Bass Guys In The North Use Lighter Tackle. "yankee Sticks"? 2024
AC79Angler reply :
So i went out fishing for the first time this year. (We just had the suckiest, longest, coldest winter here). I went with a buddy i met last year who happens to be from the south. We met pond fishing last year and the only reason we started speaking was because i had a baitcasting set up. Out of the 10-15 people at the pond we were at, i was the only person (other than him of course) using a baitcasting setup. I also had my spinning set up which he fondly calls a fairy and or yankee stick. I always laugh when he calls it a yankee stick...anyways, moving on.
We have had many debates on which is better, which is not what this thread is about so don't worry. The one thing that he always tried to prove to me was that he can do anything that i can do with my spinning set up, on his baitcasting set up. Pretty much anything except dropshotting, which he still professes is better on his baitcasting set up. Honestly, he was right. He was pretty much able to do everything i was able to do, again besides dropshotting and a couple finesse techniques. But for the meat and potatoes type of stuff, he did without a problem. No i understand there are a lot of other species we fish for up north that spinning is better for. I realized that our bass are not as big as the ones that could be found down south too. But if my buddy can do pretty much everything i can do, why is it that the majority...vast majority of the guys i run into are using spinning set ups. Not just bankfishing either,. i see this whether im bank fishing or fishing from a boat on bigger lakes. Its not just illinois. I fish a lot in the wisconsin and it seems to be the same there. I'm not saying i never see guys with baitcasting set ups. Just that the majority of the people i see are holding spinning set ups.
Another example. For my birthday, my wife got us a guide in Door County, Wisconsin to go fish smallies. Some of the best in the country from what i hear. Its not for a couple of months but i called to ask what type of tackle i need if any. He tells me all i need is a 6'8-7ft medium/fast spinning set up. I asked about bringing a baitcasting set up to which he replied. " you can bring one if thats what your more comfortable with, but def the spinning set up. You can use one of mine if you don't have one." I am going to take a baitcasting set up cause i've grown very use to them. And again, taking his advice, i'm bringing the lightest one i have. A 6'8 medium/fast.
So why is it that we anglers up north prefer spinning set ups. Is our fish really that much smaller? Is it our surroundings? I personally love my spinning set up and always feel like its needed. One of my most valued, really. Probably the most fun too. But i do see us using a lot lighter tackle. Some guys look at my medium heavy cross eyed. Any guys from around my way that can give me a good answer so i can shut my buddy up already? lol. Honestly just want to know and i haven't fished for too long. Just curious. Thanks guys.
coak reply :
Could be a 'if it ain't broke' kinda thing. I'm in Ohio and didnt learn casting gear until I was 28. I grew up fishing smaller rivers, creeks and runs. There simply was not a need because I was throwing stuff from 1/32-1/8 only. Could also be the frustration many experience when initially starting on casting gear. Some simply will be 'one and done' if they can get it 'right' that first time. Also cost could factor into it. I could always find a decent spinner for $100 or less and up until recently.....I'm talking within the last 5 years or so, it was simply harder to find a decent casting reel in this price range. Just a couple of possibilities for you as I see it.
AC79Angler reply :
On 4/10/2014 at 6:20 AM, coak said:Could be a 'if it ain't broke' kinda thing. I'm in Ohio and didnt learn casting gear until I was 28. I grew up fishing smaller rivers, creeks and runs. There simply was not a need because I was throwing stuff from 1/32-1/8 only. Could also be the frustration many experience when initially starting on casting gear. Some simply will be 'one and done' if they can get it 'right' that first time. Also cost could factor into it. I could always find a decent spinner for $100 or less and up until recently.....I'm talking within the last 5 years or so, it was simply harder to find a decent casting reel in this price range. Just a couple of possibilities for you as I see it.
Hmm, great point about the pricing. I didn't even think about that. My bc setups def cost more then my spinning. A few cost a lot more. I could also understand people giving up, but cost seems like a pretty legit reason. Thanks.
