Reel preference

[StumpJumper]

I have to get my fiance a new fishing pole for our honeymoon and I'm not too sure if I should get her a closed faced reel or a spinning reel.

I want to get her a nice one that will have a good drag system, wont tagle up alot and won't twist the line up so I'm thinking a closed face reel would probably be the best but were going to be fishing for pike and walleye so she will need something that can handle a big fish.

Any suggestions on a decent rig for her?

[DaveW731]

I have to get my fiance a new fishing pole for our honeymoon and I'm not too sure if I should get her a closed faced reel or a spinning reel.

I want to get her a nice one that will have a good drag system, wont tagle up alot and won't twist the line up so I'm thinking a closed face reel would probably be the best but were going to be fishing for pike and walleye so she will need something that can handle a big fish.

Any suggestions on a decent rig for her?

Invest a reasonable amount in a decent quality spinning rod/reel and you will not be sorry. Closed face reels are prone to mechanical difficulties, tend to chew up line and have far inferior drags compared to open face reels. No big deal for panfish, but not what you want if you are targeting fish in the walleye and pike size range.
I would suggest a 6 1/2' one-piece graphite pole, medium to medium/heavy weight (i.e., rated for 8# to 15# line, lure weights of 1/4 to 3/4 oz) from a decent manufacturer (Berkley, Bass Pro and Cabela's all do a good job of providing quality at a reasonable cost). Get a reel that will match it in size (about120 yards of 10# capacity should be a good starting point). Dick's sporting goods had Okuma reels in that range on sale for about $53.00. DO NOT get a BassPro Spinning reel. I'd suggest doing some research on different manufacturers in your price range, but you should be able to get a good quality combo that will last for years with proper care for about $100.00 - $125.00.
That would be a general, all-around gamefish pole that would work for Walleye but be big enough for a good size (12#) Northern if need be. Some guys may prefer longer and/or heavier poles with bigger reels, but hopefully this is a starting point.
Bottom line: WHATEVER you do, make it an open face spinning rod/reel combo, given the application you have in mind.

[waterfoul]

Second the spinning combo. Spincast (close face) reels just don't have the drag systems that a good spinning reel does. Get her a nice Shimano Symetre and a decent light weight, graphite rod in a 6 1/2 foot length with medium action and she'll be all set.

[ted stehney]

Does she have any single sisters?

[DE82]

Gander MNT. Guides series rod and a shimano sedona/sahara or Daiwa spinning reel. I'd go Med. Light action or Med, no heavier. Walleye aren't bruisers and pike can be taken on a lighter rod, I do it all the time.- Bryon

[waterfoul]

Does she have any single sisters?

Now this is a good question that deserves and answer... considering all the free advice we are willing to give out. ;)


Sahara/Senona's are decent... but the Symetre has a better drag and in my experience (I own several of all of them) puts less twist in the line. Plus, they are on sale at Cabelas right now for $69 (price good online too).

I will agree with the Gander rod though... can't beat the warrantee. Break it, bring it back, go fishing the same day!

[DE82]

Now this is a good question that deserves and answer... considering all the free advice we are willing to give out. ;)


Sahara/Senona's are decent... but the Symetre has a better drag and in my experience (I own several of all of them) puts less twist in the line. Plus, they are on sale at Cabelas right now for $69 (price good online too).

I will agree with the Gander rod though... can't beat the warrantee. Break it, bring it back, go fishing the same day!Mike, I forgot the Symetre was on sale or I would've mentioned it so thanks for the heads up. I wish I had the money to spend right now :rant: Oh well, guess I'll just have to stick with my Sahara for now. - Bryon

[Michigan Mike]

Ah heck Ryan, It's your honeymoon, get her one of each!
I have an older friend that uses close faced Zebco's still for eveything
and him and his wife usually just target trout,walleye and big pike
and do real well.

