baitcaster VS spinning

[retiredbosn]

I really like the MH's either 6'6" or 7', seems like this is a good all around rod, if not that then the M.  If you are going to focus on fishing the bottom, i.e. worms, jigs, carolina rigs, and deep cranks then the MH would be a good choice.  Team the reel with 12lb Yozuri Hybrid line and you have a good all around combo, which will also do buzzbaits and topwaters fine.    If you are going to work more cranks, spinnerbaits, topwaters(spooks etc)  and buzzbaits then I might go with the M.  I tend to believe that you have better control and less backlashes with a MH, the more whip action of the rod the more likely I am to overrun, there are many that will disagree with this but for me this is the set up that works best.  Out of five rods I own 4 are MH's, and one ML.  I have different actions but the same rating, my CB rods are BPS crankinsticks, my bottom rods are quantum tours, and the ML is a KVD.

[bilgerat]

I'm a spinning guy, have been forever. Yeah, spinning gets a bad rap for line twist, not a big deal if you invest in a quality reel and good line. BC's backlash occasionally, nothing is 100% immune from line problems.

As for the comment about spinning gear not having enough drag force - HUH ??? Earlier this season I foul hooked a huge brown carp on my ultra light rig - 4# mono. The drag on my reel was flawless, despite being spooled several times. I eventually landed him with no damage to the reel whatsoever.

I've been fishing shallow weed filled lakes my whole life with spinning gear, as have thousands of others. Sure I've lost fish here and there, everyone has. Just go with what you like and go fishing.

[Fish Chris]

Hey central_fl,

Fish Chris,

Hey, braid is great, I use it.   But..   Spool drag dictates how much force can be applied before it let's go.  You can have 100lb braid, but if the fish can produce more than your drag rating for an extended time all you do is lose line until your gone. 100lb braid does not mean you land the big catch, only that the line can withstand that much pressure.

Well sure. I'm totally aware of that. But the thing is, every reel I've ever owned was able to apply as much drag as I needed. And for the last 15 years that I've been using braid, I run my drag setting even lighter.

I know their are situations where you need to horse fish away from cover and such (moreso in the Southern US than in CA) but as long as your fishing in open water, and from a boat, you don't even have to stop the fish within the distance, of the amount of line on your spool..... You simply chase them with the boat. I've done this many times with Bat Rays, and a few times with Sturgeon. In the case of that Sturgy I caught on my micro-light (above photo) it probably ran 15 or 20 X's the length of the line on my reel. Took me so far from where I hooked it, I had a hard time finding my anchor bouy..... and its a lime green 2 gallon detergent jug ! Maybe a 1 mile fight ?

Anyway, my drag was never an issue. I landed that 90 lb fish with probably 2 lbs of drag.

Peace,

Fish

[SirSnookalot]

I caught several (I lost track how many) over 100lb blacktip sharks off the coast of South Carolina with a guide using spinning gear for two days. The gear never gave an ounce of problems and those sharks were tough fighters. I spent several years catching musky and northern pike using Pflueger Presidents with no issues. Those fish fight a heck of a lot more than largemouth, weigh more too. You can catch very large fish using spinning gear, it works fine.

Absolute fact, spinning gear can be used in any situation.

I caught 2 150# lemon sharks back to back on 6000 series spinner with 20# braid and 40# leader, drag never an issue, only my back........lol.

I've caught hundreds of larger more powerful fish than bass on a standard 4000 spinner.

That said, don't think for a minute you land every one.

[The Virginian]

I really like the MH's either 6'6" or 7', seems like this is a good all around rod, if not that then the M. If you are going to focus on fishing the bottom, i.e. worms, jigs, carolina rigs, and deep cranks then the MH would be a good choice. Team the reel with 12lb Yozuri Hybrid line and you have a good all around combo, which will also do buzzbaits and topwaters fine. If you are going to work more cranks, spinnerbaits, topwaters(spooks etc) and buzzbaits then I might go with the M. I tend to believe that you have better control and less backlashes with a MH, the more whip action of the rod the more likely I am to overrun, there are many that will disagree with this but for me this is the set up that works best. Out of five rods I own 4 are MH's, and one ML. I have different actions but the same rating, my CB rods are BPS crankinsticks, my bottom rods are quantum tours, and the ML is a KVD.

Retiredbosn,

That's a big help. Thanks for posting your thoughts.

[Z06-VETTE]

This really comes down to the person.I use BC gear,but have spinning gear form back in the day.I can use either.But I gotta say my Abu

garcia has about 7 tours of duty and begging for more.Love my abu.

[Big Phish]

I dont know if this has been mention cause i'm not gunna read the whole thread but i prefer baitcasters because spinners always make your line curly after a few days which makes it harder to keep it tight when your fishing stick bates and what not.

[Sam]

Each has its own application for different techniques.

You need to learn how to use both and when.  

[aarogb]

    If you ever do decide to switch to baitcasters the one key thing to keep in mind is practice, practice, practice, and more practice!!!!!!!

[Hammer 4]

Re: spinning reels, I have to agree with Chris, as I used them for a long time too..no problems, both fresh, and salt..

