Why Is Spinning Gear "funner"?

[Master Bait'r]

Exactly! I rather catch a fish on spinning gear. It's more enjoyable. But on a BC it's just dragging a fish in.

 

 

I agree, but that heavy gear has it's purpose too.  I love my spinning gear and don't go out without it but it could never set a hook with a frog- which I also love.  I would even venture to say that frogs are even funner than spinning!  

 

There's nothing I'd rather catch a fish on than a frog.    

[new2BC4bass]

Hey guys! I was just wondering why it seems funner to catch fish on spinning gear. It kinda makes it seem like they actually can put up a fight. Regardless of size. The only fish I've caught on my BC that put up a decent fight was a walleye. But it seems like we just drag fish in using BC. Maybe its just me wanting a fight. I might have Salmon fever. Lol.

 

I'm not going to read through the replies, but simply say this.....if you want more fun from a baitcast combo/ don't use a Heavy rod with the drag locked down! 

 

Try a Medium or Medium Light power rod spooled with 8# or even 6# mono or Fluorocarbon.

[Jdm219]

I'm not going to read through the replies, but simply say this.....if you want more fun from a baitcast combo/ don't use a Heavy rod with the drag locked down!

Try a Medium or Medium Light power rod spooled with 8# or even 6# mono or Fluorocarbon.

If I use mono it's 8# on a medium.

[SirSnookalot]

One thing that has not been mentioned is the construction of a saltwater spinning rod (conventional rod too) compared to freshwater models is a foregrip.  That foregrip is a valuable aid in fighting larger fish, IMO it allows much better leverage.  I use inshore spinning rods for bass fishing, with my hand on the foregrip I have so much more leverage setting the hook with a frog or any other lure.  I have virtually no fatigue or soreness in my wrist due to the foregrip.  Spinning allows me not to have to change hands and my rod is always in my strength arm, I'm able to set the hook quicker and harder.  I have read dozens of opinions about b/c, I've yet to read one compelling enough to buy one.  With no doubt in my mind for the act of casting a receiving of sub 50# fish spinning is not only funner, it's the superior tool.  I give the nod to spinning over fly for only 1 reason, that's pulling a fish out heavy cover, spinning does it easily.

[lmbfisherman]

I just like to catch fish. Never noticed the rod.

This...

[lmbfisherman]

I will add though, I definitely like fishing a BC better than a spinning rod. 

[roadwarrior]

I like both, but have a strong preference for one over the other for specific applications. 

 

Power:  Baitcasting

 

Finesse:  Spinning

 

Also, I prefer baitcasters for all "moving" baits.

[Capt.Bob]

Like has been said, it is all in the format. Try a med  fast rod with a Lew's Team Pro super tuned at sub 6oz reel weight, rigged with 20# 832 and a 12 or 15# leader throwing carolina rigged floating jigs and dragging 5 to 10 lbs Walleye out of a the largest tributary to all the Great Lakes in spring thaw flooded conditions, in boulder ridden whitewater, in April if you think fighting fish on a baitcaster isn't fun. It isn't, it's a ball, you will learn to use your rod, and not very rewarding if you try horsing them in!!! Now that is fun!

 

Then on the other hand if you think spinning riggs are to light to set a hook, try using a Heavy action 6 1/2' rod  with a Stradic 4000 on it and 50 lbs. 832 in rock and wood riddles rivers fighting 30 lbs Chinook Salmon in fast running river, this aint wimpy but sure aint any heavier rigg than my MH Avid with my Lew's Super Duty on it and 50# line. Talk about fun

 

Like other extremes, most use heavy for what they do, but I try and set up light for any situation, give the fish a fighting chance, and have to make no mistakes or he wins the round. I personally have a ball using both, and can make scenarios where either one is boring or either one is a ball!!!! It's all in what where and how you use them. One thing is for sure, anytime you use the lightest possible equipment,  both types of equipment are  "FUNNER"!  

[Raul]

I think you mean "more gooder" you're welcome

 

It depends, more gooder is above gooder so it´s a matter of quantity.

[21farms]

i fish with a baitcaster 90% of the time but i do agree with the OP's premise that spinning gear is funner sometimes. for me, the pleasure of using spinning gear is that it balances so naturally...on a baitcaster, the reel always wants to torque downward due to gravity so you're constantly fighting that, albeit unconsciously. secondly—and probably the bigger fun factor—is the how the drag on a spinning reel "sings"...you know what i mean: the drag makes that glorious "zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!" screaming sound whenever a big 'un makes a run. funner!

[dam0007]

I cant hear the drag buzz on my BC reels but when my stradic starts zinging I get excited. All my days of salt fishing for Blues and Stripers with 6000 series reels brought me to admire the sound of drag peeling. With that said I can relate. lol

[new2BC4bass]

If I use mono it's 8# on a medium.

Yup.  Me too.  6# on any rod power below Medium.  Will have to give 4# a shot on one of my reels. 

[bigbill]

I play the fish more and enjoy the fight with either setup.

Having a 4 to 5+ bass or a 29" to 32" picketed with spinning gear isn't an easy catch. The fight is up to the fish not us.

