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

[RoLo]

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.

Wisely stated Tom

I've boated tuna and sharks weighing in hundreds of pounds using conventional tackle,

which in freshwater jargon is called "baitcasting" gear. Without a doubt, revolving drum reels

are an asset for wrangling powerful bluewater species, but for freshwater bass that rarely exceed 15 lbs,

"Sissy Stick" may describe a baitcasting rod, but certainly not a spinning rod (don't need a cannon to kill flies).

Roger

[Fish Chris]

First off, I certainly won't say that everyone should use spinning gear. What I do believe, is that anglers should use whatever they feel most comfortable with.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That said, here's my whacked out life story. I was born left handed, but forced to be right handed, by old school parents who mistakenly believed that life would be easier for a right hander. What they didn't understand, is that life... or at least, hand-eye coordination, is extremely more difficult for somebody who was born with their brain wired for left-handedness, yet forced to be right handed.

The point is, for myself, no amount of practice could have ever made me even half-way decent, at casting a bait-caster. Heck, after 40 years with spinning gear, I still wouldn't consider myself a great caster. But I manage to get my lure or bait out where it needs to be..... even if it takes 3 or 5 casts to do it

Anyway, I've been throwing 5 to 6 ounce swimbaits on spinning gear for more than 10 years, with no problems at all.

I've also caught numerous Bat rays, to 140 lbs (poor mans Marlin ) on the same spinning gear I use to throw my swimbaits with.

Last Fall, I used my micro-light spinning gear, to catch two Sturgeon in the 90-100 lb range.

Honestly, I don't think their are any freshwater fish (and very few saltwater ones) that I can't land on spinning gear.

Point is, if you are using the right spinning gear, and you know how to use it, their is nothing in fresh water that it won't work totally fine for.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

But again, the best reel for you to use, is the one you feel most comfortable with.

Peace,

Fish

PS, It's still kind of amusing when I hear of buddies who are great with a bait-caster, yet still get a backlash Like I said, I'm not even that great with spinning gear, but still, I never get backlashes

[Long Mike]

The only reason I went away from spinning gear to baitcasters was because of line twist.  Had I discovered braid earlier I might never have changed.

[burleytog]

If the Rapala SR-5 & SR-7 weighed a little more, there wouldn't be any spinning tackle in my boat.

Other than a F&F rig.

[Fish Chris]

Hey Long Mike, and you know I use braid 100% exclusively, right ?

Yea', line twists on my spinning gear is never, ever a problem.

Peace,

Fish

[bassinbob54]

i use spinning gear most applications except really heavy or very deep diveing cranks..usually when i need precise casting i go spining plus after 50 plus years of useing it im more comfortable with spinning..like all the guys said..whatevers more comfortable to catch more fish, thats what we do..thanks Bob

[timothy_spain]

my spinning gear still casts further than my baitcaster. 

[Gone_Phishin]

I still use spinning gear for a lot of my walleye duties...at least until I can secure a Pixy and Presso. 

[Fishing Rhino]

The only reason I went away from spinning gear to baitcasters was because of line twist. Had I discovered braid earlier I might never have changed.

Life used to be more difficult for left handers.  I'll name one example, scissors.  Today, scissors are available for left handers, but years ago they were not readily available.

Scissors were designed to be used by right handed folks.  The act of closing the scissors forced the two blades to contact each other.  But when used by the left hand, the very nature of the geometry and physics of the human body forced the scissor blades to separate a bit, making cutting more of a hacking process.

The interesting thing about fishing is that right handers traditionally crank baitcasters with their right hand, and spinning gear with their left.

I wish I had gotten left hand crankers for my baitcasters.  I find casting with my right, then switching hands to grasp the rod with my left to crank with my right annoying.

And therein may lie a part of the rub.  I am used to working a bait with my right hand.  It feels awkward working it with my left hand.

I can do it, but it just doesn't feel natural.  Much like you being forced to use your right hand when you are  natural lefty.

[KYbass1276]

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

Come watch me then.  I used baitcasters only up till this year and I bought a spinning rig for the finesse fishing.    I have practiced and practiced and I still suck with it. 

