Baitcasting Vs. Spinning Reels. Which One Is Better?

[SirSnookalot]

I do have a modern b/c, an Avet mxj, no question it's way more refined than anything I had over 50 years ago.  On occasion I will mount it on a 10' rod and do some surf or pier casting using a diamond jig and it's fun for a change of pace.  It is different than a low profile b/c, no level wind and lever drag, but easy to master. I do dislike the rod torque with a larger fish on, and the operation is not near as comfortable as comparable spinning for me.

 

I can break up my fishing into 2 basic categories, inshore saltwater (surf, jetties, flats from a boat) and freshwater (LMB, peacock bass and snakeheads, there are as many similarities as differences in the two.  I just love spinning, doing it for over 60 years I'm proficient enough to put a lure where I choose it to be.  I find heavy vegetation not to be an insurmountable obstacle that would require me to switch to 50 # line and a heavy rod with a b/c to use for bass fishing. Thanks all the same, but I'm sticking with spinning.

[J Francho]

I think some are taking khong's point to the extreme.  In some respects, I agree - spinning IS easier for  a beginner.  I find it is often best to hand a beginner - adult or child - a spinning rod.  It takes just a few minutes of instruction to get them fishing and catch (hopefully) and it is far less discouraging than casting gear.  If you can make it easy for them, then they will be more likely to enjoy fishing.

 

All that said, I have several of both.  They all have a time and place.

[stk]

I think some are taking khong's point to the extreme.  In some respects, I agree - spinning IS easier for  a beginner.  I find it is often best to hand a beginner - adult or child - a spinning rod.  It takes just a few minutes of instruction to get them fishing and catch (hopefully) and it is far less discouraging than casting gear.  If you can make it easy for them, then they will be more likely to enjoy fishing.

 

All that said, I have several of both.  They all have a time and place.

 

Well said J Francho. 

[FrogFreak]

Ha, what a great debate. I will say that my own experience is that I like both for different reasons. That's been covered already here. I own 3 of each and use both spinners and b/cs every time out. I do get irritated with loops in my spinner but I also get backlashes on my b/c. Both my fault totally.

 

I will say this, either way please spend the extra money and get a good quality reel and match it to the right rod for the type of fishing you'll be doing. I recommend the flea market forum on this site. Your dollar goes much farther and the people selling will be fair and honest with you (my experience so far anyway).

 

Also, just a suggestion, if you give more detail in your question, you'll get a better answer. Although I've enjoyed the debate.

[kickerfish1]

Neither is better than the other. Just a matter of preference. I have casting gear that can finesse the light stuff and spinning gear that I could fish jigs and frogs with but I prefer it the other way around.

Generally in the spring/fall I fish more spinning rigs but during the summer it is 90% casting rigs.

I enjoy both and couldn't imagine having to pick between exclusively using one.

[derekxec]

I do dislike the rod torque with a larger fish on, and the operation is not near as comfortable as comparable spinning for me.

 

you should try out a spiral wrapped rod it reduces the torque nicely so thats what all my rods with conv. reels are getting now but honestly spinning a lot more comfortable for me too...you can throw anything on it from light to very heavy without a problem.

 

for everyone else i like spinning unless im using heavily weighted baits(cut bait with 8oz+ of lead) then i like conventional reels only because when my hands get wet for a while and it loosens the skin casting heavy stuff on a spinning rod with braid cuts my fingers up lol

[SirSnookalot]

you should try out a spiral wrapped rod it reduces the torque nicely so thats what all my rods with conv. reels are getting now but honestly spinning a lot more comfortable for me too...you can throw anything on it from light to very heavy without a problem.

 

for everyone else i like spinning unless im using heavily weighted baits(cut bait with 8oz+ of lead) then i like conventional reels only because when my hands get wet for a while and it loosens the skin casting heavy stuff on a spinning rod with braid cuts my fingers up lol

When I use my conventional reel offshore I put it on a 25lb class Star handcraft, being as the Avet mxj is a fairly light duty reel it's primarily a kingfish outfit.  My offshore spinning outfits pack punch 30 and 40# class rods with reels having over 30# max drag, they handle most of we encounter.

[gravestone]

Hello all, I'm new to the forum seems like a knowledgeable place!

The age old question...Spinning vs Conventional,well in my 44 year of bass fishing I've gone from spinning to convench and back to spinning.

When braid entered the picture it was spinning all the way! For me personally whatever I did with a baitcaster I was able to just as well or better with spinning tackle.

If you do a lot of flipping conventional tackle IMO is better.

[0119]

Posts like these serve me well to remind me why I don't visit here anymore.  Khong telling a 70 year old man whose fished his whole life, he's a beginner all because he advocates a spinning reel.  Khong, you might take into account that the style of fishing that serves you well in your area doesn't mean its the masters style of angling.  Carp anglers have to use spinning to lob baits, and carp have been proven to be the most intelligent species of fish, far ahead of bass.  Try to use your casting reel to throw a unweighted trick worm into a heavy headwind.  Look at the lunker photo's in Bassmaster and count how many 10# + bass are caught with that technique.  Try that casting reel to throw a weightless fluke at a La. marsh Red into a 30degree January headwind.  What good is that species specific casting reel in the rest of the world? Are you only going to fish at home so you can be that expert caster?  Better yet...... why don't we concentrate all this energy into defending our right to fish against the onslaught of anti fishing peta types instead of calling a long time angler a beginner.

[gravestone]

In all honesty i'm as accurate casting with spinning gear as I was with conventional. I hold the spinning reel between my middle and ring finger and feather or stop the line with my index finger.

[Bassfishing375]

I would not say that one is better than the other. They are both really different and are used with different techniques. If you don't have a baitcaster it won't hurt to try them out.

[EvanT123]

Reading this thread it appears to have gotten quite contentious. Ill throw my 2 cents in. I like to fish with gear that gives me the confidence to land the fish but at the same time gives the fish a fighting chance.