Should I Go Back To Spinning Gear?

[jason41987]

let me start by saying i like my baitcasting reel.. but, as ive been using it for a while now, im beginning to notice its limitations.. one such limitation being light tackle.. by this i mean i can take the spool drag all the way off and still not be able to cast some of the lighter lures

 

a good spinning reel doesnt need a spool drag... the line comes off freely (of course, we all know this) but this means a single spinning reel, depending on the rod and line i use, would be well capable of handling a very large variety of lures without adjustments... so if i was going to have a few different rods, ultralight for panfish, medium for general purpose, heavier rods if im targeting things like pike, muskie, bowfin.. and most new spinning reels have quick change spools which make it more versatile... but one other thing that gets me interested, is the ability to use fly fishing rods as well

 

so... should i really go back to spinning for general purpose fishing.. and perhaps reserve my baitcasting setup for only larger game, or perhaps for float fishing or trolling?

[Mike2841]

What it's comes down to is what you like. I use spinning 90% of the time

[Khong]

There's nothing wrong with spinning gear.  It doesn't make you less of a fisherman.  If you feel more comfortable with spinning gear, then just keep on using it.  

 

Remember, it's about catching fish and having fun.

[BrianinMD]

Use what works for you, lighter presentations spinning gear works great. But for heavier presentations or heavy cover baitcast gear provides advantages. The key is being comfortable and confident with your gear not what people say to use.

[CTGalloway21]

Baitcasters >  

 

I don't throw much light tackle but when I do I use a spinning reel.  I am much more accurate with my baitcasters.  I normally carry 4 baitcasters and 1 spinning reel on my kayak.  I use spinning for shaky head.

[new2BC4bass]

Yup, use what you like.  Light baits can be thrown on a baitcast reel, but it won't be a run of the mill reel.  It is also very important to use the right rod.  Takes a lot of practice to get good with light baits on a baitcasting outfit.  Heavy baits can be thrown on the right spinning rod.  Take your pick. 

 

What weights do you use for your "general purpose fishing"?  Baitcasters handle my general purpose fishing just fine.  I've gone to some trouble trying to get to the point where I can panfish with a baitcast reel.  However, a spinning outfit is still much more practical for me.

 

I like b/c reels better than spinning, so I stick with the b/c reel even tho there are times it would be much easier if I switched.  I'd switch sooner if it would increase my catch, but I fish where a tree limb and string would catch nearly as many fish as a high tech rod/reel....which is often none. 

[5dollarsplash]

As others have said, they are all just tools.  If I feel confident using a jig saw, I don't need to break out the circular.  They can both get the job done in different ways. 

 

Whatever feels best in your hands for the job at hand. 

[tugsandpulls]

i went from spinning to bc now i feel awkard using spinning

[J Francho]

I fish for bass, but also fish many other species present here. I use spinning, casting, conventional, centrepin, fly, and even spincast reels.  Some work better for certain things.  As you said, lighter lines and baits suit spinning gear.  I wouldn't replace one with the other; rather build a collection of tools.

[GADawgs]

I agree with everything that has been said.  I have recently made the switch to baitcasters also.  However, when I go fishing I bring at least one spinning rod for my light/weightless/finesse applications.  Most of my fishing is with soft plastics and I am starting to try to work on jigs.  I find myself in the 1/4-1 oz. weight range and I have no problems throwing that on a BC.  However, I also throw some weightless or 1/16 oz setups and my medium light spinning set up is great for it.  As J Francho said, I just added it as a tool to my arsenal, not replaced it all together.  However, when it boils down to it, if you are happiest and most comfortable throwing a spinning set up then do that because I assume that you are like most of us and fish for fun and to catch fish.  If you aren't having fun or catching as many fish with a BC because you are limiting yourself or throwing setups you aren't comfortable/confident with then don't use it.  There isn't a wrong answer or decision to be had.

