Hello,

 

What are the pro and cons as well as the differences and advantages of a closed face reel v.s. an open faced reel?  I'm currently using a closed face reel and it seems very limiting and somewhat problematic.

 

Thanks,

Rich.

There are no pros to a closed face/spin cast reel unless you're taking your kids to the local pond for bluegills...

Great for kids to catch sunnies on - lousy in most other respects...for the reason of the 'issues' you're having.

I learned on closed face and used it for everything from trout to redfish and bait to lures. I feel that casting distance may have been a slight hinderance but I will say that a properly spooled closed faced reel on a quality rod can get the job done. 

 

Closed face is easier to use, open gets better casting distance, allows you a wider selection of reels, allows the use of braided line. 

I didn't learn on closed-face, but my first pick was a Heddon 236 spinning reel in a Heddon glass rod combo.  

Watched my dad toil with Zebcos until I finally turned him to baitcasters by buying his first for a birthday (and his second and 3rd).  

 

There are some better spincast combos and niches.  

I began my girls (3 and 4 years old) with Zebco UL-1 on Eagle Claw Featherlight glass UL casting rods.  

These things work pretty well for limestone creeks, and a boon for nursery seatrout.  

 

For nursery trout off Fulton Beach pier, certainly getting the wind behind us helped cast to the edge of the lights.  We'd catch them at about 40/hr on weightless cigar cork, 3-4' leader, 1/0 croaker hook, and small live shrimp - following dinner at Cap'n Benny's, and just before ice cream.  A ritual with every coast trip.  

 

But if you want a recommendation, buy a basic spinning combo suited to match the lure weights you want to throw - probably Light to Medium-Light.  

Well, the closed faced reels are cheap which is great for someone new to fishing who isn't sure if they will even like it. And they are super easy to use...if you can get them to work that is. They are mostly bought for little kids for these same reasons.

 

I know you are brand new, but at risk of offending you a little I'll just say it right out. If you think that you want to stick with fishing, put the closed faced reel and the cheap lousy rod that they sold with it in the garage and save it for when one the kids break theirs. Then go out and buy a decent spinning rod and reel which is the next easiest type to use.

 

A decent beginner rod could be had for maybe $60 and the reel for around the same. I know that might seem expensive, but keep in mind that a great rod and reel setup could be $1000 or more. But you don';t need that to start with. If that is too much for your budget, I'm sure there are guys here that would help you out with a really good deal on a used setup.

 

What ever you do, most of the time you'll do better steering clear of the rod and reel combos for sale. They almost always pair an OK reel with a crap rod or visa-versa. The folks here love helping the new folks out, so feel free to continue to seek advice while you are trying to decide if and what to buy.

 

Just a warning though. I started out with a Zebco 33 combo 50 years ago. Now, I've got 40 rod and reels and had to have a boat, trolling motor, sonar, etc. ...oh, and a truck to pull it with, and at least 50 boxes full of lures, hooks, etc......Just saying, that once you take the first step down the road it's hard to say just where you will end up.

In 2021 forcing kids to use those things should be considered child abuse.