Why Use Spinning Tackle For Finesse Fishing?

[aclark609]

I'm just wondering what the significant advantages are for fishing drop shots, shakey heads, and etc. on spinning tackle? Why not use a casting set up? I have a spinning rod set up with a drop shot on it to try to notice any difference in performance, but I can't find one. What are your thoughts?

[outdoorsman110]

I'm just wondering what the significant advantages are for fishing drop shots, shakey heads, and etc. on spinning tackle? Why not use a casting set up? I have a spinning rod set up with a drop shot on it to try to notice any difference in performance, but I can't find one. What are your thoughts?

because its light.

[baluga]

you can easily toss a light lures/weightless lures.

[Chris at Tech]

Because it's generally easier for folks to throw lighter weights on spinning gear. It can be done on baitcasting, but it requires more practice, and in some cases, some higher-end equipment to better deal with such light weights.

[Goose52]

...and with drop shot or other vertical presentations, it's usually easier to drop the line from a spinning reel than it is to pull off the line from a BC reel spool...

[BobP]

I much prefer baitcasters but I use a spinning rod anytime I might need to skip baits under overhanging vegetation or docks, or when I want a bait to drop vertically instead of penduluming back towards the boat. I know there are guys who can skip baits with a baitcaster, but I'm not one of them. I also know you can strip line off a baitcaster to get a vertical drop, but a spinning rod just makes it easier, especially if you're fishing a dropshot in deep water. I also think a spinning rod is naturally a bit more sensitive than a baitcaster in detecting bites. The downside is line handling and casting accuracy.

[21farms]

i baitcast 99 percent of the time and avoid spinning as much as i can. that being said, dropshotting and fishing tubes is so much easier with spinning gear. not having to strip out line by hand for a vertical fall has already been mentioned. but, the biggest thing to me is the weight of the reel under the rod...it is so naturally balanced that i can work the bait without fighting the torque of a baitcaster wanting to flip down.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Said it once, I'll say it again, finesse fishing is nothing more than a state of mind. You can finesse a one ounce jig, and you can power fish a 1/32 ounce jig.

[aclark609]

Hmmmm . . . Vertical presentation makes sense to me even though I never fish a drop shot that way. The fact that it's light makes little difference to me seeing as how I learned to cast a baitcaster with 1/8 oz grubs on the creek, and I usually fish 3/16 - 1/4 oz dropshots anyway. So I guess the only significant thing about using a spinning reel for dropshotting is it's easier to drop it straight down below your boat? Naaah . . . I think I'll stick to the baitcaster for the finesse side of bass fishing as well. I have much better casting control and subsurface control with a baitcaster. Thank you for the replies.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

Personal preferance plain and simple

[BrianSnat]

So I guess the only significant thing about using a spinning reel for dropshotting is it's easier to drop it straight down below your boat?

I don't think they mean dropping it straight down from the boat. That is as easily accomplished with bait casting gear as it is with spinning gear. As I picture it in my mind, when you cast a bait and it hits the water, with spinning gear the bait will sink nearly vertically as the line is still coming easily off the spool. With bait casting, the bait will hit the water and fall at an angle as the line is fairly static, by virtue of the need to stop the spool from spinning so as to prevent backlash. The deeper the water, the more pronounced that effect will be. You can achieve the same effect with a bait caster but only if you strip line quickly so you have sufficient slack after it hits the water.

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, as I have little experience with bait casters, but I think that is what is meant by vertical presentation.

[NorcalBassin]

I'm comfortable throwing a grub on a 1/8 oz darterhead with a BC but always throw a 1/16 or 1/32 jighead with spinning gear. Just seems a lot "easier" for me when going light.

[Long Mike]

Personal preferance plain and simple

X2

[craww]

One thing I've noticed is it's easier to can cast lighter baits with a bit stouter rod on a spinning setup. To throw the real lite stuff on my BC's, I use a lighter powered rod. I have a certain live bait presentation that doesnt weigh much, however i fish it in the heart of cover most of the time. BCers worked ok, but the rod just didnt load and distance was limited. I have an old clearance rack pinnacle IM8 7'MH (rated for lures 1/4- 1 3/8oz) that coupled with a small diameter braid on a 6740 president is PERFECT for the technique.

Line diameter and the fact that I can cast a lite weight HARD without fear of overrun are the reasons it works.

[smalljaw67]

Personal preferance as mentioned above but I use both spinning and casting when I use finesse techniques the size to the bait is usually what determines the set up. I love finesse jigs from 1/8oz to 1/4oz, for the 1/8oz I use a spinning setup and for the 1/4oz I'll use casting, 3/16 and it depends on the cover, light cover I'm using a spinning outfit, thicker weeds and grass and I'll go with casting.

[Capt.Bob]

As many said, anything under a 1/4 oz everyone can cast farther with a spinning rig. The thing is a baitcaster will cast 1/8 to 1/4 oz well enough for most finesse applications. But I have put together a couple Bait Casters for light finesse rods for Walleye and just 11.4 oz was as good as it got, worked great and I thought I had excellent feel and balance for that type fishing. BUT!!!! When I put a Legend Elite 6'3" MXF rod, with a 1000 Stratic MgFB at 10.1 oz. I can feel anything that moves within a foot of that drop shot rig, I can't find a rig that feels so well balanced and gives such incredible feel for everything that is going on, and I think as was stated earlier, the way it balances with the weight of the real under the rod instead of on top just adds to the way it telegraphs vibrations, and for only 1.3 oz lighter it feels like half the weight in your hand, and for some reason it just seems to make you want to sssslllloooooowwwwww dowwwnn. I know guys that use 6'6" heavy spinning rods for heavy jigs in the thick stuff, and they make it work, but I think most can doe better with heavier Bait Cast set up's for that kinda fishing. So as others, that is just what I prefer, I am sure some are just the opposite!