Am I The Only One?

[blackheart7710]

Something crossed my mind the other day when I was chatting with a buddy at work about fishing. He likes to use a baitcaster if he knows he's going after bass. I strictly use spinning reels. It's what I've always used, however I did purchase a cheap baitcaster once and I wasn't a fan so I switched back to my spinning reel. 

 

Am I the only one who doesn't like baitcasters? Is it going to affect me in the long run not using one? Are there any major advantages that I'm missing out on? 

 

I feel like I've gotten pretty good at controlling everything with a spinning reel. I almost feel as though it may be too much trouble to try and use a baitcaster if I won't benefit much from it. So what do you think? Anyone else in the same boat as me? 

 

Thanks for reading! 

[smalljaw67]

I use both spinning and casting and one thing I can honestly say is the casting gear makes using heavier baits like those over 1/4oz , a lot easier to handle. I don't think you are at a disadvantage now but years back the spinning reels made to handle big line were really heavy compared to what is on the market today. The only other thing is you have to be mindful of what lures you use and the rigging with a spinning set up because you will get line twist, and that right there is enough to get guys away from it, once you learn casting gear and you have a day with zero line twist, well then you will truly know why most bass anglers prefer casting. If you want to learn how to use a casting reel I would suggest something decent, not a cheap sub $100 dollar model because those reels make learning a little tough to be honest. The reason has to do with the bearing quality, and the brakes, discount reels normally use steel bearings that are packed solid with grease, it forces the user to throw harder to get distance and forcing a cast for distance with a casting reel is a no-no, instant backlash. Try learning on something with a little better quality in the $100 to $150 range, the Lews speed spool, not the laser speed spool but plain old speed spool or the Shimano Citica, Quantum Kinetic, Abu Garcia Revo S.

[Scott F]

If you are happy fishing with spinning reels and they get the job done for you, stay with them. I fish with spinning gear the majority of the time because I'm most often fishing open water with with light lures for smallies. When I need bigger, heavier lures, I switch to baitcasters. The only reason you'd need to change is if the spinning gear can't get the job done.

Fishing should be fun so don't force yourself to use stuff you don't enjoy.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

You can get by with all spinning or casting but it's just that, getting by. Not to the same level, but it's a little like getting by with 1-2 rods. To me, being proficient with all types of fishing tackle enhances the over all experience. I have casting, spinning, spin-cast, center-pin, and fly tackle and employ all of them throughout the year. At the end of the day though it's your personal preference.

[Marty]

I used to have a baitcaster back in the days when you brought two or three rods with you at most. But I gave it up because it lacked the versatility I wanted and spinning serves me well for everything I want to do.

 

 

Anyone else in the same boat as me?

 

You're not alone, but I don't consider myself to be in a "boat", because that implies a negative and using spinning is a choice I've made, not some misfortune that has befallen me.

[fishking247]

i used to be an all spinning gear guy but once you throw big cranks, jigs, spinnerbaits, and frogs on baitcasters you will never go back to spinning for those applications

[baluga]

You mentioned you tried the cheap bait caster,  I'm  not be surprised you did not like it. 

 

Next time you try it again, try a decent one like a Curado 50e or better yet get a better one like Calcutta 50 or 100 GTE or a Core 50.  I'm pretty sure you will like it more than spinning unless you are casting pretty light lures like anything below 1/4 oz or casting on windy days.

[MCS]

I use all spinning, I fish how I like and have fun

Don't worry about it, do what you like and catch fish.

There are pros and cons to both types of reels. One isn't better than the other it is all personal preference.

[thehooligan]

Ive fished spinning reels for the past 25 years and prefer it, but started using baitcasters these past two years and definitely understand why fishermen use them. 

 

The hardest thing i had to get used to was holding the rod while setting the hook. Im very used to holding a spinning rod and it does feels weird. And like someone else mentioned, on extremely windy days baitcasters can be a pita. I dont really throw anything over 5/8oz so spinning gear works fine for me.

