Spinning or Bait Caster?

[AustinHellickson]

I have already 1 main bait caster and a cheap $30 spinning combo 

 

What would you recommend to get if you were looking to get another combo? 

 

I mainly fish soft plastics and jigs, sometimes I fish crankbaits 

 

 

Ideas?

 

Budget is around $80 for reel and I have St Croix connections so name a few favourite rods of theirs

[MickD]

I fish spin outfits about 2:1 over casting.  Super flukes, 4" swim baits on bullet jigs, wacky, drop shot, small jerks and cranks, swim jigs.  Personal preference for the fairly open water that I spend most of my time on.  So I would go for spin.

 

Do you find yourself changing lures on your cast more than spin?  Or vice versa?  Go with what will minimize having to change.

[AustinHellickson]

18 minutes ago, MickD said:

I fish spin outfits about 2:1 over casting.  Super flukes, 4" swim baits on bullet jigs, wacky, drop shot, small jerks and cranks, swim jigs.  Personal preference for the fairly open water that I spend most of my time on.  So I would go for spin.

 

Do you find yourself changing lures on your cast more than spin?  Or vice versa?  Go with what will minimize having to change.

I'm mainly using lighter baits about 1/8-1/4. I change more on bait caster because that is what I mainly use as a bank fisherman. I am leaning towards the spinning outfit.... Recommendations for reel about $30-60?

19 minutes ago, MickD said:

I fish spin outfits about 2:1 over casting.  Super flukes, 4" swim baits on bullet jigs, wacky, drop shot, small jerks and cranks, swim jigs.  Personal preference for the fairly open water that I spend most of my time on.  So I would go for spin.

 

Do you find yourself changing lures on your cast more than spin?  Or vice versa?  Go with what will minimize having to change.

I'm mainly using lighter baits about 1/8-1/4 I am leaning towards the spinning outfit.... Recommendations for reel about $30-60?

[fishnkamp]

For a reel in the $30 to $60 range a Pflueger President spinning reel int he 6930 or 35 sizewill work really well. it will cast well, has a good drag and will be reliable for a long time.

As for a St Croix rod. This depends on your connection and what you can afford. If your budget allows it look at a St Croix Avid X 6'8" medium extra fast tipped rod. That is a very nice rod for many light texas rigs, Sencos. jigs etc.  You could easily fish a bait like a Reaction Innovation Skinny Dipper swimbait on a belly weighted swimbait hook. It will easily fish grubs, tubes etc.  

If the Avid X is too high look for the 6'8 MXF or 7'1" foot medium action Mojo Bass rods. They cost almost 1/2 as much.

[AustinHellickson]

9 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

For a reel in the $30 to $60 range a Pflueger President spinning reel int he 6930 or 35 sizewill work really well. it will cast well, has a good drag and will be reliable for a long time.

As for a St Croix rod. This depends on your connection and what you can afford. If your budget allows it look at a St Croix Avid X 6'8" medium extra fast tipped rod. That is a very nice rod for many light texas rigs, Sencos. jigs etc.  You could easily fish a bait like a Reaction Innovation Skinny Dipper swimbait on a belly weighted swimbait hook. It will easily fish grubs, tubes etc.  

If the Avid X is too high look for the 6'8 MXF or 7'1" foot medium action Mojo Bass rods. They cost almost 1/2 as much.

Thanks

[MickD]

20 hours ago, AustinHellickson said:

I'm mainly using lighter baits about 1/8-1/4. I change more on bait caster because that is what I mainly use as a bank fisherman. I am leaning towards the spinning outfit.... Recommendations for reel about $30-60?

I'm mainly using lighter baits about 1/8-1/4 I am leaning towards the spinning outfit.... Recommendations for reel about $30-60?

I think the Pflueger recommendation is good; I;ve heard  a lot of good things about them.  Also look for sales at the usual on-line sources and combos that have the stuff you're happy with.  Might luck out.

[N Florida Mike]

For lighter baits I'd definitely get spinning.I use spinning more,but my frog and swimbait outfits are casting and also have a worm combo that's casting.

I  fish spinning at least 75% of the time.Love my stradic !!

 

 

 

 

[new2BC4bass]

Based on your reel budget I am going to guess an Avid X is going to be over budget unless you have one heckofa St. Croix connection.  The Bass X 6'10" ML-XF looks like the St. Croix spinning rod you want.  I'm going by rod specs as I have never used a St. Croix rod.  Opinions are that they tend to fish a bit heavier than rated, but I have to assume you are already aware of that.

 

If you are willing to look an other rods, then take a gander at the Fenwick HMG.  I have a few in spinning and casting and think they are well worth the money.

