Baitcaster Vs. Spinning

[George DeHaven]

Is there really THAT big of a difference between a baitcaster and a spinning reel? I watch A LOT of videos and I do A LOT of research. Something everyone will notice is that you won't find too many spinning reels on the deck of a bass boat.

 

I want to know why.

 

I know that baitcasters won't twist the line like a spinner. If that's the only major difference, then I don't think I'll be buying anymore baitcasters. I am having a hell of a time learing how to cast with them. I feel like I'm learning how to fish all over again!

[frantzracing0]

accuracy accuracy accuracy. See that hole in the weeds 35 yards thataway, yep you can drop a jig directly into that hole. They also have more power in my opinion when winching a hog out of heavy cover or any cover for that matter.

[Tywithay]

accuracy accuracy accuracy. See that hole in the weeds 35 yards thataway, yep you can drop a jig directly into that hole. They also have more power in my opinion when winching a hog out of heavy cover or any cover for that matter.

The same can be done with a spinning reel. A good caster can be just as accurate with a spinning reel. You just feather the spool to slow it down. I've caught 20lb catfish regularly on a 2500 sized spinner. There's no lack of power. I use both and enjoy both. I keep my spinning reels for windy days mostly. No fear of backlash at all. Don't know about the twist stuff, haven't had a wind knot in years; since I've started using better equipment.

[hatrix]

Casting reels generally can use heavier line and are more capable of using heavier baits. It is easier to control a cast with a casting reel and they are just plain far more effective in making more casts in a day. You also can't really flip or pitch as easily with spinning. Casting have more cranking power also compared to spinning. Go beat a bank from a boat using spinning while the guy next to you uses a casting reel. He will be making way more casts then you and hitting his mark with a lot less effort.

My brother had the same feeling a few years back. After constantly watching me make more accurate casts to little holes and just more casts in general with less effort he made the switch finally and never looked back.

Needless to say he doesn't even bring a spinning rod usually with him when we go out any more.

[WIGuide]

I prefer a baitcaster to spinning because I feel I have better control over my bait during the cast. Yes you can feather a spinning reel but it's easier with a baitcaster. I also feel I have more control over a fish for that matter too. That doesn't mean you can't bring in a big fish on spinning gear because you can and I have too, but I prefer the baitcaster. If you like spinning reels better then by all means use them. It really doesn't matter and doesn't make you any less of a bass fisherman if you do.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

There is no vs. They're different tools for different jobs. Each shines in certain situations and there is a good amount of overlap. You can get by with all one or the other. Being proficient with both helps fine tune presentations and enhances the overall fishing experience IMO. I also use fly and center-pin tackle for largely the same reason. 

[SirSnookalot]

True b/c can handle heavier line for a heavier lure, but if the line were braid that one advantage would be negated. Using braid the rod has more to do with weight of the lure than the reel.

A talented spinner user can put a lure to any spot.

Don't really know what is meant by cranking power.  If it's leverage with the handle, many spinning reels appear to have slightly longer handle, I would think that's better leverage or more cranking power.  If it's drag the 2 types of reels seem be fairly comparable, not that drag should be locked down anyway, seems to be even from that standpoint.  In the case of pulling a fish out of cover some may lock the drag down, a spinner can be locked down too or just grabbing the spool.  At that point the rod and your arm is doing the pulling, not the reels.

No question spinning reels will get line twist, but they don't backlash.  Absolute pure nonsense that spinning is only used for finesse fishing, I can use the same lures with my spinning as some use with a b/c.  I wouldn't want a b/c for free, what others prefer is up to them.

[rawjuice]

Practice, practice, practice!!

 

You need to learn how to properly adjust your spool tension and brakes, and just practice. I promise once you get the hang of it, you will love it. I only bring one spinning setup with me and its for finesse fishing, everything else is baitcasters and I want more lol!!

[bigbill]

From shore I use both sometimes. I have one bait caster setup for using jigs. My other shore fishing setups are spinning outfits. My setups for fishing from a boat are equally spinning & bait casting in numbers. I've used bait casters in the past but I need to use them more.