 

I have been thinking about getting a swimbait combo, and if i do that will definitely be a baitcaster, thats one thing i wont use a spinning combo for.

[SirSnookalot]

I'm strictly spinning.  There is a spinning rod and reel to catch just about kind of fish under any kind of circumstance.  Many folks mention lure weight, the reason they may have problem is they haven't selected a rod to load up properly with the weight of the lure they care to use.  Appears to me that rods marketed for the freshwater market have a lesser amount of sizes available.  Saltwater rods are available from light action to as high as 80# rods.  I see no difference in fresh and saltwater rods as far as sensitivity and backbone, what's different is more corrosion resistance. I use nothing but inshore rods, for freshwater too, tossing a 1/4- 3/4 oz lure on a med spinning is an everyday event.

Matter of choice of what to use, both b/c and spinning can handle anything, it's just the right set up.

[Flukeman]

I have a friend who is a spinning only guy and he has made 15 State Teams in  28 years in NYS. Additionally, he has won a couple B.A.S.S. events. It would not be my choice, but I would never bet against him.

[flyfisher]

To me the only big advantage to baticasting reel/rod combos is a higher line retrieve speed.  I can't throw a buzzbait on a spinning reel but other than that i use a spinning rod for a lot of things.  I also find that the casting rods provide more backbone for certain techniques as well.  Just like DVT said, it is all about finding the best tool for the job and baitcasters fit the bill for quite a few for me.

 

Also you don't need to go up to a curado for a quality baitcaster.  There are plenty in the $100 range that do well with the BPS PQ and Shimina Citica coming to mind.

[Capt.Bob]

I agree with what most have said, it is fine to use, and if that is all you want, it will work. I use both and think I have the option of using the most efficient equipment at any certain  time. If you really want to learn the advantages of a baitcaster you won't with a bubble pack Shakespear, sorry just the fact's. Even an experienced caster will have trouble throwing the cheaper reels, but a quality reel makes it much easier to cast like a pro! If you want to expand your fishing I would certainly encourage you to get a good reel ($100.00 to $150.00 dollar range) and then you make a reel evaluation, I prefer the casting reel anytime I can efficiently use it.  

[tomustang]

Something crossed my mind the other day when I was chatting with a buddy at work about fishing. He likes to use a baitcaster if he knows he's going after bass. I strictly use spinning reels. It's what I've always used, however I did purchase a cheap baitcaster once and I wasn't a fan so I switched back to my spinning reel.

Am I the only one who doesn't like baitcasters? Is it going to affect me in the long run not using one? Are there any major advantages that I'm missing out on?

I feel like I've gotten pretty good at controlling everything with a spinning reel. I almost feel as though it may be too much trouble to try and use a baitcaster if I won't benefit much from it. So what do you think? Anyone else in the same boat as me?

Thanks for reading!

For many, buying or using a cheap baitcaster is enough to push away from using them. After all it was cheap, you know made with lesser components. The essence of baitcasting isn't really felt with cheap. To get a better feel for them yet something above the $100 range.

[hooah212002]

For the most part, buying cheap anything will shy you away from it. A cheap baitcaster is among the top of the list for items with this problem, so long as your definition of cheap is within reason. $30 wally world combo cheap? Yea, you're gonna have a bad time.

[blackheart7710]

Tons of useful input here guys. Thanks for that! Most of the places I've been fishing this year have been treating me well. I've been sticking to mainly topwater and minnow crankbaits. I'm going to be making a trip up to Lake Erie here pretty soon. Depending on how things go, I may consider trying another baitcaster. It sounds like it would do me well and it makes sense if I were using heavier lures. Being busy in college, I limit myself to how many places I fish (only three or four major local lakes.) If I find out Lake Erie fish like heavier lures I will definitely consider a baitcaster. I have a few heavy ones in my arsenal that are just a little too heavy for my spinning reel. Again, thanks for all the input. It seriously helps. I'm not surrounded by tons of avid bass fishermen so I listen whenever I get an opportunity!