If you do decide to go the BC route, I'd lean towards the MH, depending on the rod, my not so exspensive rods are mh with fast action, so far they've worked o.k. for me..It's really a personal thing which kind of rig you use, as any rig will catch fish, some will work better than others in a given situation.

[djmax22]

How do you spinning guys pitch a jig? Just curious.

[Fish Chris]

How do you spinning guys pitch a jig?

The same way you baitcasting guys do.... except with no fear of a backlash ;-)

I really can't think of a technique that can be done with a baitcaster, and not with spinning. While I do know of a few things that can be done with spinning, and not with a baitcaster (super light stuff... skipping under docks, etc}.

Fish

[SirSnookalot]

The only situation I would favor b/c over spinning is trolling, which seems to be uncommon on this site anyway.

Other than that I can use a spinner using any technique that one can do with a b/c, even live bait, you can always use a baitrunner.  For me the spinner is more comfortable in fighting a fish and casting it for long periods of time.

I have use a b/c since 1953 so experience is not an issue

[Muddy]

I used spinning equipment solely for over 35 years, you can do everything with a spinning rod and  reel that you can do with a baitcastingrod and reel.

 

I wanted to learn how to bait cast, because it was a challenge

If you use a barrel ( not a snap swivel) swivel on the tag end of your line and a leader and make sure you put the line on the reel the same direction it is coming off the spool, twisting will be minimal on your spinning gear.

What I did learn, and this is for me only that I enjoy the "feel" more with bait casting. This is especially true with soft plastics and jigs, this is a very personal choice and I am sure not shared by many.

I have 5 Bait Casting outfits and One spinning and I use the spinning gear when I am pond fishing from shore.

[CWB]

Use everyones responses as what they are - suggestions.

Some people do just fine with only spinning gear. Some people look down their nose at spinning gear and use only baitcasting. Most (myself included) use some mix of both. If I had to choose and use only one type I would probably go with spinning due to versatility but ultimately the decision is your and yours alone.

[mrlitetackle]

keep the spinner.....

thats all i have ever fished as well....

not that baitcasters aren't good, their just a pain in the a*$....

spinners will catch you any fish a b/c could.

[Hammer 4]

I would just add that, I prefer to use a bc in heavey cover, i.e. flippin, that's not to sat it can't be done with a spinning rig.

[Muddy]

keep the spinner.....

thats all i have ever fished as well....

 not that baitcasters aren't good, their just a pain in the a*$....

spinners will catch you any fish a b/c could.

Something that takes time to learn is not a pain in the A@@, it is a skill.In a world of instant gratification this concept is dying.

[The_Natural]

Sure you can pitch heavier jigs with a spinning reel, but it's going to be significantly easier with a casting reel.  If a stickup is 50ft away, gently setting a half-ounce jig on top of it without a splash would take some serious talent.  I'd buy tickets to that show.  Sure you can feather the line with your hand...I've done it.  However...the difficulty level of that versus utilizing the spool tension knob a casting reel offers isn't even fair.  

[Z06-VETTE]

keep the spinner.....

thats all i have ever fished as well....

not that baitcasters aren't good, their just a pain in the a*$....

spinners will catch you any fish a b/c could.

Not a pain in the azz,you just have to learn how to use one.My Abu is like casting a Zebco 202 to me. ;D

[retiredbosn]

I used spinning equipment solely for over 35 years, you can do everything with a spinning rod and reel that you can do with a baitcastingrod and reel.

spinners will catch you any fish a b/c could.

But the thing is, every reel I've ever owned was able to apply as much drag as I needed. And for the last 15 years that I've been using braid, I run my drag setting even lighter.

I know their are situations where you need to horse fish away from cover and such (moreso in the Southern US than in CA) but as long as your fishing in open water, and from a boat, you don't even have to stop the fish within the distance, of the amount of line on your spool..... You simply chase them with the boat. I've done this many times with Bat Rays, and a few times with Sturgeon. In the case of that Sturgy I caught on my micro-light (above photo) it probably ran 15 or 20 X's the length of the line on my reel. Took me so far from where I hooked it, I had a hard time finding my anchor bouy..... and its a lime green 2 gallon detergent jug ! Maybe a 1 mile fight ?

Ok this is getting ridiculous now. The sultans of spinning gear are living is some sort of alternate universe. There isn't any fish a BC can land that will be lost on spinning gear. There aren't any applications that the BC really is better for. Quote your can do everything with a spinning reel that you can do with a BC, the answer is no you can't. Using this logic we would all still be using our old Zebco spincast reels, in reality there isn't anything you can do with a spinning or bc that can't be done with a spincast, plus you can cast a spin cast into a strong wind! Must be a better set up! Please. Is spinning gear effective? Absolutely yes! Is it as strong as a BC? No. Are there applications where a BC has the advantage? Yes. Can you flip a jig with a spinning reel? Yes! The question is can your spinning gear with inferior drag, limp rod, etc horse the fish out of the twisted pile of wood and grass? Probably not.

