Spinning Vs. Baitcasting

[J. M. Richardson]

I think this has been asked before, but I didn't see anything in the search so here goes:

How many of you use mostly baitcasting or mostly spinning?

I feel like I am in the minority here as I primarily fish with spinning equipment and have never had a problem throwing anything. The reason I bring this up is because I am fishing a tournament in spring and have a chance and getting a nice rig for an inexpensive cost. My theory is that since the tournament is so close, I should get a really nice spinning set up so I can fish with what I know really well, rather than trying to learn a new baitcaster. I have one baitcaster but am not very good with it yet.

Anyone else think this is the right approach?

[KYntucky Warmouth]

If you are more comfortable with spinning then stick with it.  There's no reason to switch for  tournament, if you do, would probably spend too much time fooling with the new reel.  There are some gus on here that fish spinning reels exclusively and are mean sticks.

[jdw174]

If you're comfortable with spinning, why not use it?  I use spinning for worming, shakey-headin',  drop shotting, and occasionally for small CB's.  I once fished with a kid who used a spinning rig for spinnerbaiting and he could plant that thing in a teacup and leave hardly a ripple.  For med-deep running CB's I'd prefer a baitcaster.  There are those who flip/pitch with spinning rigs.  I say dance with who brung ya.

[Grey Wolf]

Use what you like not what some one else says you should be using.

[Jig Man]

Different types of presentations require different types of rods and reels.

I use both. I carry 23 setups on the boat so that I can swithc to what is working at the time of day.

[edit]Removed derogatory remark. - Glenn[/edit]

[SWMIBASSER]

I would get a baitcaster. You need them for some things.

At the very least I would have a jig rod that was a baitcaster.

No matter how good you are with a spinning reel, a baitcasting setup is more accurate.

[roadwarrior]

Lots of guys fish spinning gear exclusively.

Others fish baitcasters only. It really doesn't

matter. I use both, but have a strong preference

for one over the other for certain techniques.

8-)

[zerofivenismo]

All good advice there.  I'll chime in my 2 cents.  I agree that you shouldn't change your set up from SP to BC right before an upcoming tournament.  You'll spend too much effort concerned with your mechanics rather than fishing in the moment.  Go in with what you're comfortable and confident in.  On the other hand, keep practicing with that BC.  3 yrs ago, I was in your shoes.  Used spinning gear all my life, tried BC and was terrified by it.  Gave it up for awhile.  But I gave BC another shot and stuck with it thru all the backlashes and frustrations, and now I am glad I did.  I'm not advocating one method is better than the other.  They both have their own places in fishing.  I'm just the type of angler that when I see a mountain in front of me, I just want to overcome it.

[RoLo]

As I recall, spinning tackle started in Europe and didn't really get going in the states until the 1950s.

As a kid, my first rod was a metal baitcaster with a round reel filled with braided dacron,

but was soon upgraded to a Shakepeare rod with a Garcia baitcasting reel.

Then one day while fishing with dad, I saw my first spinning outfit.

Some hotshot came by our boat, and with a flick of the wrist his lure sailed farther than my best cast.

After saving up my allowances I bought my first spinning outfit,

a blue Conolon rod with a black Mitchell 300 reel.

Long accurate casts were the norm, and bird nests were now out of my lifeI thought I was in heaven.

Today, I use spinning tackle for every cast-intensive technique, even swimbaits up to 8 inches.

For everything else I use baitcasting gear, such as live bait fishing, drifting, trolling and most ocean fishing.

I have a fortune in conventional tackle that's basically collecting dust in my den :-X

Roger

[Paul Roberts]

My default is spinning too. Except for a few techniques.

I bought my first casting rig bc I was wearing out a spinning reel burning spinnerbaits. For crank-intensive techniques, like SBs and CBs, I prefer casting gear.

The other place I prefer a casting rig is when I have to winch bass out of heavy cover. I actually broke the handle off a Daiwa BG-15 a couple years ago winching a bass out of slop . It was the earliest in the season I'd seen slop develop and the bass were in there.

I start each year with M and MH spinning tackle, and by mid-summer I'm 50:50 spinning (MH/H) and casting because of vegetation growth.

If you are happy with your fishing as is -don't fix what isn't broke. Let your fishing dictate what you need. I also agree with the advice of not trying to rush to learn casting gear during a tournament situation.

[SirSnookalot]

I broke in on casting gear nearly 60 years, then 1 day my dad came home with 2 spinners for him and 2 spinners for me, love at first site.  Went back to b/c for a a bit but for the last 30 or so years it's nothing but spinning ( cept fly rod).  I use spinning for everything from freshwater to inshore to pelagic species ( sailfish).  I have one conventional outfit used only for drifting or trolling in the ocean, imo it's better suited for that than spinning gear, but given the choice I would rather land them on spinning.

I have caught back to back lemon sharks apx 150# each using only a 6000 spinner with 25lb class rod and 20# mono on a king rig.

[chromedog]

I cut my teeth on a zebco 33 and moved to a spinning reel not too long after.  I used spinning exclusively for probably 25 years and the last year or two I realized that certain techniques really require a casting setup to be fished correctly. 

For a tourney, fish what is comfortable, trying to learn something new when fishing a tourney is not the greatest strategy. 

[J. M. Richardson]

Thanks for the tips, that's kind of what I was thinking. To the member who said I'm a hard head for using only one kind, not true. Still a fairly young angler (20years old) I didn't even know what baitcaster was until 2 years ago. I was raised on spinning so that's what I know best.

I do not have the monetary capability to own 23 different rigs for whatever lures. Kind of wish I did but I'll have to stick to my measly five rods.

[JigMe]

I don't have 23 setups, but totally agree on different presentations require different types of rods and reels.

[Hammer 4]

IMHO, a competent spin rig user can do anything a baitcaster can do..Do what works best for you.

[angler1]

You have time to learn, even if its not on the water. I learned in my back yard. I would fish the tourney with the spinning rig b/c you are comfortable with. Don't give up on trying to learn. Personally I do not own a spinning combo. I use all baitcasters b/c I feel that I have more control of my casts and can feel sensation better.

[bass or bass ?]

Most importantly, use what you have confidence in. I use both and enjoy both.

[RedhookRR]

Go with what ya know. Like you said you got a baitcaster that you have been learning on. If you have a nice spinning setup that you like and want a top BC setup go for it. Myself I would go with a top spinning setup myself. Like yourself that is what i am good at and know.

[rubba bubba]

Lots of guys fish spinning gear exclusively.

Others fish baitcasters only. It really doesn't

matter. I use both, but have a strong preference

for one over the other for certain techniques.

x2.  This is the perfect answer.

You should get good with both to increase your flexibility.