Jim Mac reply :
I use an ultralight a lot for bass fishing. Now that's fun !!
.ghoti. reply :
Being from Illinois, I would have to say that many, if not most, northern anglers are multi-species anglers. Many southern anglers, but probably not most, are primarily bass fishermen. That would be my own observation. I could be mistaken.
Many more Yankees fish with live bait. That is simply easier to do with spinning gear. Try fishing a lindy rig sometime with a med-heavy baitcaster spooled up with 14-20 pound line and see what happens.
Conversely, try taking your yankee stick, spooled up with #6 mono and try to flip some hydrilla beds. Ain't gonna work out so well for ya.
Northern waters tend to be a lot clearer than southern waters. This dictates a stealthier, light line, light weight, approach, and until recently that meant spinning gear.
But, at the top of the list would be personal preference. A lot of us northerners did not grow up fishing casting gear, and most southerns did not grow up with spinning gear. You tend to use what you're used to using.
I went for almost two decades without ever picking up a spinning rod. (we don't need no stinkin fairy wand) I now have five, and use them regularly.
jtesch reply :
In northern Illinois we don't really have a lot of the cover that would require an XH or even heavy rod. I use mostly 6'8"-7'2" m-mh casting rods. I carry a couple of heavy rod for frogging and football jigging but really it's not like we are dragging 10 pounders out of heavy cover on a regular basis. So I guess we use what the cover and fish size call for up here in Yankee land
.RM. reply :
On 4/10/2014 at 6:11 AM, AC79Angler said:So why is it that we anglers up north prefer spinning set ups. Is our fish really that much smaller? Is it our surroundings? I personally love my spinning set up and always feel like its needed. One of my most valued, really. Probably the most fun too. But i do see us using a lot lighter tackle. Some guys look at my medium heavy cross eyed. Any guys from around my way that can give me a good answer so i can shut my buddy up already? lol. Honestly just want to know and i haven't fished for too long. Just curious. Thanks guys.
All of the guides we service up in the Hawk Lake area's would say, because of the fish they go after and the technique/baits that they use....
0119 reply :
Over 50 years of fishing salt and fresh in southern Fl. I have never come, and I mean never come across another angler using a baitcasting outfit. I cant even begin to tell you how many of them asked me why I was using a caster. They dont stock them in local shops either, Ive always had to go to BPS to get them. Aint none of my fellow Crackers using baitcasters that Ive ever seen.
mjseverson24 reply :
I think that spinning is easier for younger kids to learn on, the mess for screwing up a cast is far better on a spinning reel than a casting one. I also believe the cost difference plays a big factor. Also a lot of northern fisherman are ignorant of the benefits of casting gear, especially since bass are not as sought after a fish as say the walleye, Muskie, and even the crappie...
Mitch
rippin-lips reply :
My friend was just working in Miami,Fl. He purchased a casting setup while there. He said the selection was not very big at all. The BPS associate told him that they aren't very popular in Fl.
Stingray23 reply :
We're more versatile anglers up north the the soufers.
midgastumpjumper reply :
I live in Georgia. I use baitcasters primarily unless the technique simply wont allow me to (very small lures, weightless plastics, etc). I use a baitcaster because I can get more casts in and I cant stand opening and closing the bail every time, and the gear ratios are lower on a spin reel so you have to wind it more to get the lure in. I would rather stay home than throw a crankbait all day on a spinning rod. Plus I am way more accurate with a baitcaster too. However I do use 6ft light action and ML action casting rods with a baitcast reel because it is more fun to catch fish on a lighter rod. I had a hard time finding these rods in my initial search.