If you watch some of the tournaments on tv some pros have the spinning setups on deck only.

[new2BC4bass]

George, I assume you have read both stickies dealing with setting up and using a baitcast reel.  Also check out some videos.  I was 30 years older than you when I got into using baitcast reels.  My timing was way off.  I was using too much spool tension.  However, I love using one, and almost never use a spinning reel anymore.  In some cases it would be better if I did, but I enjoy the B/C reel too much.

 

Do you need to use a baitcast reel as part of your fishing?  Absolutely not.  There are at least 2 guys on this forum that use nothing but spinning reels.  I fished spinning reels from age 6-61 exclusively.  Caught lots of fish, and never felt I needed more.  As they say..."Ignorance is bliss." 

 

It can be frustrating at first, but I personally think it is well worth the trouble to learn.  What reel are you using?  Some are better than others to learn on.  Getting the reel set up properly is a big help as is using a weight at least in the middle of the rod's range.  A little towards the high side is preferable. Try not to learn with lures that are hard to cast well or catch the wind.  Don't throw hard.  Keeping the rod loaded and using a smooth stroke are both critical.  That is why I suggest using a roll cast to learn.  Watch KVD and you will see that almost every cast he makes is a roll cast.

 

Because I have a love affair with baitcast reels, I am always glad to see others start using them.  I honestly think you will enjoy them immensely once you get the casting down.  My collection has grown to 40, and I am still looking to buy more.    You never can have enough as far as I am concerned.  Just wish I could get out more often to put every single one through its paces.

 

 

 

 

[5dollarsplash]

DVT nailed it, tools.

 

I can open a can of soup with a knife, but it would be so much easier if I could use a can opener. 

 

I prefer to carry a variety.  Some feel strongly one way or the other.  I think its a matter of deciding what your personally comfortable with and going forward with it.

[Raul]

 Other than what you mentioned, spinning reels twisting the line or baitcasters backlashing most of what you read and hear is almost nonsense. Spinning reels do have an advantage over baitcasters when it comes to casting extremely light lures or being able to make decent casts when you don´t have enough room to swing the rod.

 

Snook and Fish Chris fish exclusively with spinning reels, one fishes the seas with them and the other, well, nobody here has caught as many 15+ lbs bass as he has. If both guys can do that why can´t you ?

 

Me ? I have both and when it comes to fishing from the bank there´s no better setup than a spinning setup.

[mjseverson24]

I only used spinning reels until about 3 years ago, I was very good at putting the bait right where I wanted it to go, or so I thought. I went fishing with a friend of mine and he had casting gear, watching him drop that bait consistently closer to the same targets I was casting to is what spurred my interest in them, actually experiencing the difference is why I have not bought a spinning reel in three+ years and have purchased over 30 casting reels in that time... I agree with DVT they both have a time and a place, both have strengths and weaknesses. to think that one style is the be all end all, is just silly... I would not be as effective on the water if I only fished one or the other...

 

Mitch

[bflp3]

I enjoy baitcasters much more, and I feel I can cast further and more accurately with them.

Baitcasting when I can, spinning when I must. If I could efficiently use a baitcaster for everything, I wouldn't own a spinning reel.

But I can't, so spinning is pretty much relegated to light lures, dock skipping, and some deep vertical presentations.

I feel it comes down to using what you enjoy, and using the right tool for the job.

[hatrix]

I was not trying to say you don't need a spinning reel. I use them frequently but it is only for a coupe of techniques. I think once someone becomes fairly proficient with casting gear it will become your main tool and spinning will be second.

[frogflogger]

I'm primarily a bait caster but one of the very top sticks in the tournament scene in the everglades uses spinning tackle with braid to fish the flats and weigh in 25# bags with disturbing regularity.

[Dyerbassman]

I figured this topic would be coming up....it's only been a month or so since the LAST time! I only use spinning gear, have no problems hitting my targets or catching fish. I had a baitcaster and just didn't prefer it. And I don't see any need to get another one. It's just my preference, though.

