I hate spinning gear

[PressuredFishing]

On 8/28/2022 at 5:57 AM, Mike L said:

All of our casting equipment now is tailored for anything they’ll want or need

 

Pretty true, even a cheapie black max I can comfortably and accuratley throw pitch and skip weightless trick worms and lizards, now spinning can throw it farther, and behaves much better in wind. Bfs isn't even required for semi light bass lures, the only lures I can think benefit from bfs or spinning  are tiny D.S worms weightless, hair jigs and whenever you want more distance, comfort in skipping, dealing with light to heavy wind (when it's not slick calm) etc etc. 

[greentrout]

Learned to look at spinning applications as using a tool for the job. Remember many years ago reading and applying Legend Guido Hibdon's thoughts on using spinning gear with small plastics resulting in more action and bites accepting that there will be break offs with some bigger bass. But with practice you can improve your odds to land more bass. I prefer the baitcaster but if I believe circumstances indicate finesse fishing is appropriate, I'll pick up my spinning rod with no hesitation.

[Skunkmaster-k]

I heard spinning rods are more sensitive. Sen-si-tive.  Any of y’all ever seen Major Payne ?

[dodgeguy]

12 hours ago, Skunkmaster-k said:

I heard spinning rods are more sensitive. Sen-si-tive.  Any of y’all ever seen Major Payne ?

Wrong

[roadwarrior]

Not more sensitive, but for a lot of guys more "user friendly".

[MN Fisher]

13 hours ago, Skunkmaster-k said:

I heard spinning rods are more sensitive.

They may or may not be - all depends on the brand/level.

 

What they are is 'slower'...a Fast spinning rod is like a Mod-Fast casting rod - at least in my experience with similar rods (comparing an Aird-X M/F spinning to casting and a Fury 703SF to a Fury 703C from my own arsenal)

[Skunkmaster-k]

I heard spinning reels have smoother drag systems than casting reels. 

[N.Y. Yankee]

I use both. It just depends on how you fish and what for. I fish a lot of trout and panfish, light/ultra light stuff so spinning is king. Bigger fish, baitcaster.

[Chris Catignani]

1 hour ago, Skunkmaster-k said:

I heard spinning reels have smoother drag systems than casting reels. 

There may be a little truth to that...recently I been replacing some drag washers in older bait casters with carbon washers...and it made them actually smoother.

[Darth-Baiter]

i LOVE spinning gear.  i have gotten d**n accurate with it.  

 

in general, it is my Finesse hardware.  

[FrnkNsteen]

4 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

Not more sensitive, but for a lot of guys more "user friendly".

I think people confuse sensitivity with balance. Most of my spinning reels balance perfectly on my first two fingers in front of the stem. Any touch on the lune and you can feel it.

 

My baitcasters are usually pretty well balanced, but not as well as the spinning reels.

 

[bulldog1935]

Most people fly fish by sight, and want their fly rod balance right at their index finger. 

I mostly fish by feel with sinking lines, and slightly tip-heavy, balancing a couple of inches in front of the cork, improves fishing feel, and also improves casting. 

 

Slide from my talk on white bass fishing about bottom-bouncing a fly rod to stationary pods. 

[Bluebasser86]

I wonder what the casting distance of BFS gear is with say a Ned on a 1/16oz head? My last tournament I was casting mine to a target 100' away, skipping  it into a small opening and having it travel another 15' to the target. I just don't see any way I could do that with casting gear with something that light. 

 

I tried some BFS gear, although it was towards the lower end, just wasn't for me. 

[bulldog1935]

@Bluebasser86 if the BFS rod is as long and light as the spinning rod, the BFS reel can be set up to out-distance comparable spinning tackle.  I have enough experience in tide passes with both to prove that. 

 

I'm fishing bass in-close from a kayak, and definitely skipping under overhang. 

Nothing lighter than 1/8 oz for this glass rod, which the short-rod combo handles with aplomb.  100' no problem, and the reel is 100% backlash-proof.  I built it that way for 3 g.  My target was 1/2 oz, and when I cast 3 g for giggles, it surprised me enough that's where I set my mag brake. 

[fishwizzard]

2 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I wonder what the casting distance of BFS gear is with say a Ned on a 1/16oz head? My last tournament I was casting mine to a target 100' away, skipping  it into a small opening and having it travel another 15' to the target. 

100’ casts with an pretty aerodynamic 3/16oz Presentation is easily achievable.  I personally can’t skip that far out with a bait caster and honestly I’ve never tried it with a spinning combo but I’m sure it’s possible as well in the right hands.

 

Obli enough, Midwest Finesse is one of the few things I very much prefer to do on a spinning combo. There’s something about the increased handle travel distance that lets me get a good “crank crank crank glide glide” retrieve.  I have a BFS combo that I do fish a lot of Midwest Finesse on, but it generally only comes out on days when I may also want to drag a little t-rig around, which is something I prefer to do with a casting combo. 

[Tatulatard]

2 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I wonder what the casting distance of BFS gear is with say a Ned on a 1/16oz head? My last tournament I was casting mine to a target 100' away, skipping  it into a small opening and having it travel another 15' to the target. I just don't see any way I could do that with casting gear with something that light. 

 

I tried some BFS gear, although it was towards the lower end, just wasn't for me. 

