Surf Fishing: Why Use a Conventional Fishing Reel Vs Spinning Reel?

How do you cast further to catch more fish? The answer for many is to switch from a spinning reel to a convention reel to increase the distance of your cast. I wanted to see if a conventional fishing reel really CAN help me cast farther to get more fish! Let’s test it out and see! Have you ever used a conventional fishing reel? Comment below!
This week, I am on the beach in Florida with Erin, my dad, my mom, and Erin’s sister, Emma. We are hoping to have a pretty chill day on the beach and maybe catch a few fish while I’m testing out my conventional reel. Any day spent outside by the water is a good day to me. What kind of fishing gear/ bait/ techniques do you want me to try next? Comment below!

0:00 Intro
3:26 Baiting Up
4:37 The Technique
5:20 Let's catch some fish!
14:47 Conclusion
16:01 CATCH N COOK!

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[reggieb]

One of the best parts of a fishing trip is the meal afterwards... Being out all day or night and preparing your harvest at the end of the trip... It can't be beat !!! Just so fresh and delicious...

[dandenrode]

I love my Penn spinning reels. Super versatile, bombproof, and budget-friendly.

[Shurmash]

The key is to use at least 3' of line hanging from the rod tip when surf casting. This reduces spool startup speed which lowers the chance for backlashes and leads to increased distance. On baitcasters I use at least 2' of line when distance casting. Tight lines out there!

[jeffcalhoun]

Brandon, if you wrap your left thumb at the first knuckle with some flexible tape, you won’t need to fingers to guide your line back onto the conventional reel, the tape will protect your thumb from line cut and you can just move your thumb back and forth over the reel

[TommyCCP]

Nice video. I like the enthusiasm, well presented. A lot of people get intimidated learning how to throw a baitcaster. There is a learning curve and it takes a bit of time and practice but it can be VERY rewarding when it all comes together. A couple of tips. When laying down the line, it is important to lay down the line evenly AND to keep the line lay consistent. Try this, when cranking in, count the number of handle turns you take per pass (left to right or vice versa) and try to keep this close to the same every time. On a 656 size reel this is about 6 turns per pass. On a 666 or 757 size try about 7 turns per pass. On the actual cast you are leaving a lot of distance on the table by being right arm dominate. Focus on a complete pull with the left (all the way to the left side of your chest) allowing the right to act as a fulcrum point as you "punch". The pull is where most lose power. Also "LOOK UP" to your target which is 45 deg above the horizon over the desired splashdown spot. Again, well done as this will help others get past the stigma of baitcasting reels!

[ELI-vmyf]

Why would someone dislike these videos!! 🤷🏻‍♂️ this guy is a genius!!💯💯💯

[AusLanderJack]

It's all a personal choice. Will never want to use those "conventional" reels again, tried way too many times and tbh, never got used to them. Never felt comfortable when casting or reeling in a fish.

But then again, never been big game fishing etc where you have to use them.

Liked the video, it actually gives me an open mind to one day buy another one and use it on the boat, that could work in combination with what I already have. idk.

Thanks.

Cheers.

[noampitlik]

Back when I was a kid, everyone used a Penn reel (conventional) for surf fishing. I still do and it blows people's minds.
I like the spinning reels, too. Especially the super-big ones with the huge bail. The line seems to unload better.

[HamedAli-qfym]

you can be a good teacher, whatever topic you choose, cause your way of explanation is awesome

[horatiomarchese]

Hey bro don't use the brakes set it zero, use your thumb for feel, just as soon as its about to hit the water use that thumb, you will get further distance.

[LambertFick]

Nice, commenting at 9:45, both reel types have their own advantages, for the conventional try getting a rod where the reel anchors to the lower end of the rod. Then the thumb braking and control you do on the inside/top side of the spool and not on the line. Then make a light fake cast and when you bring it back then you send it. Holding the rod with reel tilted at no more than 90 degrees on it's side at the point of casting bringing it to horizontal after despatching payload. Then if stuck in rocks/kelp always wrap line around rod and don't put tension on spool or drag system and slowly start moving backwards. Don't use spool bearing nuts as a braking system. Always ensure that spool release is on release when casting with a conventional real, because the amount of power you exert when casting is going to dislodge the rod and reel from your grip to cast out of your hands. A costly disaster if you are casting on a hard surface like rocks. When you practice start slow, go for release, line tension control, accuracy and mastering of the cast. Then comes power and distance. More distance can be achieved by releasing some more line when one brings the rod back from the fake cast with intent, like /as one does with flyfishing adding a meter or two when casting. The latter requires that one has mastered the reel and casting with it. 15:38 Waist rod holders, and casting with the conventional reel is going to test your knots, line and your temperament. I would recommend a +/- 12 kg line, leader of your choice or required, a lighter sinker/weight line, so if it is stuck and you have hooked a fish, let the weight's line be the part that breaks. Then swivels, don't use tri just normal. Hook and main line to the top loop and weight line too bottom. The sliding rig you have shown in the past is also effective on sand /surf. On reefs less is more effective. Can you cast spinning rigs with conventional, yes, but not very light ones.

