Spinning vs Casting for Jerkbaits/Trebled Topwaters

[ajschn06]

I know most use casting, but I can't seem to come up with a good reason to go that route?  What am I missing?  I reel a casting reel with my right hand and a spinning reel with my left hand- can't go the opposite even if I wanted to for some reason... but holding a rod with my right hand I have better control over the action of a jerkbait, walking topwater, or even some sort of finesse bait or worm if I wanted to go that route.  What's the logic behind most using casting setups?

 

 

[MN Fisher]

10 minutes ago, ajschn06 said:

What's the logic behind most using casting setups?

Mostly it's personal preference. Until I sold it with the canoe, I had a spinning crankbait rig that I used almost as much as my casting one. MH/MF rod with a 3000 size reel. Worked just fine

 

I'm a left-caster/right-reeler no matter what rig I'm using - while I'm a righty for most things, my left arm is a bit stronger and with a missing right eye, I have better cast control to put the lure where I want it.

[J Francho]

If the issue is what hand you hold the rod just get a left handed bait caster. There isn't really any logic other than the baits I use are heavier and I use line that isn't really suitable for spinning reels used in bass fishing. If I'm using something smaller, I'll use a spinning rig but that is rare. 

[Dwight Hottle]

Yep like John mentioned it's all about weight. Most spinning equipment favors lighter baits & line while bait casters usually favor heavier tackle. But if your spinning rig is rated for heavier baits & line it will work just fine. I have seen guys use spinning tackle successfully for lake trout & pike.    

[QED]

Bait casting reels generally provide better cast control (i.e., your thumb + brake system) vs feathering a spinning reel with your forefinger.  High end ultralight or BFS bait casting reels let you cast very light lures about as well as UL/light spinning gear, so lure weight isn't a particularly definitive decision factor.  Do what you prefer.  If you prefer spinning, go forth and enjoy.  As noted above, you can get casting reels or spinning reels in left or right hand versions so that shouldn't be an important decision factor either.

[gim]

I generally prefer a BC for this because of better control, accuracy, and better hook sets.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

I prefer to use casting gear when I can for JBs 3/8 and heavier, it just feels easier.  Im pretty good working a JB with my off hand, but the reality is I can work a bait with far more precision with my dominate hand.  Being able to make that bait barley twitch after a pause doesn't become an issue until the water gets in the lower 40s.  Once it gets that cold I usually go to a smaller JB like a Rozante or 110 jr and throw them on a spinning rod. 

 

[WRB]

Top water lures like dog walking or any lure where you let the lure run on slack line a bait casting reels excels because you can control the slack line being retrieved using your thumb.

Spinning reels you have nearly zero line control retrieving slack line. The result is loose line going onto the reel.

Working poppers, dog walking and jerk baits lures bait casting reels are a big advantage imo.

Tom 

[jimmyjoe]

   @WRB got it right! It's all about line control, and you can't control line going onto a spinning spool.

   I retrieve jerkbaits and spoons with a very erratic motion. Baitcasters always work better, no matter which type of line I use. I wish it weren't so, because I'd love to use my strong side rather than my weak side. But it doesn't work that way.

 

   Spinning reels are essentially tight-line machines.         jj

[Bluebasser86]

I'm the same way about using casting with my right hand and spinning with my left, but I can work a jerkbait or topwater just fine with my left hand. I do fish jerkbaits and some small cranks with spinning gear though. 

[ajschn06]

8 hours ago, WRB said:

Top water lures like dog walking or any lure where you let the lure run on slack line a bait casting reels excels because you can control the slack line being retrieved using your thumb.

Spinning reels you have nearly zero line control retrieving slack line. The result is loose line going onto the reel.

Working poppers, dog walking and jerk baits lures bait casting reels are a big advantage imo.

Tom 

 

There is some superb information- thank you!

[padon]

some really good jerkbait fisherman swear they should be fished on spinning equipment. i like casting for the lures you mentioned except when i go small like a pointer 78 or megabass vision 110 jr. the heavy jerkbaits and topwaters just seem to be a little much for spinning tackle. but you can use whichever you prefer.

[J Francho]

9 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

Spinning reels are essentially tight-line machines. 

 

9 hours ago, WRB said:

Spinning reels you have nearly zero line control retrieving slack line.

I totally disagree.  Most often a spinning reel is used with unweighted, slack line presentations precisely because it allows more control and a free falling bait.  What I think you are referring to is line lay on the spool.  If that's a problem, the line you are using is either too heavy or too stiff for the presentation. 

[jimmyjoe]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

What I think you are referring to is line lay on the spool. 

 

   Correct. My bad.

 

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

If that's a problem, the line you are using is either too heavy or too stiff for the presentation. 

 

   Not so. The line lay problem that is exhibited under erratic-retrieve conditions is worse with very fine, soft braid. I don't know why, but it is.            jj

[ATA]

You can use left handed reel like so many do and problem solved.

[J Francho]

8 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

 

   Correct. My bad.

 

 

   Not so. The line lay problem that is exhibited under erratic-retrieve conditions is worse with very fine, soft braid. I don't know why, but it is.            jj

Don't use braid, or pick a limp brand.  

[WRB]

2 hours ago, J Francho said:

 

I totally disagree.  Most often a spinning reel is used with unweighted, slack line presentations precisely because it allows more control and a free falling bait.  What I think you are referring to is line lay on the spool.  If that's a problem, the line you are using is either too heavy or too stiff for the presentation. 

Agree loose line on the spool is the problem with retrieving slack line on a spinning reel without controlling the tension. Sinking lures isn’t the issue.

Tom

[new2BC4bass]

19 hours ago, ajschn06 said:

I reel a casting reel with my right hand and a spinning reel with my left hand- can't go the opposite even if I wanted to for some reason.

This is a mental issue.  The Bait Monkey thinks you need to see a therapist. 

[Scott804]

As for topwaters, what WRB said. Really no reason to go spinning in that regard. 

 

For jerkbaits it is a little bit more nuanced. I have both a casting and spinning jerkbait setup and if I had to pick and only have one it would probably be spinning. A lot of the modern jerkbaits (specifically the MB Vision 110) use very light wire hooks and lend themselves a lot better to the spinning gear when hooked up. I also like that I can throw tiny jerkbaits on spinning because imitating the size of the baitfish is really important in finesse jerkbait fishing. It is also worth mentioning that with a spinning rod it is far easier to jerk "up" and I have gotten a lot of strikes off of doing 2 normal jerks and then an up jerk, especially pressured waters. It should be noted, casting has it's advantages, however just because of how long and flat most baits are shaped they are really a pain to throw on casting gear. I have a purpose built setup for jerkbaits that alleviates some of that pain and a lot of baits nowadays have very good weight transfer systems that certainly help. Generally the casting setup plays more of a role in the warmer months when the fish will whoop up on you on light spinning gear or when fishing around structure/cover that I might need to muscle a fish out of. 

[Bankc]

It's all about what makes you the most comfortable.  I know people who use spinning reels for everything.  It works for them.  They don't understand why anyone would use a baitcaster.  

 

I hate spinning reels.  The only time I use them is for really light lines and lures.  And even then, I use left handed spinning reels so I can hold them in the same hand as my baitcaster.  

 

There are some minor differences between the two styles, and even those can largely be overcome.  For instance, BFS baitcasters can cast lures as small as 1 gram on 1lb test line.  And there are saltwater spinning reels (size 300 or 30,000) capable of handling 100lb braid.