I long cast and skip neds with casting gear.  I like the way it handles 10 lb flouro better for me than spinners  I crank and glide mine or dead stick when skipped under cover.  I also prefer a casting reel when my primary means of moving the bait is cranking on the handle.  If I fished them more as a bottom contact then I would prefer spinning so I could hold a spinning rod with an overhand grip and jig the bait but I have muck bottom lakes.  If it touches bottom it comes up a slime ball.

[Bluebasser86]

What rods/reels are you guys getting this kind of distance with a BFS combo? Am I looking at $1000 combo to get that kind of distance? It's intriguing to me but my one, brief attempt with it was unimpressive to say the least. I have certain situations when maximum casting distance with small lures would be very beneficial though. 

[Hammer 4]

I'll just say this, I've caught some really nice fish, both salt and fresh water on spinning gear. I'd never give it up.

[bulldog1935]

@Bluebasser86

Roro-X spool on a Steez or Zillion SV TW. 

Rorolure.com is OOS, but JapanTackle has this one.  https://japantackle.com/tuning-parts/spools-casting-reels/daiwa/tu001753.html

Also swap the palm plate spool bearing with a Roro or other 1034 Air bearing. 

JT also has the 3x10x4 Roro ball bearing sold as a single.  https://japantackle.com/tuning-parts/ball-bearings-pin-remover/tug0000244.html

 

I can cast 2 g to 130' on my 8'2 Yamaga Blanks Blue Current III shore rod - also doesn't foul plug hooks on line.  My comparable spinning rod won't quite get there and fouls plug hooks more times than not.

You'd find the long rod feels more like a fly rod than a bass rod. 

Also will cast it to 110' on my 6'7" Valleyhill Odessa BFS

This rod feels like a fast bass rod. 

If there's a point, the rod choice may be more flexible than setting up the reel right. 

PureFishing (Abu) Japan makes some very cost-effective BFS rods. 

You're more likely to find a range of rod choices in Japan. 

 

@Bluebasser86 adding this ps - reading Jun Sonada's Tackle Topics is what got me started on all of this - he's the smartest baitcaster guy in the world. 

[Bluebasser86]

9 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

@Bluebasser86

Roro-X spool on a Steez or Zillion SV TW. 

Rorolure.com is OOS, but JapanTackle has this one.  https://japantackle.com/tuning-parts/spools-casting-reels/daiwa/tu001753.html

Also swap the palm plate spool bearing with a Roro or other 1034 Air bearing. 

JT also has the 3x10x4 Roro ball bearing sold as a single.  https://japantackle.com/tuning-parts/ball-bearings-pin-remover/tug0000244.html

 

I can cast 2 g to 130' on my 8'2 Yamaga Blanks Blue Current III shore rod. 

You'd find the long rod feels more like a fly rod than a bass rod. 

Also will cast it to 110' on my 6'7" Valleyhill Odessa BFS

This rod feels like a fast bass rod. 

If there's a point, the rod choice may be more flexible than setting up the reel right. 

PureFishing (Abu) Japan makes some very cost-effective BFS rods. 

You're more likely to find the right rod in Japan. 

I have a Zillion 1016SV XXH, looks like that spool would fit it ?

[JustJames]

22 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I wonder what the casting distance of BFS gear is with say a Ned on a 1/16oz head? My last tournament I was casting mine to a target 100' away, skipping  it into a small opening and having it travel another 15' to the target. I just don't see any way I could do that with casting gear with something that light. 

 

I tried some BFS gear, although it was towards the lower end, just wasn't for me. 

Blue, if you plan to get 100’ with baitcaster, absolutely you can but accuracy and condition are really questionable. In the wind you gonna have a very hard time getting the distance and accuracy together. I think you always swim and glide you Ned, I believe spinning is better. 

[Jrob78]

The reel and spool are important but when going light, the rod is just as important. A rod that will load properly with whatever weight you're trying to cast is critical for accuracy and distance.

[volzfan59]

Depending on the technique, I prefer casting gear but I always have three quality spinning outfits in my boat. I must be doing something wrong, I very rarely have any issues at all with my spinning gear.

[fishwizzard]

On 9/1/2022 at 7:39 PM, Bluebasser86 said:

What rods/reels are you guys getting this kind of distance with a BFS combo? Am I looking at $1000 combo to get that kind of distance? It's intriguing to me but my one, brief attempt with it was unimpressive to say the least. I have certain situations when maximum casting distance with small lures would be very beneficial though. 

 

I can get a ned out to 100' with a few rods, a Majorcraft Benkie/Volkey UL/RF, a Dobyn's Sierra UL 704, my old Phenix Recon2.   The slower rods are easier to get distance/control with, but a longer XF rod can do it as well.  The reel is equally important, I use older BFS reels, mostly Pixies, and so long as you don't need to rely on the breaks completely, they are controllable for longer casts.  My only "modern" BFS/UL reel is a Alphas Air PE and it would very easily get a 3/16oz presentation out that far w/o much thumb needed, so long as I use the thin braid its designed for.  

[ErieCan]

I hardly use them. I have a casting combo for wacky rigs now as well. Got sick of line twist issues.  I do use one when I have to get real finenes in grass and want to throw a mojo rig.