Spinning Reels for All Bass Fishing Applications

[shimanoangler]

With the advancement in line technology (zero memory, thinner diameter, greater strength) and the advancement in gearing on spinning reels (higher retrieve rates and better drag systems), is there really a need to fish both spinning and bait casting applications or why one would choose bait casting over spinning?   You can get rods with the appropriate backbone and/or sensitivity paired with the right line in terms of breaking point and abrasion resistance, that makes spinning gear capable of handling any and all bass fishing applications.  I fish swim baits, jigs, tubes, senkos, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and top water.  I have always fished spinning gear, and although I am an admitted newbie in terms of years of experience, I wonder if I am missing something, other than spending more money than I already do, by not fishing bait casting set-ups for smallmouth bass in the northeast?  

[Darren.]

20 minutes ago, shimanoangler said:

With the advancement in line technology (zero memory, thinner diameter, greater strength) and the advancement in gearing on spinning reels (higher retrieve rates and better drag systems), is there really a need to fish both spinning and bait casting applications or why one would choose bait casting over spinning?   You can get rods with the appropriate backbone and/or sensitivity paired with the right line in terms of breaking point and abrasion resistance, that makes spinning gear capable of handling any and all bass fishing applications.  I fish swim baits, jigs, tubes, senkos, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and top water.  I have always fished spinning gear, and although I am an admitted newbie in terms of years of experience, I wonder if I am missing something, other than spending more money than I already do, by not fishing bait casting set-ups for smallmouth bass in the northeast?  

 

You're opening a can 'o worms here, ya know!  

 

You can use spinning for everything if you want. Period.

May or may not be the best tool for the job, but you can.

That should really end the debate, but it won't.

There's an FLW Pro who uses nothing but spinning....

https://www.flwfishing.com/tips/2014-04-22-going-big-with-a-spinning-rod

[Crestliner2008]

For what you want to do, you are probably as well equipped as you can be. I'm in the same boat. However, if I were fishing for largemouth in heavy cover, I would not hesitate to pull out my baitcaster. Just as in automotive repair, there is a tool for each job. Some can overlap, but some are just darn better for the task.

[roadwarrior]

I prefer baitcasters for "moving" lures, they are simply more comfortable.

 

[Scott F]

Many anglers, including myself, that fish for smallmouth in the northern sections of the country use mostly spinning gear. Even when I switch gears and go for largemouth, I stay with spin tackle. I also fish for pike and muskies on occasion but I use baitcasters for chasing them. Any time I'm using heavier baits, I go for baitcasting gear. But for smallies, in lakes and rivers, spinning rods with light line do everything I need them to do.  Your own fishing style will determine if you should add a baitcaster to your gear. As long as spinning tackle does everything you need it to do, stay with it. If you find your spinning rod can't handle larger spinner baits or big swim baits with ease, that's when you start looking for other gear that can handle the job. 

[PatrickKnight]

You can use spinning gear for everything period. For some baitcasters are simply more comfortable to fish with. If you can use a spinning rod to pull a snook out of mangroves there is no reason you cant use one to pull a largemouth out of anything they live in.

 

I think its a preference thing not really sure one is "superior" to the other. That being said throwing large swimbaits all day on spinning gear large enough to handle them wouldn't be the most comfortable thing in the world imo.

[bigfruits]

you can use spinning for everything even before the latest tech.

 

that being said, i prefer BC for most everything except light jigs/plastics. you can pitch just fine with spinning gear. you can even slow down the line with your index finger of the hand not holding the rod. if you dont already, try putting all fingers above the reel seat and "pinching" the blank above the foregrip with your index and thumb. any rod now balances and you could not ask for a better grip for working bottom contact baits and wacky rigged worms.

 

dont buy a BC because you think you might be missing something but buy it when you decide you want to give it a try for fun. especially if you are a smallmouth guy (wish i could be!). 

 

you dont have to use BC but you will probably want to once you get comfortable with it if you throw spinnerbaits, bladed jigs, crankbaits, buzzbaits etc 3/8oz and over. IMO that is where BC shines.