Scott F reply :
I'm in a smallmouth (non-tournament) club here in Illinois. The majority of our 400 members are stream fishermen. The most common size bait used is 1/8 ounce (or smaller) jig with a tube or grub. By far, the spinning rod is the tool of choice. We have a lot more fly fishermen than we have guys who use baitcasters most of the time. Now with the internet and more exposure to alternative methods, the number of guys who use baitcasters is growing. I'd been using bigger baitcasting rods and Ambassadeur reels for pike and muskie for years which were just too big to throw the baits I use for smallies. For bass of both types I always used spinning gear until the last few years when I started using more baitcasters but I had to buy new gear to handle the smaller baits. I still use spinning gear a lot more than I use a BC. Other guys I know just don't see the need for baitcasters as the spinning gear gets the job done for the fish we're getting and where we're getting them from.
5fishlimit reply :
I think the reason spinning gear is more common up here in the north (I'm in Ohio) is that most people who go fishing are going occasionally for recreation, and spinning reels are easier to use if you're only using it 3 or 4 times a year. We're all here on this board because we put a lot of time on the water, and are what most would consider to be more than just a "casual" angler.
A baitcaster can be a daunting proposition for the uninitiated.
Bruce424 reply :
Average size fish in PA is around 2-4lb so light to medium action gear you can use with confidence. Smaller lures and plastics are easier to cast. Lighter line allows for that. With clear waters in the north, Finesse presentations are a staple in bass fishing. Smaller baits, lighter line. 6lb line with a good drag system is plenty good to use as long as your not fishing around wood or weeds.
FlipnLimits reply :
Spinning reels don't backlash. This must be the number 1 reason why they are more popular, in general. And cheaper to purchase.
I own 1 spinning reel 
The rest are all BC and catching a 5-6lb bass in heavy cover takes some serious gear. Nothing less than a 7'6 (I like 7'11 for a couple things) gets the job done efficiently in some circumstances. So, I'm a Northerner with BC gear and don't have much use for spinning gear.
FL
mnbassman23 reply :
I'm from MN and I call them fairy wands. I usually only carry 1 or 2 spinning outfit in my boat and use them as a last resort. Most bass guys I know have more baitcasters than spinning setups.
Mike2841 reply :
I'm from MA, didn't even know about low profile baitcasters until I moved to California.
CWB reply :
I think Ghoti hit it on the noggin. I'm from Illinois also and agree about the multi species and clear water/lighter line and smaller baits. Don't see many pros without a "fairy wand" on their decks these days. Drop shotting etc. Watch any tourney on the great smallmouth lakes. Almost all spinning tackle. But in America, to each his own.
Not_Here reply :
i don't even own 1 spinner rig 
ColdSVT reply :
I know this yankee got a lot of strange looks when i was prowling the flats for tailing reds with a baitcaster lol
I prefer BC gear but i do have a couple spinning rigs. A stradic, symetre for drop shots and bank fishing in small ponds and rivers. Oh and a sedona for trout lol
bigbill reply :
I think it was Fish Chris who decades ago was trophy fishing for record breaking bass who was using ultra lite equipment so it's not a new thing today. I think there are many more using it today.
I use spinning and baitcasting reels. And yes there are what I call thicker bass rods. With more lower backbone. I for years never seen them sold that much locally. I'm not sure if we have bass fisherman in numbers here. It seems to me we have more trout fisherman here. The guys we see for the first six weeks the season opens.
Someday I'll make it to cabelas and spend the day there.
I still don't think that bass fishing here in the northeast is as popular as it is in the rest of the country.
We have one of the biggest freshwater game fish here and not that many fish for them too the great northern pike.
You can sit there all day fishing for trout with no success then this guy shows up with his son, in a few minutes catch two three pound bass and we get the evil eye from the trout fisherman. The bass are there waiting for the correct lure.
