Fin-Nor

[Dave_B]

I need a good spinning outfit for light inshore (6-10# test line) fishing in Florida. How good are the Fin-Nor Megalite reels and matching Megalite rods? The Megalite reels are supposed to have the best drag of any reel their size but the drag washers are cork based. Do they really hold up?<br><br>

[Capt_Dan_Kauai]

I can't comment on the Fin Nor either,` I no notinG...neva even seen one.<br><br><br><i>>>Ps is the penn international 24kg the same shape and design as the 15kgs? If it is, then sc$%wed it.<br>jay>>></i><br><br>`Jay, your not happy with the kgs..?<br><br>[] <b><font color=red>ALOHA</b></font color=red> []<br><br>Dan<br>Stand Up!!!<br><br><br><A HREF="http://www.fishingkauai.com" target="_new"> Stand Up Fish`N Charters Kauai Hawai </A> <br>[]

[Capt_Jeff_Rogers]

Hey Dave,<br>I've used about every spinning reel out there. Mostly the bigger models from each company but I'll comment on the over-all quality of each. My favorite it the Shimano Stella series. Once they got rid of that stupid wood handle, they had the winner. They're well ballanced and have very smooth and reliable drag systems. The only one I've seen break (besides the stupid wood handle) was this one:<br>[blush]<br><br>A very close 2nd is the Diawa HiA series. It was Diawa's attempt to compete with the Shimano Stella series. They did a good job! It's the only Diawa reel I've seen that didn't fall apart/break and held up to the riggors of deep water jigging.<br><br>Penn SS and Fin Nor Ahab come next, in that order. Both are kind of clunky (not well ballanced) in their operation. The Penn reels are cheaper and easier to get parts for. That and the cheaper price puts it above the Fin Nor. Both will break down peridically if used frequently. Not sure about the Fin Nor drag system. I've never had one apart. Neither of these reels are as smooth as the Shimano and Diawa.<br><br>Last on the list is the Van Staal. Very well built and pretty. I've used a couple of them where the drag knob bottomed out before you could get the desired pressure on the fish. Good thing you can grab the spool to add some [shocked] The ballance is fair but not "good". I don't care for the gear ratio except on the new VS400. They've also modified that funky bail (or lack of a bail wire) system. Adding another roller just doesn't do the trick. Slack line can still make it come off the roller. Even if there are 2 of 'em.<br><br>I bought a Shimano baitrunner recently but haven't put it to the test yet. <br><br>Hope this helps.<br><br>Capt. Jeff<br><A HREF="http://FISHinKONA.com" target="_new">http://FISHinKONA.com</A><br><br>

[Capt_Jeff_Rogers]

I personally prefer jigging and popping with spinning reels. A spinning reel has much less problems casting as even a seasoned caster will make minor backlashes in a bait reel from time to time. Even a small backlash can be big trouble with braided line. Also with a spinning reel you don't have to guide the line. For most this isn't a problem but I've seen it many times where the angler has stacked too much (braided) line on one side of the reel, it falls off and gets caught between the spool and reel body. You have to take the reel apart to get it out.<br><br>For jigging, spinning reels really out perform bait reels. The spools are larger so each crank retrieves more line. You could always get a bigger bait reel but then you're dealing with more weight. Spinning reel handles are longer so the arc of the rotation is easier and therefore less strenuous on those long days. The weight of the reel hanging gives the whole outfit better balance. A rod with a gimbled butt takes the balancing act factor out of using a bait reel but I like the freedom of rotating the spinning reel slightly sometimes because it works different arm muscles so I can rest the tired ones and still fish.<br><br>When it comes to actually fighting fish, bait reels are better. There's only one advantage a spinning reel has over a bait reel in this area. If you really want to put max pressure on a fish (or break your line that's stuck on a rock), it's easier to grab the spinning reel spool than it is to thumb a bait reel spool.<br><br>Sorry, can't give out client email addresses. I'd be glad to answer your questions.<br><br>Capt. Jeff<br><A HREF="http://FISHinKONA.com" target="_new">http://FISHinKONA.com</A><br><br><br><br><br>