Baitcaster vs Spinning

[Fisher Guy]

I've been bass fishing with a spinning rod for years now.  now i want to try a baitcaster. looked at new shimano DC 150 reel.  any idea what rod to pair it with?  also besides a further cast why use a bait caster?  thanks

[ATA]

24 minutes ago, Fisher Guy said:

I've been bass fishing with a spinning rod for years now.  now i want to try a baitcaster. looked at new shimano DC 150 reel.  any idea what rod to pair it with?  also besides a further cast why use a bait caster?  thanks

do SLX DC combo and you'll do just right.

[Fishes in trees]

You probably won't cast as far with a bait caster as you would with spinning gear.   I use bait casters when I'm using stouter line that doesn't work as well on spinning gear.   Stouter line lets me attempt to put my baits into spots that spinning gear & lighter line wouldn't handle.  Stouter line also lets me throw heavier baits that might snap off on a cast from spinning gear.

As for which bait caster to get started with, you're going to get dozens, maybe hundreds of different opinions.  I've got a couple of the Curado 150 DC reels and I like them for throwing reaction baits, like spinnerbaits, chatter baits, stuff like that.   I think that  the computer braking is unnecessary for most pitching applications, throwing soft plastics into cover, stuff like that.  I like the little whine that the DC makes and I can see why one might get addicted to it, so there is a decent argument for using it for everything.

As about rods for bait casters and you'll get similar answers.  I'm not so much a brand guy, more of a particular action for a particular bait kind of guy.   For feel baits like 10" worms & throwing stick baits into cover I like my rod to be as light as as sensitive as possible, I like an extra fast tip.   For throwing  reaction baits, light & sensitive are still important, but I like a little more tip which helps the rod load up easier and throw the bait farther, easier.

 

Good luck - don't feel like you have to start out with "bargain gear", top & upper end gear will last a long time and is worth the investment.

[Jig Man]

I have that reel and like it.  My suggestion is a medium heavy rod in your price range.  They are the most versatile.

 

Reasons for casting for me:  larger baits, better accuracy, ability to handle heavier # test line, longer casts, and they work better with fluorocarbon line than spinning reels.  That being said, I have twice as many spinning setups as I do bait casters.

[WRB]

Coffee grinder vs knuckle buster. 

We are well beyond the days when you needed baitcasting reel to cast strong line with super braids being small diameter. Braid in 40 lb test can be effectively cast using size 2500 spinning reels and rods in power and tapper to to handle lures up to whatever the angler uses.

Baitcasting reels can now be spooled with 6 lb test mono and cast 1/8 oz lures effectively using rods designed for lighter weight lure.

It comes down to choice today.

You don't need " digital controlled" DC baitcasting reels to cast a baitcasting reel. You do need to practice using casting tackle to develop a slower smoother rod casting motion using your wrist and thumb. Spinning rod casting motion differs greatly it's faster snap casting motion that creates problems starting up a bait casting reel spool.

Tom

[PhishLI]

8 hours ago, Fisher Guy said:

 also besides a further cast why use a bait caster

You've gotten good responses so far. For me it's efficiency and feel. I'm not a hand switcher, so I'm casting and reeling instantly. No bail flipping. Palming a baitcaster with fingers wrapped around the rod transmits vibrations and hits differently than a spinning reel/rod. Please note that I said differently, not better. I use spinning gear when I have no choice, which is rare. It comes down to personal preference. You can fish effectively with either type just about anywhere in any cover.

[bwjay]

The accuracy of a baitcaster won me over. I got a kayak over Black Friday but haven't gotten it out yet, but last year I was limited to the bank for the most part. Being able to pitch and cast exactly where I wanted was crucial to not getting hung up in trees and bushes and whatnot. I can throw in a general spot with spinning gear, but it's harder to get the release point as precise as I need it to be to throw in a narrow area. Being able to stop the spool with your thumb makes this possible as well. I have come to love baitcasters and for a while started to hate spinning gear, but now I'm back in the middle where I see benefits for both.

[new2BC4bass]

Budget helps.  Knowing what techniques you want to use the rod for, weights normally used, cover, etc. all would help people to give you better options.  As Jig Man said, a MHF makes for a decent all around rod.

 

Plenty of threads relating to 'best rod' at various price ranges.

 

Cheapest: Lightning (or Lightning Shock) or Aird X.

 

Once you get to $100 and above there are lots of choices.  Which is why knowing your budget and more about how, where and what you fish is a big help in making an educated recommendation.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

All else being equal, for raw casting distance stick with spinning tackle. Casting tackle handles heavier baits and moving baits better in some circumstances. They handle heavier mono and fluorocarbon better as well. There are work arounds like braid that will expand spinning versatility. I use all kinds of tackle partly because to me, it enhances the overall experience of angling. 

[Yumeya]

Like and love both, I could get away with just using a spinning rod for all my fishing except Muskie fishing 

but you can even use a spinning rod for that if you really want to.

 

I do however prefer a spinning rod for lighter offerings/finesse fishing. 

