I see that all the euro gear uses spin cast reels, why is this? does anyone use bait cast reels? I have a nice Penn on a custom 9' rod(i think its 9') that has a bait alarm that i use for cat fishing, well try to use anyways, the old man just relinquished it over to me not too long ago, would this be an acceptable rod and reel for carp fishing as well? jw why its all about the spin cast reels

Baitcasting reels can work fine for most situations. One of the rods I use for carping is a simple 7 foot bass rod and reel with a baitcaster.

There are reasons that Euro-style carpers usually use spinning reels ("spincast" reels are the Zebcos and the like). Here are a couple I could think of right offhand:

1. Line capacity. You can get a lot more line on a big carp spinning reel than you can a baitcaster. This is especially important for those guys who can cast 100 yards or more.

2. Integration with electronic bite alarms. While it is possible to rig a baitcasting setup with an electronic bite alarm system, it is much easier with a spinning rod/reel. Euro bite alarm systems are made for spinning outfits. I'm also not sure how well a swinger or hanger would work with a baitcaster (I only use my own baitcaster for freelining). You may think that a bite alarm isn't needed if you have a bait clicker or baitfeeder on your reel. This is true unless you are fishing a situation where you can't or don't want to sit right on top of your rods. When carp fisherman get together and fish socially, we usually sit together a ways off from where our rods are set up, so the alarms come in handy in that situation.

Also, a lot of guys like to camp right out on the bank for multi-day sessions. An electronic bite alarm is a lot more apt to wake you out of a deep sleep than a simple clicker.

Having said all that, there are still some times I prefer a baitcaster. Mainly, I use mine for freelining. This is a more finesse-oriented method of fishing and a spinning rod and reel has never felt right to me for doing this. This is just personal preference of course.

thanks, i have always used bait cast for everything, i recently got an ultra lite spin cast that i really enjoy catching small carp, i also have a few garcia's 5500 c's that are on 5 ft ugly sticks i use when fishing, i guess im just comfortable with these reels as they have never failed me and have been reliable for many many years, i have 2 that are well over 15 yrs old that still work pretty good, but the Penn is acctually a Garcia 7, my brother has the Penn, but the bait alarm is fairly loud so i figure as long as im a few yards away i dont see why it wouldnt be useful, instead of spending money on something im not comfy with

as far as the electronic bite alarms go, the natural weight of the bait cast reel turns the rod and points the eyes to the ground, now i know setting the hook in this position go's against the back bone of the rod and contributes to breaks, but if your free spooling line, the most fishermen have the tendency to pic up a rod and reel in its natural feel, therefore eliminating the chance to break the rod on the hook set, but like i say im a noob to the EURO stuff and dont know too much about it, just seems like either type of gear would work, its just pushed more towards spin cast, but i do understand the line capacity effectiveness though, that would make sense on a runner, but these "surf" bait casters do hold quite a bit of line

I also have a Penn Peer 209 that might work too, since i cant afford alarms and such right now, idk just a thought

if you wanted to get spinning reels, a good starting reel is the okuma avenger i used those reels for ever untill i finally got some high dollor reels, also i used the cabelas king cat rods,they are 10ft rods and i still have mine and still use them from time to time. here is a place to get rods and reels at a great price.

http://www.all-americanoutdoors.com/

cool man, im gonna use these bait casters for a little while b4 i look into spin cast, i just pulled out this old Penn Peer 209 my uncle gave me years ago, use to love this old reel down in Galveston, but i figure if i cant use it there might as well use it here, plus whats a good reel lube?! this Penn has been put away for a while, still functions great though, but a little shot of elbow grease couldnt hurt either

i hear that quantum hot sauce is pretty good. i bet some 3 in 1 oil would probley be good too.

cool, i got a pretty good custom build rod for the penn peer, gonna get some method feeders to put weight at the end of the line to get a good cast out, any local places i could buy method feeders from or is that an online commodity too?lol

Crago,

Baitcasters work great! You must have a baitclicker, to prevent overspooling on a take, and you must have a big one for line capacity. Some baitcasters have ridiculous line capacity, like the Abu 9000 or 10000. IF you want to see a pic than look on pg 49 of this months US Carp Pro. My client is looking over my baitcasters while they are on the pod.

There are pro and cons. The biggest pro is a superior drag system.

yeah both my bait casters have great baitclickers, they have been kept in really good shape over the years as well, cant wait to give them a shot

jeffrey here is the place that danny aka dkinla uses . they are good starter reel and rods here and very inexpensive .. http://www.bankfishingsystems.com/index....3&Itemid=31

oh and i have some alarms you can use for the night tourny if your interested .

the secondary drag system (Bait runner) on the spinning combo is pretty important imo. I use the BFS 5000G baitrunners from bankfishing systems and they have handled fish over 20# with no problems at all. they're as good as the day I bought them, and I'll probably never replace them with proper maintenance. the best part about them is they're only 24.95 plus shipping. when you go to bankfishingsystems.com click on Kits and I believe its pole kit#1 its all under 200 bucks and comes with 3 phantom x2 rods and 3 reels and a carry-all just cant beat the deal.

yeah jesse i might wanna try out those alarms if you dont mind, and that does sound like a good deal, im just seriously low on money and gotta wait till next month i think before i can really start making this an investment, but i wanna try what i got first since im more comfortable and familiar with it, thanks guys though, this is all good help and information

before i had baitrunners i used baitcasters , i just laid my line thru the alarms and set the poles on the ground .it was cool hearing the alarms go off and seeing the rod trying to go over the alarm lol since your accustomed to staying close to your rods this will be ideal for you .we are going to have to see who will let you borrow 2 bank sticks because i think i only have one extra of those .maybe cris got some

iv got some ill give ya.

cool, if you guys are going fishing Friday night, i'm "allowed" to go hahaha so if you are going to w/r let me know ill join you guys out there

ok guys, ill post some pics of my "new" gear tonight when i get my camera back, alot heavier gear that lets me free spool my line, trying out the new hair rigs i made today with some size 6 octo circle by gamakatsu

I caught my 1st carp and a few after that on free lining those octopus circles from Gamakatsu. good hook choice.

yeah they seem like a great choice only thing is, it looks like they break pretty easy just under the barb...i hit a few snags wile using them and trying to free the snag, 2 hooks broke before i could even bear down and really tug the line to try and break it, think im gonna go back a step and just try my No.4 mustad hooks, they have a pretty good shape for the hair rig, and i have caught plenty of carp using a baited hook, so i hope they will show success on a hair. Maybe i just got some bad seeds with these Gama hooks, but i have had 3 break or snap clean just under the barb... figured they would bend first, or maybe they are idk...