Let me throw my hat in the ring. If I live in Florida and split my days fishing salt and fresh water would a large heavy duty spinning reel be more versitale? Yes probably

If I live a couple hundred miles from the ocean and am only targeting freshwater species would having a compact light bc reel be more versatile? Probably

I'm not all about light weight but I would rather have an 8oz bc then a 14oz spinner all day to do the same thing.

IMO a large heavy duty spinning would not be more versatile unless your everyday target were fish that required it, a 3 or 4000 reel can handle most inshore fish you will run into.  A good portion of those reels are well under 11oz, pretty light by our standards, I do use a cabo that is 14 oz and it's very comfortable, by no means am I saying spinning is the only way to go, it's just the more popular.  

 

I think some of the posts have gotten a little carried away with a 100# tarpon, that's a big powerful fish and the likelyhood of an amateur pulling one in with 1000, 2500 or even a 4000 reel is remote.  From personal experience and I've caught a lots of tarpon, 50# or so is pretty much the limit on light tackle on foot from shore. A couple of weeks ago a big young guy about 300# hooked one about 80# with a heavy convention outfit, must have taken him 45 minutes and that tarpon took him all over the jettie, back and forth quite a few times.  Not a chance in the world could I have done with a mh rod and 4000 reel.

I personally have not got a 100# tarpon with a 4000 reel but i have this friend that works a basspro shops so we really knows how to look for tackle. he has a 4000 reel that can take over 400 yards of 30# pound powerpro and he catches tarpon all the time hes biggest one was 110 lbs. I always ask him for advise on tackle because he works there. but your right on the fact that some spinning gear weight a little more than you typical average weight, but some people just dont mind it because at the end what matters is the catch and i rather have the right equipment for the job rather than worrying about if its too heavy or what not.  

So, I close this thread, and someone complains about heavy handed moderation.  I let it run, and someone else complains about rude membership.

 

That puts us between a rock and a hard place.

 

I guess I'll be the bad guy this time.  Either learn to accept that not everyone will have the same opinion as you - if you can realize that it's only an opinion about fishing for goodness sakes, or it's going to be a long winter. 

 

Let's find another topic to jump on, and let's keep it positive and constructive.  Ripping eachother because you don't have the same opinions doesn't help anyone, and helping is what this site is about.

 

See ya!