Baitcaster Vs Spinning

[Bass2124]

New to this forum and Bass fishing in general and have switched from my beloved flyrod to baitcasting and spinning gear last year. This is something I thought I would never do as I had been a die hard trout flyfisherman for years (I ihope I don't get stoned in here for saying the word trout) but am now slowly coming out of the closet and admitting my true love for bass fishing.  This year I have finally crossed over to the otherside and gone to more modern methods of catching bass. I would never admit that however to my flyfishing buddies.  Although catching a smallmouth on a baitcasting rod will never replace the feeling of throwing a popper with my 9' 5 wt and landing a lunker, I have come to realize that catching bass with baitcasting and spinning gear yields a much higher return.  My question here, and I am sure it hs been asked sveral times in this forum, is what should I spend my hard earned dollars more on...... baitcasting or spinning gear????  I was also at one time a fanatical golfer (finally came to my senses and returned back to fishing)  and realized that you need several wrenches to get the job done.  In year one in my new quest for catching bass, I had one baitcaster (which I finally learned how to use without backlashing) and one spinning rod and found myself using my baitcaster much more often.  The problem is that changing lures all the time became a pain so I have realized that more wrenches are needed.  As more experienced anglers, which wrenches do you carry more of and why?

[roadwarrior]

For enthusiasts, technique specific gear is fun
to collect. However, three rigs cover all the
basics:

#1 6 1/2' or 7' MH baitcaster for jigs, some
soft plastics and spinnerbaits

#2 6 1/2' or 7' MM baitcaster for treble hook
lures

#3 7' MF spinning rod for lighter lures and a
variety of techniques

[Arv]

Rw hits it pretty good with that post imo. I would start there and find what you like to fish and add from there. No sense in blindly buying a bunch of rigs to cover techniques you won't throw that often. At least when starting out. If you start doing a little research into what rods and reels you want, price ranges, etc you will find a wealth of knowledge in our members. Also, fyi, there is a search function that can be pretty helpful as well. There may be other threads that already cover your question, or at least help you specify your inquiry. Welcome to the forum!

[ccummins]

A lot depends upon where you live, which species will you be going after (largemouth or smallmouth or spotted) and how you will be fishing (from the bank or from a boat).  As the others have already posted both types of reels have their strengths and weaknesses.

[bflp3]

My motto is baitcaster when you can,spinning when you must. I'm not a big fan of spinning gear, so I only use it when I have too, which is usually lighter, finesse presentations, or skipping docks. Whichever you prefer, both are necessary in different situations.

Road warriors 3 setups above are a great way to start.

[mjseverson24]

you already have two combos, I would suggest that 5 would be a good number to avoid changing lures often.

1) 7'MH/F casting for spinnerbaits/squarebills/swimjigs/bladed jigs...

2) 6'6" M/F or M/XF casting for topwater baits/medium crankbaits/ lipless cranks...

3) 7'M/F or M/XF casting for lighter jigs/t-rigs...

4) 7'6"-8' H/M or H/MF or MH/F casting for bigger jigs/ punching/ frogging...

5) 7' M/F-ML/XF spinning for dropshots/weightless plastics/ shakeyhead/tubes...

 

these five in my opinion cover most techniques you will need in a day without having to retie lures often...

 

Mitch

[Bass2124]

Thanks guys for some great suggestions.  I have much to learn about this sport and I think that this forum is going to be a great resource.  You will be seeing many questions from me in various parts of this forum. I know trial and error are at times your best learning practices but getting a few steps ahead of the game can certainly eliminate many unnecessary headaches.   Unfortunately for me, being so far north I have another 4 months waiting before I can start in again.  In the mean time, I am going to try to get as educated as I can about techniques to catching mainly smallmouth (not many largemouth in my neck of the woods) as I can.

[flyfisher]

I wouldn't bother....just keep on with the fly gear, especially if you are fishing for smallies in a river.  You can catch just as many as the conventional guys and in certain cases way more...

[new2BC4bass]

I assume you do a lot of fishing for smallmouths from your comment about loving to catch them on poppers.  Look to the Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth series for some very good rods at an excellent price.  Fishusa has them for $99.95.  Although primarily designed for the smallmouth fisherman, they obviously will work just as well for largemouths.  However not many punch for smallmouths, so you won't find a suitable rod for that in this line. 

 

6'6" to 7' MF or MHF are often cited as being good all-around rods.  I'll throw pretty much any type lure on my 6'10" MF.  The 6'9" MXF and 6'10" MH M-F are also a couple of excellent options although not as versatile...in my mind.

 

Like you I don't like to take the time to tie on lures while fishing.  I would much rather grab another rod.  I prefer baitcasters myself.  Although I've picked up 5 new spinning outfits the past few years, only one at a time ever goes with me.  Normally I am fishing weights that any baitcaster can handle.  I have 3 b/c options for light lures so it is seldom that I will pick up a spinning outfit.

 

Also a warm welcome to the forum.  Don't give up that flyrod.

[Darren.]

I'll just welcome you to the forums! Others will answer this oft-asked question (but that's just fine).

[Bass2124]

Never going to give up the flyrod.  My favorite fishing is flyfishing early morning/ late evenings using poppers.  But I must admit catching fish with a baitcaster has been very enjoyable.  Really do not like using spinning gear but it is easier for the kids and wife who come with me often although my daughter is starting to get the hang of my baitcaster.  I just see many pros using spiining gear for finessse fishing and I though that It must have its place.  I currently have a BPS pro qualifier baitcaster and a 6'6" Abu Garcia Vendetta MH with #30 spiderwire ez braid with a 10 lb 6-8' flourocarbon leader and have thrown everything from 3/4 oz jigs to small crankbaits and have caught bass on a regular basis.  I am not advanced enogh to really feel the subtle differences in strikes.  I am looking to purchase a Lews speed spool baitcasting reel for myself  and a couple Pfluegar President/cabela tourney trails that I have often seen go on sale for $69 for the kids.  I have felt that combo at Cabelas and it seems like a nice setup????

