I hate spinning gear

[redmeansdistortion]

3 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

I use spinning gear in the dark, and pretty much retire it at sunrise. 

You can't thumb the end of a cast you can't see. 

However, if I'm casting light-enough lures, even that's not a problem, so I still use my braid-raced baitcasters a bit in the dark. 

 

Don't let the stigma of BFS on BR slow you down. 

A Daiwa Zillion, Steez, Alphas or Tatula that you raced for braid with a shallow spool and low-inertia bearings, or a ready to go package BFS reel from JDM, will plug right into everyone else's spinning tackle niches while they continue to complain.  

Same here, spinning only gets used at night.  I fish a lot of topwater for big brown trout after the sun goes down.  Red lamp on my hat, plodding up the river at a snails pace.  Throw a Rapala UL Pop in the slack water, wait a few seconds, then start working it slowly.  Those browns attack it unlike anything else.  I find mice and shrews in the bellies of trout quite often, usually browns and brookies, but not so much with the rainbows.

 

Outside of that, it isn't often I use spinning gear.  I feel BFS is a suitable replacement for all but the lightest of baits.  As it is, most decent BFS reels will cast a true 1/16 bait, which is well below what many bass fishermen are throwing anyway.  At that point, it comes down to preference.

[garroyo130]

11 minutes ago, evo2s197 said:

It seems like it's a combination of equipment and user error that's causing the OP frustration.

 

^ agreed

 

I imagine the line twist is causing the decreased accuracy/distance. Changes that helped me eliminate line twist are

• Close bail by hand
• Double bearing line roller upgrade, single will do
• Dont reel while fish is pulling drag

Although honestly i didnt experience line twist with bass size gear, it was more with UL gear casting mini trout magnets (1/200 oz jighead) and the like.

[NYWayfarer]

No. I use 1000, 2500 sized spinning gear for anything less than 1/8 oz and Fluoro or Mono lines 8# test and under. They will always have a spot in my arsenal for trout and panfish.

 

I could go BFS for those lures and line but there is no need for that investment at the moment. 
 

[Mike L]

There is no right or wrong. 
We use what we have, what we like, have confidence in and what works for us individually. 
 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[CrashVector]

I've considered it.  I prefer casting gear for multiple reasons, not the least of which is that casting gear is inherently more sensitive.

 

However, cast distance for me is about even.

 

I'll always use spinning gear under certain circumstances, but baitcaster are definitely my preference.

 

That being said, I have none of the issues that the OP listed.  Since I switched to braid, I literally cannot remember the last time I had a line twist or wind knot issue, I use 8 carrier braid in 10lb so it casts equally far, and accuracy is on par with my casting gear.

[IcatchDinks]

I love spinning. Line twist? Just use a swivel and leader. But it's not usually that bad. Tbf I've never used a baitcaster. I own one, but one of the knobs fell off between the store and my house and I need to replace it. Maybe once I use it I won't go back. But I doubt it. I'm pretty darn good with a spinning set up. 

[gim]

12 minutes ago, CrashVector said:

I prefer casting gear for multiple reasons, not the least of which is that casting gear is inherently more sensitive.

 

However, cast distance for me is about even.

 

I'll always use spinning gear under certain circumstances, but baitcaster are definitely my preference.

That’s exactly how I feel too. Preference is definitely with casting gear but spinning still has its place with finesse and vertical presentations. My advice would be to use both because many tools makes things more versatile and will also make you a better angler.

 

Completely eliminating one is like removing a specific tool from your tool box.

[Mobasser]

Fishing is really an individual sport. We can get all sorts of recommendations from others, but ultimately, you'll do best by using what works best for you. I use both spinning and casting. Each has a time and place, and I like them both.                                   My dad used to say" always choose the right tool for the job at hand". That's why I like to use both spinning and casting gear.

[NavyToad]

Floating in river current fishing a 1/8oz jighead I prefer spinning gear all day. Fishing the Upper Potomac is a prime example.
I prefer casting gear for the techniques that I fish most often and enjoy the most.