[The Young Gun]

i went from spinning to bc now i feel awkard using spinning

I almost feel the same way haha

[.ghoti.]

I use casting, spinng and fly setups. I use what's right for the occasion, but sometimes use what I feel like using. Had a day last year, fishing a small private pond full of ten inch bass. Just happened to have my 3wt along, and had a really fun afternoon catching those dinks on a 3wt fly rod.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I fish for bass, but also fish many other species present here. I use spinning, casting, conventional, centrepin, fly, and even spincast reels.  Some work better for certain things.  As you said, lighter lines and baits suit spinning gear.  I wouldn't replace one with the other; rather build a collection of tools.

X2

[ClackerBuzz]

What it's comes down to is what you like. I use spinning 90% of the time

x2. just use what suits you.

ur on the right track that baitcasters generally are better suited for weighted lures.  specifically b/c you can thumb break during the entire cast and gently set down a 1/2oz jig or 3/4oz spinnerbaits in hard to reach places.  this is very hard to do on spinning gear.  

ur collection will grow according to ur needs:  species, bank or boat, weight of lures, size of fishery, pressure or unpressured etc.

i'll only take my spinning gear when heading to heavily pressured waters b/c i'll be tossing light lures on 6-8lb line. bass in private ponds aren't usually lure/line shy so shoreline fishing requires baitcasters only with big buzzing bladed lures etc...sometimes on straight braid so i can haul pigs over the sloppy shoreline.

[jason41987]

dont get me wrong... i love being able to target a certain spot, maybe a patch of clear water between a group of weeds.. and im able to do that with a baitcaster... its when i decided i wanted to try some crappie fishing with a small marabou jig, took all the spool tension off and managed to cast about 2 feet.. embarrassing really and im not sure what im going to do about it to be honest.. i have options

 

reason i was considering going back to a spinning reel is because then id only need one good reel.. i notice more modern spinning reels have the option of quickly popping off a spool to change line weights.. interesting concept as i can put on a 4lb line for crappie, 10lb for bass, or put on my 20-30lb braided for walleye, pike, muskie, bowfin, etc all using the same reel.. and spinning rods seem to be more common

 

for me to do this on baitcasting setups.. im obviously still going to need multiple rods for throwing different weight lures, but what option do i have for really light tackle like marabou jigs, flies, etc?.. perhaps one of those light mr crappie baitcasters on a small telescoping reel would be a nice way to go

 

but, either way im going to have to have a collection of good fishing rods of different actions, i feel like id be better off collecting said reels in a spinning setup, simply because i can get by on just one good reel.. and have the option of fly fishing and centerpin gear too if i want to try something different

[Mike2841]

I have a 7' abu veritas spinning that ill throw anything with. I've used it for chatterbaits, weightless t-rigs, frogs, super spooks.

[Darren.]

dont get me wrong... i love being able to target a certain spot, maybe a patch of clear water between a group of weeds.. and im able to do that with a baitcaster... its when i decided i wanted to try some crappie fishing with a small marabou jig, took all the spool tension off and managed to cast about 2 feet.. embarrassing really and im not sure what im going to do about it to be honest.. i have options

reason i was considering going back to a spinning reel is because then id only need one good reel.. i notice more modern spinning reels have the option of quickly popping off a spool to change line weights.. interesting concept as i can put on a 4lb line for crappie, 10lb for bass, or put on my 20-30lb braided for walleye, pike, muskie, bowfin, etc all using the same reel.. and spinning rods seem to be more common

for me to do this on baitcasting setups.. im obviously still going to need multiple rods for throwing different weight lures, but what option do i have for really light tackle like marabou jigs, flies, etc?.. perhaps one of those light mr crappie baitcasters on a small telescoping reel would be a nice way to go

but, either way im going to have to have a collection of good fishing rods of different actions, i feel like id be better off collecting said reels in a spinning setup, simply because i can get by on just one good reel.. and have the option of fly fishing and centerpin gear too if i want to try something different

Well, there are certain baitcasting reels that allow you to throw light stuff. For instance my Shimano Chronarch 50e combined with an im7 6' Field and Stream rod allow me to effortlessly cast UNweighted 4.75" Zoom Finesse worms on a small hook. Granted I'm not able to cast a mile, but far enough.

