Better Reel For Light-Weight Lures? Baitcast Or Spinning?

[BigmouthForever23]

I grew up fishing with my dad and he always used spincast reels, he's old school. I consider him a pretty good fisherman with a lot of knowledge but he never took the time to learn how to use a baitcast reel and neither did I. Well, I finally switched over to baitcast this year and I'm so glad I did. It took some practice but now I cast with a baitcaster no problem.

 

However, I'm having some difficulties casting with light lures like a worm. Even if I rig it w/a decent size bullet weight texas-style, I still have trouble getting any distance on my casts without getting the line tangled. I've tried multiple reels, although they're all Lews since I can get a discount on their products because a friend of mine reps for them. But I've tried messing w/the brakes and spool tension knob w/no success. My question is do I have to switch to spinning for my worm rod? Are baitcasters more for heavy lures like crankbaits, spooks, spinnerbaits, etc.? I mean, I just learned how to use a spinning reel this year as well. My dad left me a classic one he had since he was a kid but never used. I use it on my crappie rod. Much easier to learn so that's not a problem but I'd prefer baitcast.

 

What do you guys think?

[F14A-B]

What weight are you throwing? This is important to know....

[Raul]

You saying " I´m csting with a baitcaster " says nothing other than that.

 

Line type ?

Line test/ diameter ?

Rod power rating ?

Lure weight ?

Reel model and size ?

 

So back to the original question in the title: I fish with spinning and baitcaster.

[BigmouthForever23]

Sorry for the vague post. I've used a Lews BB1 and Lews Speed Spool Tournament spooled with 14lb Trilene mono, medium heavy/fast action rod. The lure weight is a 12 inch worm with a 3/16 oz bullet weight. I've tried multiple size weights with no success.

[Raul]

So, how far you want to cast that worm ? or how far you consider to be a "good" distance. ?

 

The line diam/test, the reel, the rod power and the weight of the sinker are not only adequate but are actually better to cast that weight without any problem a god 30+ yards without any effort, the culprit are your reel settings ( tension knob too tight ) and the inherent terrible aerodynamic properties of the lure you are trying to cast. A 12" worm has the aerodynamic properties of a kite.

[BigmouthForever23]

I'm casting from shore so I'm trying to get it out a decent distance to get near the dropoff and past the weeds on the surface at a point I like to fish on a certain lake. I'd say 10 yards would be plenty far. I try to loosen the tension knob but when I do that the line gets tangled so I'm forced to tighten it which limits my casting distance. It's really frustrating. I have the setting for the magnetic/centrifugal brakes set very low too. Btw, the line on my worm rod is fluoro not mono if that makes a difference.

 

I mean, I love to fish topwater especially spooks and I use the BB1 on a medium-heavy rod with 14lb mono and that thing casts a mile!

[Raul]

Man, I´m amazed on how good I am to make a diagnose, I should be a doctor .... wait ! I am a doctor !  .

 

I have several news for you, some are good and some are bad:

 

good news is that the problem can be solved in the short term ---> change your line for one less thick.

 

That´s the good news

 

Now the bad news:

 

Bad news is that guess what ? you´ll have to keep on practicing settings and casting to educate that thumb and that is going to take a much longer time tan it takes you to spool new less thick line into your reel.

 

Those are the bad news.

 

But I have the final treat, there are even better news !

 

The better news are that if you keep on practicing in time you´ll become real good at casting once your thumb gets educated. What I can´t say is when such thing will happen  , I´m a doctor, not a fortune teller.

[Chris9999]

Most baitcasters ive seen have about a 3/8-1 ounce tolerance. Which is double what you have been throwing. If you want to throw lighter lures I would generally say go with a spinner, just because you dont have to worry about back lashing 

[jason41987]

id say avoid the spinner, i hate spinning reels with a passion, get a spincast for the light stuff, then you can use all the same rods you have now with baitcasters with the ability to cast the light stuff..

 

not to rant, but i catch much, much fewer fish on a spinner, why?.. far more difficult to be accurate with the way you use your finger to release the line, and the inabiltiy to stop the line where you want it.. with spinners my lure would land anywhere in a 20 degree direction of where i intend, with a baitcaster i can drop lures right between small open patches in the lily pads

 

my baitcaster can cast a total of about 2 feet on really light marabou jig, and thats if im lucky, so instead of getting all new rods to go with new reels just to cast light stuff, i just go with a decent spincast

 

also, your rod and line make a huge difference.. lures of 3/16 oz id use on a light power right with a 6-8lb test line

 

for my, my main setup is an abu garcia ambassadeur round baitcaster on a medium heavy rod, my limit is about 3/8oz, anything below that ill use a spincast on an extra light or light rod with a 4-6lb test

[Jrob78]

A 3/16oz weight with a 12" worm isn't light, even by baitcaster standards.   Keep practicing, you can also up your weight a little and maybe drop your line down to 10 or 12lb mono, although 14 shouldn't really be a problem.  Fluoro is more difficult to work with, especially for someone new to baitcasters.  Also, be realistic about how much distance you want to get.  A 12" worm isn't very aerodynamic.  

[jason41987]

btw, i regularly cast texas rigged worms with my baitcaster, however, all i ever catch with them is bass which dont get too big here so i dont really cast them anymore

[roadwarrior]

Power = Baitcasting gear

 

Finesse = Spinning tackle

[gripnrip]

Power = Baitcasting gear

 

Finesse = Spinning tackle

x2 with one exception.  The Chronarch Ci4 bait caster will launch finesse style baits a mile.  The only drawback would be the $279 retail price tag.  

