Quest Outdoors

gd burnham · Eyed Egg Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Posts: 9

I am looking for someone who uses levelwinds for some advice. My problem is when floatfishing, and I am paying line out in free-spool, either their is to much tension on spool to release line freely or if I loosen tension on spool I get "over-runs". Is this problem inherent to this type of reel or is their something I am doing wrong? I am using a super smooth older Shimano curado. Thanks,

fish2much · Lunker Joined: 06 Mar 2004 Posts: 285 Location: Monroe, MI

I can set my casting reel so that it spins when you blink at it. Problem is... that means alot of feathering, which is not always the easiest thing to do with cold numb hands. Based on the current , the speed of your float will pick up and slow down and I don't know of a casting reel that knows when to adjust it's rotation.

I know my answer was probably no help other than saying... yes I have that problem too.

Good fishin'

bt · Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:43 am Post subject:

That's just the nature of baitcasters..........with their small spool diameters they are much more difficult to control than c/p's. They are designed to cast, not to trot a float. It's diffcult to "fine tune user input" during the drift when your only method is thumb contact against the surface of a small diameter of wound line. Baitcasters can work well with heavy loads [float and shot] in big water [I like them in the winter on the Niagara because you can operate them with fully gloved hands], but for 90 % of GL's steelheading a c/p is a superior tool for the job.

However, if you do use a baitcaster for floatfishing, my advice would be to completely dial down the tension/inertia control, and practice [it's a different skill than feathering a cast] until your thumb becomes thoroughly educated in the art of trotting. Also, beer can style reels [ eg. Calcutta and Abu] are easier to contol than low profile, narrow spooled models.

Merc · Fry Joined: 14 Jul 2007 Posts: 27 Location: Vancouver BC

Here in BC, the majority of fisherfolks use baitcasters for float fishing with the odd spinning reel user and some CP'ers in as well. But, we are fishing bigger waters than many of the Eastern streams I've seen. With the backlash control knob backed off significantly, you can get a pretty decent drift and good control in a medium to heavier flow. You have to use your thumb to feather the spool but not that different from controlling the spool on a CP either. But baitcasters aren't that effective for froggy water. Possible but it ain't pretty.

If you're getting overruns, then you need to "educate your thumb" and feather the spool when both casting and playing out line. I keep the tension completely off the backlash control knob of my baitcaster and rarely bird's nest. In fact the only time I do is when I have to re-educate my thumb for the first couple of casts since I mainly use my CP these days.

Westcoast Chrome · Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 6:14 pm Post subject: Floating with a baitcaster

Merc is correct but also having the correct setup makes all the difference. For us out West we use heavier weight and fish heavier flows so it doesn't take much to get the line to come off the reel. Basically your thump controls everything. When you cast out your thump stops the line from overrunning once the line hits the water. Then without engaging the retrieve mode you just let the current take the float by taking pressure off the spool and feather it with your thump. I personally think that a baitcaster is the next best thing to a CP.

gd burnham · Eyed Egg Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Posts: 9

What do you mean by the right equipment? I am using a Lamiglass 10'. 8-12#line rating with a Shimano Curado reel.

bt · Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 11:04 am Post subject:

WC's comments were about the "correct set up". Baitcasters [as trotting reels] are more suited to dink floats the size of adult novelty items and enough pencil lead to supply a Chinese toy factory, rather than porcupine quills and dust shot. In other words, they work much better in high volume/gradient waters, than froggy ditches.

Also, as I mentioned, you'll have better control of the float with a Calcutta style reel, rather than the Curado because of the spool size. Longer rods also help in float control by keeping your line off the water.

Westcoast Chrome · Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 1:06 pm Post subject: Levelwind for floating

Actually....it wouldn't matter what type of rigging(floats, weight...) you're using, if your setup is right it will work really well. You can use a Curado for float fishing if you us lighter light and a whippier rod(doesn't have to be longer). I know that out West we use heavier setups but some of us do lighten up to fish small rivers and creeks and have to really downsize equipment due to low clear conditions and easily spooked fish.

Man of Steel · Fry Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 24

Why bother? Just use a CP. They work so much better.