Greetings from Canada.
My interest is long distance casting of lures such as the Rapala Shadow Rap, Rapala Husky Jerk and various swim baits in my pursuit of walleye. I have been advised to get a small wide spool spinning reel that is used for surf casting and to couple it with a 8 to 9 foot spinning rod. I plan on using 10 to 12 pound rest braid braid with a 8 to 10 pound test flourocarbon leader. I can get spinning reels in Canada but none with the wide spool used for surf casting. My preference is buy Shimano but but the question is which model would serve me best in my pursuit of distance? I am also prepared to look at other manufacturers. if I could get some advice from this forum it would be most appreciated. Your information is top notch.
I hope to go to Florida this winter and pick up a reel when I am there.
Thank you
jim
I believe Daiwa has some long-distance casting spinners...Emblem series. They also have a fishing rod Emblem series to mate up with those reels.
Hi Jim,
We use some Shimano reels for lighter surf casting, where distance is a priority. Models like the Ultegra are pretty good, and the Aerlex series are cheaper.
The Ultregra 4500 is probably the smallest available, they cast nice and have the right shaped spool for distance. There are more expensive models available, but probably won't give that much more performance. Good drag, could be enhanced by switching out with carbon discs, but keep the felt ones greased and they are fine. The through shaft system of mounting the handle is not optimum, so keep an eye on that, but I have one that is 4 years old and still giving good service at the beach.
Hope that helps
Cheers from sunny Africa
Jeri
I would second the Ultegra. Shimano makes good spinning reels. Shimano has a relatively new line of surf reels that are designed for distance casting. Unfortunately they don't make them in too many sizes here in the states.
It might be worth researching to see if you can get a Shimano online from another country. I know that they make reels that are sold abroad that you can't buy here. There might be something smaller than an Ultegra. Only issue with buying foreign reels is that parts and service become trickier.
I have a Daiwa Emblem Pro 5000Aand I think it is one of the longest casting and smoothest spinners I have ever held.
Downside, it is made almost entirely of Plastic. I didn't realize this until I looked really close.
It is now named The Emblem Pro A Surf. Its still a nice reel. Rated at 22lbs of drag. It was a gift from my Uncle.
Might be a little Heavy for what you are looking for, but it casts like I never have before.
http://www.daiwa.com/us/contents/reels/emblem_pro-a/index.html
(http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag93/darondyer/IMG_2767_zpsa1e00853.jpg)
Hmm...Daiwa SS TOURNAMENT® LONG CAST REELS.
http://www.daiwa.com/us/contents/reels/ss_t/index.html
http://www.moderncarper.com/daiwa-ss2600-review/
Most of the other long cast reels (Daiwa, Okuma, Shimano) are carp reels for 12-20lb mono test...and carp reel availability is less common in North America, but they appear be much more common in Europe. All of these would be too big for what you are targeting.
http://catsandcarp.com/carp-fishing-basics/carp-equipment/
The ULCI45500XSB is smallest of North America Shimano's current surf reel line-up but it's lowest factory rating is 10lb...maybe OK for down to 8lb. For 1/3 the cost, the Daiwa SS might be the most suitable, branded reel for what you are looking for IMHO--though will need to upgrade the factory felt washers to carbon fiber ones.
Okuma make some nice spinners
http://www.okumafishing.com/product/view/reels/spinning-1/cedros-high-speed
They also make a RAW II range.
The Cedros have felt washer (can be upgraded to cf) drags the Raw have cf - apart from that they are quite similar and would make excellent surf reels.
hope this helps...tight lines!
https://www.google.com/#q=best+spinning+rod+and+reel+combo+for+walleye
btw casting technique helps too.
how about a different approach: instead of long-distance reel, consider a long-distance superline -- smooth, non-braided PE like NanoFil or Gliss (too bad you just missed a HUGE clearance sale on Gliss at Cabela's):
http://www.cabelas.com/product/GLISS-SUPERSMOOTH-MONOTEX-FISHING-LINE/2202573.uts?searchPath=%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FcategoryId%3D734095080%26CQ_search%3Dgliss%26CQ_st%3Db
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Berkley-NanoFil-Uni-Filament-Fishing-Line/1372806.uts?searchPath=%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FcategoryId%3D734095080%26CQ_search%3Dnanofil%2B%26CQ_st%3Db
there are some issues w/ abrasion & knot strength, but a reinforced (glued/welded) join to a long flouro leader should eliminate most concerns -- walleye are not especially huge or strong fighters
that way you could get a size/weight-appropriate reel, instead of trying to find a mini-surfreel. Daiwa's reverse-tapered spools are a good choice for distance, but I would recommend a Shimano that rips off the Daiwa spool design & includes a spare spool (w/ most Daiwa models, you'd have to buy the spare separately)... if you break off above the flouro, you can just pop on the spare, already set up w/ attached/reinforced leader (maybe have slightly stronger main/leader on the spare, as an option)
also, for best distance, make sure your rod & reel are well-matched!!!
