My Penn spinfishers have lasted 30+ years in the salt and just won't quit - or corrode. The performance of this particular baitcaster (Shimano design) was a big jump over the traditional Abu design, both for improved distance and ease of backlash control. I've fished quite a few rods and reels pushing 50 years and have my favorites, including older (discontinued) Lew's baitcaster and Penn spinfisher. Even among today's computer-balanced designs, this is one of the smoothest reels ever made. There were a lot of bad spinning reels that showed up before WWII, but Hardy's 1932 patent Altex was the space shuttle of fishing reels (and with a war extension on the patent, it was 1954 before anyone else could use a flip bail). Most distance tournament casters today still use prewar Meek and Talbot non-level-wind reels for competition.

Here's a 1914 FE Thomas bait rod and c.1915 Talbot NLW reel (fun to cast and fish a silk braid when you're feeling really golden age). I'm a fishing reel historian, and have level winds that go back to the ninteen-naughties and teens, with obscure mechanisms that had to compete against the Marhoff patent (eventually used on every LW baitcaster after 1928).

There are definite advantages to baitcasters, instant retrieve and depth control, but for anyone starting out, treat a baitcaster as a secondary skill. Spinning tackle lets you concentrate on fishing and not worry about casting. There's no arguing both Abu baitcasters and their Cardinal spinning reels were great designs and made to last.Īnyone arguing they're the best has a great argument.įor most beginning fishermen, spinning reels are easier to get the knack than baitcasters.

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