question about buying a new rod

[Luke at Gouldsboro]

I have a buddy (who knows I'm into fishing) ask me a question. He said he has one bait caster and a couple spinning rods, he wants to buy a new rod within the next week. He isn't that comfortable with bait casters, and he wanted to know, should he buy the bait caster and learn to use it or buy another spinning rod. I need input from you guys for my buddy. thanks

[JigMe]

I use spinner gears for worms, and baitcaster for everything else. But it is up to your buddy, use whatever he is comfortable with.

[bigfruits]

you can fish any bait on a spinning rod with proper specs. its all personal preference.

if i were him, id practice on the baitcaster he has (leave the spinning at home) for a few trips and then decide what to buy.

why does he want a new combo? is it for a particular presentation or bait type?

[KYntucky Warmouth]

Like they said, it's really up to him whether he wants to learn baitcasting better or stick with spinning. 

[Grey Wolf]

Why can't he learn on the bait caster he already has ?

[BucketBuster]

I had the same thing occur with a friend who wanted to get into fishing. He had some spinning gear and was curious about baitcasters, so I let him borrow one of my combos to practice with at home and when we were out on the water. He got used to it after a few trips (and thousands of casts), and now primarily uses baitcasters. I would tell your friend to buy the spinning outfit and lend him one of your baitcast combos to practice with until he gets the hang of it. Then he can purchase his own combo once his comfort level increases.

[dolomieu]

I say tell him to get the baitcaster; I'm sure he'll love it after a little practice.

[Luke at Gouldsboro]

He just started fishing, and wanted to get a couple rods in his arsenal, he only has two bass rods.

[Big Bait Fishing]

i feel that in any bass fishermans arsenal , a bait caster is a pretty mandatory thing to have and to master . i used spinning rigs for along time and used it for everything , now i use baitcasters for 90% of my fishing , using spinning rigs for primarily just drop shotting and smaller weightless plastics . tell your friend to put in the time and patience and master the baitcaster , he will be a happy camper in no time 

[new2BC4bass]

I started fishing at 5...62 now. Haven't fished once in 23 years, and only a couple times before that since having to move to this area 25 years ago. I have always used spinning reels. No problem as I was an ultralight fisherman.

However, I have gone bass fishing with a relative in Florida the past couple years. Was still using spinning rods. I found I didn't like the larger spinning reels we were using. Not very handy in my opinion.

So I recently started buying baitcasting equipment. I know I have a lot to learn, but feel that in the long run baitcasting is where I want to be in the future.

Never will give up my spinning outfits for ultralight, but am planning on baitcasting equipment for everything else. You can handle heavier lines with much smaller reels.

So I agree with several others. If he plans on bass fishing, then he will most likely be happier in the long term if he learns baitcasting now.

[flippin and pitchin]

If your buddy is committed to expanding his skills he would be well served to go with another baitcaster.  BUT, help him out.  Show him the fundamentals from how to  set the breaking system and how to let the rod load.  Casting is like most any other skill, if the fundamentals are learned first the rest falls in line.  I taught my daughters to use BC when they were 10 or 11 years old.  The back yard is for trial and error and the water is for fishing. 

[new2BC4bass]

If your buddy is committed to expanding his skills he would be well served to go with another baitcaster. BUT, help him out. Show him the fundamentals from how to set the breaking system and how to let the rod load. Casting is like most any other skill, if the fundamentals are learned first the rest falls in line. I taught my daughters to use BC when they were 10 or 11 years old. The back yard is for trial and error and the water is for fishing.

Excellent advice. Wish I had someone to show me the right way to set up my reels, and instruct me on casting. Will have to go by what I learn on the Internet. Not nearly as good an option for me as having someone demonstrating the correct method. Did see one youtube video that was a help on learning the roll cast. Maybe there are other videos out there to help me.

If anyone knows of instructional casting videos, please give a link.  Thanks.