I personally prefer an open face with a rear drag but to each their own.
As far as tangles and what not there is no memory with power pro
or fireline so it's a good option on a spinning reel.

mike

[jigworm]

My wife uses both. A Diawa Goldcast spincaster for topwater baits, spinnerbaits and other heavier line aplications. Spooled with 30# PowerPro. That thing casts a friggin mile with a PopR. She uses the spinning reel (openface)spooled with 10# PowerPro for jigs, soft plastics and bobber fishing. She won't win any casting competitions, but she's getting pretty good.

[StumpJumper]

LOl Ok maybe I should be a little more informative..

First of all, no, she has no single sisters... :lol:


This is her second summer fishing. I took her for the first time last summer and she was addicted. But she has no experience with a spinning reel and I just foresee a mess of tangles.. That's why I thought there might be a good quality spincast reel that would work good for her. I will stick with a med action rod probably.

MI Mike, You really like rear drags on your spining reels? I've never owned one with a rear drag that was worth a crap. All my experience has been front drags are WAY smoother.. but maybe you are buying higher end reels than I have ever had. I usually buy Diawa's...

I won't use nothing but a spinning reel myself, but I don't think I've ever owned one that didn't twist the line up...

[Due51]

I have a Daiwa Goldcast spincasting reel for my daughter and it's a fine reel. It's comfortable for her and sometimes, even I enjoy using it.

I believe there are better spincasters on the market. Do a little research or call Ken at KD Outdoor, he'll give you good info.

[DE82]

I have a Daiwa Goldcast spincasting reel for my daughter and it's a fine reel. It's comfortable for her and sometimes, even I enjoy using it.

I believe there are better spincasters on the market. Do a little research or call Ken at KD Outdoor, he'll give you good info.I'll second this, if your going spincast than the goldcast is the way to go. - Bryon

[jigworm]

My wife likes the Goldcast because it's light and easy to cast. I bought her a larger sized Abu and she didn't care for it at all. I, like a lot of people my age, was started on a Zebco 202, then a 404 and looked forward to the day I could use the old man's Mitchell 300. I look at the old 202 and wonder how the hell it ever caught a fish, but it did! My dad would keel over if he ever found out what I spend on reels today, but hey, it's all his fault for getting me into this.:lol:

[7MM Magnum]

Well,... I think I'd go with the good ol' "UGLY Stick" and then team it up with a Daiwa Saltiga SA-Z heavy action openface spinning reel.

That would handle ANY Walleye, Pike, Muskie that would hook up to it. ;)

[DE82]

Well,... I think I'd go with the good ol' "UGLY Stick" and then team it up with a Daiwa Saltiga SA-Z heavy action openface spinning reel.

That would handle ANY Walleye, Pike, Muskie that would hook up to it. ;)Mike knows I love my Ugly Stick :hide:

[StumpJumper]

Actually that goldcast sounds like it would be perfect for her.

Of course I need a new pole too so... That saltiga looks like a really nice reel actually. I'll have to check that out. ;)

[7MM Magnum]

Actually that goldcast sounds like it would be perfect for her.

Of course I need a new pole too so... That saltiga looks like a really nice reel actually. I'll have to check that out. ;)



Bring PLENTY O' CASH or that PLATINUM Master Card when you head out,.. that reel is a serious anglers reel,... try $700+ :yikes: pretty much a saltwater reel but Damn nice. ;)

[waterfoul]

I'm sorry.... did someone just use the words "good" and "ugly stick" in the same sentence????? AAGGHH!!

[7MM Magnum]

I'm sorry.... did someone just use the words "good" and "ugly stick" in the same sentence????? AAGGHH!!


:lol::lol::lol: :evilsmile

[thedude]

can't beat a pflueger... and a pink one at that:
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2968883

if you really want something slick get her a nice custom built palehorse rod in her favorite colors and personalized w/ her name and such :D;)

[DHise]

Get her a fly rod combo.