I had a 6lb large mouth gal give me more fight than any bass I ever caught. I wasn't in control she was. She gave my lure a tour of the open water at will. She was feisty and full of energy. It's the only time I ever heard my drag sing so much.

[Jdm219]

I play the fish more and enjoy the fight with either setup.

Having a 4 to 5+ bass or a 29" to 32" picketed with spinning gear isn't an easy catch. The fight is up to the fish not us.

I had a 6lb large mouth gal give me more fight than any bass I ever caught. I wasn't in control she was. She gave my lure a tour of the open water at will. She was feisty and full of energy. It's the only time I ever heard my drag sing so much.

Maybe the fish here are just too lazy to fight. Haha. Only fish that really fight are salmon and an occasional bass. But the rest just kinda accept it and won't run. Even with loose drag.

[Tywithay]

Maybe the fish here are just too lazy to fight. Haha. Only fish that really fight are salmon and an occasional bass. But the rest just kinda accept it and won't run. Even with loose drag.

You need to hook a big KS wiper. I've had strikes that took me to my knees and multiple 30-40 yard runs even with heavy baitcasting gear. I caught a 20.04lb and it took me over 20 minutes to get it in the boat using a medium crankbait rod with 12lb line. Bass just don't have that much fight in them, comparatively.

[WdyCrankbait]

I love setting the hook on a spinning reel and hear the drag peal out a little.  Just something about that, you dont have to yell to your buddy to get the net, just hear the drag and just know.

[Darren.]

I love setting the hook on a spinning reel and hear the drag peal out a little.  Just something about that, you dont have to yell to your buddy to get the net, just hear the drag and just know.

 

I'll admit, the singing drag is a nice thing with spinning reels. But if I had to make the choice, life-or-death, between the two as to which I'd rather fight a fish on...as of right now (reserve right to change my mind later, LOL) it would be my Chronarch 50e.

 

It is still pretty cool when a bass rips drag off my casting reel. Not as cool sounding, but still cool. And it's easier to adjust casting drag (for me) while fighting a fish, should it be necessary.

[Tywithay]

If you like hearing the drag sing, but prefer casting, you just need a reel with a clicking drag. They're fun to play with too.

[jignfule]

it isn't

[LMB KING]

Baitcaster = power

 

Spinning = versatility

[new2BC4bass]

I will add though, I definitely like fishing a BC better than a spinning rod. 

 

X2.  I have purchased 6 new-2-me spinning reels since I got back into fishing in '09.  Although I have mounted them on rods and made a few casts only 2 have actually been used to fish.  I much prefer my baitcast reels and have 4 set up for lighter lures (from 1/4 down).  My b/c gear is what keeps me fishing.

[ToledoEF]

When I am throwing 3/4oz + punch rigs in milfoil and nastyness, I want my broom stick and not my ds rod. when I am in open water I will take my ML rod and have fun with light line.

[down4ttown]

I like catching fish...period. Casting is better to me because I have better gear which in turn makes it more fun to me. 

[BASSclary]

I just read through this thread and me being an auto tech thought more of the mechanical side of why spinning gear may be more "funner"

 

Like others have suggested, spinning gear is usually lighter powered equipment, which does make it "funner"

 

But I see it this way, with a baitcaster, you have lets say average 8 lbs of drag. With a spinning reel I find the average is generally a little higher, tic for tac. So, with rods being equal, the spinning reel would be the better winch, but it doesnt feel like it. Because with a baitcaster, the direction you turn the handle is the same direction the spool spins, albeit a different ratio, but they are both going the same way, slightly offset, but the axis are the same direction. This provides less resistance and gives you the feeling of more tourque. But on a spinning reel, the axis of the way the handle spins and the axis of the way the spool spins are at a right angle, thus creating more resistance and a feeling of lack of tourque, making it feel like a harder fight of the fish.

 

Just my sorta scientific mechanically inclined opinion. Sorry if I lost some of you haha.

[SirSnookalot]

I just read through this thread and me being an auto tech thought more of the mechanical side of why spinning gear may be more "funner"

 

Like others have suggested, spinning gear is usually lighter powered equipment, which does make it "funner"

 

But I see it this way, with a baitcaster, you have lets say average 8 lbs of drag. With a spinning reel I find the average is generally a little higher, tic for tac. So, with rods being equal, the spinning reel would be the better winch, but it doesnt feel like it. Because with a baitcaster, the direction you turn the handle is the same direction the spool spins, albeit a different ratio, but they are both going the same way, slightly offset, but the axis are the same direction. This provides less resistance and gives you the feeling of more tourque. But on a spinning reel, the axis of the way the handle spins and the axis of the way the spool spins are at a right angle, thus creating more resistance and a feeling of lack of tourque, making it feel like a harder fight of the fish.

 

Just my sorta scientific mechanically inclined opinion. Sorry if I lost some of you haha.

 

Did I interpret this correctly?  The drag on your spinning real averages heavier than 8#, what size reel and line would you be using?  I don't think a spinning reel winches, the line is wrapped around the spool.  I'm not much of technical kind of guy, I just reel the fish in.