 

 

[fishnkamp]

There are reasons that make baitcasters better for certain applications and I noticed you did not mention any of them in your list of favorite baits. Think about crankbaits that dive deep, a properly geared baitcaster will be more efficient.  I believe pitching and flipping or punching baits in heavy matted vegetation is another place baitcasters shine.  Maybe these fishing techniques do not exist in your body of water.  Sorta why I do not bring a heavy frog rod when I travel out to fish big deep clear water smallie lakes in Tennessee. I sure use it here in my home tidal rivers choked with lily pads and Hydrilla beds.

[Angry John]

1 hour ago, fishnkamp said:

There are reasons that make baitcasters better for certain applications and I noticed you did not mention any of them in your list of favorite baits. Think about crankbaits that dive deep, a properly geared baitcaster will be more efficient.  I believe pitching and flipping or punching baits in heavy matted vegetation is another place baitcasters shine.  Maybe these fishing techniques do not exist in your body of water.  Sorta why I do not bring a heavy frog rod when I travel out to fish big deep clear water smallie lakes in Tennessee. I su e use it here in my home tidal rivers choked with lily pads and Hydrilla beds.

Punching, frogs and swimbaits are the moneymakers of casting reels.  When you need big power in a small package they shine.

[IndianaFinesse]

You can use spinning gear for everything if you want to, but that doesn't mean it is always the best choice.  An example would be throwing buzzbaits, a spinning reel throws slack in the line during the cast, which allows the buzzbait to momentarily sink.  This means it takes several feet of retrieve to get it back on the surface, and those first few wasted feet can be vital.  On the other hand, casting reels keep the line tight for the entire cast, so the buzzbait can be retrieved across the surface of the water as soon as it touches down.

[cpvenom]

I spent some time in St. Petersburg Florida, and as a result, I have a couple of Inshore saltwater spinning setups with fast tips and stiff backbones, that I occasionally use for bass around pretty heavy cover. Things like 10"+ Texas rigged worms, or big weightless soft plastics. The blanks aren't really any bigger, just built differently for saltwater battles. If you can pull a 30" Snook or Redfish from under a dock, you can get a 5lb Bass out of a brush pile just fine. There are plenty of applications that I would Prefer a baitcasting setup, but you can definitely get away with spinning in a pinch, or if you simply don't like casting gear.

[RoLo]

 

That's a better question than you might realize.

 

I'm the last guy to ram casting gear down the throat of a freshwater angler.

My wife & I winched countless big bass out of heavy cover using nothing but spinning gear

(my PB included).  I hasten to add, we weren't using ultralight spinning tackle,

but spinning blanks rated for 10-20 lb line and 1/4 to 1oz lures.

I'd respectfully say, choose whatever gear brings you the greatest joy, it's your baby.

 

Roger

 

 

 

 

[jimmyjoe]

     I don't use BC gear anymore, but when I did, choice was simple. I'm right-handed. Using spinning gear meant I worked the lever with my dominant arm. With BC gear, I used the weak side. More or less, steady retrieve was weak-side, erratic or hi-torque was strong-side.   jj

[Raul]

There's this guy with a big moustache that has caught more big mommas than all BR put together and he fishes exclusively with spinning gear, you might Google "Fish Chris" if you are interested.

[Poolshark]

You can do anything with spinning gear. The only place I'm hesitant is in the heavier line techniques, not because it can't be done, but because I find the heavier bulkier reels more cumbersome and tiring. 

With all that said, for the type of fishing you do....if you are happier using spinning tackle exclusively, than why not? 

As to why one might prefer casting gear? I simply find it more fluid and more comfortable. I have less problems with wind knots and it's easier to load a compact casting reel with heavier line without issues. 

[WI_Angler1989]

I personally like spinning reels best. They're what I learned to fish with and fell in love with fishing with. Like the others said, may not be the best tool for every application, but it's all about preference. 

The main downsides to me, which I can live without, are the faster gear ratios and the one handed use. The simple button push to cast makes it a lot easier to multi task (like paddling while casting).

When it's all said and done, I really love fishing spinning reels, so that's what I do. Maybe some day I'll branch out, maybe not.

[lonnie g]

I to like both. did like DARENS  comment on can of worms . for me personally. with a bait caster I believe I have better control as for placement of  the bait.