I went through about 10 pages of posts in this forum and didn't see a topic relating to my question, though I have gathered what I think is the typical answer based on other posts.

What is everyone's preference for in-canoe/kayak fishing: Spinning reel, Spincast, or Baitcast? What is the reason for the preference?

I learned to fish using a spinning reel trout fishing in lakes and rivers in Colorado. My grandfather taught me to use the spinning reel early on, said the spincast reels were for amatuers and wanted me to learn how to use a spinning reel first thing. Then I came home to Texas from my summers in CO, and all my friends who were bass fishing used spincast reels, and I bought one because I thought I should have one. I still preferred the spinning reel.

I see on the forums that most people who talk about reels are talking about spinning reels - is that everyone's preference? Does the two-handed cast hamper canoe operations in any way? That the only reason I could think of to use a spincast reel over a spinning reel - ability to cast with one hand.

I bought a baitcaster reel many years ago and abandoned it after one trip. What a hassle.

I've never canoe/kayak fished before, and am looking at buying a kayak for local paddling and fishing, and want to start fishing on subsequent trips to the BWCA and Buffalo River. All my prior fishing experience has been shore fishing for trout in CO and bass/pan fishing from the shore in TX, so this is going to be a whole new experience for me.

After several moves since the last time I fished, I find myself with NO tackle or rods or reels, so I'm going to be starting from scratch.

Im firmly in the spinning reel camp .

I use a spinning reel 99% of the time. The other 1% I am untangling my baitcaster. :)

There are trigger versions of spinning reels available if you're worried about making a cast one handed. I've never had much of an issue with it related to canoe operations.

Two spinning reels that are identical (so I can canabalize in worst case scenario). Also fill the extra spools that come with reels with fresh line of a different test and bring them both with.

spinning here too, mine are all shimano's different models for me and my boys. always bring extra line.

Spinning reel definitely. I only use a baitcaster if im doing some bass fishing out of a boat or if Im casting for musky/pike

To me, casting a spinning reel is second nature. I didn't even know they had the one-handed spinning reels until a few weeks ago - I just wondered if anyone else found it awkward to use a spinning reel over a spincaster ... I guess if you've got one hand occupied, you're affecting canoe operations, since you need two hands for the paddle.

I like the way spinning reels cast and retrieve - guess my grandfather did right by me by putting one in my had at a young age, preparing me for a BWCA fishing experience 35 years later.

Spinning

Once you become proficient with a bait casting reel, it will be your first choice. Open faced spinning is a second choice for light lines and rigs. Watch the pros and see what they use for hog hunting. I would not go fishing anywhere without my bait casting rig. Just my opinion, but shared by many top anglers.

I use both spinning and bait casting but mostly spinning.

~JOE~

quote AndySG: "Once you become proficient with a bait casting reel, it will be your first choice. Open faced spinning is a second choice for light lines and rigs. Watch the pros and see what they use for hog hunting. I would not go fishing anywhere without my bait casting rig. Just my opinion, but shared by many top anglers."

andy in a canoe, i dont see too many pros in a canoe

2 Spinning (1 medium sized, 1 smaller)
1 Baitcaster

If you're not comfortable throwing a baitcaster, don't bring one...however, that being said no one ever got good without lots of practice. I throw a lot of crank baits and topwaters. Baitcasters offer me better torque, higher drag, and better accuracy when casting. I'll use the smaller spinning rig for jigs and live bait, and the bigger one for tubes and flukes.

Pat

Most guys are using spinning set ups. Its the versatility. You typically can't bring a lot of weight (multiple rod/reel wise) so spinning reels are often the choice - although depending on portages and how long you are in for, the definition of 'heavy weight' is up to each of us. With two spinning reels you have a lot of options with two spools for each reel in terms of line weight. That in turn gives you multiple options in terms of presentation.

Typically a baitcaster is used for mid to heavy applications - say 12-20lb mono, although you could go that heavy with a spinning reel, you get more control on a big fish, and casting big heavy lures with a baitcaster. As some have said, 2 spinning reels and a baitcaster is a great combo.

