Spinning or Casting?

[RobbyZ5001]

All my life I have been using spinning gear. This year I broke down and bought a Pflueger trion and a cabelas fish eagle II 6'. I am looking to upgrade my gear and go towards higher end gear. The thing is i'm not 100% comfortable with casting gear. I'm no where near as accurate as I need to be, I need a ton of practice yet with it. I just don't know if I should dump more money into a new casting set up if I can't really use it properly. I have been reading a lot on BR and it seems everyone uses casting over spinning, I was wondering why? Is it the drag system or feel?  Any advice would be great! Thanks- Robby

[Micro]

I used spinning setups exclusively for years.  Then I tried my first baitcast a few years ago.  It takes practice to get competent, but even practice is fun.  Now, except for very light plastics work, just about all of my bass fishing is done with baitcasting setups.

I like baitcasters better than spinning for the following reasons:  I can have a heavier duty setup in a more manageably sized package.  I feel like I have more control over my baits and presentation.  I can re-present the lure faster after retrieve than I can with a spinning setup.  While I get some backlashes with baitcasters, I almost always end up with line twist issues on spinning reels sooner or later.  

Unless you have a physical problem, I doubt there is any reason you can't use a baitcaster competently.  It does take practice.  When you do get good at it (and it won't take long), you will probably end up preferring baitcasting.

[Marty]

I just don't know if I should dump more money into a new casting set up if I can't really use it properly. I have been reading a lot on BR and it seems everyone uses casting over spinning,

Maybe most, but not everyone. I use spinning. I used to use some baitcasting and had no trouble with it, but I just liked spinning's versatility better.

I don't think you should spend more money on baitcasting until you are 100% certain that you really want to use it. You say that you're not yet fully comfortable with it, so it seems you want to use it because everyone else does. I think you ought to have a better reason that that. No need to rush, it'll still be on the store shelves when you're ready. In the meantime, work with your Trion, the more you practice the better you'll become.

[boatlesswonder]

It just depends on what type of fishing you are doing I guess. I know in my experiences if its less than 10lb test it works much better on spinning gear. Over 10lbs you're better off with baitcasters.  Both have diminshing returns on money spent. If you use quality equipment and practice with it they are really both going to be great at what they are designed for.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I use spinning about 75% of the time.  

The only thing I disagree with is when folks say that casting is stronger ,....getting fish out of weeds/brush, etc.  Nonsense.  I have spinning reels that will pull a boat!

I would upgrade the spinning set up and keep putting time in on the baitcaster.  You'll know when you are at a level where it is justified to upgrade that combo.

[Chris at Tech]

You're in a tough spot.

Let me say that higher-end baitcasting gear grants me a better fishing experience, so in that regards, I say go for it.  But it does take practice and some getting used to.

But if you haven't decided you're comfortable using casting gear, there's no sense spending the money.

In conclusion, I have no idea

[Raul]

The only two things you have to know are:

1.- Baitcasters backlash, even the most seasoned of us get backlashes now and then, do something stoopid and the beast will bite you.

2.- Spinning reels twist the line no matter how sophisticated the anti-twist system is.

3.- Spinning reels not always "like" heavy line, specailly true when your reel is not the right size for the line you are planning to spool.

All the rest they say about spinning vs baitcasting is nonsense.

LBH mentioned power, I agree. Some are going to say accuracy ----> nonsense, accuracy is something that 's gained with practice. Others are going to say distance, well for the everyday Joe that seldomly casts more than 70 yards on a day casting is the same with practice and the proper casting technique.

[RoLo]

Actually, I started out with baitcasting gear, but then switched to spinning gear which I now use about 85% of the time.

When using live-bait though, especially for heavy fish, I prefer the revolving drum to a spring-operated spinning bail.

Strange but true, I only use "casting gear" when there is no casting involved (bait fishing, trolling, drifting, float fishing, etc.)

Whenever serial casts are involved (i.e. artificial lures), I'll be holding a spinning outfit 100% of the time (including pitching).

Roger

[Ghetto_Basser]

I get a lot of crap from my buddies down South that I used to fish with because I use spinning gear.

I'm more acurate and I love fishing plastics. I grew up in California and live here now, and if you

aren't using a 3 foot swim bait, it's about the spinning. I do feel that baitcasters have their place.

Flipping heavy cover, Jigging, etc. I got really good with spinning equipment when I fished a Redfish

Nation season. So it's still my favorite but knowing how to use a baitcaster is also crucial as well.

[grimlin]

I fish jigs most of the time now...ao baitcaster gets the job done better for me.However when i want to go inline spinner light i have a cheap trusty spinning reel.

[roadwarrior]

I fish both.

I have a strong preference of one over the other depending on technique.

Generally, power fishing = baitcasting gear; finesse = spinning tackle.

However, as others have already stated, I'm sure I could do all of my fishing with either type of gear.

[Fish Chris]

I use almost nothing but spinning gear, for all but a few small exceptions like Sturgeon fishing, and even then, sometimes I still use spinning gear.... like that 71" Sturgeon last week on the micro-light spinning rod.

I never tell people that I think spinning gear is better than baitcasting gear.... it's just better "for me", because I suck with a baitcaster.... and no amount of practice could ever fix that (long story).

One thing I will say;

I have heard some guys say that braided line doesn't work well on a baitcaster... leastwise, on a heavy baitcaster for swimbaits...... To which I would have to say, if you have to use spinning gear, to be able to use real line {braid} then yes, spinning gear is the only good option.

Peace,

Fish

[Alpster]

I think it's a person preference issue more than anything. I feel I have more control of my line for casting accuracy and lure action on the retrieve with baitcasting gear. That's probably because that's what I have used 90% of the time for the last 40 years. Use what you have confidence in and what's fun for you. Let's not forget this is a hobby and is supposed to FUN!

Ronnie

[SimonSays]

I switched to baitcasting about a year ago, like many have said, it's harder to cast lighter lures with baitcasting gear vs spinning.  

Accuracy is also a factor, someone said that accuracy is based on the skill of the user, that's 100% true, however we all can't cast 100% perfectly right inbetween some submerged timber which happens to be right under some overhang.  

In the event you were to accidentally cast too high and into the overhang you could easily press your thumb down on the spool in an instant to stop your lure short of getting tangled (i've done it countless times and i'm sure many on the forum have also). With spinning gear you can do almost the same thing, just flip the bail over asap, but doing that takes ALOT more time compared to the baitcaster.  When I mean accuracy this is the scenario I refer to.

[grimlin]

I perferr baitcasters now...i grew up with spinning reels.

I still switch back and forth.

Finesse,weightless and inline spinners go on my spinning...everything else goes for baitcasting for me.