Northwest Fishing Reports

Can someone explain to me why some people do this? I don't really see any advantage versus using it normally

My Dad does. Its the way he's been doing it forever, nobody taught him different. If it works for him, it works.

Telltale sign of an expert humpy fisherman. The kind that only makes it out every other year.

The best explanation I can give is that they are rookie fisherman who (A) don't know any better, and (B) don't want to reel with their other hand, so they just flip the rod over not realizing you can switch the reel handle to either left or right handed on most spinning outfits.

Matt wrote:The best explanation I can give is that they are rookie fisherman who (A) don't know any better, and (B) don't want to reel with their other hand, so they just flip the rod over not realizing you can switch the reel handle to either left or right handed on most spinning outfits.

When I was a kid (5) I learned how to fish with an old Zebco reel, learned how to reel with my right hand. When I got my 1st spinning reel (7) I had no idea you could take the handle off and switch sides. I held the reel upside down for awhile before I figured it out.

a goofy cousin of mine did it for 30 years plus until a guide he went with on the hoh a couple years threatened to leave him somewhere along the river if he didn't stop it.

rcthepirate wrote:Telltale sign of an expert humpy fisherman. The kind that only makes it out every other year.

you nailed that right on the head...

any recommendations for a goos spinning reel under $150? I want to use it for all purpose( salmon/ steelhead)

thanks,

whatttt! you have to be kidding me, i had no idea i have beening for the last 10 years (hardly a rookie).

does that mean the rods are built with the idea you would use your spinning real up?

I have a fishing bud that does that, I just look away in shame.......

sealegs - for that budget I'd look at Shimano's. Can't remember the exact model, Stradic, Sahara, or something else that starts with an S I think were all in that price range and pretty good/popular reels for salmon/steelhead.

I'm one of those right handed reel users, who actually can reel either left or right, I just prefer right hand. I mostly work with casting reels but do on occasion use the spinning reel. Anyways, short story long. I'm down at one of the lakes I occasionally fish and this guy is looking at me and he says "Where did you find a right hand spinning reel, all the ones I see are left handed in the box!" I pull the handle off my reel (line still in the water - and this where I'm going to earn a stupid sign), and I say reversible handles on most spinning reels. Of course fish hits and no handle on the reel.

Another time I'm watching some guy for about a half or more casting with the 'wrong side' spinning reel approach and thinking dude reverse the handle you will regret it when the fish hits (salmon fishing on the pier). Well the guy takes a break and heads to the loo. I grab the rod and reverse the handle before he returns. He wasn't happy when he came back and quickly re-reverses the handle back, but switched it back about 10 casts later.

I just think it looks weird, is awkward as heck, and makes it so hard to reel a fish in if it is big enough.

sealegs wrote:any recommendations for a goos spinning reel under $150? I want to use it for all purpose( salmon/ steelhead)

thanks,

I'd recommend a Daiwa Exceler 3000.

sealegs wrote:any recommendations for a goos spinning reel under $150? I want to use it for all purpose( salmon/ steelhead)

thanks,

Penn Battle 4000 all the way. Built like a tank, reasonably smooth, bail trips easy, banded spool, all metal construction. In my opinion one of the best spinning reels out there, and at $99.99 a very good value. If you wanted to go a little bit smoother and lighter I would get a Shimano Symetre 4000, which runs $109.99. Also a very good reel, and although it is not as durable as the Battle (more graphite parts, skinny cheap bail wire) and the bail doesn't trip quite as easy, it is a bit lighter and smoother. You could go up to a Shimano Saros which runs about 139.99-149.99 I believe, but quite frankly I don't think there are any improvements on it over the symetre that make it worth spending the extra money.

Also, if you are planning on using it in the saltwater at all, I would definitely go with the Battle. It was designed with saltwater use in mind, and takes the abuse really well (still want to take care of it thought).

rcthepirate wrote:

sealegs wrote:any recommendations for a goos spinning reel under $150? I want to use it for all purpose( salmon/ steelhead)

thanks,

Penn Battle 4000 all the way. Built like a tank, reasonably smooth, bail trips easy, banded spool, all metal construction. In my opinion one of the best spinning reels out there, and at $99.99 a very good value. If you wanted to go a little bit smoother and lighter I would get a Shimano Symetre 4000, which runs $109.99. Also a very good reel, and although it is not as durable as the Battle (more graphite parts, skinny cheap bail wire) and the bail doesn't trip quite as easy, it is a bit lighter and smoother. You could go up to a Shimano Saros which runs about 139.99-149.99 I believe, but quite frankly I don't think there are any improvements on it over the symetre that make it worth spending the extra money.

I have used the Abu Ora S for a while now. Only complaint is it get heavy after an all day trip. Decided to go a bit lighter and picked up a Battle, pretty much the only reel I use for my float rig now. Will look to purchase another in the near future for my twitching setup.

all recommendations are great. I bought a Shakespeare® Agility/Cabela's Pro Guide® Spinning Combo. I don't think that will hold up to the might river fish! I think my daughters might like this "hand me down"!

I fish with a guy who fishes with his spinning reel/rod upside down. just ran into him for the first time in a couple years, yesterday. When I saw him I said " I know who that is....only one person I know that fishes like that". He has fished that way his whole life and is stuck in his ways. By no means is he a "fair weather fisherman" that doesn't know better, it is just what is comfortable for him.

Only problem is spinning rods are built to be fished with the guides facing down...blanks(rod)will have a arch in it and that arch(or bend) is how you determine where to place the guides(not the spacing of the guides, but which side of the rod). When fished upside down it puts more strain on the rod when fighting a fish.

The fisherman that I am referring to is not new to fishing and catches his fair share of fish.....does make people scratch their heads though.

I grew up uaing a spinning reel. The first any only baitcaster that I own has a left hand retrieve, and I'm right handed. Is this normal? Is it comfortable to cast with your right arm and then switch the rod over to your left side?

Cast with the right, wind with the left = the best way for a right-hander. All my casting reels are left hand wind, and all my spinning reels have all been left hand wind. My very first casting reel was right hand wind, it was ok, but I can't see wasting the time to change the rod to the other hand between casting and winding. I've had fish strike in that short of time, might have lost some if I would have had to wait a little to set the hook.

Amx wrote:Cast with the right, wind with the left = the best way for a right-hander. All my casting reels are left hand wind, and all my spinning reels have all been left hand wind. My very first casting reel was right hand wind, it was ok, but I can't see wasting the time to change the rod to the other hand between casting and winding. I've had fish strike in that short of time, might have lost some if I would have had to wait a little to set the hook.

So what is called a left handed reel is for right handed people? I have Revos SL, L for left, I am right handed and cast with my right and have always cranked the reel with my left......