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| The REEL Scoop | 'Weather' or Not To Fish |
By: Patricia Drake
I have chosen to write this month’s article on the difference between baitcast and spincast reels. I will also be listing some of my preferences, but just to state up front, these are my preferences for my particular fishing styles and situations.
The only way to truly find the reel that’s best for you is to choose a reel for your fishing conditions and then go fish!
Now granted, I probably have too many reels (wait, did I just say that?!?!). My friend and TLA cofounder, Patti, once told me that a woman can never have too many pairs of black shoes, and I would like to think that fishing reels fall into that category of never having too many.
But before we just “jump in” to the differences of these reels, let’s breakdown some basics about reels in general.
Reel Components and Attributes
Spool
The spool is the part of the reel that
holds the line. It is a detachable component of the reel and is made of
either graphite or aluminum.
Graphite spools are designed to be lighter than aluminum spools, but aluminum spools generally cost more and some consider aluminum to be more durable; it’s worthwhile to pay for anodized or machined bronze aluminum to fend off the corrosive effects of saltwater and moisture.
Frames
The frame is what gives the reel its shape and the frame can also be
either made of graphite, magnesium, or aluminum. Once again, this is a
question of weight and the price you are willing to pay for a reel.
Line capacity
Line capacity is a key consideration in selecting a reel. Some reels can
handle as much as 900 yards. The amount of line you'll need depends on
your type of fishing. Most anglers choose a lighter reel with the most
line capacity.
Gear ratio
Well, if you’ve ever wondered what that 3.8:1 or 6.2:1 meant on the box
your reel came in, read on. Gear ratio tells you how quickly a reel will
retrieve line per revolution of your reel's crank. For example, a reel
that has a gear ratio of 3.8:1 means that with every complete turn of
the handle, the spool revolves 3.8 times. If your reel has a 6.2:1 gear
ratio, the spool revolves 6.2 times with each complete turn of the
handle, therefore giving you a faster retrieve than the reel that is
rated 3.8.
Lower ratios provide more power for bringing fish from deeper depths, while higher gear ratios benefit when pulling fish from closer to the surface.
Ball bearings
Ball bearings are used to help reels work more smoothly by supporting
the moving parts. Generally speaking, the more ball bearings, the
smoother the reel works, especially under pressure. But remember, as
more ball bearings are added to a reel, the cost goes up.
Level winds
A level wind makes it so that when you reel in your line it is
distributed evenly over the spool. Level winds found on baitcast reels
will evenly guide the line back on to the spool after casting.
So now that we’re all brushed up on reel basics, let’s get started with the differences between types of reels. There are four basic considerations when selecting a reel for saltwater fishing: your experience, your preferred way of fishing, conditions you generally fish in, and the type of fish you are hoping to catch.
In saltwater fishing today, there are two types of reels that are prominently used, each with its own advantages and disadvantages: spincast and baitcast.
Baitcast
Baitcast reels are typically preferred by more experience anglers, especially when using heavier lures and lines designed for bigger fish. The reel works with the weight of the bait or lure as it pulls on the line and turns the spool to release more line. The heavier the lure, the longer the cast.
With practice, this style of reel also will allow for more accurate casting since the line comes directly off the spool from the front rather than from the side position of a spinning reel.
Many anglers prefer baitcasting for fighting bigger, stronger fish over an extended period, especially big game fish in saltwater. The line retrieves directly on the spool making the baitcasting reel equal to the challenge.
Baitcast reels are offered in one-piece designs, which lessens the corrosive effects of saltwater and most baitcast reels now incorporate a drag system designed to adjust the resistance, or drag, on the spool to control how much resistance is needed to pull the right amount of line off the spool.
These reels have a star drag that looks like a wheel, attached to the handle. Turn the star clockwise and it tightens the line. Counter clockwise turns will of course loosen the line. If the line is too loose, you may not get the fish you catch into the boat.
Before
you start fishing, CHECK THE DRAG SYSTEM! Even though you may have
checked it the night before, check it again before fishing.
Under
the star drag on the face of the reel, is a cast control knob. If you
turn this knob counter clockwise it will loosen the spool and increase
the distance of your cast by allowing the line to flow out through the
guides on your rod more quickly.
BUT BE CAREFUL not to loosen this setting too much or you may have a large “professional overrun” (at least that’s what I like to call it . . . otherwise known as a “bird's nest”) while trying to cast out your bait or lure. Adjust this knob each time you change the type of bait / lure you're fishing because some baits / lures are heavier and pull the line out faster than others.