[bootytrain]

Don't forget the Bait Finesse setup :-D

[livetofish28]

You know a Pro qualifier looks great on a St Croix mojo bass rod

Tight lines

Andrew

[livetofish28]

Never going to give up the flyrod.  My favorite fishing is flyfishing early morning/ late evenings using poppers.  But I must admit catching fish with a baitcaster has been very enjoyable.  Really do not like using spinning gear but it is easier for the kids and wife who come with me often although my daughter is starting to get the hang of my baitcaster.  I just see many pros using spiining gear for finessse fishing and I though that It must have its place.  I currently have a BPS pro qualifier baitcaster and a 6'6" Abu Garcia Vendetta MH with #30 spiderwire ez braid with a 10 lb 6-8' flourocarbon leader and have thrown everything from 3/4 oz jigs to small crankbaits and have caught bass on a regular basis.  I am not advanced enogh to really feel the subtle differences in strikes.  I am looking to purchase a Lews speed spool baitcasting reel for myself  and a couple Pfluegar President/cabela tourney trails that I have often seen go on sale for $69 for the kids.  I have felt that combo at Cabelas and it seems like a nice setup????

Forgot to mention the Lew's tournament mg speed spool would be an awesome addition to your collection if you can foot the 20 or so extra dollars. You will be blown away by the difference from the pro qualifier

Tight lines

Andrew

[Arv]

Never going to give up the flyrod.  My favorite fishing is flyfishing early morning/ late evenings using poppers.  But I must admit catching fish with a baitcaster has been very enjoyable.  Really do not like using spinning gear but it is easier for the kids and wife who come with me often although my daughter is starting to get the hang of my baitcaster.  I just see many pros using spiining gear for finessse fishing and I though that It must have its place.  I currently have a BPS pro qualifier baitcaster and a 6'6" Abu Garcia Vendetta MH with #30 spiderwire ez braid with a 10 lb 6-8' flourocarbon leader and have thrown everything from 3/4 oz jigs to small crankbaits and have caught bass on a regular basis.  I am not advanced enogh to really feel the subtle differences in strikes.  I am looking to purchase a Lews speed spool baitcasting reel for myself  and a couple Pfluegar President/cabela tourney trails that I have often seen go on sale for $69 for the kids.  I have felt that combo at Cabelas and it seems like a nice setup????

The BPS PQ is a great reel, especially for the money. If you like that reel, there is a combo that can be purchased through BPS; a PQ reel and Carbonlite rod. I believe it runs about $150-160 for the pair. IMO, this would be a great way to start branching out with a couple more specialized set ups for different techniques withough breaking the bank.

Lews makes a great reel as well, and personally are my favorite to fish. I think they are the best bang for your buck in the $150 range. Just my preference though, I would stick with the PQ over the Speed Spool. The "lowest" I would go in the Lews line up would be the Tournament Speed Spool. Again, that is only my own personal preference. There are many out there that really like the Speed Spool.

I'm not sure about the Cabela rods, but the Pfleuger President is also a great reel for the money. I had one forever until I lost it during a move. My guess is it would be a great combo for your kids. No need to drop any serious coin if they are just getting into fishing.

[Raul]

I own more BC reels than spinning reels, if I am going to be limited to just one setup then spinning gear is tough to beat ( a good quality spinning reel with a couple of spools and a good quality 2 piece spinning rod ), but if you are not limited to only one then:

 

1 good quality spinning reel + a ML- M good quality rod

 

1 BC reel + a MH crankbait rod

 

1 BC reel + a MH - H Fast action rod.

 

With those 3 setups you are covered for most lure/ techniques except for the really light stuff or the really heavy stuff ( like heavy swimbaits or A-rigs ).

[Naplock]

Personally, I think you need you a spiffy new pink Zebco spin casting combo.

[jmorisaki]

Lots of great advice already. But as someone that just got into the sport about 5 years ago, my advice would be if you are type that generally likes nicer gear to start with the higher end. When I first started I bought a bunch of lower end stuff but quickly wanted progressively nicer gear. If I could do it all over again I would start with nicer stuff. That of course is all relative as nicer for me is Lews Tournament Pro reels and a mix of rods demo *** omens/envys. To some that may be lower end.

Also, I know the BPS PQ gets a lot of love, I never really cared for mine all that much, I bought one for cranking and used a couple of years but never reached for it all the often. I started grabbing anything but that and have finally replaced with a Lews bb1.

[SirSnookalot]

I have nothing against b/c except I don't care to fish with them, I'm a spinning guy.  What others prefer is up to them, but this is why I prefer spinning.  I can use a spinning rod appropriate to handle any lure style, weight and technique, for example 1 of my rods is a mh 1/4-2 oz lure (not my heaviest spinning rod), can use a small spinner or 5000 reel.  I can fish a light weedless fluke or a heavier jig, spoon or lure, pretty good versatility. I like the reel on the bottom, no reel twisting the rod with a larger fish on the line, plus I have my stronger arm on the rod at all times.  I prefer the cranking handle on a spinner to that of a b/c with, 2 small knobs, that said the Shimano tranx is a really nice reel.  I also feel spinners give nothing up in regards to drag and I don't have to concern myself with braid digging in.  Being enthused I do own more than 1 combo, have ones good for bluegill and others good for sailfish, covers the gamut for me.   Bottom line, use what you like.