To me a baitcaster just feels natural in my hands and I am confident using it.  I rarely have backlashes and most of the time it's because I was in a hurry and not paying atten

I *** the guys who are spinning reel whiz's cause I know I'm not

[tholmes]

The interesting thing about fishing is that right handers traditionally crank baitcasters with their right hand, and spinning gear with their left.

I wish I had gotten left hand crankers for my baitcasters. I find casting with my right, then switching hands to grasp the rod with my left to crank with my right annoying.

And therein may lie a part of the rub. I am used to working a bait with my right hand. It feels awkward working it with my left hand.

I can do it, but it just doesn't feel natural. Much like you being forced to use your right hand when you are natural lefty.

I'm a natural lefty also, and I found that when I started fishing seriously, baitcasters just seemed more natural to me. Cast with my left hand and reel with my right. No switching hands for me. Of course, back then, spinning reels that were designed to be cranked with the right hand were few and far between. The Mitchell 301 was about the only game in town.

My gear is evenly divided between baitcasting and spinning outfits. a quick mental inventory counts 6 of each. I'd say that I'm equally incompetent with both.

Generally, I use spinning gear for the lighter stuff (1/4 oz. and lighter) and baitcasters for the bigger baits, although I have spinning gear that will handle anything in my tackle box.

Tom

[craigco24]

I recently had a left elbow surgery so I thought there would be no better time to switch to left hand baitcast reels. I tried years ago and flopped with it, but since it was a necessity that I switched now the conversion was easy.  I spent a day ripping a trap, and another day with a jerkbait, now my lefty's feel natural to me.

[Fishing Rhino]

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

Come watch me then. I used baitcasters only up till this year and I bought a spinning rig for the finesse fishing. I have practiced and practiced and I still suck with it.

To me a baitcaster just feels natural in my hands and I am confident using it. I rarely have backlashes and most of the time it's because I was in a hurry and not paying atten

I *** the guys who are spinning reel whiz's cause I know I'm not

LOL. Until I see you, or someone like you, my statement stands. I've yet to see someone struggle with a spinning reel.

No doubt some do. My wife doesn't fish. I'll bet she'd probably struggle with a spinning reel.

It's like using any other tool. Some folks have trouble hitting a nail with a hammer. Others pick it up naturally.

[D4u2s0t]

I do lots of panfish and trout as well as bass and other fish.  So I use spinning gear alot as well.  I just started using a baitcaster last year, and if the conditions allow I'll exclusively use the baitcaster for bass now and anything bigger than panfish.  I run down to the lake about 3-5 times a week, and when I don't have the time to get out on the boat, I can't reach the good spots with spinning gear.  Plus I have no problem muscling fish out of thick heavy weeds, or when I snag a log, it's not a problem to get it out.  With spinning gear it would probably mean alot of lost baits, which happened last year.  I must have gone through no exaggeration about 75 hooks on spinning gear, and just as many baits.  Baitcaster, i'm yet to lose one.

For me it's just preference, what the conditions call for, what i'm fishing for, etc.  I'm not one of the guys that would knock someone for what they fish with.

[D4u2s0t]

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.

backlashes are caused by the person holding the reel, not the reel.  Your argument is like saying why drive a manual transmission car, when there's the chance to miss a shift.   But most car enthusiasts would still prefer a manual tranny.  Yes, if you don't know how to drive a manual car you will burn out your clutch, bang up your tranny, etc.  But, if you DO know how to drive them, you have more control over your car than someone with an auto. 

Again, it comes down to preference, if you see people pulling line out after every cast, or even after every few casts, it's simply because they don't know how to use a baitcaster.

[Daniel My Brother]

Baitcasters catch more fish. The time I spend picking out backlashes is more time for the bait to sit in the strike zone.

I'm only half joking.

I like both, use both, enjoy both. I can't imagine burning a buzzbait with spinning gear. I also can't imagine dropshotting with a baitcaster but I'm sure many do with no problems.

I also enjoy reading "Day on the Lake" as they chronicle every part of a pro's day, including the backlashes and break offs.