You can also select a baitcaster for your particular style of fishing:
- Offshore reels are designed to fight large fish from a boat
- Trolling reels allow you to drag live bait or a lure as you troll in a boat
- Jigging reels allow you to cast a lure near the bottom and then pull the lure in an up and down motions
- Casting reels like the Shimano Calcutta or the Penn High speed graphite casting reels give you the benefit of precision casts
- Bottom reels, as their name sounds, allow you to fish from stationary boats and go down deep
Spincast
Most of you are probably familiar with this type of reel. These are great reels for beginners, as they do not backlash or “bird nest” as easily as other types of reels (but that’s DEFINITELY not to say that they never backlash, as I well know).
I prefer to have a spinning reel with me as a backup for days that I am fishing into a high wind. The reason that I prefer a spinning reel as a backup is because these reels are considerably heavier than other reels because of their design. You may not think that ounces make that much of a difference when choosing a reel in the store, but you will feel that difference when you’ve had a full day or two of continuous casting.
One thing to remember when using a spinning reel, always use a swivel when attaching lures, leaders, etc. to monofilament line, otherwise your line will twist causing a higher probability for backlash and there is the safety factor of the hook actually coming back at you . . . not good.
Using a spinning reel does not allow for “free spool” mode if you prefer to use bait like live croaker. Free spooling is when you disengage the spool to allow the bait to swim around, which in turn allows the predator to snag the bait and run with the bait before you set the hook. This technique just cannot be done with a spinning reel because the line will begin to loosen too much from the spool if it is not engaged.
But the spinning reel cannot be matched for ease of use, and if you are looking for a trouble-free reel, this may be a good choice for you.
In saltwater spinning reels, you may prefer a skirted spool. The skirted spool increases line capacity, allows longer casts and reduces tangles. It also protects the reel's inside workings from the saltwater and moisture. Good spinning reels include the Shimano Stradic and the Penn SS series, just to name a few.
Whether buying a baitcast or spincast reel, you need to ensure that your reel is a left- or right-hand retrieve, or can be adapted for either hand.
And don't forget, when in the store, put the new reel and rod together while there to make sure they are balanced correctly. One technique to check the balance is to place your index finger about ¼-inch down from the top of the rod handle and see if the combination of rod and reel remain level. If it does not, you may want to select a different rod or reel.
To keep your reels working for many years to
come, have your reels cleaned at least once a year by a
professional. They can detect and repair any problems for you and keep
the reels in good working condition. TIGHT LINES!!
'Weather' or Not To Fish
By: Pat Drake
You watch the weather reports, you read the message boards, and you listen to fellow anglers talk about the upcoming fishing conditions. But do you really know how to put all that temperature, wind speed, tidal and other meteorological information to work to help you catch fish? If you're not sure, you're not alone.
While we are affected by weather every time we fish, the extent to which fish are affected is surrounded by a whole lot of uncertainty, theories, and speculation. Sure, we know that certain elements of weather have specific general effects on fish but there is no clear, scientific proof or evidence that all fish are affected in the same ways. No matter what your neighbor's brother-in-law’s cousin says!
Different fish are affected in different ways. Bass, crappie, and other freshwater species for example, are much more sensitive to extraordinary weather events than our saltwater species like speckled trout, redfish and flounders. Likewise, the deep-water species like snapper, grouper, sharks and others in the Gulf are even less affected by weather events.
Not only are the fish affected by weather, more importantly, so are fishermen who besides catching fish are influenced by safety concerns, comfort levels and accessibility - all of which are weather-related. Some of us had to learn the hard way to not even attempt fishing parts of West Bay with a North wind (ahem, not mentioning any names here!). More times than not, our fishing day ends when it’s most suitable to us, not necessarily the fish.
There is no arguing that “optimal” is what we’re looking for when planning a fishing trip. The scientific weather data should definitely be looked at, but don’t let “non-optimal” days stop you from hitting the water. Some of my best fishing catches have been in less than optimal conditions. Yes, these occurrences are freak, but can occur. And when they do occur, the catches can be amazing.
The Wind Factor
Right about now, we’ve spent the last 3 months hoping that winds would “lay down.” And I would put my money down that in a few more months we’ll all be wishing for even the slightest of breezes.
Here in the Gulf Coast area, wind or the absence of it, is the most important weather factor affecting fishing. A strong wind from any direction can make accessibility to certain locations difficult if not impossible as well as unsafe. Depending on the size of the boat, the openness of the area and the wind direction, anything from 15 knots on up can create enough wave action to present boating problems.
Casting, drifting and trolling become increasingly difficult the higher the winds. Generally speaking, light to moderate wind directions from northeast to due south are best for saltwater as they bring in clean, saltier water. Also generally, moderate to high southwest to north winds tend to muddy up most fishing areas and/or create extremely low water conditions especially in the winter months.
