Am I the only angler here who uses ONLY spinning gear?

[FivePoundBluegill]

Just wondered? I noticed most people on this site prefer bait casting gear. Or at least for most types of fishing. I use spinning gear for pretty much everything. I guess it is because I have just grown up useing it so I have gotten so used to it. I also guess its because I do so much carp/cat fishing and I need gear that I can switch between fishing a lure for bass and fishing a still bait for fish like catfish. Just wondered if I am the only angler here who uses only spinning gear and if you prefer bait casting or spinning gear. I also wondered for all you guys who use both types of gear what application you use each for.

[RichF]

I use mainly baitcasting gear but that's because I fish almost exclusively for bass. I feel that there are a lot of techniques for bass that absolutely require baitcasting (i.e. flipping, pitching, burning big cranks and spinnerbaits, froggin). It also come down to personal preference. I've fished with guys on bass tournaments that can barely use baitcasting gear. Baitcasters can be a pain at first but there's no harm in trying them out. Heck, you may love them!

[florida strain]

i use both, but i prefer baitcaster , i use the spinning more for  finesse it helps me get a better cast with smaller lures line and terminal tackle.

[iceintheveins]

I actually use spinning gear about 70% of the time when bass fishing, because I use a lot of finesse tactics like senkos, smaller worms, tubes, grubs ect. Smaller cranks and poppers also work better thrown on spinning gear. But if you are throwing deeper running cranks, most spinnerbaits, fishing in heavy cover, jigs, or frogs, baitcasting gear is the way to go. I generally use baitcasting gear to throw any lure over 3/8 of an ounce, but I can cast 5/16 ounce topwaters and 1/4 spinnerbaits just fine with a $50 quantum baitcast reel.

Spin gear is best for lighter presentations. I also prefer heavier spinning gear for buzzbaits because you can't get an overrun and can reel the bait as soon as it hits the water. But I do pretty well with buzzbaits on casting gear too.

[grimlin]

I rather be using spinning gear only as well(they are my go to set up)....but the fisherman in me just doesn't see the point in not learning other types of set ups.I refuse to let myself be limited.

My goal for next year is to at least learn to cast a fly rod.I really want to get a light weight one and go catch some bluegills with it....I always hear how much of a blast it is. 

[RoLo]

  Quote

Am I the only angler here who uses ONLY spinning gear?

Probably  :

Roger

[Taylor Fishin 4 life]

I love my spinning equipment, I have grown up down here in south georgia around the swamps and thick cover and i land 95 % of my fish in lili pads, hydrilla, cypress trees, and reeds. I know a guy and all he uses it spinning tackle and was night fishing with him and he landed three 10 pound plus fish.

On the other hand when i started diversifying my fishing strategies i have learned that bait casters have their times and places. So basically what im saying if you only prefer one 2 or 3 styles of fishing and it works with spinning than stick to it, but if you want to open your fishing options and teckniques you will learn you just cant seem to do things with spinning tackle to effectively. Like

Deep diving crankbaits

Big Jigs

swimbaits

large weight carolina rigs

larger spinning and buzzbaits

heavy heavy mattted grass flipping

[J. M. Richardson]

I just recently purchased my first baitcaster last year. I got a cheapo Abu Garcia Black max, the thing only works well with heavy lures (spinnerbaits jigs and big cranks), but it does amazing with those.

I love spinning reels for the fact I am very comfortable with them. I will be fishing an FLW Collegiate tournament later this year and had the chance to pick up a really nice rod and reel for cheap from one of my team's sponsors. I chose to get a really nice spinning combo in order to fish to my strengths.

I think learning to use both effectively is the best strategy.

[Bass Tracker 20]

I use both, there 2 different tools for different applications

[SWH]

Since i have just started i have two rods and both are spinning so i am ONLY spinning gear here. You are not alone

[K_Mac]

There are many who use only spinning gear. There are some who would rather have a root canal than use spinning gear. Others who feel the same way about baitcast gear. Most of us use both.

Use whatever works for you.  8-)

[craigco24]

I only break out the sissy stick when I have too.  No seriously, I have been trying to use spinning gear more and more.  I have been trying to down size my line on certain applications and have went with spinning gear for some of it. 

[Fishing Rhino]

I use spinning gear for the most part.

I can, if necessary use baitcasters, without backlashes, except when I am trying for more distance.

I fish with some who prefer baitcasters, and they spend a lot of time stripping line from their reels to get rid of the loose coils on many of their casts.