 

The Pflueger Trion is said to be very nice for its price.  The Daiwa REVROS and RG are within your budget.  A few on here have commented that they are pretty good reels.  I have several Diawas, but they are all older models so I can't comment from experience on those two models.

[AustinHellickson]

1 hour ago, MickD said:

I think the Pflueger recommendation is good; I;ve heard  a lot of good things about them.  Also look for sales at the usual on-line sources and combos that have the stuff you're happy with.  Might luck out.

Thank you

10 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Based on your reel budget I am going to guess an Avid X is going to be over budget unless you have one heckofa St. Croix connection.  The Bass X 6'10" ML-XF looks like the St. Croix spinning rod you want.  I'm going by rod specs as I have never used a St. Croix rod.  Opinions are that they tend to fish a bit heavier than rated, but I have to assume you are already aware of that.

 

If you are willing to look an other rods, then take a gander at the Fenwick HMG.  I have a few in spinning and casting and think they are well worth the money.

 

The Pflueger Trion is said to be very nice for its price.  The Daiwa REVROS and RG are within your budget.  A few on here have commented that they are pretty good reels.  I have several Diawas, but they are all older models so I can't comment from experience on those two models.

I mainly stick with St Croix because my neighbor is a rep for them so I get nice rods for $40, I'd like to stick with a 2 piece about 1/16 or 1/8 minimum

 

 

Ideas?

[new2BC4bass]

Which models can you get for $40?  There are some 2-piece models in the Premier line that are rated down to 1/16 oz.  The 5'6", 6' and 6'6" Light-Fast are all 2-piece and rated for 1/16-5/16 oz.  There are also several 2-piece ML-F rods rated 1/8-1/2 oz.  Pick your poison.

[Darren.]

Spinning predominately for me. I've even sold all but
one of my formerly frequently used casting reels.

 

My sons use two of my old Accurists, and one uses my
Lexa.

 

Me, I use 4 Shimano Stradic 1000 spinning reels and one
Chronarch 50e setup.

[Jeff H]

25 minutes ago, AustinHellickson said:

Thank you

I mainly stick with St Croix because my neighbor is a rep for them so I get nice rods for $40, I'd like to stick with a 2 piece about 1/16 or 1/8 minimum

 

 

Ideas?

Why are you not asking your neighbor for his advice/opinion??

[AustinHellickson]

1 hour ago, Jeff H said:

Why are you not asking your neighbor for his advice/opinion??

On vacation right now

1 hour ago, Darren. said:

Spinning predominately for me. I've even sold all but
one of my formerly frequently used casting reels.

 

My sons use two of my old Accurists, and one uses my
Lexa.

 

Me, I use 4 Shimano Stradic 1000 spinning reels and one
Chronarch 50e setup.

Why spinning not bait caster in your opinion

1 hour ago, new2BC4bass said:

Which models can you get for $40?  There are some 2-piece models in the Premier line that are rated down to 1/16 oz.  The 5'6", 6' and 6'6" Light-Fast are all 2-piece and rated for 1/16-5/16 oz.  There are also several 2-piece ML-F rods rated 1/8-1/2 oz.  Pick your poison.

Anything listed around $140, I was thinking premier line to get, that's what I have for my bait caster

[Darren.]

1 minute ago, AustinHellickson said:

On vacation right now

Why spinning not bait caster in your opinion

 

Austin, in all honesty, it is a matter of what works

for me and what works well. Spinning works in almost
every situation where casting does not.

 

My Chronarch 50e is quite capable of light lure casting
as well as in wind...

 

But when it comes to skipping under docks, bridges, 
trees (quite frequent), it does not suffice. Spinning gear

is far more versatile, IMO.

 

You can't go wrong learning casting gear, but if you are
sufficient and catching fish with spinning gear, there is
no need to change what works....

 

All this is in my humble opinion  

[AustinHellickson]

19 minutes ago, Darren. said:

 

Austin, in all honesty, it is a matter of what works

for me and what works well. Spinning works in almost
every situation where casting does not.

 

My Chronarch 50e is quite capable of light lure casting
as well as in wind...

 

But when it comes to skipping under docks, bridges, 
trees (quite frequent), it does not suffice. Spinning gear

is far more versatile, IMO.

 

You can't go wrong learning casting gear, but if you are
sufficient and catching fish with spinning gear, there is
no need to change what works....

 

All this is in my humble opinion  

Thank you

[MassYak85]

I'll echo the Pflueger President in the 30 size for a spinning reel. I have 2 and both still function flawlessly 

[new2BC4bass]

I've spent a fair amount of money chasing after baitcast reels for casting light weights.  It didn't help that I couldn't afford a true finesse reel.  I did finally break down and buy a PXL Type R when TW was closing them out with a $200 savings.  Have since picked up a Pixy Airy Red that required repairing.  By the time you add the cost of the reel, repairs, upgrades and tuning, I have more in it than the new PXL.  

