Baitcasting reel vs Open Faced

[Bass_Akwards]

Are baitcasting reels mostly used for huge fish and super hardcore structure?  I'm sick of my open faced reel and was thinking of moving to a baitcaster.  I fish slop often and have to pull 3 -4 pounders out of it.  I've lost a few bigger fish this summer, snapping my 10lb test in thick weeds.

I'd like to slap some 20lb braided on a nice bait casting reel, but wanted to know the pro's and con's you guys have experienced using a baitcasting set up.  Do you guys like baitcasting better than open faced?  

If open faced is an option for me, what set up can I get, that's not to expensive?  Do I generally need a longer, stiffer rod than I use with my open faced reels?  I'd like a versitile set up that I can fish in lots of different situations for different sized LMB.  Whatcha think?

T

[roadwarrior]

Although every technique can be employeed on either type of equipment, I prefer baitcasting gear for "power fishing" and fast retrieve lures. For all finesse fishing, spinning gear is my choice.

[Raul]

It ultimately becomes a matter of personal preference and to use your tools accordingly.

Are baitcasting reels mostly used for huge fish and super hardcore structure?

Nope

I've lost a few bigger fish this summer, snapping my 10lb test in thick weeds.

The reel is not your problem my friend, it 's your line, fishing the thick stuff with 10 lbs is a tricky business, on the other hand your spinning reel may not hold thicker line.

Do you guys like baitcasting better than open faced?

No, I like them both in equal terms

what set up can I get, that's not to expensive?

How much can or are you willing to spend ?

Do I generally need a longer, stiffer rod than I use with my open faced reels?

Rod length, power and action depend on the application and personal preference.

[LakeAnnaBasser]

The way you mentioned you are fishing a baitcaster would be better because you can put heavier line on one. I personally like baitcasters better because they are comfortable but my spinning reel does a lot of dropp shotting for me.

[BassPonder72]

you could put braid on your spinning reel.  Alot of folks do it.  Braid has a much smaller diameter at the same test than other lines.  So go ahead and put that 20lb braid your talking about on your spinning reel save the baitcaster for 50lb+.

[Shadcranker]

For me it depends on four things which are tied to each other:

Line size (4-8 lb test on spinning tackle, and 10 lb and up on baitcast tackle)

Water clarity (largely dictates the line size- clearer= light line)

Cover - generally, the thicker the cover the more likely I am to use BC gear.

Lure weight- spinning tackle handles light lures better (1/16 to 1/4 oz.); for most applications over 1/4 oz, I usually will use baitcasting gear.

If I'm fishing clear water with sparse cover, I expect the fish to be spooky, and I will usually fish more finesse tecniques (shaky head, swimming a grub, light tubes, small shad raps, etc.). Spinning tackle is the only way to go on the light stuff.

If I'm fishing more "power tecniques"- big jigs, Tx rigged worm, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, big jerkbaits, crankbaits, etc., I'll use BC equipment.

To sum it up, light line=spinning; heavy line=baitcast.

I have several of each for different applications.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

I have one spinning rig  I keep behind the back seat of my truck, with a small tackle box; ususal senario "HEY THAT POND IS NOT POSTED WONDER IF ANY FISH ARE IN IT?

On the boat I use 3 Bait casting outits, I made the switch this year . One is for Cranks/Topwater, One for T rigging Plastics the other for Worming and some other plugs.

I also have one spinning outfit for Early to late spring and fall, for throwing Rapalas. The spinning rod just does that better for me

[ILfisherman]

BAITCASTERS

PROS:Increased casting distance, increased accuracy, typically faster retrieve than spinning outfits.

Cons part not necessary....

[.dsaavedra.]

raul got it straight. it all depends. there is no "set way". for me, i use baitcasting in heavy cover but mainly, i use baitcaster when im fishing anything heavy enough to cast on it. for finess or other light tackle fishing i use spinning.

[boatlesswonder]

i love my bc reels now that i have trained thumb. up until the point you get your thumb trained to stop alot of "professional overruns" aka bird nests it will definitely be a love/hate relationship. i agree with several of the other members up to 10lbs spinning over 10 definitely bc.

[Solo]

Depends on whay you want to do. I've been using my baitcasters almost exclusively for plastics and have gone back to spinning. Easier to throw small tubes, small finesse worms, shakey heads, 4" Senkos, etc.  No problem with drag or retrieve. I find Baitcasters are more accurate though.

[Ballpark Frank]

I use both, but tend to lean to the baitcasters. I primarily fish spinnerbaits and cranks, so the baitcaster gets more work. If I "try" to fish worms and plastics, I use my spinning outfits. The funny thing is the other fishing I do(crappie, bluegill, trout, catfish, and carp), I use spinning gear.

[justfishin]

I am pretty much, baitcaster for green bass and spinning for brown, although, for brown bass and spinnerbaits and topwaters I use a baitcaster. Plus, I throw a lot of my senkos and jerkbaits on spinning gear and #8 test early in the year. I am much more comfortable with a baitcaster for some reason. I would use one for smallies in the river if it weren't for line pickup and feel. Lots of times a big smallie will just suck in a tube and never move in the winter. You really got to pay attention or you will miss the bite.

[jwo1124]

Bass fishing and baitcasters seem to go together like a hot day and a cold beer.

I have tried fishing a baitcaster once, it was a conventional not a low profile, and for a few casts I would cast great...then I'd get a backlash. And nothing brings your mood down and your blood pressure up than trying to untangle a birds nest when your trying to enjoy a day of fishing.

I guess it just takes practice, I like spinning gear, thats just me though. They make MH and H spinning gear for muskies/pike/cats, and they makes larger spinning reels that hold heavier line. So if you really like spinning, just opt for one on these heavier set ups.

I think the only thing baitcasters have over spinning gear is longer more accurate casting. But I'm sure with practice you can get more accurate.

[roadwarrior]

I think the only thing baitcasters have over spinning gear is longer more accurate casting.

Maybe that's true at the top level of the competative casting, but for "fishermen" both types of gear can be cast long and accurately.

[Taliesin]

I think the only thing baitcasters have over spinning gear is longer more accurate casting.

Maybe that's true at the top level of the competative casting, but for "fishermen" both types of gear can be cast long and accurately.

It's not even true for comtetitive casting. According to the American Casting Association the current US records for 5/8 oz weights are as follows:

Spinning: 434 feet

Baitcaster (revolving spool): 367 feet

As you get up into higher weights, the baitcaster passes the spinning reels, but the different at 6 oz is only 40 feet or so. When you are talking about casts of over 600 feet, 40 feet ain't much.

My catfishing gear is all spinning gear. 80# test braided line goes really well on big catfishing reels. I have 2 M baitcasting combos and a MH baitcasting combo, but for my small and large combos I go with spinning.