New Article: Spinning Vs. Baitcasting

[J Francho]

I generally prefer casting gear, but I don't feel I lack control when spinning. My left hand cups the spool on the cast, and can control what comes off the spool.

I'm doing it in the first 15 seconds here. Same effect as thumbing the spool.

[Catt]

In the hands of an experienced angler both are effective tools for every technique known!

It is 100% personal preference

[Choporoz]

My personal preference was spinning gear for many years.  I now split my time.  I will say, however, there are two techniques for which havving learned to use a baitcaster was serious game changer.  Maybe because of the specific spinning equipment that I had.  But since I committed to getting good with a baitcaster, frogging and jigging are 100% more effective with my baitcasting gear.  Not saying they can't be done with spinning gear.....just that I couldn't flip or punch a 3/4 oz jig, nor set the hook with a frog before I picked up a baitcasting rod and reel.

[buzzed bait]

all preference to me...

 

i prefer skipping and lighter lures be on the spinning gear, otherwise i usually lean toward baitcaster. i think i have 5 casting rods and 2 spinning rods and use them in about that ratio

[masterbass]

I started with spinning gear, but started using bc gear a few years ago.  The one thing I can say is I've spent a ton of money since taking up the bc.  I could've saved a few thousand bucks!  I use spinning gear for drop shots and live baits.  Other than that it's all bc gear for me.  The past few days I've been bank fishing a creek that runs into the Ohio river.  When we get lots of rain the creek gets high enough for smallies, sauger and walleye to run up in to chase the bait.  It's one of my favorite types of fishing because I tie on an 1/8oz jighead and a 3" grub and I literally don't need another thing with me.  I use my cr721 imx and 51e with avail shallow spool.  It gives me the control to make pin point casts and pitches in tight quarters.  I just cast, pitch and reel over and over again.  I used to use spinning gear for this, but this feels so much more efficient and controlled.

[Cgrinder]

Sheesh. There's some questionable stuff in this thread. However, I think I can get close to 75 yards with a compact 3/4 oz lipless and a tailwind. I was hitting the backing on my Conquest while casting a Gunfish last week but I don't think there's more than 60-65 yards of braid on there. Might be time to go get thrown off the high school football field.

[fish devil]

Why do you think casting gear is more effective then spinning in these applications?

Speed buddy, speed.  Burning lipless cranks is an important tactic up North. Covering tons of water is critical and the BC just does a way better job in doing that.

 

By the way I used spinning gear about 90% of the time this past weekend during my club tourney.

[J Francho]

A 2500 spinning reel with a paltry 6:1 ratio can take up more line than most 7:1 or faster baitcasters. The "covering more water" is not valid.

[Shanes7614]

Too many guys are stuck on the ratio ratings of each reel. However not many actually pay attention to the rate of inches per handle turn. Like Francho said. A 6:1 spinning reel can have a greater inch per turn than a 7:1 BC reel. Hence its faster then the BC reel. As far as flipping and pitching and such. Maybe think outside the box and use a rod that isn't JUST designed for freshwater ratings. A buddy of mine uses a tsunami airwave in 7'6" heavy action with a 3500 series reel and can pitch and flip with the best of them. Again, it's personal preference. And controlling a cast with a spinning reel is as simple as Francho stated before with lightly fingering the line as it comes off the spool. I think one of the biggest problems guys find problem with is the price comparison to a BC reel that will keep most beginners from back lashing all day is double the price of a quality spinning reel. Somenguysbjust can't afford to spend hundreds or even thousands on gear they may not use more then 5-6 times a year. But to limit and stand behind " you can only throw this kind of bait on a certain reel is asinine.

[fish devil]

A 2500 spinning reel with a paltry 6:1 ratio can take up more line than most 7:1 or faster baitcasters. The "covering more water" is not valid.

Way to add fuel to the fire!!!!!  OK guys go ahead a use your spinning gear. I'll stick with my stupid baitcaster.  

[Shanes7614]

Way to add fuel to the fire!!!!! OK guys go ahead a use your spinning gear. I'll stick with my stupid baitcaster.

Guess you didn't read that bait casting consists of 90% of my reel usage. Lol.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

I can do anything with a spinning reel ultra light to heavy.i cant say that about BC i dont compete with myself about what im using just fish. i can fish both with perfection the only thing i can say about this is i like fishing weightless no resistant lures on a spinning outfit..not because of the casting part its the way it feels when im reelin in or letting it sit

[SirSnookalot]

There is no debate which is better, it's only preference.  I may or may not be able to do everything with spinning but I can do everything I want to do with one.

[thomas15]

Collect em' all!

 

It took quite a bit of effort on my part to get proficient at a bait casting set up but at this point I use it more than half the time. Glad I have both to choose from.

[kayakamania]

I usually fish 5" thin and 3"thin Senko type baits texas rigged with a very light weight here in NJ. A casting outfit doesn't handle that very well. I did have one casting outfit for many years that I always brought with me until it went overboard. It was a Shimano speedmaster reel on a Shimano Speedmaster 5'6" fighting rod that I used for jigs and spinnerbaits. They don't make either one of those anymore or I might replace it. I always had much more accuracy with spinning tackle though and decided to just stay with it.

[Further North]

This is very much a a "horses for courses" and preference issue.

 

I use casting rigs for some things, spinning rigs for others...and fly rods for things neither can do.

 

I always wind up feeling like people who limit themselves to one method or another are not getting all they can out of things...but if they are happy, I am happy.

[fadetoblack21]

I grew up on spinning gear and learned how to cast accurately and minimize splash when the bait landed. I could pitch pretty darn well too. Two years ago I picked up two pro qualifier baitcasters and forced myself to learn how to use them. My accuracy is not as good with the baitcasters yet, but I can get a longer cast when needed and am slowly building my confidence in them. For me, baitcasters feel better in the hand. When I load the boat now, I pack  two spinning rigs and four baitcasters. If its windy, I'll fish more with the spinning rigs. When i need my 60lb braid for fishing the heavy cover I am set with one of my baitcasters. I switch gear based on the conditions, but I find myself using my baitcasting rigs more than spinning these days. 

 

Each one is a tool. The spinning v. baitcasting war has been waging on forever. Fishing is not about what gear you use, its about how effective your are with that gear. A baitcaster will not make you a better fisherman and a spinning reel will not hinder your ability. I have a fishing buddy that brings one $30 bill dance spinning rig with him, lays it right next to my 6 rigs that cost a fortune. You know what, he catches fish just fine with that single rig, often when I'm getting skunked. 

[BocaGrande]

Started on spinning. Watched bassresource how to videos. Got me a baitcaster. Fell in love. Still use skinning but very rarely. 2 spinning outfits (1bass & 1panfish) and 6 casting outfits (crankin, jig, jerk, plastics, topwater, spinnerbait)

[Violinguy]

Like many here, I also grew up with spinning equipment.   I used exclusively spinning for years, all the way into my 30s, then bought a couple of casting outfits for a big trip I took.  It was trial and error to learn them, but now I use both.  Spinning is still my default, mostly because I fish almost exclusively from shore and there just isn't room for my big casting rigs.  Also, I do a lot of finesse fishing with weightless senkos and lightly weighted tubes and such which just don't work as well with a casting setup.

 

This debate really doesn't seem like something that should have the venom that it does.  Casting rigs don't catch more fish than spinning.  Spinning rigs don't catch more fish than casting.  If you like one or the other, great.  Anyone who would look down on another angler because of his equipment isn't worth arguing with anyhow.  We're all out there to catch fish.  Save the histrionics for poachers and jet skiers.