[614459]

I fish the South Shore with a my weight of the bottom of the rig with a surgen's dropper loop in the middle of my leader were I attach the hook. I use a spinning outfit with a fairly tight drag. I caught many spripers this way. I don't like the fishfinder rig because I find there casting abilites are not as good. I find I had more drop offs with a fishfinder on free spool, then the high low rig with the tight drag. Just use sharp hooks and the fish basically hook themselves.

 

[614459]

Why would you think a spinning outfit would not be able to bring in a trophy? Look at Mark Malenovsky. He caught a 64 pound striped bass with a 706Z. Need I say more.

 

[614459]

I agree that a conventional reel has more power in reeling in a big fish but a good spinning reel like a VS 200 could handle the fish with no problem. I was using conventional outfits when I used to use fish finder rigs, but since I use a low rig for clams and bunker, I don't need the free spool option nor do I need backlashes and wasted time while I'm fishing. As for casting, I do just fine with a spinning outrfit.