[christophergarcia]

Avets are really great for fishing very durable we use them here in Texas the can cast a mile as well no need to clean them either I’ve seen guys go years with no maintenance and still work like the first day and there very beautiful

[edzaslow]

Nice vid. I remember as a kid in NJ using a Penn Long Beach. Bird's nests were the rule rather than the exception. Most anglers don't have the patience to use a conventional reel, and use spinning reels exclusively nowadays.

[marquezfamily]

We use conventional reels in Hawaii to cast our 13 foot ulua poles. We usually load it with mono 80lb and up top it off with a shock leader. We wet the line to prevent line burns as we use our thumb as a break to prevent birds nest. Most of the shore casters use Penn 4/0 to 9/0.

[TurkeyCreekjackjohnson_]

Look at this guy - he a grown man now all grown up . Good to see you bro

[donnahenderson]

I suggest that you do not "bring the momentum forward, " but rather pull down hard and fast with your left hand. Your right hand should be your fulcrum point. Use the magnetic spool brake to slow it as it comes down the arc, open it up and use your thumb to slow the spool, your cast will go much further.

[MrRocque]

Just some info that those that have never used a 'baitcaster' before (that IS what this 'conventional' reel is, for all intents and purposes in this video). The right side adjustment, tensioner, removes 'slack' from the reel axle to stop side play. it can also be tightened (do not over tighten) to prevent backlashing that occurs at the BEGINNING of the cast. Typically, you adjust the tensioner so your lure/bait fall slowly (before casting).
The 'braking' (be it magents, friction pins, centrifugal) slows the spool near the END of the cast when the lure/bait slow down as they lose energy during 'flight'. This helps prevent backlashing near the END of the cast if the spool is 'spinning' faster than the line is peeling off it (as the lure/bait slows).
The rule of thumb is, right side for the beginning of the cast (tensioner), left side for the end of the cast (braking). And adjust the braking for 'wind'...more into the wind, less with the wind.
And remember, the third and most important brake for baitcasters, YOUR THUMB. Both tensioner and brake are SET in a position, ONLY your thumb is 'dynamic' during your cast. You can apply and release thumb pressure during your cast.
RE: the 'conventional casts farther'...I don't know anyone that would say a baitcaster casts farther than a spinning rig. Given that spinning rigs don't have 'tensioners' or 'brakes' to slow down the line feeding off the spool (and nearly EVERY baitcaster HAS to have some kind of 'braking' even if its just your thumb) I don't know how a baitcaster could cast farther (unless you forego ANY braking at all...then a birds nest will JERK your lure/bait to a stop anyway and WAY short of any distance).
Personally, I fish off shore with my Penn10 (20lb) on an 8.5ft Med. rod and have NO issues with distance. I can cast just as far as my (though not really adequate for the target fish) spinning rigs (max. 15lb. line on 7ft. MH rods). But that's NOT 'surf fishing', it's shore fishing. Salmon runs, flounder (and damn crabs/clams that keep taking my bait). But I have ALWAYS been able to outcast (distance) my baitcaster using my spinning rigs (every thing being equal other than reels).

[christopherjenkins]

Some folks can’t use conventional and I’ve fished and lived in NC for 67 years. I am 60% blind. If you can’t see well you can’t use a conventional reel. You have to know when that bait rig hits the water so you can use your thumb to stop the spool and avoid the backlash. When I lost my sight I sold my conventional baitcasters after being unable to cast effectively. The line guide is called the level-wind mechanism. After years and years with spinners I have no problem getting my rig where I need it. I wish I could use a conventional reel but you do what you have to. I use vintage Mitchell, Penn, Bretton, and Luxor PUM fishing reels some of which were made in the 1050s.I have 150 vintage surf spinning reels. Bail-less spinning reels can get very close to the distance of conventional reels. Bails just get in the way. Great Pompano!

[monkeyscorner]

You should try an Alvey surf champion now that they're available over in America now.
Tight lines from down under 👍

[snagrbuster]

Thank You so very much for the great video!!
With the most Sincere due respect, what you're referring to as a "Conventional Reel", here in the Northwestern U.S. and British Columbia Canada, Salmon and Steelhead anglers, call them "Baitcasting" Reels (including the Bass, Catfish and Sturgeon anglers).
I'm a retired Fish Pathologist in the Pacific Northwest and presently an Outdoor and Science writer (formerly a Columnist and Contributing Science editor for the largest Fish Culture Magazine). I also do some very limited guiding for Pacific Salmon, Steelhead and Sea-Run Cutthroat trout). Since we're 10 minutes from the Ocean, I also fish for non anadromous Ocean species, such as Lingcod, Rock fishes. I began fishing for landlocked Brown Trout (Salmon trutta), at 3 years of age (in the late 50s?). Later as a teenager I fished for the Huge anadromous Brown Trout in Caspian Sea tributaries.. Also whenever I had the opportunity, I fished for the largest Sturgeon on Earth (the Beluga), In Caspian Sea!! Sometimes, even less commonly, I fished the Persian Gulf, for GT (Giant Trevally), and Very limited Angling for Billfish (Marlin). Unfortunately due to a Serious problem with motion sickness in the Sea (both Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf), I avoided fishing in the Sea from a boat!!
Please forgive my errors, as I'm typing this on a very cheap phone without my glasses 🤓