Baitcaster Or Spinning?

[VinnieT]

Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum. I would like to know what reel you guys thought was best for someone like me. I am a very experienced fisherman, having been bassing since I was 4, and I have always used a spinning reel. I have had no problems with it, however I have heard some good things about baitcasters. I am confused about what reel to get. Also, could anyone tell me the best baitcaster under $150 and the best spinner under $150? Thank you!

[g7evans]

Depends on how you like to fish. I prefer bait casters for cranks, jigs, spinner baits and a-rigs. I use the spinning reels for shakes head and Texas rigged soft plastics. A bait caster can be tricky to use at first due to the backlash ( this occurs when the reel spins faster than the line can get out. Causes your line to tangle and knot. Can be a pain to get straight). Once you use it for an outing or two you should get the hang of it. As far as the reels I love my set ups. They are as follows:

Spinning: quantum smoke reel w/ BPS 6.6 mh extreme rod

Quantum energy pt reel w/ BPS 6.6 m carbon lite

Bait casting: quantum kvd reel w/ BPS 7 mh cranking stick

BPS Rick Clunn reel/rod (no longer made)

I am a fan of quantum (obviously) but I've heard the Abu garcia revo is pretty slick as well

[5fishlimit]

I just started using a baitcaster in the middle of summer and I absolutely love it. It took some time to get used to it, but I fished wide open reservoirs for a few weeks of practice. I picked up a Lew's, slapped it on a Abu Garcia Veritas, and have barely touched my spinning rods since.

[tbone1993]

From my picture you can tell what brand I am about to recommend and that is Abu Garcia. I feel that you will really like the Abu Garcia Revo S Gen 3. But if you can I would suggest you scan the flea market for someone selling a Gen 2 Revo STX I am sure you can get one for less than $150. Try and find someone sponsored that is selling a reel ( college is your best bet) because they tend to sell their reels for what they paid for them which is significantly less than msrp.

[Arv]

Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum. I would like to know what reel you guys thought was best for someone like me. I am a very experienced fisherman, having been bassing since I was 4, and I have always used a spinning reel. I have had no problems with it, however I have heard some good things about baitcasters. I am confused about what reel to get. Also, could anyone tell me the best baitcaster under $150 and the best spinner under $150? Thank you!

You may want to check out what I have for sale in the flea market. I have some rods and reels that might be exactly what you're looking for.

[BenBassmaster]

Revo S is $130 brand new. But check out what Arv has you might find a good deal.

[dam0007]

Don't have the exp.under my belt yet on BC reels to know what's good for under 150.

As far as spinning goes, $100 for a Shimano Symetre or even a little cheaper for a Sahara. Both are very good before jumping up to a Stradic.

[LgMouthGambler]

Go with what ARV has for sale. Hes got some nice Shimanos. Thats the right stuff there.

[new2BC4bass]

Definitely can find a Gen2 STX for less than $150. I have a Gen1, and have no more problems with it than any of my other reels. Gen1 is Magnetic brake only while Gen2 and newer are dual brake reels. I picked up a used Lews Tournament Pro for less than $150. It is also a dual brake reel, and is a very nice reel as well. I've read good things about the Revo S regardless of which generation reel it is, but have zero experience with that model. I would lay off the SX unless buying the newest model. Too many people complaining about backlashes with this model. Don't recall reading any reviews on the newest SX model. Again, this is only hearsay as I've stayed away from this particular model reel.

Other reels that I personally feel are overlooked by many are the Pflueger President and Patriarch. Quantum PQ and Shimano Citicas are well thought of on this and other sites, but I've no personal experience with either of them. You can find used Curados and Chronarchs within your price range. My Curado 51E, Chronarch 101A and 100B were all less than your limit. All are excellent reels. Another favorite of mine is the Daiwa Fuego. Magnetic only, but cast like a champ. Sorry that most of my suggestions have been for older model reels. I buy used (or on closeout) so I can get better gear at a cost I can almost afford.

Arv is offering very good prices on his reels. As already state, you might want to consider one of them.

