Am I the only angler here who uses ONLY spinning gear? 2024

FivePoundBluegill reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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

Probably :

Roger

Taylor Fishin 4 life reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

I use both, there 2 different tools for different applications

SWH reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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

WVBassHunter reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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

RoLo reply :

Quote
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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

my spinning gear still casts further than my baitcaster.

Gone_Phishin reply :

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

Fishing Rhino reply :

Quote
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 reply :

Quote
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 reply :

Quote

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 reply :

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 reply :

Quote

Quote
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 reply :

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 reply :

Quote
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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

Quote
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 reply :

Quote

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

That 's too --->

J Francho reply :

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

Dockhead reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

thats a carp

nashontheriver reply :

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.

MikeFl. reply :

I only use spinning gear. No shame here.

Bankbeater reply :

I own two spinning reels. One I use for small finesse plastics, and the other I use for ultra light baits.

SirSnookalot reply :

I use spinning almost exclusively and this year have caught everything from bluegill to sailfish. Have yet to catch anything noteworthy on my Avet, I understand Avet is coming out with a line of spinning reels this year.

JacobK reply :

I'll be 100% honest and say I can barely cast a spinning rod accurately.

85% of my fishing is done on casting gear.

BusBassin reply :

I use Spinning gear for everything...but that is because i still have mastered a baitcast reel. Call me Mr. Rat Nest.

Fish Chris reply :

Quote
I'll be 100% honest and say I can barely cast a spinning rod accurately.

Hey ! Me too !

But then again, I can't cast a freaking bait caster at all !

I pretty much just suck at casting, period. But that's okay, I let the big ones come to me

Accurate casting is overated

Fish

Jaheff reply :

On 4/9/2011 at 1:56 PM, SirSnookalot said:

I use spinning almost exclusively and this year have caught everything from bluegill to sailfish. Have yet to catch anything noteworthy on my Avet, I understand Avet is coming out with a line of spinning reels this year.

Accurate has spinning reels out now, if you wanna pay high dollar for a spinning reel. I havn't caught anyhing noteworthey on my Avet SX yet either, but some 3-4 pound sand bass in Ensenada (Only cause it was the lightest set up i took on the trip).Deckhands look down on ya using such a small reel on Tuna.The cocaptain told me to leave that set up in the rack going for Albacore, even though it could handle it.

SirSnookalot reply :

I'm equally as accurate with spinning and b/c, spinning is more comfortable for me as I like the way reel sits on the bottom of the rod, no twisting of the rod with a bigger fish on. Accuracy is only over rated if you do not not need to put the bait in the right location, example free lining or drifting with live bait or as I was doing yesterday deep water butterfly jigging.

Time and place for both outfits, for me b/c gear is not even a remote possibility for any inshore or freshwater species.

JoePhish reply :

My spinning combo is an extension of myself.

I can make any cast with it in any condition.

Grew up using spinning gear for surf, jetty and pier salt water fishing. Never thought of it as sissy gear when I was reeling in Stripers and big Bluefish off LI shores. So, when choosing freshwater gear I naturally gravitated towards spinning combos.

About 5 or 6 years ago I bought my first and only freshwater baitcasting combo. I use it painstakingly with some success. I hardly backlash but I'm sure I'm sacrificing distance by doing so. Some days I only bring and use that combo, forcing myself to make due without my spinning gear security blanket. Still, it's not the same. I don't feel as connected to my bait. I think the reverse roles my hands have using a baitbaster may have something to do with it. So, now I want to get a baitcasted with a lefthanded crank as that should feel more natural to me. I'm adamant at learning to be good with a baitcaster because I know that even though I'm zenlike and one with my spinning gear, there are certain fishing situations that are better handled with a baitcaster than spinning.

South FLA reply :

Spinning for light action stuff only and for tree catching guest. Although, in saltwater I use spinning gear almost exclusively than bottom fishing.

Hyrule Bass reply :

i use primarily spinning gear for everything. i did buy my first baitcaster in february, im still learning it, i like it, but as of this moment i dont see it replacing my spinning gear. i also have a couple spincasters laying around i use for nightcrawler fishing on the bottom

linehand reply :

Anyone who says they exclusively use casting gear are probably not catching as many bass as you are. I only use casting gear for heavy baits w heavy line. like to see some of these guys skip weightless plastics under boats and docks with casting gear. They will spend more time removing birds nests than fishing. Sure there are some guys who could do it but they are probably fishing and not on here.

Mattyvac reply :

I have 5 casting setups for freshwater, and only one spinning setup for finesse/light lures.

Saltwater inshore on the other hand, all four of the setups are spinning. Not one baitcast.

Crabcakes reply :

I fish for basically everything that swims in fresh and salt water. I use conventional/baitcasting gear probably half of my fishing time. I however do not use it for bass fishing very much. For light presentations I use spinning gear with mono in 4-8lb. For heavy stuff I use spinning gear with braid. The advent of modern braids has removed the limitations of spinning gear in terms of line twist and the inability to use heavier lines. Within the context of bass fishing I don't think baitcasters have any practical advantage in terms of power or casting distance (for me at least). I understand baitcasters have technique specific advantages and "just feel right" for lots of techniques.

Really.... in this day and age it boils down to personal preference. Both types can more or less do it all.

2237

Am I the only angler here who uses ONLY spinning gear? 2024

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