AC79Angler reply :
Wow, you guys always do a good job of putting things in perspective for me. Honestly, I'm one of those guys who will use anything that catches me fish. I'm constantly telling my southern friend that it's fairy magic everytime i pull in a nice bass with my spinning set up. I'll make sure to tell him to look at this thread. Now that he is a northerner, maybe it's time for him to give the olé Yankee stick a try. I do see how really heavy rods may not be necessary, at least where I'm at. I put up a thread about a month ago asking about a flipping rod and I remember someone telling me I'll never need it because of where I'm at. Well, whoever he was, he was right...so far. My brand new heavy be rod is sitting there collecting dust as of now. Then again, I've only been out once, lol. My point? I guess I can now see how he was right and perhaps my zealous buy was not needed. Having said that, my medium and medium heavy bait casting setups are still my go to, of course along with my fairy/Yankee stick. Lol
Jeff H reply :
For me they both have their place. I have at least 6 sissy rigs and they get plenty of use. Some days, depending on whats going on, I use the sissy sticks more than my casting. Overall, throughout the course of the season, I use casting more often by a big margin. Whatever works ya know? Any port in a storm.
Chris186 reply :
I live in RI, and I own one spinning set up. I also own about 15 baitcasters. I havent used the spinning rod in about 5 years. Not all of us in the north use fairy wands. 
J Francho reply :
I guess I don't share the same experience, as a northern bass angler. Most guys have pile of casting rigs and a few spinners. Now if you hit the trout streams, there are your casters, your spinner guys, lots of fly guys, and the knuckle dragger centrepin guys like me. Use what you like and what gets the job done.
Raul reply :
Dude, have you actually seen the size of bass you yanks ketch ? You feel like million bucks when you catch a 5 lber, for us southern boys that's called ...... dink !
bigbill reply :
Call my rods anything you want just don't call me late for dinner.
SirSnookalot reply :
The rod and reel is only a delivery system, what is ever is most comfortable that's what I'd be using. I'm northern guy, fished up there 50 years with nothing but spinning and fly rods, everything from bluegill to muskie. Until I joined a bass forum I never realized the kind of gear that people use, to this day I'm still scratching my head.
Now that I've been in Florida for the last 10 years I do believe I have as many if not more variety of fish to target, bass just being one of them and certainly not the biggest. I do see the desire (not the need) to tail drag a 5# fish in using a mh or heavy duty rod with 65# line, something I would never consider. I want the challenge of landing good fish on med spin or lighter, if I lose one so what.
Down here in Florida I could go for weeks or months with out ever seeing a b/c, true the emphasis is mostly on saltwater fishing. Fairy wands, sissy sticks, lol, when I read about a 5# fish on heavier gear and lines, then I see someone catching a 30# jack crevalle on a med spinning outfit makes my decision pretty easy on what I'm going to use. I'll use a sissy stick.
Jason Penn reply :
when i got old enough to ride my bike to a pond by myself to fish, i started with a spincast set up. when i got into fishing again as an adult, baitcasters were just much more comfortable for me to use. i do have a couple of spinning setups for ds & jigheads, but may try and replace them with a bfs-type rig. i have no problems with the spinning gear, but casters are still more comfortable to me.
Preytorien reply :
On 4/10/2014 at 7:03 AM, .ghoti. said:Being from Illinois, I would have to say that many, if not most, northern anglers are multi-species anglers. Many southern anglers, but probably not most, are primarily bass fishermen. That would be my own observation. I could be mistaken.
Many more Yankees fish with live bait. That is simply easier to do with spinning gear. Try fishing a lindy rig sometime with a med-heavy baitcaster spooled up with 14-20 pound line and see what happens.
Conversely, try taking your yankee stick, spooled up with #6 mono and try to flip some hydrilla beds. Ain't gonna work out so well for ya.
Northern waters tend to be a lot clearer than southern waters. This dictates a stealthier, light line, light weight, approach, and until recently that meant spinning gear.
But, at the top of the list would be personal preference. A lot of us northerners did not grow up fishing casting gear, and most southerns did not grow up with spinning gear. You tend to use what you're used to using.
I went for almost two decades without ever picking up a spinning rod. (we don't need no stinkin fairy wand) I now have five, and use them regularly.
^^.....this
While I have both types, I find myself using the light spinning setups in pre-spawn and late fall when it seems finesse seems to get the job done better. Conversely, I use the heavier BC setups in warmer weather when I'm frogging and punching more often than not.
