Closed Face Reels

[dsp]

Just looking to see what would be suggested as a good quality Closed Face Reel. Something that can handle big fish, have a solid drag, able to hold a good line and handle some fighting for a bit without burning out right away.

Taking the kids on a fishing trip into Northern Saskatchewan next month. Talked to the camp we are going to and there are some big ones. So the kids are not great with open faces reels and they have been pretty good with the closed ones. Would like to pick them up some new ones for the trip.

Thanks in advance for the info.

[huntsfurfish]

Still time to teach them how to use a spinning reel so they can feel comfortable with it. They will pick it up quickly, kids are smart.

The main difference is open your forefinger vs push a button with your thumb. Kids will pick it u quickly!

[Coiloil37]

I bought a few of the old zebco 33’s when I was setting my boys up. They worked when I was a kid so what could go wrong right? Within an hour they were using my gear. Those reels are JUNK.

In the early days when they were around 2 years old they ran a mix of spinning and baitcasters. I didn’t let them cast but at least the reels could handle the fish. I think they probably found the baitcasters easier to use but I’m not honestly sure. By the time they were about 5 they could cast a spinning reel without any trouble.
Now the little girl is 2 and she’s been driving both overhead and spinning reels for a few months. She doesn’t catch big stuff yet but can bring me up a sabiki rig full of bait just as well as the boys.

Long story short, I would set them up with a spinning or bait casting reel long before I went down the closed face path. If the kids are at least two years old they’ll pick it up easy.

[Smoky buck]

Just don’t do it closed face are bad

[Justfishin73]

Originally Posted by Smoky buck

Just don’t do it closed face are bad

This--I even tried buying better closed face reels for when he was younger--did help, but didn't last long--try CT---they always have deals on them.

Thanks for the pics--nothing makes me smile more than seeing some little ones catching fish!

[Walleyedude]

I agree that getting them onto a spinning reel is the best option, BUT, closed faced (spincast) reels aren't all bad. The fact is, some of them work remarkably well.

Like any reel, you're going to get what you pay for. A $25 spinning reel isn't going to be any better for your kids than a $25 spincast reel. They're both going to have terrible drags, cause a ton of line twist, and likely won't last long before they just break.

The Zebco Omega and Bullet spincast reels would likely surprise a lot of people with just how well they work, but they're also well over $100 reels.

Have a look at the various spincast reels and then buy the best one you can afford. The key features are multiple line pickups, metal reel/spool housings (close tolerances are key, and the plastic threads are notorious for failing), and a smooth drag.

Expect to pay at least $50+ to get into the area of quality that you or your kids will be able to use them on a fishing trip to northern Sask trouble free, but I'd be saying the same thing about a spinning reel.

[graybeard]

Open face all the way.

I am on the side of making the fishing experience enjoyable. I have decent quality open face gear for the g-kids. The closed face were a disaster and without some dexterity, they struggled with the bait casters.

The other thing is that when they are reeling, they tend to stick the base of the handle into their stomach/belt area to give them leverage and support. The closed face and bait casters rods are too short and they don't have the strength to hold it with one hand and crank with the other.

If they aren't having fun neither are you. Birds nest tangles are no fun fun for the experienced guy, multiply that by 20 with a young fisher person.

Good luck,

[dsp]

Thanks for the info guys

[Fishwhere]

I hear what you are saying about the closed reels but do yourself and them a favor and teach them to use a spinning reel. They will learn it faster then you think. Also put some fireline on there to reduce line twist issues.

Good luck in sask - its the best!

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by Fishwhere

I hear what you are saying about the closed reels but do yourself and them a favor and teach them to use a spinning reel. They will learn it faster then you think. Also put some fireline on there to reduce line twist issues.

Good luck in sask - its the best!

yup and toss hookless lures until they get good at it...and then when you think they are good to go pinch the barbs.....good luck.

[mooseknuckle]

Sorry to be a broken record, but I would really just get a decent spinning reel. I just put a weight on and showed my twin boys in the culdisac, they picked up pretty quick and really glad I went that way.

[mooseknuckle]

If you do go closed face I think there is a rhino combo that is a bit better then average, but I went with the Pflueger trion combo for my boys. $90 each and really happy with them. Some 15lb power pro braid and all set!!

[Dewey Cox]

I've got an Abu Garcia closed face reel that I spent a bundle on about a decade ago, and that is a heck of a nice reel.
They do exist, but I think you do get more value for your dollar with an open face reel.

[TROLLER]

Go to utube to make sure you know how to quickly take out the endless back lashes you will get with the closed face.

My 5yr old grand daughter figured out the spinning reel after just a few minutes. Kids are very fast learners.

[jungleboy]

I gave my grand daughter a Zebco 33 and she has been using it for 3 yrs now , no issues . I also have an old Diawa gold series closed face reel I found at the dump . Took it apart and cleaned it up ,works like a champ.

[Red Bullets]

Tie a weight on the lines now and let the kids practice casting in the yard. To make in fun put a hula hoop on the lawn for them to try casting into. Then you don't waste precious fishing time on the lake. Have fun fishing.

[Isopod]

To lend a voice in support of spincast closed-face reels, I've been fishing for over 50 years and I just never got the hang of open-face reels. They work fine until I end up with big ball of tangled line, which happens frequently.

So for the past 30 years or more I use exclusively closed-face reels. You have two options here...

1) buy a cheap one (most of them are pretty inexpensive) and accept that it's not going to last too long until something goes wrong. In this case, keep spares around to replace reels that break.

2) Buy a good spincast reel that is going to work well and last well. I like the Pfleuger President series, there is a 6 lb model for light fishing, and a 10 lb model for heavier or standard fishing. They have 5 ball-bearings so run very smoothly. They aren't cheap though, and will run you somewhere between $50-$100 per reel, but that price is worth it if you don't want to do the option 1 short-lived version. If you plan ahead you can get them cheaper... I picked up a bunch a few years ago on Black Friday online specials for about Cdn $40 per reel.

[Red Bullets]

I would choose a daiwa closed face if I had to choose. Had good luck with them when they were fashionable.... before open face reels became popular.

[calgarychef]

Originally Posted by Red Bullets

Tie a weight on the lines now and let the kids practice casting in the yard. To make in fun put a hula hoop on the lawn for them to try casting into. Then you don't waste precious fishing time on the lake. Have fun fishing.

Best advice I’ve seen in a long time, I wish I’d have done that with my wife.

Come to think of it that’s what our scout leader did with us before we ever went camping. Set up tents, use stoves etc.

Pre-learning with a fishing rod would make a day fishing so very much easier.

[does it ALL outdoors]

Originally Posted by Justfishin73

Thanks for the pics--nothing makes me smile more than seeing some little ones catching fish!

Took the words right out of my mouth.

Great pics, thanks for posting!