baitcasting VS. Spinning reels

[walleyeiceguy]

Can anyone give me any info on the diffrent uses of a baitcasting reel Vs. a spinning reel. I have used both and like them but dont really know if there are special uses for eather that I should pay attention too. I do turn my baitcasting reel into a rats nest more times than not but I am getting better. Any info about the uses of these would be apreceated.

Respectfully,

Walleyeiceguy

[Luck e 1]

I can offer little info...but I think that some guys like to troll with baitcasters. I also think that some like to use baitcasters to flip jigs (bass fishing) into cover. One thing that is for sure...I think that you can control your casts a lot better by adding/subtracting pressure on your thumb when the lure is in mid-air. This helps you become a little more accurate, and you may be able to avoid casting into trouble by simply slowing an errant cast down. With a spinning rod you are kind of forced to slam the bail shut or grab the line (although I feel more accurate with a spinning rod). Honestly, I have found that I can do almost everything with a spinning rod that others do with a baitcaster...and there is less chance of me casting the line into a bird's nest. But i think I am just too lazy to learn...oh well

[Eric Wettschreck]

I like using my baitcaster because I have WAY more control over my casts. Yup, it takes some practice but when you have it down you have much more control. Also, by comparison to a spinning reel I can cast a country mile with my baitcaster.

[Ralph Wiggum]

I get fed up with line twist on spinning reels.

A way to slow your line/lure down when casting with a spinning reels is to "feather" the line as it comes off of the spool with the tip of your finger.

There are two situations that I reach for the spinning rigs instead of baitcasting rigs:

1) Casting light lures - although with a good baitcsting reel, you can throw pretty light lures.

2) Skipping under docks - I haven't been able to master this yet.

Otherwise, I'd much rather prefer to throw with my baitcasters. I get better accuracy, more cranking power, no line twist problems, and I think I can feel things better than with a spinning outfit.

[Ufatz]

With practice you can be just as accurate with either reel. Theoretically you will cast lures of the same weight greater distances with a spin reel because you do not have to overcome the inertia of a casting reels spool, since a spinning or free line reel's line is pulled off the reel by the weight of the lure. Lighter lures are tossed easier with a spinning reel. Learning to use a spinning reel is much easier than learning to use a casting reel, but even so many people end up using spinning reels upside down!! A casting reel can take more punishment and deal with heavier drags, given reels of comparable size, but there are some LARGE saltwater reels that are pretty tough. Learning to cast either properly will go a long way toward enjoying use of the tackle. Try to find someone who actually KNOWS the tackle and KNOWS how to use it to assist you. You can do some pretty craft stuff with either one of them.

Relax. Have fun.

[Bobby Bass]

Tossing worms-spinning reel

top waters-spinning reel ( except zara spooks, bait caster )

crank baits-buzz baits-spinner baits- bait casters

I feel the bait caster is much more accurate but for a gentle touch I like using the spinning reels. Since most of my fishing is bass fishing accuracy is more important then distance.

[Tully]

I use my spinning setup mostly (jigging for walleyes) but I do like my baitcaster for trolling or for casting for bass. I like the drag on my baitcaster much better.

Tully

[Dan Thiem]

A very good debate. Open face spinning reels vs. thumb burner bait casters.

As stated by everyone else they both really do have there place and uses.

I believe when I hold a baitcaster in my hand holding the reel and the rod at the same time I can feel more sensativity. Especially with a braided line.

The thumb-burner did take more time to learn for me. I still don't like to cast light stuff into the wind. But for a 5oz. no roll and a baby bully the 7000c3 is just the ticket for casting and power reeling in big fish. Also for trolling they really excell.

I think the level wind feature on a baitcaster hampers the casting distance some too. Spinning reels spools are cone shaped allowing the line to come off much more freely. I think that makes them cast farther. But somehow I always end up with a loop on the spool about 20 feet farther than I can cast. And I do close the bail by hand. Every time.

I use a spinning reel for lighter tackle and smaller fish. The "ultra-light" panfish gear is best used with a spinning reel. You can spool very light line and control the cast easy enough by just grabbing the line if you cast to far.