[Jrob78]

It's so foreign to me to think that there are people who only use spinning gear. I could be completely wrong but it almost seems geographical. People in the north are more likely to use spinning gear while people in the south are more likely to use baitcasters. Here in TX, it's the opposite, most guys will have a boat full of baitcasters and maybe 1 or 2 spinning combos that only get used if all else fails.

I don't care what anyone uses, it's just interesting to me. Fishing is supposed to be fun, a person should fish with whatever makes them happy, it doesn't matter what anyone else uses or what anyone else thinks about it.

[SirSnookalot]

I agree about being geographically, but my observations indicate to me is freshwater vs saltwater.  I've been fishing saltwater for 30 years from New York to Florida.  Whether it's casting and retrieving from shore or fishing the flats spinning gear seems to be the overwhelming choice, not that casting gear isn't used but it doesn't have near the popularity.  Just for the sake of curiosity tune in a few saltwater fishing shows on tv, willing to bet more spinning gear will be seen by the viewer.  Most of these shows are hosted by people that have their roots in saltwater, I have seen b/c used in the salt on tv, but the host has their roots in freshwater.

[Capt.Bob]

I agree about being geographically, but my observations indicate to me is freshwater vs saltwater.  I've been fishing saltwater for 30 years from New York to Florida.  Whether it's casting and retrieving from shore or fishing the flats spinning gear seems to be the overwhelming choice, not that casting gear isn't used but it doesn't have near the popularity.  Just for the sake of curiosity tune in a few saltwater fishing shows on tv, willing to bet more spinning gear will be seen by the viewer.  Most of these shows are hosted by people that have their roots in saltwater, I have seen b/c used in the salt on tv, but the host has their roots in freshwater.

This may be true for most flats and smaller Saltwater species, but I think it seems to be just the oposite when they start going for the really big species off shore. Not sure but I think this mostly because of the size reels needed for the amount of line they use, and the amount of power needed for these bigger fish, not sure just a thought.

[SirSnookalot]

This may be true for most flats and smaller Saltwater species, but I think it seems to be just the oposite when they start going for the really big species off shore. Not sure but I think this mostly because of the size reels needed for the amount of line they use, and the amount of power needed for these bigger fish, not sure just a thought.

That's absolutely true........... but there is a trend for spinning gear targeting larger fish.  Shimano stella models can load up lots of line capacity with 50# of drag and Shimano also makes a terez rod, spinning as well as casting, made especially for those fish. 

[PoorBoyBassin]

Lets see... I've got 10 baitcasters and 3 spinning rods set up. and I think I throw them both about the same amount. Generaly my bigger baits on the baitcasters, and my finesse baits on spinning gear. From time to time, I'll tie on a 2.5 G splash on 10 pound trilene on a spinning rod just for the challenge of fighting a fish on top water with light line. To me its all about being able to adapt to any situation... being able to use both allows me to do so to the best of my abilitys, now this doesnt make it right for everyone, my partner that I fish my tournys with uses nothing but spinning gear an does well with it, so its all about personal choice in what makes you feel comfortable in your fishing abilitys.

[BrianSnat]

I've been using spinning gear since I was a kid, so I'm going on 40+ years of pretty much spinning only.  I can't think of any I can't do with spinning gear. Jigs, plastics, cranks,  flipping, pitching, long casts. Last year I picked up a baitcasting combo to see what I was missing. Lew's Speed Spool Tournament on a Berkley Lightning Rod Shock (I didn't want to shell out a lot for a rod until I decided whether I liked baitcasters).  After a few months of trying it I decided that I much prefer spinning.  I leave it home about half the time and when I do bring it I put it down after a half hour or so and go back to spinning.  I can cast farther and more accurately with my spinning gear.