, so it is not a big deal to re-spool them a few times each year.

I alternate between spinning and spincast. Daiwa and Zebco are the only ones I own, the Zebco does better for some unknow reason. But one thing I found out last year that helps get longer cast using very light lures:
1. I clean out the cap and spray it with silicone spay to reduce friction as the line unraves on the cast.
2. I use baking powder in a towel and run braid through it. Seems to help. I only use braid for 3 types of reels.

Spincast is easier on my carpal tunnel and arthritic wrist and hand.
The drag is smooth, so no issues with line breaking when a large fish fights. Of course the gear ratio is no where near that of a spinning reel and reeling faster to take in the same length of line is necessary at times.

Line hanging up in a spincast reel is likely due to the line not being initially reeled in under much (if any) tension, and when tension is applied (like reeling a fish in) the line will dig into the loose wraps before covering over them. Then on subsequent casts, once that dug-in line is supposed to come off the spool, it hangs. It can happen on a spinning reel, too.

I still have my Johnson spin cast reels from my child hood that are over 50 years old and they still work fine. Now when I take the grandchildren fishing it's what they use since they are easier to cast than spinning outfits. Biggest down size to these reels are the low gear ratio.

one big fish and at the EXACT distance you set the hook on it , that will be for sure as FAR as it will cast the next time you cast !
they tend to dig in the spool as stated when some ...thing/or person bears down on them hard , and the main factor involved is a bit difficult to totally cure.
all the kids and my wife use them though and yes at times they malfunction, but for sure they beat most of the alternatives , short of a can pole maybe ....