what's best to cast w/baitcaster?

[rancocasrich]

I am learning the art and science of baitcasting. I just purchased a "pre-owned" baitcasting combo - quantum accurist reel and 7' castaway rod. I basically have fished with anything I wanted on my spinning equip. I have read that certain "baits" are better on a baitcaster. What do forum members suggest for me? worms? crankbaits? surface poppers/plugs? spinnerbaits? I look forward to building some knowledge now during "cabin fever" season. Thanks

[Blue Streak]

I have fished just about everything on them, didn't even pick up spinning gear for many years. I guess they excel at casting cranks, spinnerbaits, c rigs, topwaters and so on. Try it all you will figure out which you like best on a baitcaster versus a spinning outfit.

[kikstand454]

well. you can fish anything on either. its just some techniques are better suited for one or the other.

in general.. power fishing (t-rig,c-rig,spinnerbaits,jigs,swimbaits.. etc.) are better for baitcasting reels. finesse fishing (shakyheads,senkos,dropshotting..etc) are usually better on spinning tackle.

there are of coure exceptions to the rules. many people on here throw weightless plastics such as senkos and flukes on baitcasting gear. likewise many throw small versions of c-rigs and jigs and things on spinning gear.

i personally go buy the rule that if im fishing on the bottom... and my bait and weight combined is a 1/4oz or less... i normally use a spinning rig.  thats just me though.

the size of a lure that can be thrown with your reel is determined by the action of the rod your using.

[90x]

I have found that I use anything with weight and that moves fast on a baitcaster. For a spinning reel, mostly weightless baits and baits I like to move slower.

I tried using a jig and pig as well as a weighted creature bait with my spinning reel. Because the spinning reel rod is the reverse of the baitcaster, my baits would get stuck in at the bottom. They dug themselves into the gravel and dirt.

With a baitcaster, the reversed rod guides do not allow the bait to fall so easily when it is not engaged. The baitcaster would pull against the bait, while the spinning reel went with the bait.

[D4u2s0t]

I would start out with heavier baits like texas rigged plastics, they will be easiest.  Spinnerbaits are not the most aerodynamic, and will be tough at first.  still worth the practice.  I have a hard time throwing crankbaits under 1/2 ounce on a baitcaster still, but last year was my first year really using a baitcaster.

[roadwarrior]

well. you can fish anything on either. its just some techniques are better suited for one or the other.

in general.. power fishing (t-rig,c-rig,spinnerbaits,jigs,swimbaits.. etc.) are better for baitcasting reels. finesse fishing (shakyheads,senkos,dropshotting..etc) are usually better on spinning tackle.

there are of coure exceptions to the rules. many people on here throw weightless plastics such as senkos and flukes on baitcasting gear. likewise many throw small versions of c-rigs and jigs and things on spinning gear.

i personally go buy the rule that if im fishing on the bottom... and my bait and weight combined is a 1/4oz or less... i normally use a spinning rig. thats just me though.

the size of a lure that can be thrown with your reel is determined by the action of the rod your using.

Baitcasting gear: Power fishing

Spinning tackle: Finesse techniques

8-)

[Stasher1]

You can cast whatever you want on either setup, but I prefer baitcasting for spinnerbaits, cranks, and chatterbait-type lures. I use a spinning setup for just about everything else.

[kms399]

for me a baitcasting reel is just more comfortable to fish with. I really only use spinning for finesse or skipping senko's or tubes under docks. everyone is different.

[Paul Roberts]

Agree with others here, but I'll expand.

Casting rigs excel in two scenarios:

1. For torque intensive presentations -large billed crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and swimbaits. I wore out a (~inexpensive) spinning reel burning spinnerbaits a while back. I've used a casting rig for this great technique ever since. Any lure that resists a lot is more efficient, easier, to retrieve on casting tackle.

2. For winching fish out of heavy cover.

I recently chatted with Rich Zaleski about this, and we traded heavy duty spinning reel war stories. I told him I sheered the handle off a Daiwa BG15 winching a 3lb bass out of heavy slop. If I'd known the slop had developed already in this pond, I'd have had a casting rig with me.

Rich was using an over-sized spinning rig to pitch unweighted plastics way back in a slop filled cove, and hooked a monster. He picked it's head up, gave no quarter, and almost got it out when his reel stem snapped! The bass got it's head under and bolted into a bush. Rich poled back in and retrieved the bass -a 7lber. The reel was done for.

Spinning reels lack the winching power that casting reels inherently have. It is possible to use very large high quality spinning reels to do some of this stuff but, oz for oz and $ for $, casting rigs are much more efficient for these uses. Casting reels are simply more efficient at heavy winching.

[rancocasrich]

This is good info for me.  Thanks for taking the time and interest.

What is a texas-rigged plastic?

[rancocasrich]

I just googled texas-rigged plastics and got my answer.  thanks.

[The Bassinator]

I am a little new to the whole bass scene as well and I found a lot of good info here and elsewhere but somethings you just have to try out for yourself.  Just try using the baits you used with your spinning outfit on your baitcaster and by trial and error you'll figure it out.  Also with the right knowledge you should be able to narrow down what is used on which setup but in the fishing world there is always room for flexibility and creativeness.