Spinning Vs. Baitcasting

[GADawgs]

I have fished spinning setups for my entire life.  I have been thinking about looking into getting a baitcasting rod and reel but I don't necessarily want to relearn how to fish the reel.  I have been able to catch bass using cranks, jigs and soft plastics on my spinning setups and I know that many people swear by baitcasters for power fishing presentations.  Is there a noticeable difference between a spinning setup and a baitcaster, or it is mostly personal preference?  If you think there is a difference, what is it and why is one better than the other?  Thanks in advance!

 

Chris

[roadwarrior]

For "moving" lures the retrieve is much smoother. I use light line on spinning tackle,

heavier line (thicker diameter) on baitcasting gear.

[Darren.]

I have fished spinning setups for my entire life.  I have been thinking about looking into getting a baitcasting rod and reel but I don't necessarily want to relearn how to fish the reel.  I have been able to catch bass using cranks, jigs and soft plastics on my spinning setups and I know that many people swear by baitcasters for power fishing presentations.  Is there a noticeable difference between a spinning setup and a baitcaster, or it is mostly personal preference?  If you think there is a difference, what is it and why is one better than the other?  Thanks in advance!

 

Chris

 

Yes, there's a noticeable difference in retrieve, casting, presentation (IMO).

 

I use both spinning and BC, but of late, I use and prefer my Shimano Chronarch 50E on a 6' MF rod for most of my fishing. Why? I guess I just prefer it. Physically I prefer reeling with my right hand, holding the rod with my left (yeah, I could do that with spinning, but it feels so wrong).

 

I can do most everything with my Chronarch that I can with my spinning setups as well. I am by and large, a soft plastics fisherman, with wacky, TX, split shotting being my preferred methods. I use 20 lb test on my BC, 10 on my spinning gear. I use leaders of varying pound test on all the setups.

 

On the physical end, I also don't get as fatigued using the Chronarch as I do with my Stradics/spinning setups. That's me, though. You absolutely do not HAVE to use baitcasting gear for bass fishing. You can do everything you need with spinning gear.

 

Think of it this way, you always have used X-brand of hammer. It pounds nails great, is comfortable, can even rip apart walls and such. Along comes a drywall hammer. Hey, a new tool that might just do what you want a little better than your old hammer. Do you NEED the new drywall hammer? No. Your old one works just fine. But you might find the drywall hammer makes a particular job a little easier.

[Revival]

I have used Spinning reels my whole life and just recently switched to my first baitcaster and I like it a lot.  Its much more intimidating than it really is.  I am still learning but i know I will get better with time and practice.  I was really timid the first time using it but by the end of the day i was much more comfortable that i expected to be.  For now, the advantage that my spinning reel has over my baitcaster is  that i can hit areas that I can only cast straight forward.  I can only side cast with my baitcaster.  I think one of the reasons I finally decided to start using it is because they are now available in left handed retrieve models which is what I am much more comfortable with.

[Raul]

I´ve fished with both types for decades, if spinning is what you´ve used let me tell you are not missing anything special, grass is not necessarily greener on the baitcasting side. both have it´s pros and cons, spinning reels are more touchy when it comes to the line diameter specifications for the spool size than baitcasters, spinning reels do tend to twist the line, however one great advantage I find with my spinning gear is that when fishing from the shore I can cast in very tight quarters or places with lots of space limitations, with BCs I can´t do that.

 

Perhaps you haven´t heard of Fish Chris, well, the man owns an impressive record of 10+ pounders, he fishes exclusively with spinning gear.

 

It ain´t the wand, it´s the magician.

[Stingray23]

All I'm gonna say is that both are critical in maximizing your fishing techniques and presentations. If you refuse to learn or want to use one or the other, then you're selling yourself short and are missing out on tons of opportunities. You should master both.

[BobP]

Sounds to me like you prefer spinning gear, can use it effectively, and are comfortable with it - and are considering baitcasting just because everyone says it's better in some respects.  Well, yes, the baitcast guys are right.  It is superior to spinning in some important areas.  But when all is said and done, unless you are considering a career as a professional tournament angler, fishing boils down to catching fish and having fun and I say whatever increases the joy - do - and whatever takes away - don't.

 

Personally, I go exactly the other way - I don't pick up a spinning rod unless I absolutely have to.  And I'm not above kidding a good buddy about his penchant for using those "fairy wands".  But for at least 80% of fishing presentations, a spinning rod will work perfectly well if that's your preference.  It's only when you get to real heavy line stuff like punching weed mats that spinning really begins to take a back seat.  JMHO.

[new2BC4bass]

I agree with Bob's assessment.  Sounds like you don't really want to change.  Then don't.  Lots of saltwater guys catch fish so much bigger than any bass we could dream up, and do it on spinning gear.