[StumpJumper]

Bring PLENTY O' CASH or that PLATINUM Master Card when you head out,.. that reel is a serious anglers reel,... try $700+ :yikes: pretty much a saltwater reel but Damn nice. ;)

Ummm ok nevermind that reel then. :dizzy:

If I'm shelling out $700 it would be for a new boat motor...

I've never had a problem with the $35-$50 Diawa's... :chillin:

[StumpJumper]

The Diawa Exceler looks like it's pretty nice too... $70 I can do that....

[grouly925]

Bring PLENTY O' CASH or that PLATINUM Master Card when you head out,.. that reel is a serious anglers reel,... try $700+ :yikes: pretty much a saltwater reel but Damn nice. ;)


They have those reels as a combo for as little as $65 at cabelas. I don't think you're thinking about the same thing.

http://www.cabelas.com/hprod-1/0003036.shtml

[Deez Nutz]

I've gone through this same thing with my wife when I got her into fishing. It's more than just fishing to women, they have to feel they look good when doing it. I tried going a little cheap with her and she called me out on it. I had a 6'6" St. Croix with a nice Daiwa spinning reel. She wanted the same outfit.(his and hers) I put the pink fireline on her reel though. I was suprised how well she picked up the techinique of casting and jigging with that rod and reel. She has since bought the Columbia fishing clothes, pink camo baseball hat, and Jackie-O polarized glasses. She believes you have to be confident and look good to fish well. Who am I to argue, she outfished everbody else in the boat this jigging season on the D river. She embarassed her dad by catching 6 walleye to his 1 on a trip. :lol: Just remember, if momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

[Michigan Mike]

MI Mike, You really like rear drags on your spining reels? I've never owned one with a rear drag that was worth a crap. All my experience has been front drags are WAY smoother.. but maybe you are buying higher end reels than I have ever had. I usually buy Diawa's...

I won't use nothing but a spinning reel myself, but I don't think I've ever owned one that didn't twist the line up...

Nah, I never bought any reel over 40 bucks, I've been using the gander
guide series for a couple of years now and like them.
Anything with 4 or 5 ball bearings seem to work quite well and I like the
the ones where you can just pop off the spool and change to something else.
On spin reels with the front drag I always ended up with the line getting
wound around the tensioner and can't have this problem with a rear drag.
Just my preference.

You've mentioned line twist a couple of times now, have you tried
powerpro or fireline yet?

mike

[StumpJumper]

Nah, I never bought any reel over 40 bucks, I've been using the gander
guide series for a couple of years now and like them.
Anything with 4 or 5 ball bearings seem to work quite well and I like the
the ones where you can just pop off the spool and change to something else.
On spin reels with the front drag I always ended up with the line getting
wound around the tensioner and can't have this problem with a rear drag.
Just my preference.

You've mentioned line twist a couple of times now, have you tried
powerpro or fireline yet?

mike

I hear ya on the tensioner tangles, I guess it's 6 to 1, half a dozen to the other...

I've always used Trilene XT but if something doesn't twist like mono does I would definately have to try it.

[Flash]

Having her happy is immeasurable. As a fan of rear drags I am a shimano fan. I like my symetre but actually prefer a self-centering trigger release rear drag spinning reel Thus the Solstace. Another option is the Daiwa underspin closed face reel. It is what I have set up for the Mrs. and it works fine. When she is ready, I will buy her any reel/rod she wants.

Flash

[Swamp Monster]

Another option is the Daiwa underspin closed face reel. It is what I have set up for the Mrs. and it works fine. When she is ready, I will buy her any reel/rod she wants.

Flash

I'll second the underspin option. Better balanced than any regular spincast real and easier to use to. Here's an option.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166-cat400026&id=0029840119158a&navCount=1&podId=0029840&parentId=cat400026&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat400026&hasJS=true
I own two Zebco 11T ultralight underspins that are usually reserved for folks that want to panfish but have no experience. They are easy for them to use and work fine. I actually used one last Saturday teamed with a 10'6" BPS MicroLite rod to boat a nice mess of bull gills and it performed perfectly. Had a handfull of more expensive Quantums rigged up in the boat but they never saw the water. The Diawa Underspin is another option.....all inexpensive as well so if she doesn't like them, your out anywhere from $15-$25.

