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Spinning reels are probably
the most widely used reels for light tackle anglers targeting
striped bass. They are easy to cast and versatile being able to
be used in almost every application of hunting stripers from jigging
to casting and from throwing jigs or swimming lures to top water
poppers.
When choosing a spinning reel there are a few attributes that
you need to understand: reel size, gear ratios, ball bearings,
reel body make up and drag systems.
Reel Size
Different manufactures use different numerical sizing schemas
to designate the size of their reels. For instance Shimano, which
I use for all my light tackle fishing, uses thousands (i.e. 2500,
3000, 4000 etc). Another solid reel manufacturer in the saltwater
realm is Penn who uses hundreds (i.e. 260, 360, 460).
For my light tackle fishing I use Shimano reels and in my spinning
reel arsenal for chasing stripers I use sizes 2500 and 4000. A
different reel size means different gear ratios, which we will
touch on below, as well as how much line can be spooled on a reel.
For striper fishing a hundred yards is sufficient and the Shimano
2500 and 4000 holds that in 10-pound test mono and easily can
hold 12 pound and even 14 or 15 pound test braid.
Gear Ratios
As you move from small to large on the reel size scale you move
from one gear ratio to another. Gear ratio means how many times
the reel spins, i.e. how much line the spool picks up with one
revolution of the crank. A slow gear ratio for example of 4:1
means the spool turns four times for one crank of the handle,
not a lot of line being recovered. In the 2500 and 4000 sizes
that I use for striper fishing you will generally find gear ratios
on the faster side of the scale in the 5:1 to 6:1 range, which
is ideal. If I am using jigs I may use a reel on the 5:1 side
of the scale, while if I am fishing top water poppers I like to
use something in the 6:1 ratio to be able to move the popper quickly.
Ball Bearings
Chevy Chase said in Fletch something to the extent, “It’s
all about ball bearings”. Put simply the more ball bearings
a reel has the smoother the reel will be. Less expensive reels
generally have three ball bearing while more expensive reels will
have six and as many as seven. While it may sound like a good
marketing tale to weave for manufacturers I have found that it
really is true that the more ball bearings the smoother the reel.
Reel Body
Since we are fishing for stripers in brackish/saltwater it is
imperative that we have a reel body made of some sort of element
that can withstand the corrosion that salt can cause. High end
spinning reels like the Shimano Stella’s use a magnesium
frame and side plate along with an aluminum rotor, both great
elements that resist corrosion. As you move down the price scale
you will find reel bodies made out of aluminum, which work perfect
in the salt with good care. Further down the price range you will
find reel bodies made out of graphite, which also performs well.
Regardless of the material the body is made of, a good wash down
and chamois dry after each day of fishing should be part of your
regular maintenance to assure you get the best life out of your
reels.
Drag
We’ve saved one of the most important attributes for last.
Simply put, you need a smooth drag with minimal start up inertia
to assure you do not lose fish. When looking for a spinning reel,
look for what manufacturers call a “waterproof drag”.
This means the drag system is sealed and will not allow saltwater
to enter the drag system.
You will also encounter front and rear drag controls. I prefer
front systems since it generally means they have multiple drag
washers that provide a smoother drag performance and also offer
more durability. If you choose Shimano or Penn brands you will
find both have front drag controls.
What I Use
I use Shimano Sustain 2500, 3000 and 4000 spinning reels for most
all my striper fishing. Penn reels have a great reputation and
hold up well, but I am a stickler for anti-reverse, meaning when
the handle stops it does not move backwards at all. I find the
Shimano has tighter tolerances, which make for no backwards movement
and smoother reeling.
If you do not want
to go to the higher end right way, a good Shimano series to look
at is their Static series. It’s a great bang for the buck.
I have a few and they have lasted me years. If you happen to be
more of a Penn person, check out the Penn Slammers. I have not
used them extensively, but have some friends who have and like
them. The best advice I can offer is use this article as a reference
and visit your local tackle shop and try a few of the reels out
in the store and see which one feels best to you. We’ll talk
next month about bait casting reels, until then, good fishing!
Brandon White is Chief Angler at Lateral Line, Inc., a technical
year-round fishing clothing company located in Easton MD. He also
is a Maryland Governor appointed member of the Sport Fish Advisory
Commission of Maryland. You can learn more about Brandon and Lateral
Line on the web at:
http://www.LateralLineCo.com
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