Baitcast For Still Water, Spinning For Rivers And Creeks?

[Josh Smith]

I grew up with the notion, likely from Dad (though I don't recall him saying so) that baitcasters tend to serve better in lakes and such while spinning serves better for lures in rivers and streams.

Growing up, I generally used my ultralight or, a little later, my fly rod (inherited from Grandpa) when wading.

I didn't get to go river fishing this year due to flooding, but in years past, as an adult, I never found a valid argument against baitcasters in moving water.

Thoughts?

Josh

[Steveo-1969]

I can't think of any reason why a baitcaster doesn't work as well in moving water as a spinning rod.  I fish a river every weekend and this year I've used a baitcasting rod the majority of the time.

[Snakehead Whisperer]

I fish primarily in a river. I use both.

 

I usually toss things like heavier jigs, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, c-rigs, and most larger plastics, etc. with the casting gear. I do a lot of finesse fishing so I also use a ML or M spinning rod a lot of the time. Usually I am casting something less than 1/4oz on the spinning gear, and usually it's lighter than that. Spinning rods are also good for smaller hard baits like tiny poppers, small floating minnows/jerkbaits, and the like.

 

You probably already know this, but I'll say it anyway. There's no such thing as a body of water with no current. Anything from small farm ponds on to large reservoirs have current. It may not be as obvious as it is in a free flowing river, but it's still moving.

I can't think of any reason why a baitcaster doesn't work as well in moving water as a spinning rod.  I fish a river every weekend and this year I've used a baitcasting rod the majority of the time.

Just fished Big Slackwater last week, up in your neck of the woods. Used both the casting and the spinning gear. I'm guessing that the river's totally blown out up there, at the moment.

[Steveo-1969]

Just fished Big Slackwater last week, up in your neck of the woods. Used both the casting and the spinning gear. I'm guessing that the river's totally blown out up there, at the moment.

 

How did you do?  I bank fish there occasionally near McMahon's Mill off the new bike path they built. That's also my 7-year old grandson's secret "blue-grill" spot.  Shhhhhhhh.....

 

The water level has come up a foot since I fished last Sunday and is going to be a mess by Monday.  I'm going to try to fish this weekend if the rain ever lets up, but it doesn't look good.

[Snakehead Whisperer]

How did you do?  I bank fish there occasionally near McMahon's Mill off the new bike path they built. That's also my 7-year old grandson's secret "blue-grill" spot.  Shhhhhhhh.....

 

The water level has come up a foot since I fished last Sunday and is going to be a mess by Monday.  I'm going to try to fish this weekend if the rain ever lets up, but it doesn't look good.

Caught 7 keeper size smallies, 1 keeper largemouth, and countless dinks/rock bass. Biggest fish was less than 3lbs. Most of the good fish were caught on the outside bends in 14-17fow on a drop shot worked on the bottom. Honestly I cruised right past the pathway and all of the rip-rap there, as everybody I saw at the launch said they had been casting toward the banks and caught nothing. I fished mostly in the area between the large rock bluffs at the end of the new path (Avis Mill, I believe; but might be McMahon's) and the mouth of the Opequon.

 

Good news is that the deeper water I was fishing was probably within a cast of the bank, but that was when the river was still low. Not sure what the current looks like up there during high water like we're having. It was pretty mild when I was there. 

 

Those bluegill up there sure are hungry... I've caught them on some pretty big bass lures. Lots of good colors on all of the sunfish in those parts. 

[new2BC4bass]

Could be your father was thinking along the lines of having enough room to use a baitcaster on rivers and streams.  Don't know about others, but I need more casting room with a baitcast if I want any distance at all.  Casting space can be at a premium at times.

[Steveo-1969]

Caught 7 keeper size smallies, 1 keeper largemouth, and countless dinks/rock bass. Biggest fish was less than 3lbs. Most of the good fish were caught on the outside bends in 14-17fow on a drop shot worked on the bottom. Honestly I cruised right past the pathway and all of the rip-rap there, as everybody I saw at the launch said they had been casting toward the banks and caught nothing. I fished mostly in the area between the large rock bluffs at the end of the new path (Avis Mill, I believe; but might be McMahon's) and the mouth of the Opequon.

 

Good news is that the deeper water I was fishing was probably within a cast of the bank, but that was when the river was still low. Not sure what the current looks like up there during high water like we're having. It was pretty mild when I was there. 

 

Those bluegill up there sure are hungry... I've caught them on some pretty big bass lures. Lots of good colors on all of the sunfish in those parts. 

 

Glad to hear you caught some fish. I've never had a lot of luck bank fishing the Big Slackwater but you've given me hope to keep trying!

 

To the OP: Sorry for the thread takeover! ;-)

[Josh Smith]

Steveo, not a problem. I generally like thread drift like this. I post a philosophy and others post their fishing philosphies etc. It's great discourse beyond the normal subject matter.

Josh