Spinning outfit vs baitcast outfit for smallies

[U.W BronzeBack Hunter]

When fishing for smallies, how often do you guys use spinning rigs compared to baitcast rigs?  When i go smallie fishin, i opt for lures at max 1/4 ounce, and i find it real hard to throw a 1/4 oz lure with a baitcast outfit.  It just bothers me how much more often i use my spinning rigs than my baitcast rig (which happens to be twice as expensive ).

[Fish Chris]

Hey UW, for me that's a no brainer..... Spinning, of course.

But then I have to be honest with you..... this is first and foremost because I am the worlds worst caster with a baitcaster. Heck, I'm not "great" with a spinning rod...... but I get my line out there in front of a big one, once in a while, in spite of this :-)

I guess their are some things that would work better with spinning "even if" I were good with a baitcaster.... Like fly-lining a weightless crawler, or a 1" live dad, on the micro-light.

But then I'm the whacko that throws 6oz swimbaits on a spinning rod also.... so you will probably want to get some responses from "normal guys" before you make any decisions :-)

Peace,

Fish

It's my parents fault, I'm telling you :-)

[NBR]

80% BC until m id summer then 70% BC. I throw down to 1/8 oz on my batcasters.

[bilgerat]

Chris - you aint alone. I started fishing ul last year and I was amazed at the fish I caught. I have a bc that I haven't touched in years.

I think too many guys dismiss lite tackle, they don't know what they're missing.

Check my post from the other night. This was done with a Pflueger 4725gx on a BPS 6' Micro Lite rod and 4# Trilene XL:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1237128391

[Fish Chris]

Hey bilgerat, heck yea' ! Carp are "awesome" sportfish :-) Very strong. A blast to catch. I learned more growing up, about how to fight big fish on micro-light gear, with Carp, than any other species. By the time I was old enough to get my line out in front of other big sportfish, I was 'ready for them'  ;-)

Peace,

Fish

[wisturkeyhunter]

I use a baitcaster probably 90% of the time maybe more. 10% of the time is weightless crawlers which I haven't done for smallmouth in a couple years. I can throw 1/4 jigheads with grubs, weightless senkos and other plastics, swimbaits,and top waters. Just depends what you are comfortable w/.

[Fish Chris]

Hey wisturkey

Just depends what you are comfortable w/.

I couldn't agree more.

That's why I always have to chuckle when guys come to me saying.... > Well you use nothing but spinning gear, and you catch... yada... yada.... So is that the secret ? < Uhhhh..... No. That's NOT the secret. The secret is, I suck with a baitcaster :-)

I suggest using whatever works best FOR YOU.

Peace,

Fish

[J Francho]

I just use what is right (for me) for the situation at hand.  i never really sat and thought about the ratio, or cared.  When I analyze my fishing, its about catching vs. not catching.

[roadwarrior]

Baitcasting: Power fishing

Spinning: Finesse

Form a practical standpoint, I fish hardbaits (jerkbaits, topwater, etc.)

with baitcasting equipment; soft plastics and live bait with spinning

tackle. I do have a preference for spinning tackle due to the inevitable

surge at the boat and because I think line size and visibility are important

when targeting smallmouth.

8-)

[bass wrangler569]

I do the vast majority of my smallie fishing with baitcasters because I use a lot of jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, etc. for smallies so I like heavier tackle.  The only thing I use spinning rigs for in relation to smallmouth are hair jigs, tubes, dropshot, and shakey head.

[retiredbosn]

I use both depending on the situation. Jigs, cranks, spinners (down to 1/8 oz inline spinners), topwater on a bc.  All other spinning tackle.

[Crestliner2008]

I just use what is right (for me) for the situation at hand. i never really sat and thought about the ratio, or cared. When I analyze my fishing, its about catching vs. not catching.

I couldn't agree more. I carry both when fishing for smallmouth. I use the bait caster for the blades, heavy jigs and large spinnerbaits, when called for. This probably accounts for about 25% of my seasonal use. The balance goes to the spinning equipment. I do a lot of drop shotting, which can be done with a bait caster, but the light line (4# - 6# test) is better suited to the former, in my opinion.

