Reverse / Non-Reverse levers on spinning reels

[pequa1]

I fish in the bay and usually off a kayak, rarely off a boat, but even when I start surfcasting in October I vastly prefer reels that allow me to let out line without having to open the bail or pull out against the drag. My older Penns and my Daiwas and an old Garcia 230 all have that capability and I vastly prefer it. Is there a reason so many spinning reels do not have the feature other than its cheaper ?

 

[Roccus7]

Don't think it's cheaper, as they use a "one way" bearing and is more reliable over the long term.

Like you, I wasn't originally enthralled with it, but now I realize how many fish it helps me hook up. I would never have the anti-reverse engaged while retrieving a lure, only using it once a fish was hooked. However, when fishing at night the very slow retrieve needed for proper presentation, often put me in a stupor and a sudden crash on the plug, ended up with me missing the fish because I'd lose my grip. Now when I'm caught "asleep at the wheel", it's no longer a problem.

 

[pequa1]

True, I never use the option when I am actually fishing only when I need more line to hook a lure to a hook keeper on the rod or to let a little more line out when surf casting. But I REALLY like the option to the extent I won’t seriously consider a reel without it.

 

[Roccus7]

True, I never use the option when I am actually fishing only when I need more line to hook a lure to a hook keeper on the rod or to let a little more line out when surf casting. But I REALLY like the option to the extent I won’t seriously consider a reel without it.

If I need more line for either a cast or to hook the lure on the hook holder, I use the "Test the Drag" Option. Never a bad idea to keep testing your drag...

I think you're going to be limited to lower end reels if you won't consider using it. Have to check my Stradic, but all my Penns (Sagus, BattleII, Clash) don't have the. I know my not so fancy schmancy reels like lower-end Daiwas and Beans (Rebranded Daiwas) have the switch. And in case you're ever aspiring to joining the "Low Spark of Van Staal Boys," you're also SOL for an anti-reverse switch. I have no desire to join that bunch.

Maybe @Leprechaun can tell us why the anti-reverse switch is becoming extinct??

 

[pequa1]

Loving my little daiwa bg2000 which has it for fluke and weaks. Most of my penns are older, pre-china, and they have it and of course my 35 year old garcia 230 lol. I do use the test thedrsg method but wet yak hands are problematic.

 

[wader]

I was never able to figure out just what purpose the reverse played.

I'm mostly a bait fisherman & if I'm going to liveline a bunker, shad , eel or such I mostly use the Shimano Baitrunner 4000D reel depending on what I'm targeting.. Pretty much stays in near free spool until you start your retrieve & then the drag clicks back into place.

Very easy to let out additional line if you want to/need to & your bait has the ability to take some line as well. Works great for when you're hit by a bass. Use circle hooks & let the bass take the line & do a controlled run. Once you're pretty sure he's got the bait - turn the handle - drag kicks back in.

 

[BennyV]

I call the reverse gear the knuckle buster. Three to four times a year I see people hit the switch inadvertently then set the hook and bust open their knuckles. Personally I have never used it.

 

[pequa1]

Yes I have baitrunner reels and do use them livelining. I rarely fish for bass in the bay, usually just surfcasting with lures in the ocean. Where I really like the reverse gear is when retrieving before a cast. If I reeled in too much line I now have to either open the bail or pull line out against the drag. first option nearly always lets out too much, second option isn't that easy with wet hands on a 9' surf rod and reel. I also like the lever for letting out just that little bit of line in order to put a lure into a hook keeper on the rod, and then reeling in to tighten / secure it. I think I forgot to switch the lever back once or twice in years of fishing. Perhaps as my dementia increases I will put up with reels that don't have the switch.