I don't get it.  When they use spinning gear, they never have a problem.  If I was constantly stripping line from a reel after a cast, it would drive me nuts.

When you read about how excellent a particular baitcasting reel is, and notice all the features, they brag about their braking systems, and how they eliminate backlashes and "overruns".

The fact that they are constantly "improving" their reels with better braking systems tells me they need them because there is an inherent problem with baitcasters.  They do tend to backlash. 

Add to that the fact that new technology is making them less likely to backlash means they have yet to eliminate the backlash problem, and they likely never will.

What do spinning reel promos say.  New and improved drags, better line loading for longer casts, lighter, smoother, better rollers on the bails, better gearing systems, etc.  I have yet to see any that state they reduce a casting problem inherent in spinning reels.

There will never be a final answer to the question, but for this.  Use what you prefer.  Do not be concerned about what others are using.

I see some who struggle with baitcasters.  I have yet to see anyone struggle with spinning gear.

[aceman387]

I use only spinning equipment myself.I do own one bait caster set up but haven't used it for years.I mainly fish clear water and find spinning reels perfect for my finesse fishing.

[Sam]

No.

Depending where you are fishing spinning gear is great.

Used only two presentations 90% of the time on Lake Gaston and finished 4th in a tournament.

Spool some 6 or 8 pound Yo-Zuri Hybird on your spinning reel and go fishing. 

[BucketProgram]

I primarily use baitcasting gear. I love fishing largemouths in heavy cover and to muscle a big bass out of heavy cover, spinning gear is almost useless.

Obviously spinning gear is much easier to use and if switching to baitcasting gear, there is a BIG learning curve but the advantages FAR outweigh the disadvantages. Again though, the type of fishing dictates the type of gear.

[Goldstar225]

I started with spinning reels then added baitcasters to the arsenal.  I use the baitcasters more but I always have two spinning rods in the boat that I use in certain circumstances.

[Elite Image Fishing]

I work with a guy who used to film Tom Mann and he said Tom only used spinning gear. I also have a friend who uses his almost exclusively.

[Crestliner2008]

I'm also primarily a fisherman that prefers spinning gear for most of the time I'm on the water. I've been using baitcasters for over 35 years though and am quite comfortable using them; but spinning rules for me, as I'm primarily a smallmouth fisherman.

Anytime I'm fishing large plugs, spinnerbaits or blade baits, I prefer a baitcaster. For everything else, I find a spinning rod in my hands. I really like one particular medium-heavy, 7' spinning rod of mine, with a 4000 Sahara. Have caught a lot of both species of bass with that rig, as well as northerns and stripers too!

I do "enjoy" using a baitcaster from time to time; but I suppose I could live easily with just a spinning rod in my hands.

[Grey Wolf]

YOU ARE NOT ALONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[WVBassHunter]

I use spinning tackle for everything...but...this year i tried an old baitcaster i got when i was 16 and man...a little back yard pluggin' and i was loving the feel of the rod and the better sensitivity overall.  So i am looking into a better reel and stick for later this season to learn how to better use it and starting running deep diving lures more.

Matt

[K_Mac]

There is a learning curve even for spinning gear. When I have inexperienced anglers on my boat, they almost always end up using one of my spinning combos. I have them spooled with Yo-Zuri Hybrid 6#. I can fish them all day without one twist. A novice cannot.

A decent quality baitcast combo in the hands of an experienced user is wonderful thing. For some applications baitcast is the only way to go for me. I feel the same way about spinning gear. It really is a matter of personal preference IMHO.

[craigco24]

The term, you get what you pay for applies to fishing reels.  Between cheap gear and an angler just not knowing his equipment is the reason for most backlashes.  A fisherman needs to turn the brakes completely off, then adjust the cast control knob to where the bait falls slowly to the ground  without an overrun of line on the spool.  At that point, if you are unfamiliar, or haven't tried this before I will suggest you turn the brakes all the way on, or the highest setting, whichever your reel has.  You will not cast very far in this setting, but you can back the brakes off until you have the happy medium between casting distance, and manageability.   

[paangler13]

you can get some pretty heavy duty spinning gear, more than capable of pulling fish out of cover. If you really pound thick cover, a baitcaster is the way to go though.

Jim

[Helluva_Engineer]

Spinning gear exclusively here myself. I'm thinking about diving into baitcasters...we'll see.