Ramper,
I use a lot of baitcasters and love them, but prefer a spinning rod/reel while fishing from the beach. Not because of the backlash or bird's nest, but because of the speed of retrieve of a bait caster compared to a spinning reel. I used to drop a lot of fish because of that lack of control during a strike, specially when it is windy on the beach, while fishing top water lures and such, that have a slack in the line . I still love casting my Abu 7000 on my 10' lamiglas surf and jetty rod as it casts like a charm, but with modern day technology with braid, reel spool and rod guide design in spinning gear, I think a spinning reel can cast really good as well. I however, prefer a bait caster for fishing from the rocks in saltwater and also for freshwater fishing, as I am very comfortable with baitcasters when it comes to casting accuracy (to get that lure within 12" gap between the rocks). That being sad, some people do that with spinning gear as well, though I don't get how they do that.
My love for bait casters mainly come from the following reasons....
1. I prefer the line to go over the rod than under
2. The line stays more closer to the rod in a bait caster as the guides are smaller (a well connected feeling)
3. Prefer the way how the line comes straight out of the spool while fighting the fish with some drag
4. Prefer to hold the line with my thumb pressed against the reel, than holding it with my index finger while casting
5. I prefer to push a button and cast as opposed to opening the bail and picking the line before casting in a spinning gear
6. Makes me look like a Pro :-) Just kidding by the way :D
All that being said, an Abu 7000 reel is great to pair with a 10' rod. For a 7' rod, I'd go with a Shimano 200 or 300 size bait casting reel depending on how heavy the rod is. I use a Shimano calcutta 200GTB reel with my 7' St. Croix Avid inshore rod rated for 1/2 to 1 1/4 oz lures and 10 to 20# line, and a Shimano 300TE with my 7' G.Loomis Pro Blue series rod rated for 12-25# line. Hope that helps!
Cheers!
Maruthu
|