[new2BC4bass]

What rod are you using?  Whenever I visit Florida, I am often casting a 10" weightless worm on a 3/0 to 5/0 hook using 40# braid.  The weight you are using when t-rigged is more than enough for excellent distance provided the weight is within the rod's rating.  Although some rods don't handle weights at the low end of their rating very well. 

 

Lews reels get a lot of love so I doubt that is the problem as long as it is set up properly for that weight.  My middle grandson took over my Lews TP shortly after I got it so my experience with a Lews is limited.

 

Are you using a roll cast?  I have gotten so that even my overhead casts are down with a slight roll.  It keeps the rod tip loaded which helps eliminate backlashes and overruns.

[John G]

 

 

What do you guys think?

Not saying this is your problem, but it's amazing how much affect dirty spool bearings can have have on your ability to cast lures, especially lighter ones.

[BigmouthForever23]

^^Thanks for all the advice everyone.

 

I don't think it's the spool as the reels are practically new.

 

I'm not sure what a roll cast is. I'm using a Cabela's XML MH.

 

Do you think switching from fluoro to mono would help? I chose fluoro because I read it's probably the best line use for worm fsihing.

[JeziHogg]

Either or will serve you for ANY weight or lure type. The big thing is if you can afford a proper BFS baitcaster.

[Tywithay]

id say avoid the spinner, i hate spinning reels with a passion, get a spincast for the light stuff, then you can use all the same rods you have now with baitcasters with the ability to cast the light stuff..

not to rant, but i catch much, much fewer fish on a spinner, why?.. far more difficult to be accurate with the way you use your finger to release the line, and the inabiltiy to stop the line where you want it.. with spinners my lure would land anywhere in a 20 degree direction of where i intend, with a baitcaster i can drop lures right between small open patches in the lily pads

my baitcaster can cast a total of about 2 feet on really light marabou jig, and thats if im lucky, so instead of getting all new rods to go with new reels just to cast light stuff, i just go with a decent spincast

also, your rod and line make a huge difference.. lures of 3/16 oz id use on a light power right with a 6-8lb test line

for my, my main setup is an abu garcia ambassadeur round baitcaster on a medium heavy rod, my limit is about 3/8oz, anything below that ill use a spincast on an extra light or light rod with a 4-6lb test

If you can't cast accurately with a spinning reel, it's not the reel. You can feather the line coming off the spool just like your thumb on a baitcaster. It's not difficult to place 10 casts within a few inches of eachother.

[LMB KING]

For light lures, spinning gear will be your best bet, Plus it casts lighter weight further.

[Jrob78]

If you're going to comment, at least read the op.

[Capt.Bob]

Sorry for the vague post. I've used a Lews BB1 and Lews Speed Spool Tournament spooled with 14lb Trilene mono, medium heavy/fast action rod. The lure weight is a 12 inch worm with a 3/16 oz bullet weight. I've tried multiple size weights with no success.

 

 

^^Thanks for all the advice everyone.

 

I don't think it's the spool as the reels are practically new.

 

I'm not sure what a roll cast is. I'm using a Cabela's XML MH.

 

Do you think switching from fluoro to mono would help? I chose fluoro because I read it's probably the best line use for worm fsihing.

Heavier weights should be no problem 3/8 to 1/2 oz. But don't think or expect to take any Baitcasting reel and use it like a pro if you are not used to casting one. The weight you state with a 3/16 oz and 14# line is not that difficult to get 20 30 yards with those reels. But under 3/8 oz on  a MH rod is not ideal, and 3/16 would be a real challenge for a beginner with a MF rod. I can't comment on the Tournament with stock lubed bearings or the line you are using, but mine with 30 lbs 832, and flushed bearings on a MF rod would easily cast 25 yards with a 5" finesse worm and a 1/8 oz weight.

[everythingthatswims]

Not saying it should be done, but I can comfortably cast a weightless trick worm 15-20 yards on my cheap abu garcia silver max reel spooled with 12lb mono. You just have to learn how to thumb the spool, when you cast a baitcaster, you should have to thumb the spool a little bit during the cast, it shouldn't just be a release and stop the line when it hits the water.  Loading the rod on the back swing before casting also helps a lot with a baitcaster.

[Raul]

^^Thanks for all the advice everyone.

 

I don't think it's the spool as the reels are practically new.

 

I'm not sure what a roll cast is. I'm using a Cabela's XML MH.

 

Do you think switching from fluoro to mono would help? I chose fluoro because I read it's probably the best line use for worm fsihing.

Fluoro being better than nylon for worm fishing is debatable, we can debate till hell freezes over. I fish most baits, most techniques, most of the time with nylon, been doing it since I began fishing more than 40 years ago. Fluoro does have some advantages but being soft, manageable and docile are not included in the package, the higher the test ( the thicker the line ) it gets worse. As for your reel bearings, being new doesn't mean that they will work nicely, most of the times the reels come over oiled and over greased which does hurt performances.

[The Fisher]

I can go down to a weightless 5" senko with no problem on a baitcast. Took some time to learn the right brake number and how to thumb the line but now no problem. Also let the lure/plastic hang about a foot off your rod before casting. This should give you some distance. Lighter than a weightless senko I use a spinning reel which I actually grew up on. If you put the line on correctly, it really minimizes line twist.

[Raul]

I don't know from where people have this idea that an unweighted 5" senko is "light". Any decent reel can cast a bait that weights around 3/8 oz on it's own or a 4" senko that weights around 1/4 oz. Of course there are variations in the weight GYCB senkos are slightly heavier than Yum Dingers but in practical terms both baits are quite heavy.