 

I agree with Bob in another way.  I grew up on spinning gear.  When I got back into fishing 4 years ago I decided to try baitcast reels.  Haven't looked back since.  I have picked up a few older top-of-the-line older spinning reels, but none of them hardly ever leave the house....never more than one.  I've gotten to the point I would rather use a b/c reel even when a spinning reel would be the better choice.  I have upgraded my rods as well so I am going to make an effort to use whichever fits the situation the best....not just use what I prefer.  It isn't that I don't like spinning gear, it is just that I prefer b/c much more.

 

Now that I have added decent spinning reels and rods, it is time to put them to use occasionally.

 

BTW, if I haven't welcomed you to the forum before, then

 

[GADawgs]

Thanks for the welcome and input.  I am willing to learn to baitcast but don't neccesarily want to fork over more $$ if it didn't offer much in return.  Here is another question to throw into the fray then.  What would be a decent setup for $150 (rod and reel total) for spinners and cranks?  I am heading to BPS tomorrow to pick up another spinning rod for a new reel I got and may check out some baitcasters to see what I think.  I will also see what they have on clearance to see if I may be able to get a steal on something.  Once again, thanks!

 

Chris

[deep]

For your first baitcaster, I'd recommend an aluminium reel with a centrifugal braking system. Be on the lookout for Curado B's or Citica D's. Absolute workhorse reels you can get for relatively cheap ($60-$80, maybe even less). Buy a St Croix Triumph, or a Powell Diesel, or one of the many BPS housebrand rods and you should be set.

[new2BC4bass]

This combo has been suggested in several recent threads.  $10 more than your limit, but apparently well worth it.  It is a nice savings than if bought separately.

 

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Pro-Qualifier-Reel/CarbonLite-Trigger-Rod-Baitcast-Combos/product/12041705055310/

 

I don't buy store combos, but haunt the classifieds.  Sounds like a crankbait rod would suit you best.  Look for a rod with Moderate or Mod-Fast action.  I have used a Fast action rod as well for crankbaits, but they aren't normally suggested.  I personally feel a Fast action rod is more versatile.  Mono and fluoro have plenty of stretch, and you could always lower the drag pressure in order to keep the treble hooks anchored.

 

EDIT:  However, if you are only going to be using this rod for treble hooks, then I wouldn't go with a Fast action rod.

[SirSnookalot]

Lots of saltwater guys catch fish so much bigger than any bass we could dream up, and do it on spinning gear.

 

 

 

 

This is quite true, but bear in mind saltwater anglers do not deal with heavy cover nearly as often.  I say this only to lend to some credence for using b/c, I personally would never consider using one.  I recently received a PM from a BR member catching a ray off a pier with 3000 spinning reel, IMO a notable feat.  Was it the reel or the rod that made the catch possible?  Probably the rod, as the reel held the needed 150 yds of 20# braid and the drag was ample enough to tire the fish out.  I'm going to opt for a spinning set up, I haven't had a 10 pounder that ran 50 yds and have taken more than 60 seconds to pull in.

B/C are popular because they are lighter and some think they can fish all day with them, I won't argue that. A spinning set up with the reel on the bottom I find to be quite comfortable.  If spinning is one's choice there is set up to handle just about anything you may ever run into.

[jason41987]

i was recently in the same boat as the OP, having switched to baitcasting just one week ago.. the reel i have is a round baitcaster, but its smaller in size, so handles closer to a low profile and i can safely say i dont find myself going back to spinning anytime soon, i prefer baitcasters now.. casting has become second nature to me and in the last few days i went fishing the only time i got a backlash was when i completely shanked a cast, throwing my lure into the mud in front of me (i was casting off-handed).. other than that theyre smoother, more comfortable, i feel i have more control over the entire rod/reel/lure and they even look cooler

 

unfortunately, i purchased this locally where all they had in stock was right hand retrieve models.. i dont know about you, but this seems incredibly counter intuitive to right handed people, we cast with our right hands, it seems like a waste of time to swap hands just to reel, especially if youre lure fishing and doing a lot of cast, retrieve, cast, etc... when i fish shallow areas with a crankbait or a spoon my lure ends up in the mud or weeds in the short period of time it takes me to switch hands. many, if not most of us coming from spinning have the crank on the left side for this reason, so if youre coming from this setup, trust me you will have a harder time getting used to swapping hands and reeling than you will getting used to casting and handling the reel... but just about everyone makes left side retrieve model baitcasters now anyway, and if this is how you reel, dont settle for buying local if you can only get a right side model

[Fishin Hard]

I just made the switch from spinning to baitcasters and I really love fishing with it now. Only had it a week and I feel comfortable with it. I got quality gear to learn on and I'm glad I did. It's all personal preference, I thought I wouldn't go baitcasters ever but tried and I really like it.

[tomustang]

Since you're looking into it but not confident into buyin one, look for a member close by that might have some to try out. In your introduction thread one member has extended the olive branch, he is a bit out west but still shows there's a good bunch of guys here.