But yes, ghoti is pretty much dead on. I didn't start bass fishing until 3 years ago, until then, I was a crappie guy. Now I'm pretty much content catching anything with scales, fins, and gills.
Grantman83 reply :
I got into bass fishing later in life and as such had no preference either way. I simply started with spinning tackle because it was easier to fish with in the beginning annnnd I caught a ton of fish with a simple senko lol. Wacky rig baby!!!
However, as I got into more, I forced myself to only use casting gear for a season so as to teach myself. I bought reels from almost every company in order to get an idea of what I wanted. 3 years later and I have 1 spinning setup left. I even went so far as to spend a ton on finesse casting gear as I just prefer it. Northern fish also aren't as large most of the time so spinning gear can be used very easily in many situations. Take that gear down to Florida and you would be screwed.
That being said, I wouldn't say spinning gear is just a northern thing as guys in the west use finesse gear a ton and last I checked, western and northern guys do just fine at the highest levels.
nowicki2005 reply :
Really it just depends how you like to fish.
Up north the fish are smaller. I live in Michigan and people love floating down the grand river and fish smallmouth. I can catch about 15 an hour. I just throw a small bandit footloose and the get hammered and I throe it on a spinning rod because I get more distance and can cover the whole river floating down the middle. 95% of people I see on lakes or rivers here throw something like a beetle spin, all on spinning gear. I only use my baitcasters for crankbaits and to fish a frog or pitch into heavy stuff. O could easily get away with never using anything more than 8 pound test and a spinning reel because there just isn't a lot of thick cover on lakes around here.
I don't think I have a single friend who has more than $50 into any of their spinning combos whereas I'm using $300-$400 bait casting setups. To each their own.
nowicki2005 reply :
I will say you aren't a complete fisherman unless you can use both.
I always think of a guy like Chris Lane. I really think he has 0 chance of winning on more finesse type lakes. I also think it was a lot of luck and that he just happened to find a school on lake st clair last year. I believe he literally learned how to drop shot that week.I think a guy like ish Monroe can be put in the same category.
But at the same time these guys would be hard to beat in say, California.
roadwarrior reply :
As a "collector" I really don't have a general preference, but I do have a specific preference:
Finesse = spinning gear
Power = baitasting tackle
SirSnookalot reply :
On 4/10/2014 at 7:45 PM, nowicki2005 said:Really it just depends how you like to fish.
Absolutely
On 4/10/2014 at 7:20 PM, Preytorien said:^^.....this
While I have both types, I find myself using the light spinning setups in pre-spawn and late fall when it seems finesse seems to get the job done better. Conversely, I use the heavier BC setups in warmer weather when I'm frogging and punching more often than not.
But yes, ghoti is pretty much dead on. I didn't start bass fishing until 3 years ago, until then, I was a crappie guy. Now I'm pretty much content catching anything with scales, fins, and gills.
Can't say I agree with saying a B/C is heavier. Med heavy rods are virtually the same whether they are spinning or b/c, a 2500 reel has no less a drag and cranking power than most low profile reels. Granted heavier mono can be used with a b/c but many spin people use braid which IMO negates line strength. If one prefers mono, copoly, or f/c by all means use a b/c if it works better for you.
There are people on this site that fish only spinning, has any one caught more and larger bass than FishChris? Rolo is a spinning user, catches great fish and lives in Florida. I'm a Florida fisherman too and I'm doing just fine with spinning gear. Others may emulate the way a touring pro catches fish, I fish to suit my own personal taste. I don't have to be a complete fisherman, all I want to do is catch fish.
tomustang reply :
I use lighter gear in open water, doesn't matter the species. It's more fun than heavier tackle every time.
georgeyew reply :
On 4/10/2014 at 10:34 PM, SirSnookalot said:
Med heavy rods are virtually the same whether they are spinning or b/c, a 2500 reel has no less a drag and cranking power than most low profile reels. Granted heavier mono can be used with a b/c but many spin people use braid which IMO negates line strength.