 

I much prefer a casting reel to a spinning reel, but am coming to realize that anything under 3/16 oz. is so much easier with a spinning rod....for me.  3/16 oz. is no problem.  I am still going to practice with 1/8 oz., but anything lighter will be seeing a spinning rod.

 

OP, I think it best you stick with a spinning rod for the weights you want to use unless...1) You absolutely love casting reels, 2) have some natural skill, and 3) are willing to put in a lot of time practicing.  I would also suggest spending a decent chunk of change getting a finesse reel capable of handling 1/16-1/8 oz.  Guys that have been at it a long time...such as Raul...can manage it with reels that most of us would never consider using for such light weights.  The rest of us need dedicated gear.

[Sittin there reelin em in]

On 12/28/2016 at 8:38 PM, Darren. said:

Austin, in all honesty, it is a matter of what works

for me and what works well. Spinning works in almost
every situation where casting does not.

 

My Chronarch 50e is quite capable of light lure casting
as well as in wind...

 

But when it comes to skipping under docks, bridges, 
trees (quite frequent), it does not suffice. Spinning gear

is far more versatile, IMO.

 

You can't go wrong learning casting gear, but if you are
sufficient and catching fish with spinning gear, there is
no need to change what works....

 

All this is in my humble opinion  

What kind of bait casting gear do you have? Mine works perfect in the wind and skipping under docks and with lighter bait. Well you did say " All this is in my humble opinion" I'm just curious.

[Darren.]

6 minutes ago, Sittin there reelin em in said:

What kind of bait casting gear do you have? Mine works perfect in the wind and skipping under docks and with lighter bait. Well you did say " All this is in my humble opinion" I'm just curious.

 

I use a Chronarch 50e 7.1:1 and actually have no

problems casting in the wind, even very light lures.

Skipping is a different animal altogether and requires

a rod that will load up properly for skipping with a BC.

 

I can skip with my ML and my MH casting rods, but I

simply prefer to use my spinning gear for it. Less to

think about, less coordination of thumb and such for

skipping.

 

Nothing against casting gear. Been there, done that 

and found I prefer spinning after spending hundreds

on reels and rods. My sons are all about it, think 

casting is the coolest thing. They'll learn it's just a 

tool, not the end all. My plan was to use nothing but

casting gear for everything...found I could *almost*

do it...

[AustinHellickson]

10 hours ago, Sittin there reelin em in said:

What kind of bait casting gear do you have? Mine works perfect in the wind and skipping under docks and with lighter bait. Well you did say " All this is in my humble opinion" I'm just curious.

St Croix premier rod, abu garcia pro max 10lb mono

[AC870]

Spinning reels practically never backlash, cast further and have much better accuracy, at least for me. I'll keep couple baitcasters for traps and squarebills but I'm upgrading my spinning stuff. 

[edfitzvb]

I have a couple of St. Croix rods and I really like them. They are the Premier line and I have no issues with them. If I could get them for $40.00 each I would buy several more. At that price point I don't think anyone else makes a "better" rod.

A Pflueger President spinning reel would be my first choice, also keeping my eyes open for a discounted new Shimano or Okuma in the 2500 or 3000 size at the local outlets in case you can pick one up in the same price range

[AustinHellickson]

3 hours ago, edfitzvb said:

I have a couple of St. Croix rods and I really like them. They are the Premier line and I have no issues with them. If I could get them for $40.00 each I would buy several more. At that price point I don't think anyone else makes a "better" rod.

A Pflueger President spinning reel would be my first choice, also keeping my eyes open for a discounted new Shimano or Okuma in the 2500 or 3000 size at the local outlets in case you can pick one up in the same price range

For bass what size president reel would be good size?

[Darren.]

1 minute ago, AustinHellickson said:

For bass what size president reel would be good size?

 

Safe to say that most bass fisherfolk like a 2500

size reel. Me, I prefer a 1000 size. I like small and

light reels and have zero issues bringing in bass.

6.6# bass in my avatar was caught in a thick brush

field with a 1000 on a 5'9" M rod...

 

Closest president to a 1000 is a 20, I believe, then

the 25 series.

[AustinHellickson]

24 minutes ago, Darren. said:

 

Safe to say that most bass fisherfolk like a 2500

size reel. Me, I prefer a 1000 size. I like small and

light reels and have zero issues bringing in bass.

6.6# bass in my avatar was caught in a thick brush

field with a 1000 on a 5'9" M rod...

 

Closest president to a 1000 is a 20, I believe, then

the 25 series.

I was thinking 25 or 30 size