A spincaster limits you on some things. By design, you don't have the same size drag disks on a spincast reel as on a spinning reel so a good spinning reel will always have a better drag than equivalent price spincaster. Also, you will find you can't use slip bobber set ups because the bobber stop will typically get stuck on the reel pin that winds in the line of a spincaster.

At the end of the day, just use the set up you are comfortable with but keeping in mind reliability and versatility, a spinning reel is probably your best bet.

Moonman.

I'm probably 80/20 spinning followed by baitcast for some larger stuff. I'm not sure I can even articulate why intelligently, but I absolutely hate spincasting reels.

Spincast: easiast for newbies, tends to have really good drags.
Spinning:somewhat easy to use, GREAT drag, casts long, works a wide variety of lures
Levelwind: Requires highest level of expertise to function, fair-good drag, cranking power very high
Realistically, all lure applications can be applied with a spincast or spinning reel. Levelwind reels are useful only in specialialized situations requiring significant torque such as pulling large fish from thick cover.
In the instance of the BWCA, with few or no hard (re:wood) obstacles in the water, spincast(very low cranking power) and spinning reels are more practical than levelwind. Especially in a canoe, the spincast and spinning require a mere flick of the wrist for casting, but a levelwind needs at least a large arm movement. The spinning reel is made for BW fishing...jigging, trolling...requiring excellent drags with few obstructions.

I use the new Zebco omega spincasters. I love the freedom and uncomplicated life with them. I also use Suffix 832 braid, and can now cast as far as I ever could with a baitcaster or spinning rig. I find the drag is fine. One of the main reasons I don't use spinning reels much anymore is that with the braid line being so sensitive I like to run it thru my left hand fingers as I retrieve with the right. I get a far superior "feel" as to what is going on at the end of the line, especially with subtle presentations with Gulp and similar lures. Giving a fish more slack line with a subtle presentation is just pushing a conveniently located button, as is stopping the cast if the wind is taking it too far. I never thought much of Zebco's, always considered them toys. Not now. I have no problem slip bobbering with them, they have three pickup pins so immediate line pickup is assured and have instant and silent anti reverse.

I have tried a great number of reels over the years, and find that the aforementioned Zebco is the only spincast worthy of serious fishing. For a spincaster they are not cheap, but are a well built unit and now with three years of hard use on mine I can speak well of their durability. Other than line changes I have had absolutely no problems with them. Nearly any low to medium price spinning reel will usually work well. I do like the feel and also the line thru the fingers a baitcaster allows, and often use one for trolling.

In the past few years I have used my spincaster with braided line I have not landed any "monsters" but had no trouble landing a 10 lb northern, several bass in the high teens in length, and several walleyes in the 5-7 lb range. Since all I usually looking for are "eaters" I don't target the big fish, but with my rig would have no fear doing so.

I notice that when fishing with friends I usually get in a lot more fishing time than they do especially in windy conditions, as they seem to spend an inordinate amount of time untangling messes and muttering to themselves.

Baitcast and spinning. I use the spinning rod for plastics and the baitcaster for buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, and cranks. I am proficient enough with it to cast flukes and senkos. Baitcasters are great if you learn how to use them.

I'm similar to Tuna. I bring 2 spinning and 1 baitcaster. One spinning rig will always have a jig, the other for tossing lighter baits (ie floating raps, Pop-rs). The baitcaster for throwing anything heavy enough to do so (jerks, swimbaits, spinnerbaits, etc.). I also use my baitcaster for trolling mostly. I would guess I am using the baitcaster over 50% of the time. I prefer the horsepower in a baitcaster....

quote siusaluki23: "Baitcast and spinning. I use the spinning rod for plastics and the baitcaster for buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, and cranks. I am proficient enough with it to cast flukes and senkos. Baitcasters are great if you learn how to use them."

I agree, we must think the same down here in Southern Illinois, cause I do the same...

