Can you fish a crankbait with a spinning reel?

[JackW8]

I really want to get into bass fishing, I am experienced with other types of fishing but I have never intentionally caught a bass. I was wondering if you could fish a crankbait and other bass lures using a spinning reel or do I need to get a casting one? Also do you guys have any recommendations for a good spinning reel?

[EricTheAngler]

Sure you can! Baitcasters are just easier to crank. A good spinning reel would be a pluflger president 30 series.

[lecisnith]

Most people say that you can use nearly any lure with a spinning rig that you do with a baitcasting one.  Some are just better suited to one or another.  I've fished everything from weightless Texas rigs to hollow-bodied frogs to Zara spooks with spinning rigs.  I don't anymore, but that doesn't mean you can't do it.  And I second the President.  Great reel, not terribly expensive. 

[Darren.]

Yes. Yes you can.

There are a lot of great spinning reels out there
that work great with cranks or anything else you
throwl For me, Shimano gets my vote -- either a
1000 or 2500 size reel will suit you just fine.

My experience.

[everythingthatswims]

14 minutes ago, Darren. said:

Yes. Yes you can.

There are a lot of great spinning reels out there
that work great with cranks or anything else you
throwl For me, Shimano gets my vote -- either a
1000 or 2500 size reel will suit you just fine.

My experience.

 

[E. Guido Soda]

22 minutes ago, Darren. said:

Yes. Yes you can.

There are a lot of great spinning reels out there
that work great with cranks or anything else you
throwl For me, Shimano gets my vote -- either a
1000 or 2500 size reel will suit you just fine.

My experience.

I used to fish spinning reels with crankbaits and swimbaits, but  I don't use them anymore unless I need to throw something weighing less than 1/4 oz.  My $.02 on Shimano: the Symetre 2500 is a good reel.  The Saharas are junk.

[GodfatherOfSeoul]

I fished every application for bass on spinning gear when I first started out for about a year and a half. I slowly introduced baitcasting gear and had trouble with the transition and even swore to never use it again. But I again slowed into baitcasting gear and today I've phased most of my spinning gear out.

 

My opinion is yes you can but it's easier on baitcasting gear. Truthfully, with a bait that you are going to be throwing a lot to search for active bass, spinning is fun but at the end of the day,  your finger will be worn out from all the casting. You just can't bypass that hurt you get after 100 of cast when you have to hold the line to open the bail to cast. Just slinging that gear as far and as accurate as you can will have your index finger worn instead of your thumb from holding all your fish

[ww2farmer]

Yes, but it sucks. Unless they cranks are small and light, I will choose casting gear every time. 

[Missourifishin]

I used to fish cranks and various other kinds of bass lures with spinning gear. I had no problems with it at all. I wouldn't want to go back though, now that I've been using baitcasters for a while.

[Bluebasser86]

I have a spinning setup just for fishing light cranks like the SK 1.0 and #5 shad raps. 

[blckshirt98]

You sure can, I actually prefer to use spinning gear with lighter crankbaits (Strike King KVD 2.5-ish is largest I'll go on a spinning reel, but the 1.0 and 1.5 size cranks are fantastic on spinning gear) but once you get to the heavier stuff I like using casting gear since there's no bail to flip over by accident and send everything flying.

[Fishes in trees]

The short answer is yes.  I have a few different rig set up to throw cranks in different circumstances.

[Sam]

Two parts to my answer for your consideration:

Cranking success is in the rod as you need a rod that can cast your bait, set the hook and fight the fish.

A "crankbait specific rod" is your best choice. Start with the Bass Pro Shops Cranking Stick information as a base and you can't go wrong.

You will find that the rod manufacturers like to use a baitcaster set up for crankbaits so check out other "crankbait specific rods" at the Forum's sponsors web sites or give them a call. They will be happy to discuss why you need a "crankbait specific rod" for crankbaits. Use the "crankbait specific baitcaster rods' information to base your selection of a baitcaster or spinning rod for your crankbait presentations.

As for the reel, a baitcaster reel of your choice, as long as it is either Daiwa, Lews or Shimano. Some like the slow 5:1 while others like the faster 7:1 gear ratios. Your personal choice.

The second option is a spinning set up. As long as your spinning rod has the characteristics of the baitcaster "crankbait specific" features you should not have any problems. A 7-foot, medium heavy spinning rod may be best for you. You can cast, set the hook and fight the fish with a 7-foot medium heavy spinning rod.