While dead calm days may seem ideal for boating conditions in the interior bayous, lakes and bays, it allows greater light penetration and can drive shallow, light-sensitive fish to go deep. Consequently, light winds causing a slight ripple on the water surface are preferred. Wind can also aid or negate the effects of the next most important weather factor - tides.
Tide Movement
If wind is the most important weather element affecting fishing, tidal range is a very close second. The reason - moving water means moving bait and that stimulates fish to feed. Most veteran anglers try to time their trips to coincide with a good strong tidal movement and won't even go out on low or no tide days.
Fishing incoming or falling tides is a matter of personal preference, but most anglers I talk to prefer an outgoing tide. Wind, depending on direction and whether tides are rising or falling can accelerate or negate tidal flow, making the combination better or worse.
Except for extremely high tide levels that either drive fish up into non-accessible marsh interior or extremely low which limit accessibility, tide levels aren't as important as range.
Range is calculated by subtracting the low point from the high point as expressed in tenths of feet (i.e., 1.3 ft range). The greater the range, the more moving water, the more moving baits, the better the fishing.
Along the Gulf Coast a tide range of 1.0 foot or greater is considered good. But remember a poor tidal range can improve when combined with as appropriate wind speed and direction. Conversely, a good tidal range can become poor if opposing winds are strong enough.
TEMPERATURE
The effects of air temperatures seem easy to figure, "When it's hot you're going to sweat so dress light, and when it's freezing you're going to shiver so bring a jacket," right? Temperature forecasts have a different meaning for anglers than the land sharks that typically stay in climate-controlled environments.
You have to take into consideration the effects of being on the water during all 4 seasons. The effects of sunlight, wind speed and humidity greatly impact forecast temperature. A wind chill chart or heat index gives you a "feels like" adjustment. It's important to drastically overdress when boating over cold, open, humid and windy water. For general conditions in winter use the 20 degree factor as a best practice: If the forecast low is for 55 degrees, dress like you would for 35.
Fish activity is definitely impacted by water temperature. Freshwater fish can withstand and are active at significantly lower temperatures than saltwater fish. Saltwater fish become pretty active when water temperatures reach 65 degrees or higher. They will seek deeper, warmer / cooler water when water temperatures reach below 60 and above 90.
FISH THE FRONT SIDE OF FRONTS
Most weather frontal systems arrive in our area from the northwest. Severe storms followed by rising barometric pressures, high winds that drop, lower and muddy water are all associated with the passage of cold fronts and have negative fishing impacts sometimes lasting several days.
On the 1st and sometimes the 2nd day following the passage of a strong winter front some fish species are said to contract a case of "lockjaw." During the summer months we sometimes see the same effects in reverse caused by incoming tropical depressions, storms and hurricanes from the southeast, south and southwest. High winds, extremely high tidal surges and dirty water are symptomatic of these summer storms.
The bright side of both of these systems is that just prior to their passage, fishing can be fantastic. The falling barometer, moving water and unstable cloudy conditions seem to send saltwater fish into a feeding frenzy just ahead of an approaching front. Of course, when boating and fishing prior to fronts, safety should remain the most important consideration so be sure to watch the weather reports carefully and pack a weather radio. Sometimes we can make bad judgments when the fish are really biting and leave our fishing spots later than we should, getting caught in pinpricking, cold rain.
WEATHER "101"
Most of us boaters, kayakers, and anglers could probably stand to learn more about the weather. The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Association (NOAA) is an excellent source to obtain technical weather information. Tide charts are available for more precise planning, be sure to check the FishNet Daily News for up to the hour weather information, and having a weather radio that broadcasts the National Weather Service frequency 24 hours a day aboard can be a vital tool for all of us. Even though as the old saying goes, there's nothing we can do about it, by understanding the basic concepts of the elements of weather, we can improve our fishing success.
Keeping a logbook is critical to learning fish activity during various atmospheric conditions. By writing down things like water temperature, wind direction and speed, time of day, and tide movement, you will have a great reference for future trips.
In conclusion, there an old saying that goes, “if you wait for the perfect conditions to go fishing, well then, you’ll never go.” But learning the effects weather conditions can have will help you in adjusting your fishing strategy and bring increased hookups.
Patricia Drake
Cofounder / President, Texas Lady Anglers
FishNet Daily News Special Feature - Patricia Drake
Patricia Drake began her fishing career tossing a line at an early age with her dad. She grew up on Moses Lake (near Galveston Bay) and her passion for the sport has only grown over the years. In October 2004, Patricia co founded an association for lady anglers along the Texas coast. The "Texas Lady Anglers" now boasts over 175 members and is still growing. Through seminars and group trips, Patricia lives out her dream of bringing more women to the sport while teaching about fishing, conservation, and safety. Patricia's favorite type of fishing is wading for redfish using topwaters.
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