Difference Between Baitcaster And Spinning Reel???

[Amir Mccray]

I have a spinning reel and I see people using baitcasters. What's the difference? Which do you prefer? Which is good for plastic lures??

[BrianinMD]

In my opinion the biggest differences are in casting and power. A spinning reel using the rod to move the fish while fighting the first the reel itself doesn't provide strength. A baitcaster is setup like a winch, you can crank fish out of cover. In casting the spinning reel lets line drop off the spool, while the baitcaster's spool spins so it must be controlled. Not sure I have a preference between the two, spinning is better for lighter baits though. Both are good for plastic baits, depends more on the weight of the lure you are using.

 

I am sure others will chime in with more info, these are just my quick thoughts.

[Amir Mccray]

Thank you

[BassinLou]

Amir, you are asking a very good question. I see you are new here. Welcome. Also, utilize the search feature and you will find this topic as been brought up several times. Also read the fishing articles on fishing equipment and its discussed there as well. Best of luck.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Baitcasters are much more prestigious and only the highliest of skilled anglers should attempt to use them.

 

 

[Ratherbfishing]

I have a spinning reel and I see people using baitcasters. What's the difference? Which do you prefer? Which is good for plastic lures??

 

Apart for some metal spinners and some wooden baits, just about everything is plastic these days.  Do you mean "soft plastics"?

 

Generally speaking, baitcasters can cast more accurately and have smoother, sometimes stronger drags.  They also tend to accomodate thicker line better.  Spinning outfits, on the other hand, can usually cast farther and can cast lighter baits easier.  Spinning reels also allow line to peel off easier- allowing baits to fall vertically easily (without pendulum swinging toward the fisherman)-something that can, at times, be a real advantage.

 

Both have their applications and I have and use both.

[Lil'Gunner]

Others covered this well. I fish soft plastics on both. I prefer baitcasting for most applications. I prefer spinning gear for skipping under overhanging objects and brush, and swim jigs / reapers, etc. I also love the fail-safe fish fighting that back-reeling on a spinning outfit provides. 

[Grizzn N Bassin]

Zebco push button for me..

[LMB ANGLER]

lol i made a thread about this already. spinning gear is more versatile. the same set-up is use to catch 100 pound tarpon and 40 pound snook is also the same set-up that i use for bass. spinning also casts further, regardless what people tells you, this is proven by the top professionals in the world. 

[KyakR]

Amir, good for you for having the love of the sport sufficient to get you on here to open up and ask Here's the article from BR's extensive library about this: http://www.bassresource.com/beginner/reel_selection.html

[Maxximus Redneckus]

LMB ...what you say is true but casting distance baitcasters totally OWN spinning reels .

[slonezp]

LMB ...what you say is true but casting distance baitcasters totally OWN spinning reels .

Depends on application. If the application is bass and bass lures, you are probably correct. If you're surf fishing for stripers or fishing the shores of Lake Michigan for brown trout, you are incorrect.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

I surf cast stripers ...zara spook abu 6500 and 7 ft rod and launch it way past guys using spinning reels and 15 ft rods with 5 oz weights with bait all day long.and I'm not even trying

[coryn h. fishowl]

Depends on application. If the application is bass and bass lures, you are probably correct. If you're surf fishing for stripers or fishing the shores of Lake Michigan for brown trout, you are incorrect.

If the spinning set up is spooled with braid though, you can get pretty impressive distances with it.  When I cast a spinning reel, I keep my free hand close to the line so I can stop it. I'll even pitch with it.  Baitcasters though, for heavier lures/cover and accuracy, can't be beat

[SirSnookalot]

Baitcasters are much more prestigious and only the highlest of skilled anglers should attempt to use them.

 

Must be!

 

At least on the s/e coast of Florida spinners overwhelming dominate bait casters for the act of cast and retrieve with artificial lures.  By definition, other than my own, I guess catching a 5# bass with 65# braid, locked down drag, then dragging them in 30 seconds or less is quite prestigious.  Catching 40# tarpon or 20 # snook, or 30# permit, and these aren't the bigger ones, using a mh rod similar to a bass rod is not very prestigious.  That is until you have actually caught one, then I'd like to read a fair appraisal of that contest, providing it was landed.

 

The notion that a b/c rod has more power than a spinning rod is anything but true.  There is a spinning rod made to compliment any bass conventional rod.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Both spinning and casting tackle have their time and place. Neither is necessarily "better" than the other. In general spinning tackle handles light line (10#<) and lighter baits (<1/2oz) better. Casting tackle handles heavy line and baits better and is more accurate casting to many users. With all else being equal (rod power, action, length, bait and conditions) spinning can not be beat for flat out casting distance.

