Why you should never go fishing without a spinning rod

[ironbjorn]

9 minutes ago, ska4fun said:

There is no advantage for spinning reels in my usage. The loss of precision is unbearable.

Pretty much why I went from 50/50 BC/Spin to 99/1 BC/Spin. Time, time, and time made it possible to throw those lighter baits on BC gear. Still don't have a BFS though but definitely looking into dropping the coin sooner rather than later.

[PhishLI]

2 hours ago, gimruis said:

Dropshot...I'll pass lol

I'm able to dropshot just fine with a few of my BC setups, and do when I have to, but it causes me the same dull mental anguish I get from being forced to watch reality TV chunky reflux like the fake housewives or other such voyeuristic lunacy.

[gim]

19 minutes ago, padon said:

me too but in july and august when the majority of our fish are sitting in rock piles 25 to 30 feet deep your not having much success on spinnerbaits.

 

I hear ya.  That is a situation when finesse fishing would be required.

 

LOL a spinnerbait wouldn't catch jack in that situation.  Even a stubborn knucklehead knows that!

[Boomstick]

Last year, I added a second quality spinning rod to my arsenal (Tatula Elite Ehrler dropshot rod, 7'1" M/F). I used this my entire trip to North Carolina back in April to throw wacky rigged X-Zone Deception worms, which was all I could get a bite on. On many days, if I only bring one rod with me, this is the one. I normally use my ML/XF for smaller drop shots, but it handles smaller lures quite well too.

[MN Fisher]

While three of my spinning rigs are for finesse - one isn't.

 

Despite practice, despite trying - I still can't skip worth a darn with a BC...so I got a MH/F spinning rig (3/8-1-1/4oz) that I skip jigs, spinners, chatters, etc with.

 

Accuracy gets mentioned here - I've been using spinning rigs half-again as long as I've been using BCs, and I'm plenty accurate with them. The blanket statement of "BCs are inherently more accurate than spinners" is hogwash...it's all about what you're use to.

 

Use what you're good with - don't take someone else's word about 'right and wrong' rigs to use. There's plenty of bass fishers out there who use nothing but spinning rigs and do quite well.

[Boomstick]

38 minutes ago, gimruis said:

 

See @Mike L response above.

 

In all honesty, finesse fishing really just isn't my thing.  I do it because I have to in order to be effective on certain days.  I just find it more enjoyable to use a moving/power approach rather than sit there and drop shot.

You know, I understand this to some extent. If I can go work laydowns with a jig and spinnerbait or swim jig or work lily pads with a frog, that's usually a good day.

 

But in lakes with no cover to target it's hard to beat a wacky rigged deception worm or Roboworm Alive Shad.

[gim]

17 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

so I got a MH/F spinning rig (3/8-1-1/4oz) that I skip

I wouldn't necessarily call that "finesse" just because of the setup or lure weight.  I think its more about the strategy or how a specific lure is being used than the gear.  When I skip, its with a similar setup using weightless stick baits.  I wouldn't call that a "power" way of fishing.

 

I've gotten to be pretty freaking good with this setup the past couple seasons too.  I'm accurate and proficient with it.  I've pulled 20 inch/5 pound largies out from under docks with it.  You can actually see the docks in the photos too.

[Mobasser]

There were many pro anglers in the past who did well with spinning rods, 95 percent of the time.Bill Dance, Tom Mann, Billy Westmoreland, Guido Hibdon, and not a tournament guy, but Charlie Brewer. They all caught large fish too. Spinning gear has its place in bass fishing. Another tool for the job.

[Sphynx]

7ish ft MF spinning, and a 7ish ft MHF bait casting rod are ALWAYS along, other rods may come and go as the conditions or my mood/preferences change, but those two always go no matter what 

[LrgmouthShad]

I don’t even know what the word finesse means anymore. It’s all just fishing. 
 

I favor spinning rigs for light tackle because seems to be cheaper than BFS and spinning outfits carry the distinct advantage of having excellent slack control, which seems to be something I care about when using light baits. 

[gim]

2 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

Another tool for the job.

That's exactly how I see it too.  Every tool has a purpose and the more tools you have and are able to use, the better angler you will be.

[Bird]

I almost always carry 3 baitcasters and 2 spinning on every trip.

1 of the 5 usually end up being the ticket, doesn't matter which.

 

The last several trips, skipping flukes on spinning has been the ticket.

[Mobasser]

I catch a lot of bass in clear water with 4" plastic worms. Spinning gear and 8lb line is perfect for a light t rig like this.

[Deleted account]

21 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

It’s all just fishing

There's hope....

[fishballer06]

I don't think I've used a spinning rod this year or last...

[Tatulatard]

Darn I've been missing out by not bringing a

spinning rod.  I guess I'll just keep throwing those same baits on casting gear.  

[Woody B]

No spinning equipment for me.  Use whatever you like though.  

 

I take 3 baitcast set ups when I go.   

[DitchPanda]

 Im a believer that both types have a time and place..I wouldn't throw a frog on spinning and wouldn't throw Ned on a baitcaster. Not knocking anybody for their choices...use what is most comfortable and functional for you based on how you fish.

 We've had this discussion on here before..the one about the guys that say spinning gear is for wimps and doesn't belong in bass fishing. The late great Aaron Martens would have disagreed...and most of the guys that claimed it weren't good enough to lick the dog mess from his boot heel.

[Basser2021]

7 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

 

 

I'm never without a spinning rig.

Amen! I feel like a spinning combo is extremely underused by southern fisherman.

[Bankbeater]

I never heard of finesse fishing until I joined this forum.  It was always fishing with big baits and fishing with light baits.  When the bass are wanting weightless 6 inch worms you need a rig that can get the bait out to the fish.

[T-Billy]

I own a bunch of 'em but I only crappie fish with spinning these days. Curado BFS on a 7'1" ML Phenix Feather, and a Curado MGL 70 on a 7'2" M F Ark Cobb handle my finesse stuff.

 

[WRB]

The only time I use my spinning tackle is finesse fishing using 5 lb Copolymer or 7 lb FC, otherwise it’s baitcasting.

Tom

[N Florida Mike]

35 minutes ago, Basser2021 said:

I feel like a spinning combo is extremely underused by southern fisherman.

I guess Im different. I’ve used spinning much more than casting. My best skill is skipping back under docks and tree limbs, etc. I can do that very well with spinning but not with casting.

In the boat , if I’m carrying my whole boat arsenal, I have: 3 casting and 2 spinning. But I use the casting combos only for certain applications, mostly in open water. So I end up spending more time with spinning…because Im more often around shoreline structure and in and around and under trees.

Im accurate with a BC if I have no obstructions. But I’m accurate either way with spinning…

[LonnieP]

I’ve got a spinning combo in the closet somewhere. I can’t remember the last time I took it out.

[NYWayfarer]

Always have a spinning combo with me. If the bass ain’t biting I am looking for Bluegill to beat the skunk.

 

Also I have had backlashes that have ended my session when all I carried was one baitcaster combo. Never had that happen with spinning gear.