Baitcaster vrs Spinning reel?

[WyoChris]

Just want to get your opinion...... I'm stationed down in Kentucky and have been doing a lot of bass fishing lately. I've always liked using spinning reels, even for bass fishing when throwing plastics, jigs, etc. I bought a baitcaster a few weeks and have been using it a little bit, but I still prefer the spinning rods for just about everything except a heavy spinner bait.

What are the pros and cons of using these two reels? Why do the hardcore bass fisherman use almost exclusively baitcasters?

Chris

[chief]

Chris,

As they relate to bass fishing, spinning tackle and casting tackle fall into the general categories of finesse and power, respectively.

Superlines (braids and fused equivalents) have changed the spinning landscape somewhat, but, broadly speaking, spinning reels work best with lines testing from 10# and less. If you're throwing lighter lures, say..anything under a quarter ounce, spinning is probably your best choice. It excells for stealth applications in clear water where one might throw tubes, jigworms, grubs, drop shot rigs etc. It excells, too, with a variety of other presentations in light cover. On a physics principle, spinning reels are considered less "powerful" since they do not retrieve in a direct line with the lure. They're also considered less powerful as any cranking of the handle has to be transferred up a shaft to a set of gears that rotate the bail assembly in a different plane.

Casting reels, on the other hand, are really a very simple winch. They retrieve in direct line with the lure, and as you turn the reel handle this motion is transferred directly to the spool. Therefore, casting reels excel with larger, more water resistant lures, and they have more power for pulling larger fish. The increased diameter and stiffness of heavier lines is better handled by casting reels since line leaves and returns to the spool in a straight line. If you need heavier line, bigger lures, and more power, casting tackle is your best choice. Casting reels are a bit more accurate. This is largely due to the more intuitive ergonomics of having your hand and thumb on the reel. The cast becomes an extension of "pointing" your hand at the intended target.

Today's bass pros use both type of reels extensively. Usage of either reel is dictated by technique and habitat.

[mainbutter]

I use baitcasters for heavy applications. 3oz+ sinkers with a big chunk of cut bait for cat fishing, or tossing around the bigger musky lures.. I just don't want to do that on a spinning reel. Also, very few spinning reels have a bait clicker which is nice for carping and cat fishing.

I use spinning reels for everything else. I would never touch a baitcasting rod for bass fishing. I know lots of people do, ESPECIALLY the 'pros', but I never would.

I've got a very fun MH spinning setup that will cast anything up to smaller musky lures. It will even pull baby girl and showgirl inline spinners. I got it specifically for tossing bigger lures for pike and LMB than what has normally been my arsenal in years past.

Some people believe they need a dozen rods, each with a different taper and power, for every possible application for bass fishing. I've never met a technique I couldn't duplicate with ease on medium or MH spinning gear. Granted, this is due in part to braid.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Both above posts are spot on...

I prefer baitcast as I am more accurate with casts.. They casts and handle heavier line without dealing with much line memory issues or line twist.

But I can cast more accurate and longer distances with heavier line with a baitcaster, and get more favorable gear ratios as well, which will mean less fatigue at the end of the day..

[BobT]

I'm just the opposite but maybe it's lack of experience and/or quality equipment. I find baitcasters combersome to use and I'm horribly inaccurate and can't get any distance unless I'm throwing a ton.

One area where baitcasters will undoubtedly out-perform spinning is in the name, spin. Because the spool lays sideways rather than verticle, baitcasters will never twist line. Bass and musky fishing is a lot of cast - retreive and spinning equipment will quickly twist your line up this way.

[WyoChris]

Thanks for the info guys, I just bought 2x baitcasters along with the 3x spinning rods I have in my boat. I'm mainly concerned about the spring bite of reservoirs to ensure I can pull a big bass out of the weeds/timbers. This brings me to my next question: should I put mono or braided on my baitcasters? I have heavy mono, 14 and 17 lb test, on right now. It can be a little cumbersome to use, i've been having some issues with tangles on the reel. I am not sure if it is the line or just my inexperience with these reels. Would braided make casting any easier?

Thanks.

[PeteB]

Make sure you have your brake set right for the weight of the lure you are tossing. If it is too light, the reel will keep spinning after the lure has stopped going forward and you will have a mess on your hands. It's amazing how fast any line can tie itself into knots that way. The general rule I use is to set the brake so the reel stops when a lure just touches the water when released with the rod at a 45 degree angle. You may have to tweak it a bit from there for pitching or hard casts, but it should get you close.

[Wayne Ek]

Stay with mono until you become more proficient with the bait casting reels. It is much easier to get a over-run out working with mono than it is if you are using braid and having to cut over-runs out when using braid can get rather expensive. Also, while you're learning and becoming comfortable with the bait-caster try short spooling the reel(don't fill the spool all the way full) this will cut down on the distance you can get casting but will help you develop spool control when casting and you will have less of an over-run problem.

[NCLaker]

+1 on the mono recommendation. I would go with no more than 12# test for now, and make sure it is very limp line (like Gamma Gopoly). If you use heavier or stiffer line, it can want to "spring" off your baitcaster spool - thus causing you more overruns/backlashes issue. This is why as a beginner with baitcasters, don't put florocarbon line on (very stiff).

Not sure what type of reel you bought, but start with most if not all of your breaks on (centrifuge pins/magnetic). You can back off on them as you get better at casting. Also, make sure you adjust your spool tension nob so that your bait slowly falls under it's own weight when you hit the free spool button (similar to what PeteB said). And when casting, don't swing for the fences. All these items should help avoid the overruns/backlashes.

Also, start practicing using a heavier lure (like around 1/2 oz) that will not get caught up in the wind. Large lipless cranks or bass sized jigs are real easy to cast.

One last point - if you need tips on how to get rid overruns/backlashes - search on youtube. Some very helpul techniques for getting rid of the tangled messes. Good luck!!

[shizzy]

I actually go just a tad tighter on my brake. I adjust it so the lure drops slowly when I shake the rod tip up and down a few inches. I'm sure I loose a foot or two on my casts, but I rarley get any birds nests.