For shore fishing a spinning reel sits in a "Y" stick way better that a bait caster. A baitcaster is always upside down when propped in a "Y" stick.

I would like to see a competition of baitcasters and spinning reels. Say a 25 yard cast with a 1/4 oz jig into an ice cream pail.

[riverrat56]

I'm just starting to get the hang of baitcasting reels, I like to use them for casting any type of lure 1/4 ounce or larger and for trolling as I can count the passes of the bail to get back to same depth.

For any type of vertical fishing or live bait I like a spinning reel because I am more accurate and they are better for lighter lines.

Although I wouldn't mind having a baitcaster set up on a Med. Light 7 ft rod with 8 lb line for lindy rigs and spinners because I think they free spool nicer and are more comfortable to hold with the bail open.

[walleyeiceguy]

Thank you all for the info and suggestions. I will try all of them and see the resuelts. I have always been more of an ice fisherman than open water because of the times when I am able to go fishing so I am more familiar with the spinning type reel. I really like my baitcaster and with a bit more practice I'm sure I will get good results.

Thanks again for everything.

[delmuts]

i have about half and half between spinning rods and baitcasters. my panfish rods are all spinning, with line ranging from 2-6#. i do have opne spool loadede with 1-8 PP for fishing in brush) my medium and one other are loaded with 6or 10 # mono, but do have PP on a spool for each of those too.( for certain types of fishing) i feel i have much more control with a baitcaster, but as said ; once you get into the smaller lure and dealing with casting into a wind, they can be a pain. i can go down to a 1/8 with the two team diawas i have, but the others 1/4 is about the limmit. having an educated thumb is a must!!! it just takes time, and keeping the tension adjusted properly for different lures and condintions . i have PP on my baitcasters. in weights from 2- 10 to the 8-20. i mostly bass and northern fish, and seldom on clear water.

[Deitz Dittrich]

ok.. I'll jump in on this one...

Not only is there a difference in baitcast and spinning reels, there is a difference in baitcast and spinning rods...A baitcasting rod will usually have a faster tip on it, the guides are smaller, and can be made with more power to them.

A baitcast reel with practice will cast as far if not farther with a lot of practice, and with more accuracy. It also has more power to the reel and can take in more line per handle turn. If you have any line twist problems, you also know its at the lure,as the reel can in no way twist your line. The drawback of a baitcast is that its prone to a backlash every now and then.

A spinning reel is better for light line situations. And often times is easier on the arms to fish with all day as you are not fighting to keep the reel on top of the rod all day.. Gravity does its job. Generally, spinning rods have larger eyes on them to help with casting distance which can cause a very slight loss in sensitivity, usually un noticed. Also they have slower tapers which is good at times. Spinning reels can cause some line twist, but the major advantage of a spinning rod is that you can give line out with NO resistance at all. With a biatcaster this is not easy to do...

So, in my opinion...

Advantages of a Baitcaster

-casting distance(aslong as the lure has some weight to it)

-no line twist

-better gear ratios(more line in per handle turn)

-better power to the rod and more sensitive rods(smaller guides)

Disadvantages

-handle very poor with any pound test under 8 lb(6 and under and you are asking for a backlash)

-will not cast ultra light lures

-you can not let out line with zero resistance)

-to get a quality baitcaster you need to spend at the the very minimum at least $100...

Spinning advantages

-lighter line is awesome, the lighter the better

-you can let line out with zero resistance(lindy rigging)

-dont have to worry about backlashes

-to get a quality spinning reel you only need to spend about $50 in my opinion.

Disadvantages

-casting accuracy

-can twist the line

-rods are not as sensitive and they do not make many for powerfull fish(muskies northern ect...)

[Down to Earth]

I don't fish baitcasters enough to talk about the differences, but one of the disadvantages being brought up with the spinning reels seems to be line twisting. One thing I started to practice and it has seemed to help is to close the bail manually. Though I do still get them from time to time, they don't seem to come as often.