[Beardog]

To my simple mind, the question is backlashes versus the dreaded loop.  Spinning, you will inevitably get the loops, which often require a complete relining.  With baitcasters, you will get the professional overrun, which requires a lot of blue words and some patience to repair.  However, skill can alleviate the backlash--nothing can overcome the physics of the spinning reel.  Educate your thumb!

[thetr20one]

I use the outfit for whatever technique I am using at that time.

[Flywatersmallie]

Spinning, about 80% of the time. I fish mostly small, light baits for smallies. I really fish only in rivers, wading, as well. A few times during the year, the casting rig comes out almost exclusively. Namely in the fall throwing bigger spinnerbaits, cranks and swimbaits and in the spring with bigger jerks. Thats it. The rest of the time, I throw weightless or lightly weighted soft plastics, jigs and smaller jerk baits on spinning gear.

[Tin]

Tubes, drop-shot, jerkbaits = Spinning

Spinnerbaits, spooks, jigs = Casting

[Jig Thrower]

for me it depends what i am throwing, i am starting to use a spinning reel more, but i can throw anything with a baitcaster it just depends on your comfortability

[Tokyo Tony]

To my simple mind, the question is backlashes versus the dreaded loop. Spinning, you will inevitably get the loops, which often require a complete relining. With baitcasters, you will get the professional overrun, which requires a lot of blue words and some patience to repair. However, skill can alleviate the backlash--nothing can overcome the physics of the spinning reel. Educate your thumb!

Close the bail with your hand (not by reeling) and never reel when there's slack line around the spool. You'll never get another loop  

P.S. Braided line helps as well.

[iceintheveins]

I use spinning gear for pretty much all bass applications unless I'm fishing heavy cover or throwing lures 1/2 an ounce or over. Six to ten pound test is plenty for any bass if you are away from cover. Since smallies are more often found away from heavy weed and brush growth, I generally use spinning gear for them. It's only when you are fishing cover that you need to beef up your line.

[bassmaster3000]

I would use a baitcast outfit for lures such as crankbaits, spinnerbaits, swimbaits, and anything heavy. Spinning outfits are more for finesse. Worms, senkos, jigs, and light stuff on those.  ;D

[fishnjohn]

I prefer baitcasters over spinning for everything unless it is windy.Then it is a mess to try using light tackle on a baitcaster. I will even dropshot with a baitcaster if there is no wind. I feel like I have more control and there is less line twist using a baitcaster.

[zaraspook_dylan2]

I prefer a baitcast rod over a spincast rod ANY DAY. Well, when i can get away with it, meaning if the lure is to light i cant use it on a baitcaster and i'll switch to a spincast.

About the price thing, just go to garage sales, ebay, stuff like that, to purchase cheaper/used rods. I bought 4 used bait cast rods all in great condition for 100$. If money's a problem, just buy used tackle.

[jejenkyns]

On 3/21/2009 at 8:40 PM, Beardog said:

To my simple mind, the question is backlashes versus the dreaded loop.  Spinning, you will inevitably get the loops, which often require a complete relining.  With baitcasters, you will get the professional overrun, which requires a lot of blue words and some patience to repair.  However, skill can alleviate the backlash--nothing can overcome the physics of the spinning reel.  Educate your thumb!

this post is so old but this is exactly how I feel.

[cyclops2]

Loops ?  I only get them with tiny 1.5" long Rapala floaters in high wind and very used Braided 4# test casting into the wind.   I was just too lazy & dumb to cast with high wind at my back.  With big  spinning reel. Mitchell 300 class.  The floppy loops are not that bad. 30 seconds to clear out.

I am too lazy to turn my back to the wind ?? 

 

I am so old that I did not know each type of fish would refuse to be caught on wrong type of rod / reel... I only catch the dumb ones.

[leinad]

spinning gear 100% of the time for my smallie fishing as i fish fast moving shallow (<10') rivers and use light line and lures , and that works for me. the baitcasters come out when fishing slop for LM and heavier line is needed.