GOOD READ: http://anglersresource.net/WhattoLookforinaTopShelfSpinningRod.aspx
i.e., get the reel first & bring it with you to shop for rods -- a bit cumbersome to do it the other way around, unless you already have the rod you intend to use... if not, a ML Steelhead rod might be a good choice & you may want to go longer than 9' -- in addition to better distance, you'd get better shock absorption & protection for thin zero-stretch line
P.S., don't worry about CF drags -- good oiled felt should be fine for walleye & you can always get CF after you wear out the felt (maybe never, unless you luck into some bigger essox as by-catch)
Quote from: philaroman on November 01, 2016, 02:58:03 PM
how about a different approach: instead of long-distance reel, consider a long-distance superline -- smooth, non-braided PE like NanoFil ...
Do both...upgrade line AND reel. ;)
Greets,
Proper competition surfcasters, use multipliers (ABU 4500, 5500, 6500 and the Akios that is a special wide derivation of the 6500) to cast over 300 metres, generally with sinkers up to 200gm.
Lines vary from 0.25mm for 50gm to 0.35mm for 175gm and 200gm. Massive shock leaders are always employed.
However, fixed spools can reach good distances, it is just harder. I myself reached 210 yards 0.35mm 150gm 25 years ago, using a 15ft Zziplex Hustler Sport back caster and a Mitchell 49(4 I believe). The line lay was so poor that we used a separate hand wound spool for each cast, profiled like a barrel.
Paul Kerry set records using the similarly horrible Daiwa DF90. A big Alvey would do the job as well.
My rod had four rings you could put ferrets through and a 16mm tip!
Nevertheless, the principles of distance are as follows.
The reel needs to be big enough, so that at the end of the cast, the line at the back of your long tapered spool is barely below the lip. The rod also needs to be designed primarily for distance and as long, 11 to 15 ft as you are happy with on your chosen waters. Do you really want distance, >150yards, that badly?
"Long cast" spools are disproportionately long, tapered and may have asymmetric line spooling. The no. of turns going forward is different from that going back.
Short, squat spools help with a strong reel, good for a flick from a boat but are hopeless for genuine distance. The line drop, hence lip drag is far too much.
If you can feel any line pull at the end of the cast, as the line speed should accelerate, the spool is choking the cast and is too small or poorly loaded.
Any drag earlier in the cast and the rings are too small.
N.B. Pack spool spacers so the line just starts to pile on the skirt of the spool when full.
Careful use of backing should leave the line load slightly convex, never concave. Expect to take several shots to get this right but this is key is you choose a slightly small reel for reasons of weight or other convenience. Remember, to use sensible ring sizes, a 40mm stripper is a minimum.
Penn have introduced in Europe, a range of reels with long cast spools, in a variety of forbidding sizes.
I possess a 7000 and an 8000. Both have shallow braid spool options. With the 8000, I can easily flip over 135yards 0.37mm 150gms hybrid ringing. (I am 72).
These are probably too big for your use. I use mine for repeated casting for mackerel and loaning to novice beach fishing buddies. The fresh water guys use them with 12 to 20 lb mono on our big gravel pits, to catch carp. Don't ask, an European obsession bordering on the perverse.
Carp are however, the Einsteins of the fish world.
Up to you, whether you buy bike makers kit or from impure fishing. Daiwa started the easy distance reels with the Millionmax. At nearly $2,000 dollars, leave it out Bruce. I have smaller long spool designs from both Shimano and Daiwa. Both are too small, although impressive for their sizes.
The Daiwa chokes at 170yards and the Shimano at 190yards. All there was at normal money then.
Finally, get lessons on distance casting. A simple thump won't cut it. Use finger protection (a finger stall) or a patented release (Breakaway Canon).