Andy

[Deitz Dittrich]

Great tip DTE--- Every time you close a spinning reel bail by turning the handle you are putting a very small ine twist in the line(about 1/4 twist)... so 100 casts.. 25 twists(at least)..

[Stratosman]

Kind of off topic, but in regards to line twist...One tip for getting rid of line twist on a spinning reel is while you are idling, let out most of the line on your spinning reel into the water and drag it behind the boat at a pretty slow rate of speed for a hundred yards or so, with no lure or anything attached remember. This will remove most of the twist and you will see a definate difference afterwards as well as reduce your frustration. Nice for after fishing leeches on a lindy or anything else that has a tendancy to twist you up.

[archer59]

I always close my bail by hand with my spinning gear. Another thing you can do if you notice your line twisting is to let most of it out while your moving in the boat ( with nothing on the end ) and reel it back in. This pretty much takes out the twists. I use both types of reels but the bait casters are for muskie, and pike. I'd like to get a caster for something besides braided line. I'm open to suggestions. I use C3s and 4s now.

NIck

[Fishin4Life]

Why, if you let the bail close oon its own, does it cause line twists vs. closing it by hand?

[Cliff Wagenbach]

I fish for walleyes mostly,(very little casting), and prefer a baitcaster over a spinning reel for rigging and vertical jigging.

I have much better and easier control in keeping my presentation on the bottom.

In my opinion a baitcaster is also much more reliable then a spinning reel. Better drag system, fewer breakdowns(especially bail springs)!

Cliff

[Ufatz]

Fellas, I thought we were pretty much through with this thread, but there has been some really erroneous information popping up here and there and I just CAN'T stand it! HA! First, you can have spinning rods just as powerful as you want them. Many sailfish and white or striped Marlin are landed every year on spinning tackle. There is no distinction between the sensitivity of a casting or spinning rod based on what type rod it is. A rod is designed for certain lines, and lure weights and fish-not whether its for spinning or casting. Generally speaking a 0ne-quarter ounce lure will cast more easily and farther with a spinning rod and reel, assuming you have light enough line. Spinning and casting reels can be designed to do any job within reason. There are very large and powerful spinning reels and very large and powerful casting/trolling reels. Someone mentioned a test using 1/4 oz. lures etc. There ARE such tests: there is international casting competition every year in spin, casting and fly casting tackle. A friend of mine has held international records in ALL categorys for many years. And you CAN be deadly accurate with spin casting i.e. into the tea cup somebody referred to.

Misinformation just drives me nuts sometimes. HA. Forgive me. Thanks.

[MSchmillen]

ufatz you like your spinning tacle eh. One too many "profesional over-runs" with the baitcaster?

I love baitcasters, but i have to say i can't get myself away from the spinning reel for live bait walleye'n. Just feels right. That and the ultra light of course.

[Ufatz]

No no no! Sorry if you got that impression. Actually I use casting tackle about half the time-fly rod the rest of the time. Very little spinning tackle, but I try to stay proficient with it, just in case. But I DO manage a professional overun on occasion, especially with the new lines, which I don't particularly care for.

There ya go!!

[Deitz Dittrich]

UFtaz- Very sorry if you felt that I was misinforming people. However, I am going to stand behind my opinion. Yes you can buy spinning gear for heavier fish. However those rods are in my opinion much heavier in weight and again that weight looses sensitivity.

again, sorry if you felt I lead people astray, that was not my intension.

[Gus]

My .02 about the topic and something I learned the hard way. Before I learned how to use a baitcaster I bought a big heavy spinning rod and reel with the intention to musky fish with it. Have you ever tried to throw a 3-5 oz lure with a spinning rod???? The line will practically RIP your finger right off! I do not recommend spinning rods/reels for musky fishing.

[jmikes]

I believe the biggest advantage is in the power the rod provides. When one is fighting a fish with a spinning rod you are primarely using your arms. In the case of a baitcasting its more muscles (back, arms, shoulder). Just my opinion any one else agree.

[AllSkills]

I love baitcasters... Once you learn how tot use baitcasters, you woudlnt want to fish with anything else... My casts with baitcasters are soo accurate...