Is there a reason that casting gear is preferred?

Hi all,

Is there a reason that casting gear seems to be preferred for 'yaks (and party boats too) over spinning gear?

I ask 'cause I have a nice Penn 7500SS that I plan on using with 20# mono when I start kayak fishing for rockfish, stripers, 'butts, and salmon (next summer).  If there are major inconveniences with spinning gear or compelling reasons to go with casting gear, I'd love to know about 'em.

I can only think of two reasons why casting gear seems to be preferred: i) quality casting reels capable of holding heavy line seem cheaper than their spinning counterparts; and ii) it seems easier to drop a weight to the bottom with a casting reel in freespool than it is with a spinning reel.

Thanks in advance,

Dan (aka orkspace)

Conventional gear is more compact, sits better in a rod holder, is more robust and has a clicker.  I still use spinning gear fairly often though.

spinning is good for casting with light line but conventonal has better drag and is better for fishing verticly.

Hey Orkster - I use spinning gear for halis and sharays from the kayak. I prefer the baitrunner over a clicker when doing that type of fishing.

Hey Orkster - I use spinning gear for halis and sharays from the kayak. I prefer the baitrunner over a clicker when doing that type of fishing.

Thanks for the info.  BTW, I blame you for my desire to fish from a 'yak.

When Renee and I buy our kayaks (probably this winter so that we can go crabbing off of them), I'll be upgrading our gear too.

Orkspace,

I use a right handed cardiff w/ level wind. When rockfishing, you want to keep your swimbait, scampi, grub or 3 way, ticking across the top of the rocks. That means dropping down and reeling up a foot or two constantly.

A spinning set up, you have to open the bail and you can't really control the amount of line that feeds out.

A conventional (w/o levelwind) you have to use your fingers to lay the line properly all the time.

w/ a casting w/ levelwind AND thumbar, you release w/ the thumbar, use your thumb to let out the til you feel the rocks and then reel up to keep from getting snagged.

I also prefer spooling w/ spectre, the thinner diameter allows you to use less weight to get to the bottom and you can "feel" everything. Also, once you get bit, a quick flick should set the hook. On a kayak, you don't have the leverage like on a boat, so every lil bit helps. You'll want your line to as straight up and down as possible and NOT at an angle (which happens w/ mono). This way you're dropping straight up and down in to holes and not catching on rocks.

If you're using 30+ braid, be sure to use a mono leader of say 15/20 lbs so that you can break it off. You can go lighter on the line because you don't have to worry about pilings and such. I use 20lbs Power Pro w/ a 15lbs flourocabon for line shy fish, abraision resistance and the ability to break it off should i get snagged.

Myself, i'm a proponent of the Hobie Mirage Drive, where you propel yourself w/ your legs and have instant connection w/ the rod in your hand. IMHO, this is the premier kayak fishing vessel for this reason alone. the advantages out weigh the disadvantages, but that's another discussion altogether.

Elric, I totally agree.  A thumb bar equipped levelwind loaded with 20 lb spectra is hard to beat for rockfishing.  I don't understand why high end reel makers like Avet, Accurate, and ProGear don't produce more reels with levelwinds and thumb bars.

Caw Caw ... thanks for the well-thought out reply Elric.  I'm diggin' you on the spectra v. mono.

I just bought a boat rod (7' Ugly Stik Tiger 10-50# 2-piece) for my 7500SS so that I can stop renting 50-year old tackle on charter boats.  I'm sure that when Renee and I make the plunge and buy our gear, upgrading to reasonable conventional reels and rods will seem like a drop in the bucket in comparison to the GPS, VHF, PFD, [Insert expensive goody here].

Thanks again all for the great feedback.

usually the baitcasters with level winds don't cast as efficiently as those with out levelwinds- another source of friction.

i think the main reason party boats don't use spinners is because the gear their ratios are too 'tall'. they need reels that can winch up two pound balls for salmon trolling.

if you get a good baitcaster you'll never go back. the fight is better too because the line comes straight off the spool instead of going through that 90 degree turn around the bail that adds more friction and reduces sensitivity. spinners really shine when you're throwing tiny 1/16 oz. lures for trout on 4 lb line. try that with a baitcaster and its usually frustration with backlashes.

calcuttas and newells are some of my favorites. good luck

Being able to thumb the spool is important also.  spinning gear is harder to control that way.

MolBasser

When using a levelwind you can figure out how much line comes out when the levelwind makes a full cycle, then watch that as your gear drops to know how deep you are.

When using a levelwind you can figure out how much line comes out when the levelwind makes a full cycle

 Cool... Excellent suggestion.  I'll have to try it.

I very nearly exclusively use spinning gear-- never seems to effect my fishing.  I've caught everything from Tuna to smelt on my trusty Shimano reels.  I have switched over to a BaitRunner for some applications- trolling for salmon, where I use the baitrunner drag to pull out line, and for live bait drifting.
For rockfishing i still like the spinning gear-- down the jig falls, if it stops, set the hook.
Of course, I'm also a big advocate of spectra-- PowerPro baby!
25lb powerpro, topped with 12lb fluoro- can't beat a striper set up like that!

25lb powerpro, topped with 12lb fluoro- can't beat a striper set up like that!

I use the same set up for fishing salmon,stripers,halibut and rockfish. I use 20 power pro with 15 # seaguar fluoro. (Stu turned me into the top shot idea)

I only use spinning gear for casting (for stripers). Other than that - I use baitcasters for jigging,mooching and trolling. The clicker is an awsome thing to have when trolling (IMO)

I'm also one of the few who prefer using left-hand retrieves on baitcaster reels. (a big fan of the culcuttas)