[Redlinerobert]

I have one spinning outfit in the boat.  A Steez Compile-X paired with a Stella 2500.  I've had it for 3 years now, I think I've used it 3 times total.

[Raul]

My friend Rigoberto fishes exclusively with spinning gear, he never got used to bc and by the time he had achieved control with bc gear he just decided he didn 't want bc gear so he sold his bc rig and got himself another spinning setup.

For those who still think bc gear is superior to spinning should take a look at Chris ' site, the man fishes exclusively with spinning gear and he has caught more 10+ pounders than most will ever catch in three or four lifetimes.

[roadwarrior]

My friend Rigoberto fishes exclusively with spinning gear, he never got used to bc and by the time he had achieved control with bc gear he just decided he didn 't want bc gear so he sold his bc rig and got himself another spinning setup.

For those who still think bc gear is superior to spinning should take a look at Chris ' site, the man fishes exclusively with spinning gear and he has caught more 10+ pounders than most will ever catch in three or four lifetimes.

Yeah, but he's just lucky... ;)

It's been awhile since Fish Chris has updated

his totals, or I have just missed them. As of

a couple of years ago, 83 DDs.

Oh! And then there's those prehistoric monsters

and saltwater species. Dude rules with his sissy

rod.

8-)

[Raul]

Yeah, but he's just lucky... ;)

That 's too ---> 

[J Francho]

I recently serviced Shimano Spheros 8000 and 16000 series reels.  I can assure you, they aren't sissy reels, LOL. 

[Dockhead]

I love both. I grew up with one spinning rod and one baitcaster (still have and occasionally use the baitcaster 25 years later). Currently I have about 10 baitcast set-ups and 5 spinning set-ups. I think they both have their place.

But unfortunately, in my club and in my neck of the woods, most people don't lend much credence to spinning gear. It is looked upon as an oddity by many. I kind of like it that way to be honest, I feel like I have an extra weapon because I can do something most others I fish with can't.

I usually get one of two things when I fish a tournament. Either a non-boater who doesn't own a spinning rod ("except for looking for specks") or a non-boater who doesn't own any baitcast gear (because they haven't fished that long, aren't comfortable with it and/or don't fish that often). Doesn't bother me either way, but there are plenty who don't seem comfortable with what they have (please see: indian/arrow). Whatever you choose, just do your best to be proficient at as many techniques as you can.

I personally am glad I don't have to choose between the two, I love being able to switch off as the situation dictates. I have done well on days when I only used spinning gear, and vice versa with baitcasters. I fully believe that you should do what you are comfortable with and what is fun for you.

Having said all that, if spinning gear and baitcasting is equal, and you can do all of the same things with spinners that you can with baitcasters, then why is it that at the highest levels of professional bass fishing, where anglers can use any gear made, the predominant weapons are of the baitcasting variety?? I know you see spinning gear come out a bit, and some fisheries lend themselves to a certain technigue (i.e., drop shotting) and a tourney is won on that technique, but rarely is it the main weapon of a tournament professional.

Just puttin' it out there.

[jerkw8nonajerk01]

I love spinning gear as well but just got first baitcaster at christmas...to be honest I have forced it into my routine to become a better heavy bait/moving bait fisherman, but I mostly finesse my bass as I am a land locked fisherman...I will say that the accuracy of a baitcaster could be deadly in the right hands..its accounted for fish I probably wouldn't of gotten to without repeated attempts with spinnig gear...hard to explain but the ability to "zip" a bait in cover with little effort is pleasing. I hear if I upgrade to the world of curado or revo I could put spinning gear down as these reels are supposed to do better with lighter weights.

[TRYTOFISH]

thats a carp

[nashontheriver]

maybe i'm confused about the terms but, i think the most looked down on is a spin cast "closed reel". however, its a really simple setup that helps kids and the inexperienced get into fishing. also, 3 days ago i bought a spinning combo from BPS. its the first one i've used in about 15 years. i definitely struggled with it at first. i think i've remembered now. i haven't used a bait caster or a fly set up yet.