[Hulkster]

I carry two setups wherever I go: 1 spinning rod and 1 baitcasting rod

 

the biggest difference in addition to the above mentioned reasons is baitcasters are more powerful so you can easily move a big crankbait or big bladed bait through the water.

 

Throwing a #5 Mepps for pike on spinning gear, for example, is not ideal, the high resistance of the blade makes it quite a workout on spinning gear. With a baitcasting set up, its pretty much effortless

[new2BC4bass]

A word of warning.  I was a spinning reel user.  When I got back into fishing in '09 I decided to try a baitcast reel.  Huge mistake on my part.  Let's just say it is a good thing my wife has no idea how much I have spent on my baitcast rods and reels.     She does realize I have way too many.

[greentrout]

always carry a spinning rod and reel with me ... use is for light lines -- 6 and 8lb test ... finesse fishing ... and there are times when that is the best presentation for the bass ... nice bass can be caught on zoom finesse worms on light line ...

 

the baitcaster is in my hands most of the time ... both are great tools ...

 

good fishing ...

[MN Fisher]

I'm so use to both that I switch off - 10 rigs in the canoe, half are spinning. I even have a MH spinning rig that I use for skipping jigs...I'm still having problems skipping with BC gear.

 

Casting distance? Heavier lures - BC, lighter stuff - Spinning.

[Bird]

I use both but have much preferred uses for both.

 

Anything being skipped under docks or cover like flukes and wacky, all spinning. 

Finesse fishing with light tackle "Ned", spinning.

And of course many options work well with spinning or casting. 

 

Spinnerbaits, spooks, Jerkbaits are just a few examples that work much better on casting. Imo

Not impossible to use spinning reels but a small leader is paramount when braid is main line due to front treble romance. 

 

Spinnerbaits which I throw a lot, want the blades spinning as soon as skirt touches the water, accomplished better with casting. Imo

 

I recommend both for better experience on the water. 

 

[dodgeguy]

I fish baitcast for finesse to bubba. From 8lb mono to 50 lb braid.

[king fisher]

I have always preferred baitcast, and use them whenever practical.   Modern spinning reels have improved to the point, I can't really come up with a reason why I prefer the bait casters.  Years ago spinning reel drags were so poor, I would opt for reeling backwards rather than use the drag.  Now drags have improved as well as bearings in the roller making the transfer of force to the spool instantaneous. No longer do I have to reel backwards or loosen the drag to the point of the line almost coming off when retrieving a hard pulling crank bait,  because a hard strike could snap the line before the spool would start to let line out.  Super braid lines are the other major game changer with spinning reels.  As far as accuracy goes, I don't notice any difference between the two.  I have always feathered the line with my finger when casting with a spinning reel.  Slowly stopping the cast the same as I would with my thumb on a bait caster.  I am starting to use spinning gear more in salt water, but still only use it for light presentations in fresh water.

[WRB]

25 years ago is the mid 90's when spinning reels and baitcasting reels made tremdous design changes. Baitcasting reels incorporate instant anti reverse, free spinning spools with multiple bearings and 1 piece close tolerance frames.

Spinning reels also made design changes improving rotar balance, drag designs, quite gearing etc. Before that time period ocean charter boats wouldn't allow a spinning reel on the boat. Fast running salt water Game fish often overheated drags locking it up then the spool would rip out of the reel cleaning off the rod guides. 

There were exceptions with earlier spinning reels like Zebco Cardinal series and Daiwa TD series rear drag design.

Tom 

[skekoam]

I was timid about buying my first baitcaster.  Been using it for about 7 months now and prefer it everyday over spinning now.  I have a lot more control over a baitcaster and all the cool guys are using them these days. 

 

I use spinning for super finesse stuff, but finds myself going right back to the BC.  Each set up has it's place. 

[roadwarrior]

Finesse = spinning

 

Power fishing = baitcasting gear

 

[t_bone_713]

Spinning is for finesse, baitcasting is for power fishing. You can do one with the other but it's going to be slightly more difficult.

[gim]

Each one has its applications. I recommend being proficient with both and it will make you a more versatile, efficient angler. Only using one of them will not help you in the long run.

[LCG]

It's not spinning VS baitcasting, it's that they compliment each other. Like a screwdriver and a hammer, each is handy and best used for the intended purpose. 

 

Spinning for finesse, under 3/8oz, baitcasting for heavier rigs and power techniques, 3/8oz and over. 

[Fisher Guy]

thanks everyone.  that was all super helpful.  Now left hand or right hand reel?  and are the rod eyes up (facing Sky)  while reeling or down (facing the water)  like a spinning rod?? 

 

thank you 

[Hammer 4]

26 minutes ago, Fisher Guy said:

thanks everyone.  that was all super helpful.  Now left hand or right hand reel?  and are the rod eyes up (facing Sky)  while reeling or down (facing the water)  like a spinning rod?? 

 

thank you 

The guides face down when reeling. I'm right handed, I prefer a left handed baitcaster so I don't have to switch hands  after making a cast. Try both, see what suits you best.