Good night, no offense to Fish Chris I respect his obvious angling skills, but his post makes the perfect reason for using a BC. Lets say you fish from shore and don't have the luxury of chasing your fish down with a boat, you either turn the fish or loose it, better be using a BC. Or you are fishing flooded timber and can't move the boat, when you hook the fish you have turn the fishes head now or loose it to the timber, again better have a BC with heavy drag and 50lb braid, 10lbs of drag just isn't enough in these situations. So in short unless you are fishing open water, have unlimited line or a boat to chase the fish with you are better off with a baitcasting set up. Or another way if you pond fish, fish an open lake etc there isn't nothing a spinning reel and BC can't do, but if you fishing water like the rest of us with logs, limited access to run the fish down etc, a BC has advantages.

[Muddy]

What planet on you on? I have caught a few 25 # plus blue fish and some very healthy stripped bass off Breezy Point, Queens NYC , using spinning gear FROM THE JETTY, Rocks , no boat and have done it since my teen years.

I have caught Northern Pike in the Adirondacks with spinning gear, in the weeds and wading!

I use Bait Casting primarily now, and you can do it all except hanging chunks of bunker over the side and trolling for said blue fish and stripped bass in a chum troll. For that conventional levelwind Penns is the ticket

[Grey Wolf]

I used spinning equipment solely for over 35 years, you can do everything with a spinning rod and reel that you can do with a baitcastingrod and reel.

spinners will catch you any fish a b/c could.

But the thing is, every reel I've ever owned was able to apply as much drag as I needed. And for the last 15 years that I've been using braid, I run my drag setting even lighter.

I know their are situations where you need to horse fish away from cover and such (moreso in the Southern US than in CA) but as long as your fishing in open water, and from a boat, you don't even have to stop the fish within the distance, of the amount of line on your spool..... You simply chase them with the boat. I've done this many times with Bat Rays, and a few times with Sturgeon. In the case of that Sturgy I caught on my micro-light (above photo) it probably ran 15 or 20 X's the length of the line on my reel. Took me so far from where I hooked it, I had a hard time finding my anchor bouy..... and its a lime green 2 gallon detergent jug ! Maybe a 1 mile fight ?

Ok this is getting ridiculous now. The sultans of spinning gear are living is some sort of alternate universe. There isn't any fish a BC can land that will be lost on spinning gear. There aren't any applications that the BC really is better for. Quote your can do everything with a spinning reel that you can do with a BC, the answer is no you can't. Using this logic we would all still be using our old Zebco spincast reels, in reality there isn't anything you can do with a spinning or bc that can't be done with a spincast, plus you can cast a spin cast into a strong wind! Must be a better set up! Please. Is spinning gear effective? Absolutely yes! Is it as strong as a BC? No. Are there applications where a BC has the advantage? Yes. Can you flip a jig with a spinning reel? Yes! The question is can your spinning gear with inferior drag, limp rod, etc horse the fish out of the twisted pile of wood and grass? Probably not.

Good night, no offense to Fish Chris I respect his obvious angling skills, but his post makes the perfect reason for using a BC. Lets say you fish from shore and don't have the luxury of chasing your fish down with a boat, you either turn the fish or loose it, better be using a BC. Or you are fishing flooded timber and can't move the boat, when you hook the fish you have turn the fishes head now or loose it to the timber, again better have a BC with heavy drag and 50lb braid, 10lbs of drag just isn't enough in these situations. So in short unless you are fishing open water, have unlimited line or a boat to chase the fish with you are better off with a baitcasting set up. Or another way if you pond fish, fish an open lake etc there isn't nothing a spinning reel and BC can't do, but if you fishing water like the rest of us with logs, limited access to run the fish down etc, a BC has advantages.

I totally disagree with your analogy.

[retiredbosn]

Muddy, man some days you are just so sensitive. ;D Anyway off of the jettys I'm sure you were using a surf rod, the right tool for the job. I thought we were talking bass fishing here, all I'm saying is that the two set ups are not equal. Each has qualities that the other doesn't share. I use both. You can bet if I'm fishing for big cats from the bank and I have two set ups and one is a medium spinning set up and the other a medium BC, I'll pick the baitcaster every time, double if the water is filled with submerged logs, etc. If I'm fishing blues off of the jettys and I have a surf rod combo with a spinning reel or a medium bc set up for bass I"m going with the spinning reel. Match the tool for the job at hand, there are places I won't take a spinning set up because it just isn't up to the job and places I leave the bc in the box because it isn't up to the job, can I fish either you bet, is one better suited you bet. BTW Muddy I would love to go fishing with you sometime, as opinionated as I am and as you can be I think we should go fishing and talk politics and religion, jk  We can go to Tioga lake or something.  I use to live in Williamsport, Caudersport and Tioga, my granddad had a gas pipeline company  up that way.  Been there many times, still have some family up near Tioga

[JellyMan]

Freshwater = Baitcaster

Saltwater = Spinning

I ONLY use baitcasters for freshwater. Once I learned I will never go back. Go with a cheaper one, learn it, then go for a nice expensive one. More control, more accurate casting, and just plain more fun.