Casting or spinning gear for plastics rod?

[Basser Guy]

Hello everyone,

 

I'm looking into getting a plastics specific rod but have never really fished plastic baits before other than a T-rigged senko a few times.  I've been told fishing plastics is an essential skill to learn for someone newer to fishing like I am and hear it can be deadly if done properly. I'm comfortable using both casting and spinning gear for the most part, but can't decide on which one to go with. I'm looking at a St. Croix Mojo Bass plastics rod in particular since I was lucky enough to get some Mojo Bass rods as hand me downs when I started fishing. Both rods are the same power/action and have the same lure/line rating in casting and spinning models.  Just looking for any input on what y'all think would be the best move functionality and versatility wise would be. Thanks

 

Devin

[Mobasser]

I'd say a med/hvy x fast action for baitcasting. Med/ fast action for smaller plastics on spinning rods.

[Jig Man]

I don’t have a plastic specific rod.  I use at least 10 different setups for plastics.  If I am using a TRD on a 1/16 oz head it will take an entirely different setup than a 3/8 shaky head on a Zinker.  
 

I think you need to consider what plastics you want to use then look for a setup that will work.  

[Bird]

I too throw plastics on various rods.

The term plastic covers a vast amount of baits that are optimized by different power rods.

 

BUT I'd highly recommend you learn to throw many different plastic baits, bass never get tired of them.

[RoLo]

Simple as it may sound, you won't go very wrong with 'medium heavy' Power and 'fast' Action,

which applies to casting and spinning alike.

Needless to say, the more specialized an application, the greater the deviation. 

 

Roger

 

 

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

 

You can throw any plastic on a spinning rod (of various power),

and you can also throw plastics of varying weight on a baitcasting

setup.

 

I personally prefer spinning having experimented with both, but

can throw many plastics just fine on my baitcaster. It really boils

down to you and your proficiency with said equipment. Practice

is key with baitcasting. On the water is different than in your back

yard in the sense of wind, boat/kayak, etc. 

 

Spinning gear is more forgiving. But precision is in the hands of

the holder, whether it be spinning or baitcasting. Many of us are

precise in both, or in one or the other. Your skill will be linked to

your practice and comfort with whatever you choose.

 

Good luck!!

[jimmyjoe]

  If I understand you correctly, You're referring to the Mojo Bass M/F rods, 1/4-5/8 and 10-17 test line for the casting, 3/16-5/8 and 6-12 test for the spinning. Is that correct?

   If that's the case, I'd get the spinning. When I used soft plastic, my most productive technique was wacky rigging. I definitely like spinning better for wacky rigging and for T-rigged Senkos. For flukes, craws and ribbontail worms it was a tossup.

   BTW .... I had the Mojo casting, but my spinning was the Avid M/F, not the Mojo. My friend's wife has the Mojo spinning, and I used it a bit. Good rod; I liked it.

   Mono was my line choice. I tried several braids and didn't like the twist.      jj

[Fishin Dad]

It matters just as much WHERE you are fishing.  I catch 6 lb. smallmouth on a ML spinning rod in open water with rocky bottom, but catch 2 lb. largemouth on a 7’6” heavy casting rod in the weeds.  A lot variables in between as well.  For a good all around rod that will work in more situations, the guys above nailed it with a 7’ MH Fast action casting rod.  

[NELABassguy]

If you want one "do it all" rod, it would be hard to beat a 7' MH.  Now whether that is casting or spinning is going to be determined by what you mainly fish.  If you are fishing lighter finesse style mostly, but might throw a T-rig with a EWG, I would go with a spinning.  If you are fishing bigger baits around any real cover then I would go with the casting. 

 

If you can spring for both go with a 7' Med spinning and a 7-7'6" HF Casting that has a little softer tip. 

[OnthePotomac]

I guess I am another of those who violate the regular way to fish Senko and like baits on a spinning reel and have always used a 7' MH fast tip bait caster.

[Armtx77]

I have done it using both setups, but I prefer a 7ft M/EF spinning rod and have used a ML/EF a bunch too. EF may be too much for some people, but it works for me

[garroyo130]

Id go with a spinning rod and start with small, light/weightless plastics. You mention you're just learning to fish plastics and a big part of learning to fish them is learning to feel the bite. A spinning reel will allow you to throw smaller baits, get more bites, and familiarize yourself with fishing plastics.

 

Id start with spinning tackle and some trick worms or small gitzit type tubes.

[dodgeguy]

i use a 7ft medium BPS patriot rod a Lews tournament pro baitcaster with 8lb sufix advance mono for ned rigs. wacky and texas rig senko or 3/8 trig worm i use a 6-6 mh fast with 14lb sufix advance mono. 1/2 to 1 0z trig 10 inch worms are on a BPS 7-6 johnny Morris signature series heavy extra fast flipping stick. i dont use spinning anymore.gave them all to my daughter.

[greentrout]

the late great guido hibdon taught light line on spinning gear would impart better and natural action for your lure resulting in more bites. he also stressed big bass would bite too ... small baits with light line ...

 

a long gone era ...

 

good fishing ...

 

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/light_line.html

[roadwarrior]

Weightless:  spinning tackle

 

Weighted:  baitcasting

 

[soflabasser]

Choose the type of reel you like best. I prefer using spinning reels for most of the bass fishing I do and have caught lots of nice bass this way. 

[WRB]

Everyone has their own ideas regarding bass tackle. My 2 cents is the line is the critical factor for fresh water bass rods and reels.

Lght line 4 lb to 10 lb (.010 diameter) size 1000 to 3000 spinning reels and get the nod.

Line over 10 lb (.010 diameter) bait casting reels are preferred.

Todays bass anglers also use braids with leaders that allow using larger stronger line on spinning reels and rods. I don't use braid with a leader so my choice is easy.

Use what you are more comfortable casting and retrieving. You will develop a better sense of feel using bottom contact lures like jigs and worms using a baitcasting outfit becuase it's easier to touch the line.

Tom

[Happybeerbuzz]

I can not skip a baitcaster so 90% of the time I tie on plastics to MH or M spinning gear.  The other 10% of the time, I want to tie on a third plastic, but I generally only bring 2 spinning rods.