EDIT: Forgot to mention about the learning curve. If you are like a lot of us, you will find accuracy to be out the window at first. Timing is totally different than what you are use to with your spinning reels. I know because I was a spinning only guy until almost 4 years ago. I cast right hand. At first my sidearm casts were at a 45 degree to the left instead of in front of me. I wouldn't suggest overhand casts until your timing starts to kick in cuz there is a good chance it will be Backlash City for you.

However, like a few others that tried baitcasting reels after being spinning only, I now use a spinning reel only when I have to.

[bass1980]

Well I just started using baitcaster after years of using spinning. Even after watching videos got a birds nest on my first cast. Thought to myself if I made the right decision. Now a few months in and I don't even want to touch my spinning reel. I still use spinning for wacky worm and small mouth fishing but I use BC for just about anything. Plus the rods for BC are a lot beefier and can handle spinnerbaits and lipless cranks better.

Here's one very recommended tip. Watch a video on youtube on how to get out of a birds nest jam. Trust me, you'll thank me later.

[SirSnookalot]

@Vinnie, like you I've been fishing since birth some 60 odd years ago, quite adept at b/c, spinning and fly. The difference I see is b/c rods for bass are more readily available in heavier sizes, good for pulling fish out of cover and handling some heavier lures. Some on this forum no longer use b/c gear such as myself, I'm strictly spinning, there are spinning rods made that are heavy enough, I personally use an inshore rod for that purpose. I'm as accurate as I need to be, get the distance I think that is sufficient and prefer the weight of the reel on the bottom of the rod when fighting a hefty fish, There can be a torque factor (I believe that's the term) when fighting a larger fish with a b/c, the twisting of the rod and reel, another reason I prefer a spinning rod with a foregrip.

I'm in the minority, b/c are the overwhelming choice for bass fisherman, I'm not interested in ever using one again.

Almost any spinning reel priced up to $150 is going to do a super job, I'd be more concerned with how a reel feels on my rod, and if it catches my eye, that said many lower priced reels won't just be adequate, they will work wonderfully. I would say that if targeting larger fish or an occasionally saltwater outing $150 would be my entry level. I would review the pros and cons of a certain reel based on my experience using them, but I don't give specific recommendations.

[roadwarrior]

Baitcasting:

New: Citica

Used: Curado 200E7

Spinning:

New: Symetre

Used: Stradic CI4

Strong, smooth, silent and reliant. I fish Shimano.

[Sam]

Vinny, you need to know how to use both type of reels.

I am going to PM you some info on how to reduce and avoid baitcaster backlashes. It is from Ike at a Bassmaster University program a number of years ago.

In the meantime, if you want to fish light tackle go with a spinning rig.

For heavier presentations such as Carolina rig, jigs, big plastics go with a baitcaster.

Both types of reels need to be in your arsnel so you can have more options while fishing.

You need to check out your rod's specifications regarding line test and bait weight. Match the rod's specs with your line and baits and you will not have many problems when casting or setting the hook.

One last suggestion: take your baitcaster or spinning rig outside in your yard and practice, practice, practice.

[thehooligan]

Im a spinning guy as well. I bought a few nice bc setups to learn on, got proficient at it, and at the end of the day it wasnt my cup of tea. I enjoy fishing with superlight spinning rods/reels and have one heavy spinning combo for frogs/swimbaits...

If your looking for either reel in the $150 range id recommend a curado e series for bc, and a stradic fj for spinning.

[upnorthbassin]

Right now if I had to get 2 reels new for around $150 each

Spinning - Pflueger Supreme XT (or Patriarch if you can get a deal on one). I'd take a Stradic FJ too though as a second pick.

Baitcasting - Lews Tournament Pro. Although I would be happy with some of the curado series or maybe a revo s too. Those are all pretty good reels and it's more of a personal preference. You won't know what you really like until you try them.

[new2BC4bass]

Here is a nice deal for you on 3 Gen2 STX reels.

http://www.bassresou...o-stxs-3-gen-2/