Bass4Me007 reply :
I'm from Iowa but I guess I started off different than many in the north. I used a BC for several years before I ever tried a spinner. That was because I started out catfishing at the age of five. Brakes were basically nonexistent back then and one had to educate his thumb very quickly. When I started bass fishing I still used a BC, but then realized the really light stuff could better be handled with a spincast reel. It wasn't until later that I began walleye fishing and bought my first spinning rod and reel.
Now I mainly still use casters but also spinning for lighter applications, especially for smallies and walleyes. I know some disagree, and if the facts are otherwise don't confuse me with them <smile>, but the nature of a spinning rod seems to make it a bit more sensitive. Nonetheless, I prefer baitcasters, and think one can be more accurate with them, although after all the years of experience I've had with both it really makes little difference, I guess. Doesn't much matter. I just love to fish! Don't we all?!
Jrob78 reply :
Here in the south, kids are generally started out with spin casters, (Zebco 33's and 202's). Baitcasters are the natural transition. Most of the old timer's around here wouldn't even know how to hold spinning gear, let alone fish with it. A lot of that is changing now though.
nowicki2005 reply :
I always get a kick out of people with a spinning reel wrong side up.
Chance_Taker4 reply :
I'm from Ohio and can say normally when I am on the water I see others using only spinning reels. However I have one Spinning reel and 8 casting setups. This may come from the fact I am a power fisherman wanting to cover as much water as I can with cranks, spinners, jerks. To where as the other guys are throwing weightless plastics, drop shots, spending long periods of time in one area. I also am only bass exclusive fisherman, I don't like to fish Walleye, Pike, Muskie however, I love perch fishing.
frogflogger reply :
I started with stick and string - my folks bought me a Bronson green hornet casting reel and solid glass rod - black line, L&S bass master lure - I graduated to langleys and shakespeare tournament casting reels -9# braided silk for light lures - then I saw a guy with a weird looking thing that hung under a rod that had the largest guides I'd ever seen - soon after I bought an airex bache brown spinning reel with manual bail and have used both casting and spinning ever since - but northern or southern baitcasting was all there was at one time for most of us.
Raul reply :
On 4/10/2014 at 10:34 PM, SirSnookalot said:Absolutely
Can't say I agree with saying a B/C is heavier. Med heavy rods are virtually the same whether they are spinning or b/c, a 2500 reel has no less a drag and cranking power than most low profile reels. Granted heavier mono can be used with a b/c but many spin people use braid which IMO negates line strength. If one prefers mono, copoly, or f/c by all means use a b/c if it works better for you.
There are people on this site that fish only spinning, has any one caught more and larger bass than FishChris? Rolo is a spinning user, catches great fish and lives in Florida. I'm a Florida fisherman too and I'm doing just fine with spinning gear. Others may emulate the way a touring pro catches fish, I fish to suit my own personal taste. I don't have to be a complete fisherman, all I want to do is catch fish.
Exactly, all that spinning gear "not powerful enough" is a bunch of nonsense, add SirSnook to that "spinning only" group of BR members.
basscatcher8 reply :
It all depends what you do. I like walleye fishing too so I have several spinning setups. I have several bc setups too. I use both for fishing both. My crank bait rods double as bottom bouncer rods. I have a 6 foot spinner setup I have special for vertical jigging sauger who are very light biters. I use it as well for pitching small baits under cover on the river cause it's short and I can get in there. I do a lot of swapping reels but big deal really. They are just tools and you use them how you are most comfortable. My new 7' 6" st.croix eyecon will be here tomorrow. It will be my Lindy rod for walleye and grub rod for bass/walleye.
OK Bass Hunter reply :
I didn't use a bait caster till I was in my mid 30's. I think back to 1984 when I tried to use my first baitcaster, it backlashed horribly. I didn't pick one up again till 2007.
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