Use a manual bail arm or remove most of the bail wire. Autos just cannot be trusted. As a diversion, look up Niel Mckellow on U-Tube to see how surf casting is really done.
Rgds.
Malcolm Hayward
Quote from: canoecaper on November 01, 2016, 06:04:53 PM
...The fresh water guys use them with 12 to 20 lb mono on our big gravel pits, to catch carp. Don't ask, an European obsession bordering on the perverse.
Carp are however, the Einsteins of the fish world...
Sounds similar to bass fishing segment in the USA...
Quote from: philaroman on November 01, 2016, 02:58:03 PM
how about a different approach: instead of long-distance reel, consider a long-distance superline -- smooth, non-braided PE like NanoFil or Gliss (too bad you just missed a HUGE clearance sale on Gliss at Cabela's):
I've been using Nanofil on spinning reels for a few years now...it will definitely increase casting distance. 8)
Thank you everyone , you have given me a lot to think about and all very helpful.
jim
Be careful what you ask for.
just remembered something:
http://www.usreel.com/products/SpinningFeatures.aspx
http://www.usreel.com/products/PROseries.aspx
as I recall, these things were FW size/weight & had HUGE spools on relatively tiny bodies (allegedly for distance)... never tried one & vaguely recall complaints about too many plastic innards & durability issues, which is probably why they're history & selling for <1/2 original price on fleaBay:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=%28supercaster%2Csuper+caster%29&_osacat=36147&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.X%28supercaster%2Csuper+caster%2C+US+reel%2C+U.S.+reel%29.TRS0&_nkw=%28supercaster%2Csuper+caster%2C+US+reel%2C+U.S.+reel%29&_sacat=36147
might be good enough for a couple years of walleye, but would probably explode if you horse a decent pike
I had a US Reel 230G. Used it as my primary shore reel when fishing off the rocks of San Diego Bay or surf fishing. Use it for 5 years straight and liked the casting distances i got. Then, I noticed that the braid was slipping more and more under the line roller. The parts had worn down and the roller had a lot of play up and down the roller post. Tried to order new parts from US Reel by phone, and gave them all the payment info--credit card never got charged, so no parts. The complete opposite of customer experience from Daiwa or Okuma whom always sent what I ordered and sometimes even for FREE.
Penn Spinfisher has a surf reel
For a long time I used Penn 704Z's fishing in the surf. I have a couple that I've put manual bail pickups on them. I had one on a 9ft with 40lb braid for lures, and live bait fishing. And, one on a 10ft with 50lb braid for dead bait. They work well for casting a long distance. Easy to service and maintain. You don't have to baby them. With carbon drags they do well on big fish.
If you're looking for newer reels, I've started using some Daiwa BG's, the new ones that came out this year. They are pretty good reels, and at a good price. I've got a 5000 on a 10ft surf rod that outcasts everything else I have, including hot rodded Abu 7000's and 6500's. The new Daiwa BG's can be had for under 100 dollars if you look. They have some good reviews, and since I've started using them I'm very impressed with them. I have a 4500 on a 7ft Ugly Stik Tiger Light with 40lb braid that I've been using for flounder this season. It casts an 1/8oz jig farther than any of the other rigs I own for lures. I was a bit surprised by how far it casts. The only rig that comes close in my arsenal is a hot rodded Abu 5500CL. And, with the Abu casting into the wind is a bit tough. Whereas, with the Daiwa there's no issues. With the light 1/8oz jigs and that Daiwa 4500 I was doing pretty good. For walleye fishing the 4500 size may be a little large. The 3500 or 4000 size may be better suited, but that's a personal thing. Where I fish there is always a possibility of hooking a much larger fish. So, I use gear that can handle an occasion bigger toothy critter.
Modern low profile conventional reels are more comfortable for repetitive casting (plugging) and will give you as much distance. Matching the rod to the plug is very important too.
-steve
Hi Jim,
A new reel that we have been testing for surf casting to maximum distances is shown below, on first attempts with the trrl, we were getting at least an extra 10-20 metres just by changing the reel. Spool shape is avsolutely optimum for top distances with fixed spool reels.
(http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah205/JeriDr/Yuki%20AMG_zpsmlupvps2.jpg)
The reel is from a Spanish company called Yuki, and it has a dream drag of about 33lbs at maximum.
Hope that helps
Cheers from sunny Africa
Jeri