The reason I use spincast reels is that these 67 year old and 5 year stroke survivor fingers just don't work as well as they used to. Also the back of my canoe since I usually day trip alone is a very crowded place what with two rods, anchor and rope, depth finder leads, tackle box, pliers, stringer, etc. Anything I can do to simplify my life I do. I did try an expensive Shimano baitcaster again a few years ago. It ended badly. Getting birdsnests untangled and uncoiling spinning lines just doesn't work for me anymore. I do keep a spinnging rig strung up for slip bobbering. To the OP, I would say do whatever works best for you, just do it as often as you can!

BTW, yesterday while fishing for walleyes, a muskie came along at the end of a cast and jumped alongside the canoe just as I was getting ready to take the lure out and took everything. Unfortunately I didn't have any clean shorts along.

I been a spinning reel man for as many years as I can remember.
If your looking for a spinning reel with a trigger you have limited options Shimano is the only reels I know of that have the trigger. They are a great reel but heavy except for the Syncopate 7.6 oz's. I started to flip the bail with my left hand there are many more options out there. Now I try to stay on the thrifty (I'm a cheap bastard) side. I still want a smooth reel that casts well, I went with Cabela's Pro Guide reels, 3 of them. I got them for under 35 bucks each. They have worked well for me this summer. Remember this is just my humble opinion. Shimano and Pflueger would be the others I would consider.

Now rods are another story.
Here's a little something that might help.


JB
rods and reels

It is easier to cast a spinning rig from a canoe/kayak. That said, I like having my baitcaster because, for me, it has fewer line problems than my spinning reel. Backlashes are not a problem, but spinning reel line problems are almost inevitable because of the twist inherent in the reel mechanics. So I bring both. As for those who use spincast, I think it's great if it works for you. For sure, most line problems will remain inside the reel. When I use them for ice fishing i'm often impressed with the drag system.

2 Spinning 1 Baitcaster. One spinning on the ultralight side to make things interesting.

I've pretty much been a spinning guy most my life but recently I have started using a baitcast for lindy rigging. It is pretty easy to drop down or bring up quickly, I can let the line loose easily, if I want to keep the "bail open" I just leave my thumb on the spool, it sits in my rod holder much better, and it is a stronger hook-set.

if you're having trouble with line twist on your spinning reel, try letting all of your line out with nothing on the end of your line and troll for a while. this will often take at least some of the twist out. Also, make sure you use a good quality ball-bearing swivel if you're throwing spoons or spinners.

The drag on zebcos tend to be complete crap so if you ever even consider using a spincast, I would go with an abu garcia version... My dad uses one and it's held up nicely

quote gutmon: "if you're having trouble with line twist on your spinning reel, try letting all of your line out with nothing on the end of your line and troll for a while. this will often take at least some of the twist out. Also, make sure you use a good quality ball-bearing swivel if you're throwing spoons or spinners."

Also make sure you're flipping the bail shut before you commence reeling. Reeling to shut the bail will add line twist.

quote TeamTuna06: "

quote gutmon: "if you're having trouble with line twist on your spinning reel, try letting all of your line out with nothing on the end of your line and troll for a while. this will often take at least some of the twist out. Also, make sure you use a good quality ball-bearing swivel if you're throwing spoons or spinners."

Also make sure you're flipping the bail shut before you commence reeling. Reeling to shut the bail will add line twist."

+1

OK I'm from the old school, bait caster for anything with large pointy teeth, spinning for medium sharp pointy teeth and fly rod for the lip- able fish. FRED

quote TeamTuna06: "

quote gutmon: "if you're having trouble with line twist on your spinning reel, try letting all of your line out with nothing on the end of your line and troll for a while. this will often take at least some of the twist out. Also, make sure you use a good quality ball-bearing swivel if you're throwing spoons or spinners."

Also make sure you're flipping the bail shut before you commence reeling. Reeling to shut the bail will add line twist."

Make sure the rod tip is up when you begin reeling. This helps put some tension on the line. It's the lack of tension combined with line twist that allows loops to form on the spool.