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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! ~ Spinning Reels
November 23, 2008
A fishing reel is classified as a Fly, Bait Casting, or Spinning reel. The right reel to use depends on the type of fishing an angler intends to do and the action he or she expects.
Fly reels are used by anglers who cast very light lures (usually flies), to skittish fish. The primary purpose of a fly reel is to hold and store the line. The weight of the line, combined with the angler's wrist action, projects the fly toward the intended target.
Casting reels are for anglers who use heavier lures. The lure provides the weight needed to pull the line from a revolving spool. Mastering the art of bait casting is not without challenges. Should the line on a casting reel over spin and roll off faster than the spool is turning, a backlash will occur. Backlashes are a tangled mess of line and are the main reason spinning reels are popular.
Spinning reels are easy and versatile for casting light-to-medium baits. Spinning tackle is used by both novice and experienced anglers. It takes only a few short minutes to teach a child to cast a small lure on a spinning reel without getting a backlash.
The spinning reel was introduced in the late fifties and early sixties when the Mitchell 300 became a best seller. Until its introduction, casting was considered an art form that could only be accomplished by the most astute anglers. The spinning reel allowed a beginner to effortlessly cast light lures for great distances with amazing accuracy.
A spinning reel works quite simply. The spool is fixed, so it does not revolve when cast. The weight of the lure takes the monofilament line off the spool in much the same way as thread is pulled from a spool when held tightly at one end. The only resistance is the line itself. The lower the resistance, the longer the cast will be. Since the spool does not turn, the line cannot backlash.
The spinning reel was originally designed to be cast with the right hand and retrieved by winding with the left. Today’s reel handles are quickly interchangeable. A word of caution: do not turn the rod over and fish with the reel on top. By doing so, the reel must be wound backwards. A rod doesn't work efficiently when casting or fighting a fish in an upside down position.
Spinning reels perform best if matched with a balanced rod and line. Fishermen sometimes tend to use line much heavier than necessary. The lighter the line, the farther a small lure can be thrown. Lines of small diameter allow lures to swim deeper and more vigorously than those with larger line. Light lines are also less visible to the fish, therefore, produce more strikes. Line recommendations are printed above the hand grip on the rod blank. For best results, do not exceed the range of line sizes indicated.
Spinning tackle can be used in almost any fishing situation. Surf fishermen load a large capacity reel with fourteen to seventeen pound test mono line and use an eight to ten foot rod. On the other hand, bass fishermen might choose a medium size reel spooled with eight to ten pound test line and a medium action six or seven foot rod. An even lighter, five or six foot rod with a small spinning reel with six pound line, is perfect for pan fishing.
Tackle shops have a variety of matched outfits to handle and test before purchasing. Rod and reel combinations come complete with line and are available at prices starting at about twenty dollars. Simple casting instructions are included with new reels. If you haven't cast a spinning outfit before, practice with a rubber casting plug in a yard or open field. First time users usually master the basics within a few minutes.
Upcoming Events:
A holiday seminar about “Frequently Asked Questions When Fishing for Lake Norman’s Bass, Stripers, and Catfish” is scheduled for Thursday, December 11, 2008 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Gander Mountain, Mooresville, Exit 36. The class will be conducted by Lake Norman Fishing Guide, Capt. Gus Gustafson. Bring your fishing and boating questions to this free ninety minute session. For additional information, call 704 658 0822.
Tips from Capt. Gus!
A two-piece rod is easy to transport, but a one-piece rod is more sensitive to the lure action and the fish bite.
The Hot Spot of the Week:
Stripers and spotted bass are feeding off points throughout the day. Use live baits for stripers and crank baits for bass. Surface feeding is occuring around the islands (markers 20 to 23) at dawn and dusk. The surface water temperature is in the sixties and the lake level is about 2.7 feet below full pond.
Captain Gus Gustafson of Lake Norman Ventures, Inc. is licensed by the US Coast Guard, a member of the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association, and is an outdoor columnist and a full time professional fishing guide on Lake Norman, NC. Visit his web site, Fishin' With Gus! at www.FishingWithGus.com or call 704-617-6812.
For additional information e-mail Gus at Gus@LakeNorman.com
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