Sometimes it’s nice to tie on an underspin with a grub and mindlessly just cast and retrieve with spinning gear. No pressure and catches alot of fish.

[Mobasser]

I always like these post, to hear everyone's opinion on this topic. If you look at the history of this sport, bait casting reels have been the most widely used. They work well for many applications.             I always bring this up also. Years ago, there were many great bass anglers who chose spinning gear as they're main tackle.                           Tom Mann, Billy Westmoreland, Charlie Brewer,  Al Linder. That's just a few. Why did they use spinning  gear? Because after years of fishing, this is what worked best for THEM. That's what they were concerned with, what worked for THEM. Not what was working for everyone else.               And, the reels they had were not nearly as good as what we have today.                         I fish a quarry lake that is very clear. There's a good top water bite at times. Spooks, buzzbait, big poppers etc, all get thrown on casting gear. But, that doesn't happen often. Most times I'm fishing 4" worms, tubes, smaller jigs, or small lightweight plastic baits. For this stuff, a good spinning outfit works best for me. I can be stealthy, and make quiet presentations better with my spinning gear.

[Mobasser]

Thanks to some good advice from guys here on BR, Ive recently spooled  a size   200 spin reel with Yo Zuri Hybrid in 4lb strength. I say perfect! No line twist, great casting distance, and small diameter. As has been said here, the lines we have available these days have only made spinning tackle that much better. I'll specifically thank Roadwarrior and Mn Fisher. 

[king fisher]

    I rarely use spinning gear for bass fishing.  I also rarely use a crescent wrench, but I always have one in my tool kit.  Most of the places I bass fish in Mexico, the water is dirty, the bass are not pressured, or just plain stupid, and can be very big.  Most of the time my idea of finesse is a drop shot rig with a half ounce weight and a 7 inch Senko.  I go many days when spinning gear is the farthest thing from my mind.

      Every once in awhile the only thing I can catch them on is a small inline spinner, or a small floating Rapala.  Can I cast these light lures with my bait caster?  I can, but why?  Like the Bait Monkey is always telling me.  It is better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it.  Of course he is also telling me that I need a BFS bait casting outfit.  I just tell him to go talk to my wife, while I  continue to use my spinning rod.  

 

[Hulkster]

may I ask what line you were using that gave you so much trouble? 

 

I use Sufix Siege mono on my spinning rigs and its awesome. strong tough and casts very well. 

[MN Fisher]

I can trade off without any loss of effectiveness.

 

Since I still haven't mastered skipping with baitcasting gear, I have a MH/F spinning rig I do my heavier-lure skipping with.

 

Feathering the line with my index finger allows me just as much accuracy as thumbing a BC spool. Distance isn't an issue, and getting the right line on the reel is a must

 

Sufix Siege, Sufix Elite, InvizX in 8# and under, YZH in 4# and 6#, and 832 or Smackdown up to 20# are the lines I use on my spinning gear.

[bulldog1935]

I think @Koz is being over-analyzed. 

Be careful calling out a problem, which may not be his. 

The gentleman does live on the water, where most of us must travel to it. 

I read his OP as a light-hearted and facetious way to pronounce his gear preference. 

This is fun. 

and effective

 

this is a freaking hoot

[TOXIC]

Depends on whether you are evaluating technically or preferentially.  To me it used to be a technical issue because baitcasters were not able to perform the way spinning gear does in finesse presentations.  To some degree I still believe that to be 100% true even though there have been advancements in baitcasters that allow the light weights of finesse fishing to be used.  So that allows you to move to the preference side of the equation.  If you prefer baitcasting gear then manufacturers have made that possible.  Generally, I would think that if spinning gear was not valuable in some way, the upper level pros wouldn’t utilize it in so many ways (aside from sponsor sales).  Bottom line, use what you prefer.  

[Koz]

3 hours ago, evo2s197 said:

It seems like it's a combination of equipment and user error that's causing the OP frustration.

 

That would be a big NO.

4 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Not to argue, but I can and do this all the time, and I'm often bombing for distance. 

