Spinning Vs. Baitcaster

[georgeyew]

I don't want to stir up a debate, but just wanted to share my experience. I started fishing 2 summers ago using a spinning reel/rod that a friend gave to me. I was doing fine with it, and I was determined to keep it simple and not use a baitcaster. Fast forward to last fall...after reading the forum and all the gear that the people were using, I started getting the impression that in order to fish well, moving up to the baitcaster must be necessary since "everyone else" is using them (and this is after I've caught a 6lb bass and 17lb carp on my spinning rod). So I caved and bought a baitcaster. I was frustrated for a few outing trying to learn the cast, but eventually I got it down. It is fun to use the new baitcaster and I like the sleek look of it. But to me, there is nothing that I can do on a baitcaster that I couldn't with my spinning rod. Now that I have a baitcaster, I don't think that I will stop using it. But I do kinda wish that I would have kept it simple like I intended in the beginning.

[Flywatersmallie]

I rarely throw anything heavier than 5/16 on my baitcasters.

"Can you say practice" ?

Hootie

I like Hootie!

I hardly ever throw anything heavier than that on bait casters either. They are just a tool like spinning or fly gear. Sure you can throw a 3" grub on a casting rod, a bit like pounding nails with a screwdriver. It'll work in a pinch but better tools for the job. Similarly deep diving cranks or bigger spinnerbaits are no fun on spinning gear

[HeavyDluxe]

I grew up fishing spinning tackle, and that's what I continue to fish... I've experimented with baitcasters and been able to fish, but I just didn't "enjoy" it.

 

I agree with most of the other posters on here... Assuming you're willing to practice and be patient, you can be successful with any setup.  *ANY* setup comes with limitations.  The trick is learning those quirks and figuring out how to use them to your advantage.  Alternatively, you can buy 50 different (or more!) 'niche' setups that are each very, very good at a particular thing.

 

All that said, the most important fish-catching skills (IMNSHO) are a willingness to slow down, an ability to think and analyze, and an interest in practicing something before making a judgment on it.

[SirSnookalot]

I have just stuck to spinning rigs for everything. But then again, I live in the NE....Where 6-7 lb. bass are elephants Baitcasters seem to be a better "power" set-up. If I fished in TX or FL where I was pulling 12+ lb. LMs out of the slop I would probably taken the time to learn one. But pulling a 5 lb. LM out of slop is no problem on my MH/F St. Croix spinning rod with a full aluminum bodied reel.

I'm in Florida and I don't catch 10# bass everyday, that's a good bass wherever you're at.  I use 15# braid on spinning gear almost exclusively, those rare 8 and 10 pounders may be a bit more challenging to land out of the slop than a 1 pounder, but it can be done without much ado.  I do see the point for a b/c, I watch these pros on tv yank and crank a 3 # fish in less than 5 or 10 seconds, that is not what I care to do.  It's great for getting that fish in fast and getting on to the next cast in a tournament, as a recreational fisherman for me it's all about the fight even if it only lasts a little while.

If I may here's little tip on landing some of those bigger fish if your are shore bound.  Instead of trying to lift that fish out of the water or "springing it up", hold your rod perpendicular to the water, tighten your drag or hold the spool if it's spinning and just walk backwards pulling the fish up.  This is a common saltwater beach tactic that I entwined into my freshwater fishing.

[Topwaterspook]

I prefer to use a baitcaster whenever possible. It's just my personal preference. I like the convience of being able to conviently keep a finger in contact with the line. Grown over places I fish from shore, don't always allow enough room for a proper backcast.A spinning rod is much easier to use in such situations. Just another thought when considering which to use.

[fstr385]

I used a spinner when I was a kid, but just recently really got into fishing and read and seen everywhere baitcasters wwhere the main setup, so when i got the money for one I got a higher rated but cheap $80 abu reel. I have all left handers as im used to cranking with my left on spinners. It took a little while to learn but now i use them for almost everything. I have vids on facebook of catching bass on the drop with weightless senkos on a baitcaster. Its just changing the setup. I use em all the time with a 10" worm t rigged with an 1/8oz tungsten w no problem. The two main reasons I prefer these are getting the fish in fast to not give it a chance to shake off the hook, and not to spook as many fish away from where im fishing. The second and most important to me is presentation and aim. I can throw at a target to hard and slow my line down with my thumb to hit it dead on. With a spool, i can also throw my bait pretty far down a bank line and stop it over the water and drop it in with a small blip in the water instead of a large splash.