[LMB ANGLER]

Must be!

 

At least on the s/e coast of Florida spinners overwhelming dominate bait casters for the act of cast and retrieve with artificial lures.  By definition, other than my own, I guess catching a 5# bass with 65# braid, locked down drag, then dragging them in 30 seconds or less is quite prestigious.  Catching 40# tarpon or 20 # snook, or 30# permit, and these aren't the bigger ones, using a mh rod similar to a bass rod is not very prestigious.  That is until you have actually caught one, then I'd like to read a fair appraisal of that contest, providing it was landed.

 

The notion that a b/c rod has more power than a spinning rod is anything but true.  There is a spinning rod made to compliment any bass conventional rod.

i want to see a bass b/c catching a 100 pound tarpon and lets see what is more prestigious or stronger lol   

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

All a reel does is hold line. Tarpon can be caught on fly tackle. There simply is no logical  argument that either type reel is better than the other. They're just tools. It's like arguing which is better, the hammer or screwdriver?

[LMB ANGLER]

All a reel does is hold line. Tarpon can be caught on fly tackle. There simply is no logical  argument that either type reel is better than the other. They're just tools. It's like arguing which is better, the hammer or screwdriver?

you just agreed with me. like you said, you can get a tarpon on fly rod, therefore baitcasters are not better. like i said before anything a b/c can do, a spinning can also do.

[rockchalk06]

you just agreed with me. like you said, you can get a tarpon on fly rod, therefore baitcasters are not better. like i said before anything a b/c can do, a spinning can also do.

Problem is every time a thread comes up like this, you jump on your soapbox and scream Spinning reels are better more versatile or whatever your thoughts are on the day. Now your saying they can both do the same.

Which is it today? Neither reel is better or worse. It comes down to what you prefer. Plain and simple. Almost every time a person asks "what's the difference" you go on some rant about how one is better than the other. The poster asked what was the difference, not some guys opinion on what "HE" thinks is the superior piece of equipment.

[SirSnookalot]

Any reel does more than hold line, it applies drag that slow and tires a fish. Loosen the drag too much will reduce your chances of landing a fish the caliber of a tarpon, too tight isn't good either. Reel of choice doesn't matter, but I do believe spinning users play the fish more, if for no other reason lighter line is being used.

[LMB ANGLER]

Problem is every time a thread comes up like this, you jump on your soapbox and scream Spinning reels are better more versatile or whatever your thoughts are on the day. Now your saying they can both do the same.

Which is it today? Neither reel is better or worse. It comes down to what you prefer. Plain and simple. Almost every time a person asks "what's the difference" you go on some rant about how one is better than the other. The poster asked what was the difference, not some guys opinion on what "HE" thinks is the superior piece of equipment.

i always say that is more versatile and they do the same thing, i also said that spinning cast lighter lures better, so apparently your not payin attention or your just a b/c fanboy that cant except the truth.

[rockchalk06]

i always say that is more versatile and they do the same thing, i also said that spinning cast lighter lures better, so apparently your not payin attention or your just a b/c fanboy that cant except the truth.

Your an interesting character. I've paid plenty of attention to your soap box ramblings every single day here. You ever wonder why people bash you everytime you make a post about this very topic. I'm not a fanboy of anything and what's funny is you have gone back on what you prefer so many times its comical.

What's even more funny is I agree that spinning tackle has more of an advantage in certain areas than baitcasters do. I've never said the opposite. I've never seen someone revert to name calling and acting like a giant 4 year old over something so insignificant such as a preference of one piece of equipment or another.

Till the next time sir

[dodgeguy]

it's personal preference.i dislike spinning tackle and i'm going back to all baitcasting.my casting is far more accurate with a baitcaster.

[LMB ANGLER]

Your an interesting character. I've paid plenty of attention to your soap box ramblings every single day here. You ever wonder why people bash you everytime you make a post about this very topic. I'm not a fanboy of anything and what's funny is you have gone back on what you prefer so many times its comical.

What's even more funny is I agree that spinning tackle has more of an advantage in certain areas than baitcasters do. I've never said the opposite. I've never seen someone revert to name calling and acting like a giant 4 year old over something so insignificant such as a preference of one piece of equipment or another.

Till the next time sir

lol. i don't really care if people bash me, tell me something what do people accomplish by bashing me? absolutely nothing. that's why i continue doing what i do. if that makes them feel better than that's good for them. meanwhile i will continue expressing what i feel.