Spin Vs. BC for light tackle

[Davo]

I fished a few times as a kid and young adult but I am just getting serious about fishing late in life (48 next month) and I am buying new equipment.  With all the new baits, rods, reels, etc. I need some help from you guys.  The "kids" at the sporting goods stores are leaving me more confused than when I went in.  I want a rig for casting weightless worms, finesse baits, tubes, and light wieght drop shotting.  I assume that a nice spinning reel and graphite rod with Lt/Med power and Fast Action are the best choices (please correct me if ANY of this is wrong).  However, I have recently read that spinning reels twist the fishing line which can affect the action of the lighter and more flexible lures because the bail rotates around the spool.  This makes me wonder if a bait caster would be the better choice since it supposedly does not twist the line.  Perhaps, I am exaggerating all this in my own mind due to my lack of experience.  I have used spinning reels in the past but I never learned to use soft baits, or bait casting equipment, so I'm really needing your help.  I plan to add a casting outfit for C-rigs, T-rigs, flipping and pitching but I don't know if I will be plagued with non-stop birds-nests with the lighter lures.  I hear and read that the new bait casters are incredible for casting even with the light baits due to the magnetic and centrifigal braking features that they have designed into them.  I've reduced my choices to Shimano Sahara or Symetre (2500) if I choose spinning, or an Abu Revo if I decide on Bait Casting.

Thanks,

Davo          

[flechero]

While there are a few BC outfits that handle light weights well, there are fewer anglers that can.  For probably 80%-90% of the world, spinning tackle is a necessary option for certain techniques or conditions... especially if there is any wind blowing.

To some degree all spinning reels will twist line.  troll it out once in a while to remove twist and you will be basically trouble free.  Baitcasting isn't hard to learn... and if you avoid the really light stuff it's easy to be proficient from very early on.

[bilgerat]

I've got way more spinning experience than bc, perhaps I shouldn't even be responding but here goes:

Your on the right track going with quality spinning gear, don't forget quality line is equally critical. Pay attention to the line ratings on the rod and reel.

Get into the habit of manually closing the bail after EACH cast. Don't use the handle to snap the bail shut. Don't overfill the spool when putting line on. In my opinion, these two things will eliminate 90% of line problems.

Certain lures are notorious for causing line twist, mostly in line spinners such as Mepps, Rooster tails, Panther Martins, etc. Using quality BALL BEARING swivels helps greatly. Don't shy away from these baits because of this, they are excellent fish catchers.

From what I've read on this site, casting light baits with baitcasters is possible as long as the proper gear is used. I would guess experience with bc gear is vital when attemptig this.

I routinely throw baits as small as 1/32oz with my ultra lite gear with 4# test mono with no problem. I throw larger baits with my heavier spinning gear equally as well. I plan on finally getting into baitcasters this season to open up some new doors for me.

Spend the winter reading the articles and archives here. This is by far the best fishing site I've found. You'll find out anything you need to know here.

[Jig Man]

Good quality spinning reels don't inherently twist line.  Go with the Symmetry since it has a roller bearing instead of a roller bushing.

I have several Symmetrys and Stradics and don't have any line twist problems unless I am using tubes and drop shot which will twist any line because of the way the come in when retrieved quickly.

[Bassn Blvd]

You're gonna wish you had a baitcasing outfit when that 8 pounder smashes that fluke on top of the grass bed.  

[Tin]

You're gonna wish you had a baitcasing outfit when that 8 pounder smashes that fluke on top of the grass bed.

You can always put braid on a spinning rod.

[NBR]

Since I have a + 35 years on you I don't think you have reached late in life. I'd say not even middle aged. Back to the topic, most of my fishing is done with bait casters because I am very conmfortable with them, I think BC's cast much more accurately and you have better control over the lure and the fish.

I fish weightless plastics of all types on BC'ers. Senkos and their knockoffs cast like rockets with them. The lakes I fish are pretty void of cover except for rocks and they are very clear. For the most part I use a limp mono in 10 to 12# and fluorocarbon in 12#.

From ice out to mid post spawn I have 4 baitcasters and 1 spinning outfit on the deck and then I have 3 bait casters and 2 spinning out fits on the deck. The spinning outfits are used for any bait under 1/8 ounce with 6# maybe 8# line and for drop shotting usually with 8#.

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

This might help:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1196114229

[islandbass]

Good quality spinning reels don't inherently twist line. Go with the Symmetry since it has a roller bearing instead of a roller bushing.

I have several Symmetrys and Stradics and don't have any line twist problems unless I am using tubes and drop shot which will twist any line because of the way the come in when retrieved quickly.

Listen to Jig Man and do not let the poor experiences of people who do not know how to greatly reduce line twist with spinning reels scare you.

The two main reasons for line twist is the use of a lesser reel and the angler's failure to manage the line. Better spinning reels from the Symetre class and on up are going to usually do a better job at laying line onto the spool than your $10.00 Walmart Special Spinning reel.

Some things you can do to greatly reduce line twist.

1) Close the bail of the spinning reel manually

2) And even more importantly, do not start the retrieve wth slack on your side of the bail.  Always start the retrieve being conscious that there is no slack in the line.

3) Do not attempt to crank line onto the spool when the drag is so light that you are unable to put line back onto the spool Liken this to a car's wheel spinning on an icy road and the car is not going anywhere.

The other thing I do is after every few casts, I let the line "rest" if I start to notice twist. It only takes about 5 seconds.  I don't fish from a boat so this is what I do if I have to to alleviate line twist.

I drop shot with both casting and spinning reels, and I definitely prefer the latter if only for the reason that with a spinning reel, you can have an effortless vertical drop.  With a casting reel you have to actually strip line off to get the lure to fall vertically. Not a big deal and maybe I'm lazy.

I am also a proud owner of a symetre. You will not go wrong with this reel. Casting reels are much better than before, but the main crux of their performance is the angler.  I could ride the lightest carbon fiber bicycle in the world and Lance Armstrong would still kick my phanny if he rode a Huffy.

[Davo]

Thanks Everyone, this is exactly what I needed to know.  Symetre it is!!  I'll have to retrain myself to close the bail by hand but that shouldn't be a big problem.

Thanks again and have a Merry Christmas,

Davo