 

I can cast a “normal” weighted bait far on a spinning reel, but still not as far as my good baitcasting reels. 

 

And while I don’t fish any tiny lures, I can toss small beetlespins and spinnerbaits a lot farther on my casting gear.

[redmeansdistortion]

1 hour ago, king fisher said:

I just tell him to go talk to my wife, while I  continue to use my spinning rod.  

It's easier to earn forgiveness than it is to beg for permission ?

[dodgeguy]

13 hours ago, Koz said:

There - I said it. I grew up on spinning gear and I loved spinning gear. But now I'm done with it. I incorporated it back into my arsenal this summer for some finesse fishing but between decreased casting accuracy, line twist, and not casting very far I'm going to put my spinning gear away again.

 

Instead, I'll spool up some 10-15 pound braid on one of my baitcasters and use that for my ned rigs, drop shots, beetlespins, and other smaller and lighter baits. I honestly don't think I'll be missing anything, and my attitude will be better ?

 

Has anyone else eliminated spinning gear from their daily arsenal?

I e completely eliminated spinning since the newer baitcasters cast small neds.

[bulldog1935]

6 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Not to argue, but I can and do this all the time, and I'm often bombing for distance. I can hear and feel the decent of the bait as the vibration of the spool and bearings is distinct during slow down. I can't remember the last time I had a backlash on splashdown, but I have a lot of practice fishing at night as I rarely fish during daylight hours. Also, night is when I taught myself how to use a BC, but only because I got my first one in late November of that year. Most of the guys I night fish with don't have much of an issue either, but they have the reps too.

I like maintaining my perfect Zero backlash score. 

The plug on the right does not fish well on spinning tackle - the hooks foul on the line 3 out of 4 casts.  Another problem not looking for a solution.  It never fouls on BFS, the difference being tight line.

It also bombs to 130' on the right BFS combo, and at 3.8 g, the spool is conveniently played out when it gets to the end. 

 

@Koz and I could be in the same boat. 

ok, maybe not this one

[Tennessee Boy]

I know good anglers who only use BC reels and I know good anglers who only use spinning reels.  I love using both.  Most of what I do could be done with either.

[evo2s197]

1 hour ago, Koz said:

That would be a big NO

Unless your purposely sabotaging every experience you have with spinning gear, it's equipment and or user error, otherwise you wouldn't post about your troubles using it.

14 hours ago, Koz said:

between decreased casting accuracy, line twist, and not casting very far I'm going to put my spinning gear away again.

These are your issues are they not?

 

I have none of these issues and I have straight 8lb-10lb flourocarbon on a few spinning combos.

 

[throttleplate]

4 hours ago, Chris Catignani said:

I'm not seeing those issues with spinning equipment. Accuracy: Is an angler skill.

True, take a baseball pitcher, some pitchers can throw a great slider and others cant, others can get strikeouts with a better changup, fastball or a great curve.

The pitchers that can throw all 4 pitches and get outs make 50 million dollars a year while the others make 3 to 10 million a year. Which one are you?

[Friggs]

I grew up with spinning gear. Got baitcasters. I love baitcasters. But I also love spinning gear. I think they both have a place. As for accuracy. That is learned. And whatever you use the most, you will be more accurate with. Even though I use my baitcasters more right now, I'm still much more accurate with my spinning setups. I have switched from using my baitcasters for my plastics to using my spinning setups for them. Not just weightless. But even with weight. I just prefer fishing them with my spinning gear. But I fish from the bank and don't punch with heavy weights. I normally only use a weight of 1/16-1/8. My St Croix Mojo Bass medium extra fast rod handles it just fine. I think it's closer to a medium heavy.

[garroyo130]

2 minutes ago, throttleplate said:

True, take a baseball pitcher, some pitchers can throw a great slider and others cant, others can get strikeouts with a better changup, fastball or a great curve.

The pitchers that can throw all 4 pitches and get outs make 50 million dollars a year while the others make 3 to 10 million a year. Which one are you?