Choosing the right reel is essential for beginners

SPINNING or baitcasting reels? I always find it amusing to hear fishos argue about this whenever they get together.

There is always an argument between the purists and the ordinary Joe anglers on the types of reel preferred.

So when I posted this question on the Penang Fishing Association (PMPP) Facebook, it created a debate among the anglers.

There are two schools of thoughts here. Some say the spinning reel is better while others recommended the baitcaster.

While I agree that the baitcasting reel is better known for its durability and toughness in handling fierce fish fights, it is not an easy reel for a beginner or the inexperienced fisho to handle.

It requires some skills and training to master this mean machine which has a tough gearing system to give an angler the additional “muscle” to haul in the catch.

It has its pros and cons.

The baitcaster can definitely accommodate more lines compared with the spinning reels.

But for inexperienced anglers, especially the newbies, they would find the multipliers annoying with its dreadful backlash or birdnest, where the line gets entangled in the spool, making it frustrating to release and straighten it.

There is a technique involved in handling this reel. One has to determine the tension of the line, its drag setting and of course the thumbing pressure in releasing the shooting line and the spool to ensure a perfect cast whereas the spinning reel is not so complicated in its usage.

The open face design allows users to try any type of baits and lures, gives it a flexibility of casting and a better chance of not entangling the lines.

But if you ask my fishing buddy, Dr Kelvin “Firetiger” Khaw, he will tell you he prefers the baitcaster.

He says it has better control, accuracy and the mechanics and technology involved in making the reel.

While he agrees that spinning is good for jigging as it can cast almost any weight, depending on the thickness of the line and size of the lures, he still prefers the baitcaster anytime.

He also felt that spinning reels can be less stable and wobbly compared with the baitcaster.

His facts may not be quite right to some anglers who believe the type and size of the spinning reel that has to match the rod.

But going by a seasoned angler like Derek Neoh, he would swear on the virtues of a spinning reel.

According to him, the spinning reel gives him better control of the rod with his right hand, more so when he casts with light lures.

For freshwater fishing, like bujuk or haruan, in dense cover and tight spots, he recommends the spinning reels as it is much easier to handle.

Popping for Giant Trevally, Neoh would go with the spinning reel too as he believes it has the capability to do the trick. He also uses spinning reels when doing heavy jigging.

Even though he favoured spinning for most applications, he sometime uses the baitcasters as “certain usages favour certain reels”.

The opinions of these two anglers are not entirely wrong but subjective to each preference, style and the type of species they aimfor.

But for newbies, it is definitely the spinning reel to begin with.

One can slowly progress and move on to the baitcaster once they have mastered the art of casting with the spinning reel.

My two buddies would certainly agree with me on this.