Bait Cast vs. Spinning

[slawdawg]

This is my first post and I am new to bass fishing. Im on here to learn so bear with me!  I currently have a nice Spinning rod and reel and my buddy keeps telling me if i want to be a bass fisherman I need to learn how to bait cast.   What are the advantages? Thanks

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

You don't need to use a baitcaster, all fishing techniques work just fine with spinning tackle. However, many fisherman prefer baitcasters for certain applications. I fish both types of equipment.

For "finesse" fishing I choose spinning tackle.

For "power" fishing and fast retrieve lures, I would rather use baitcasting equipment. Heavier (thicker) line performs much better on this type of gear.

[Sam]

Roadwarrier has given you some good advice.

And you can't get any backlashes with a spinning rig!

With that said, I use my baitcasters for spinnerbaits, crankbaits, Chatterbaits, topwaters and frogs.  I also use the baitcaster for my Senkos due to the weight of the bait and the distance I cast it. I also use more baitcasters on lakes with deeper water.

I use my spinning set ups for worms, tubes, flipping and pitching and finess fishing as I want the bait to fall where I cast it.

Remember, with a baitcaster the bait will fall back towards you once it hits the water.

With a spinning reel the bait falls straight down.

I also use my baitcaster for Carolina rigs and heavy baits.

When you see the pros on TV you can note that they change from baitcasters to spinning reels and back to baitcasters throwing the same baits and using the same techniques for a number of presentations.

The decision is up to you but you can't go wrong using either setup.

Just go out and see what happens and change your rigs, accordingly.

[Raul]

First of all: Welcome to the forum !

my buddy keeps telling me if i want to be a bass fisherman I need to learn how to bait cast. Thanks

As time goes by you will begin to know me but ( don 't konow if that 's good or bad :-? ) so far tell your friend Raul says:

To that statement.

His personal preferences have little or nothing to do with what you can use for what and in the final run, it 's your pesonal preferences what makes the differences, you are comfortable with spinning, you know how to use spinning gear correctly then use spinning gear.

What are the advantages of baitcasting over spinning, in the final run and that do not depend on you:

1.- You can use heavier or stiffer line without having to worry the line jumps from the spool when you open the bail, if the spool is made for 8-10-12 lb test that what you should use.

2.- Line twist is minimal or non existing

Some are going to say that you are more accurate with baitcasting ....... it 's obvious that they have never seen me cast pin point accurate with spinning , that you get more casting distance with baitcasters ..... if we were in a casting distance contest I have to say they are right, but for the average Joe that don 't count, you cast equally far with both. That baitcasters are more powerful than spinning reels ....... they haven 't seen me pull hawgs with spinning gear through cover ( as a matter of fact and now that I 'm thinking about it ...... they haven 't seen Fish Chris, our local big bass champion, ketching them Cali big mommas with spinning gear either : ).

Spinning gear can be used for any application, it 's a problem of you not knowing how to exploit the full potential of it.

[Vyron]

First of all: Welcome to the forum !

my buddy keeps telling me if i want to be a bass fisherman I need to learn how to bait cast.    Thanks

As time goes by you will begin to know me but ( don 't konow if that 's good or bad   :-? ) so far tell your friend Raul says:

To that statement.

His personal preferences have little or nothing to do with what you can use for what and in the final run, it 's your pesonal preferences what makes the differences, you are comfortable with spinning, you know how to use spinning gear correctly then use spinning gear.

What are the advantages of baitcasting over spinning, in the final run and that do not depend on you:

1.- You can use heavier or stiffer line without having to worry the line jumps from the spool when you open the bail, if the spool is made for 8-10-12 lb test that what you should use.

2.- Line twist is minimal or non existing

Some are going to say that you are more accurate with baitcasting ....... it 's obvious that they have never seen me cast pin point accurate with spinning  , that you get more casting distance with baitcasters ..... if we were in a casting distance contest I have to say they are right, but for the average Joe that don 't count, you cast equally far with both. That baitcasters are more powerful than spinning reels ....... they haven 't seen me pull hawgs with spinning gear through cover  ( as a matter of fact and now that I 'm thinking about it ...... they haven 't seen Fish Chris, our local big bass champion, ketching them Cali big mommas with spinning gear either  :  ).

Spinning gear can be used for any application, it 's a problem of you not knowing how to exploit the full potential of it.

nice!!!  

[.RM.]

slawdawg,

Welcome To The Forum!

Lots of great info here, that can be summed up with three words. What the guys are saying is it's fishing, and tackle needs, are all personal preference, and budget.

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

[Taliesin]

Raul has hit the nail on the head here.

All of my catfishing gear is spinning gear. I've been using spinning gear for so long, that I am more accurate with it. And I ain't fishing for the little guys. I'm fishing for catfish that will eat a 10# bass if given a chance. I don't know of many baitcasters that are meant to be used with 50# test line, but I do know of several spinning reels that are meant for it.

Only one thing he was a little off on.

Spinning gear wins casting competitions when using 3oz or less and the US record at 2oz is 347 feet, with baitcasting coming in at a little over 300.

Still, casting distance differences are very limited with the type of fishing we do.

[FishTank]

Welcome.....

You will find a wealth of information on this site. I have been a member for a little over a year and I have learned more in that time than I have in the last 10 years about bass fishing.

As far as your questions goes, I would say that they are both tools used to help you land the big one.  As far as which one is best and which one to use for a specific purpose, that is up to you and how you fish.

For me personally, I use spinning gear for weightless soft plastic, in line spinner baits and windy conditions.  I use baitcaster for more heavy cover, crankbaits, topwater, and weighted soft plastic.