[0119]

I prefer to work most lures with a casting reel but recently a reoccurring hand injury forced me to start using spinning exclusively. I learned I was missing something. fighting a fish on spinning gear is much more fluid and ergonomic. I was able to horse a fish with better control. The bigger drag washers make for a smoother drag. Comfort level is increased by not palming the reel and having to move my reel hand to the grip or foregrip to better fight big fish. My catch rate has sky rocketed because I have a bigger range of lures I can use with the one outfit I take on most trips. I'm not loosing as many fish because the spinning outfit for me controls fish better. I have noticed zero difference in accuracy. A spinners spool can be feathered with a finger just as a caster can thumb a spool. Enjoy what you've got, ignore posers.

[Alpha Male]

I have 5 casting and 7 spinning setups. I use both for everything. 1 of each for cranking, 1 BC and 2 spinning (one weightless and one 1/16th weighted hooks) for plastics, 1 BC for topwater/jerkbaits, 1 BC for flippin, 1 BC for jigs. I use 1 Spinning for spinnerbaits, 1 for dropshot/shakeyhead, 1 for walleye, and one for crappie.

 

I havent noticed any accuracy difference but then I dont switch every other cast. I feel comfortable using both for anything. Though you should take some advice here and try and learn casting gear, though you wont have any less success or fun if you choose to stick with just spinning gear.

 

Good luck!

[George DeHaven]

Many GREAT responses! Thank you all so much for taking time out of your day to answer or provide feedback!

 

I haven't been fishing (seriously) for more than a year yet but I have put in a lot of time and have become very proficient with spinning gear. I definitely want to learn how to use a baitcaster. I'm fascinated by the technology and I enjoy a challenge.

 

I have 6 rods now, my last 2 being baitcasters.

 

For Christmas, I picked up a 7' Fenwick Silverhawk with a Daiwa Exceler reel. $100 rod, $100 reel for $100 total on sale from Cabelas!

 

Last week, I picked up a 7'4" KVD Tour MH Crankin' rod with a Pinnacle Producer reel. Got that for $100 on Craigslist!

 

I seem to have the KVD rod dialed in and I was casting a moderately heavy crank bait about 30 yards or so. The Fenwick/Daiwa combo is the same but it's a bit more finicky and needs some more tuning.

 

I am glad to hear how many of you feel that it doesn't really matter. I have an Abu Garcia Vendetta rod with an Abu Garcia Cardinal SX spinning reel that I love and now I can feel OK about picking up another at some point.

[SirSnookalot]

I prefer to work most lures with a casting reel but recently a reoccurring hand injury forced me to start using spinning exclusively. I learned I was missing something. fighting a fish on spinning gear is much more fluid and ergonomic. I was able to horse a fish with better control. The bigger drag washers make for a smoother drag. Comfort level is increased by not palming the reel and having to move my reel hand to the grip or foregrip to better fight big fish. My catch rate has sky rocketed because I have a bigger range of lures I can use with the one outfit I take on most trips. I'm not loosing as many fish because the spinning outfit for me controls fish better. I have noticed zero difference in accuracy. A spinners spool can be feathered with a finger just as a caster can thumb a spool. Enjoy what you've got, ignore posers.

I could not have said this better and could not agree more.  

 

One thing I have not noticed in these posts is changing hands after the cast.  Most right handed people cast with their right arm then switch the rod to their left hand.  My left arm is not near as strong or agile as my right, I'd much prefer to fight a large fish with my stronger arm on the rod, the hand that cranks the reel does not have to be strong.  With spinning tackle I hold the rod on the foregrip with my stronger arm, as I've said many times I wouldn't own a rod without a foregrip, my hand is in perfect hook setting position and I've got a bit more leverage when fighting a fish too.  My freshwater spinning reels have never needed service (maybe because I use Pflueger) or yearly maintenance.  I don't worry about setting brakes or tension, my casting distance is always optimum.

For the very few times a b/c may have advantage are in water conditions or using very heavy lures that have little interest for me.  I will go out of my way to fish open water, I want to fight the fish and not have a tug of war with plant.

Spinning wins for me100% of the time.