why are casting reels better for feeling the hit while the lure is dropping? Just wondering...

With a spinning reel there isnt a good way to maintain contact with the lure to feel it as it falls. With a bait caster you can control the line going out and maintain contact with it.........so you can feel what is happening evenon the fall. When I fish slabs I dont often fish under the boat.......I cast and retrieve.......I catch a large number of fish while the slab is falling and fluttering down. This is often hard to feel......you need a bait caster......and a good rod. Sensitive does not mean soft. Depending on the weight of slab you need a rod stiff enough to fell what is going on.......the lighter rod a lot of people think are sensitive feel like a wet noodle with a slab on the end and you cant feel anything. I use a med/heavy rod made by Diawa in 7ft.........one of the things that adds to its sensitivity ois the rod blank being exposed in the handle. i think Bryon is a believer in about the same set up. I do use heavier line. We fish for big hybrids most times and like to get them to the boat in a timely manner to better release them. I use 20 lbs P-Line Premium. It is a bit smaller diameter than most 20 lbs line and works well for me.

Van

Agree with Van on why use the bait caster!!!

I also up-size my rigs when I tourney fish or when I find myself getting into bigger fish...but in general I like the sport of the fight so you will find me using lighter tackle. I also have found that lighter tackle is required to catch fish in clear water.

My slab rods are Medium Heavy and they work fine for a 2 oz slab. I still use a medium of the 1 oz slabs. As Van said - you got to get them in fast in the dog days of summer or the fish will die.