However, I've yet to master skipping on my BC rigs. For that I opt spinning gear.

If you had say 2 spinning setups, one on a M and the other a MH rod, you'd have some pretty versatile setups. If you know how to play a fish, you could catch most, not all, freshwater fish around your area, methinks.

[jason41987]

well.. im probably going to buy a telescoping ultralight rod and a small 100/4 or so spinning reel and use this for trout and panfish with 10-15lb braided line... this way, i can handle bigger fish should i catch one, but still have the sensitivity necessary for panfish and trout

 

im willing to consider other options for small fish like this.. travel fly fishing setup? centerpin? im open to suggestions.. i have a 4 or 5 piece medium heavy spinning rod ive had for 10 years.. the reel could use an upgrade though, but im really considering going back to using this for the time being.. kind of getting tired of tuning baitcasters as well, setting spool tension for different weight lures, backlashes, brakes... i like the mechanically simple

[Darren.]

well.. im probably going to buy a telescoping ultralight rod and a small 100/4 or so spinning reel and use this for trout and panfish with 10-15lb braided line... this way, i can handle bigger fish should i catch one, but still have the sensitivity necessary for panfish and trout

 

im willing to consider other options for small fish like this.. travel fly fishing setup? centerpin? im open to suggestions.. i have a 4 or 5 piece medium heavy spinning rod ive had for 10 years.. the reel could use an upgrade though, but im really considering going back to using this for the time being.. kind of getting tired of tuning baitcasters as well, setting spool tension for different weight lures, backlashes, brakes... i like the mechanically simple

 

Sure that's a good setup. No reason at all you can't use UL gear! I've caught some nice bass on UL gear, and what a blast! I'd probably stay at 10lb braid. In fact, that's what I use on all my spinning gear. I happen to be a bass fisherman who prefers to use 1000 size reels (save for my 2000 size Lexa). I've caught numerous bass all the way to just over 6 pounds on 1000 size reels. Some consider these UL, though I do not.

 

And look, if you feel like putting down your BC gear, do it. Sometimes you just need to go to what is comfortable, or more fun, so you enjoy the sport more. There's a lot to be said for mechanically simple mechanisms!!

[RAMBLER]

Yes.

[jignfule]

Don't give up on a b/c. Buy a good high quality reel and spool it with 65# braid to start out, adjust it  and practice.practice,practice.

[CountBassula]

BURN THE WITCH!!!

 

LOL J/K!!!

 

Use whatever feels best to you and gives you most confidence!

[rjf385]

Since, i've been using spinning reels for as long as i can remember. Own a few baitcasters but never really cared for them. Use what you are the most comfortable with.

[Smallmouth Hunter]

There are some ponds I fish where I just can't catch much on small finesse lures, but there are others where they are great. I feel comfortable with both but I like bc more cause its more accurate and I can get away with bigger lures/stronger line. I don't use spinning rods for anything more than a 1/4 oz. I also love ultralights.

[lmbfisherman]

There is nothing wrong with strictly using just a "spinning or baitcasting" setup.  But I think using both in your arsenal makes things easier and cheaper (to get a BC to do some of the things spinning reels can do, will cost you!)  I seem to always have two spinning combos with me with 3-4 baitcasting combos.  I like using spinning combos for light presentations weightless worms, flukes, drop shot (1/4 oz and under), shaky head 1/8..  For all else I use baitcasting...I use to favor baitcasting more than spinning, but after buying my first Stradic 1000 FJ.  It has changed my mind, as I always bought better quality BCs before and probably why I liked fishing with them more than my cheapo spinning reels.