As for the spinning reel it depends on the reel size you find is more comfortable to you. I like a 2500 reel size while others go with the 2000. When selecting your combo in a store don't be bashful - put the reel on the rod and see how it feels. Do this for both baitcasters and spinning rigs. Remember the number is the size of the spool. Higher the number the more line it can hold.

I use spinning rigs for Shad Raps. Works fine. It is a 7-foot medium heavy, fast action tip. I no only use it for Shad Raps but I have used it for other crankbait presentations. No problems.

Just make sure your reel's line test limitations balances with the rod's line test parameters stamped on the rod. Also check out the bait size to make sure the rod can handle your favorite crankbaits.

Let us know what you select and who helped you make the selection.

Good luck.

[Bankbeater]

I fish small cranks up to 5/16 on spinning tackle all of the time.  For larger, heavier crankbaits I use a baitcaster.

[bigfruits]

you can fish anything on a spinning reel that you can with a baitcaster. small cranks will fish easier than larger ones on spinning. 

id recommend you learn the different lures and catch a few LMB on spinning gear and if you decide to get a more ideal moving bait rod, buy a MH baitcaster and use your spinning for light bottom contact, jerkbaits and poppers.

id recommend the best 2500 size Shimano you afford up to the Ci4+.

 

[deep]

What kinda crankbaits?

[faygo1979]

Yes,  walleye fishermen up here and Pike fishermen in Europe use mostly spinning rods from my experience with out any issues for cranks.

[Jrob78]

You can but I can't imagine why you would want to.  The only exception is really small, light weight crankbaits that don't cast well on regular casting gear.

[the reel ess]

I do fish smaller cranks, like a Shad Rap or the smaller size Trap, on a medium spinning combo. But I prefer a BC combo for real cranking. My left hand is just too uncoordinated for it.

[Raul]

Of course you can fish cranks with spinning gear, that is unless it´s some sort of mortal sin punishable by spending an eternity in hell.

[WIGuide]

Yep you absolutely can! When I started out I threw everything on spinning rods. I was the one to get my dad into baitcasters eventually, but he's still more spinning dominant and it works for him. 

13 hours ago, GodfatherOfSeoul said:

your finger will be worn out from all the casting. You just can't bypass that hurt you get after 100 of cast when you have to hold the line to open the bail to cast. Just slinging that gear as far and as accurate as you can will have your index finger worn instead of your thumb from holding all your fish

If your finger hurts at the end of the day...you're doing it wrong :/

[drew4779]

Yes

[RAMBLER]

Of course.  In my eclectic collection of tackle I have spinning reels, and matching rods, in sizes 200, 300, 400 and 500.  I can cast crank baits in any size from 1/8 oz to strike King number 8's.  I have the 500 on a 7' MH with 50 lb braid.  I can flip and pitch with it.

I can also cast a weightless t-rig trick worm with a bait caster.

There has never been a fishing reel warden arrest me yet.

[MIbassyaker]

I have been catching bass and other fish with crankbaits -shallow, deep, light, heavy, whatever --with spinning gear since I was a kid, with no obvious problems.

In fact, I have never fished with a baitcaster, although I did buy my first three this winter. I've been messing around with them in ponds pre-freeze, and practice casting & pitching into the snow in the back yard post-freeze. One of the rods is a cranking rod, which I'm going to try to convert most of my cranking duties to.

Maybe once I get back on the water this spring, I will "see the light" and decide everything other than "finesse" should always be thrown on a baitcaster. Maybe. Maybe not. We'll see.

But suffice to say, If I've been doing it wrong all my life, the gods have not yet seen fit to let me know.

[GodfatherOfSeoul]

12 hours ago, WIGuide said:

Yep you absolutely can! When I started out I threw everything on spinning rods. I was the one to get my dad into baitcasters eventually, but he's still more spinning dominant and it works for him. 

If your finger hurts at the end of the day...you're doing it wrong :/

Not sure if you wanted to single my comment out in front of everyone to say I'm fishing wrong makes you feel bigger and better but if you have truly fished every application in spinning first, you understand that when you pin the line against the rod and make cast constantly all day. The friction will eventually wear down on your index finger. Friction from line, which is sharp, whether it's mono, braid or whatever you use. Especially when you are bombing heavier baits or baits that you want to dive a little deeper, it happens. 

 I'd really check myself before telling someone they are wrong or at least send a pm to ask me to go into further detail. But just flat out saying I'm wrong on a public forum when I'm genuinely answering from the perspective that they asked for is uncalled for. I dont mind someone saying they disagree with my perspective. Im fine with that. The philosophy that you have to fish may not be mine.  But understand, I'm  not wrong and that quote you sent isnt respect