For spinning reels I tend to use Quantum and Shimano with a few Abu Garcia Cardinals thrown in. If your going with an Ugly Stick, atleast go with the Ugly Stick Lite...they are useable. The original Ugly Stick is just that, an ugly stick. There are many better options out there for rods though.

[Michigan Mike]

I hear ya on the tensioner tangles, I guess it's 6 to 1, half a dozen to the other...

I've always used Trilene XT but if something doesn't twist like mono does I would definately have to try it.


Been using the fireline/ powerpro for 12 years now, no stretch, no twist, no backlash, saves me a couple of hundred in not losing lures every year too.
Started off with fireline, but prefer powerpro since it doesn't fray, and
is better under cold weather imo.
Do a search here on them as for as how to put on, what knot to use ect.

I use XT too on a few poles and always use the hot water method when
putting on new line to prevent that dreaded new line back lash nightmare.

mike

[StumpJumper]

Hot water method.. Ill have to search that too.... I love spooling a reel full of new line to have it come shooting off faster than it was spooled on lol.

[7MM Magnum]

They have those reels as a combo for as little as $65 at cabelas. I don't think you're thinking about the same thing.

http://www.cabelas.com/hprod-1/0003036.shtml



Oh boy,... not even close! :lol:

http://allwatersfishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=13551

[Michigan Mike]

Hot water method.. Ill have to search that too.... I love spooling a reel full of new line to have it come shooting off faster than it was spooled on lol.

I don't know if I've ever seen that on here but was told about it
years ago by a guy at the baitshop and has worked great over the years.
Simply spool your new line on tight as usual and then hook your line on the
little clip on the side of the spool.

Then take off your spool and place it in a large coffee cup of very hot tap water for about an hour until it cools.
Remove from cup and dry off and let it sit overnight.
The line will now have the memory of the spool and won't be shooting anywhere.
When you first pull it off your spool it will look coiled but will be fine after a couple of casts.

I used to just throw it out with the heavy weight attached to a swivel a few times but this makes it much easier Imao
and have not had a problem since.

mike

[StumpJumper]

Man that would've came in handy over the last 20 years lol...

[bassdisaster]

I had an Underspin I used for trout fishing, dang thing had a nice drag and would cast a small spinner a country mile, but the drive gear's never had bearings so they never lasted long, Ive been hoping that one of the major brands would design a high quality underspin, Why they have'nt is a good question,

[Flash]

this is the one I have for the Mrs.
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_96662_100001003_100000000_100001000_100-1-3

The largest (US120XD) seems to be the most robust and I use it with 8-10# mono. It does not seem to cast well with braid.

[Swamp Monster]

I had an Underspin I used for trout fishing, dang thing had a nice drag and would cast a small spinner a country mile, but the drive gear's never had bearings so they never lasted long, Ive been hoping that one of the major brands would design a high quality underspin, Why they have'nt is a good question,

I just purchased a Zebco 33T for the girlfriend to use.....has 3 ball bearings. It's smoother than others but you mistake it for a ncie spinning real thats for sure. It does work well however. I also have two of the Zebco 11T's...these
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_100106?cmCat=CROSSSELL&cmid=PP_P2_2 They have 3 bearings as well. Again, smoother, but not smooth compared to a spinning real. These work very well too.

I looked at the Diawa and almost tried one, but line capacity is not nearly what it is on the Zebco though. I still want one jsut to see if they are smoother. The local shop sells them for $17....pretty cheap for a useable reel.

Some of them used to have plastic drive gears so they wouldn't hold up well, but the new Zebco's are all metal....I think the Diawa's are metal as well.