Difference Between Baitcaster And Spinning Reel??? 2024
Amir Mccray reply :
I have a spinning reel and I see people using baitcasters. What's the difference? Which do you prefer? Which is good for plastic lures??
BrianinMD reply :
In my opinion the biggest differences are in casting and power. A spinning reel using the rod to move the fish while fighting the first the reel itself doesn't provide strength. A baitcaster is setup like a winch, you can crank fish out of cover. In casting the spinning reel lets line drop off the spool, while the baitcaster's spool spins so it must be controlled. Not sure I have a preference between the two, spinning is better for lighter baits though. Both are good for plastic baits, depends more on the weight of the lure you are using.
I am sure others will chime in with more info, these are just my quick thoughts.
Amir Mccray reply :
Thank you
BassinLou reply :
Amir, you are asking a very good question. I see you are new here. Welcome. Also, utilize the search feature and you will find this topic as been brought up several times. Also read the fishing articles on fishing equipment and its discussed there as well. Best of luck.
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
Baitcasters are much more prestigious and only the highliest of skilled anglers should attempt to use them.
Ratherbfishing reply :
On 10/25/2013 at 5:08 AM, Amir Mccray said:I have a spinning reel and I see people using baitcasters. What's the difference? Which do you prefer? Which is good for plastic lures??
Apart for some metal spinners and some wooden baits, just about everything is plastic these days. Do you mean "soft plastics"?
Generally speaking, baitcasters can cast more accurately and have smoother, sometimes stronger drags. They also tend to accomodate thicker line better. Spinning outfits, on the other hand, can usually cast farther and can cast lighter baits easier. Spinning reels also allow line to peel off easier- allowing baits to fall vertically easily (without pendulum swinging toward the fisherman)-something that can, at times, be a real advantage.
Both have their applications and I have and use both.
Lil'Gunner reply :
Others covered this well. I fish soft plastics on both. I prefer baitcasting for most applications. I prefer spinning gear for skipping under overhanging objects and brush, and swim jigs / reapers, etc. I also love the fail-safe fish fighting that back-reeling on a spinning outfit provides.
Grizzn N Bassin reply :
Zebco push button for me..
LMB ANGLER reply :
lol i made a thread about this already. spinning gear is more versatile. the same set-up is use to catch 100 pound tarpon and 40 pound snook is also the same set-up that i use for bass. spinning also casts further, regardless what people tells you, this is proven by the top professionals in the world.
KyakR reply :
Amir, good for you for having the love of the sport sufficient to get you on here to open up and ask 
Here's the article from BR's extensive library about this: http://www.bassresource.com/beginner/reel_selection.html
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
LMB ...what you say is true but casting distance baitcasters totally OWN spinning reels .
slonezp reply :
On 10/27/2013 at 8:39 PM, Maxximus Redneckus said:LMB ...what you say is true but casting distance baitcasters totally OWN spinning reels .
Depends on application. If the application is bass and bass lures, you are probably correct. If you're surf fishing for stripers or fishing the shores of Lake Michigan for brown trout, you are incorrect.
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
I surf cast stripers ...zara spook abu 6500 and 7 ft rod and launch it way past guys using spinning reels and 15 ft rods with 5 oz weights with bait all day long.and I'm not even trying
coryn h. fishowl reply :
On 10/27/2013 at 9:48 PM, slonezp said:Depends on application. If the application is bass and bass lures, you are probably correct. If you're surf fishing for stripers or fishing the shores of Lake Michigan for brown trout, you are incorrect.
If the spinning set up is spooled with braid though, you can get pretty impressive distances with it. When I cast a spinning reel, I keep my free hand close to the line so I can stop it. I'll even pitch with it. Baitcasters though, for heavier lures/cover and accuracy, can't be beat
SirSnookalot reply :
On 10/25/2013 at 5:31 AM, QUAKEnSHAKE said:Baitcasters are much more prestigious and only the highlest of skilled anglers should attempt to use them.
Must be!
At least on the s/e coast of Florida spinners overwhelming dominate bait casters for the act of cast and retrieve with artificial lures. By definition, other than my own, I guess catching a 5# bass with 65# braid, locked down drag, then dragging them in 30 seconds or less is quite prestigious. Catching 40# tarpon or 20 # snook, or 30# permit, and these aren't the bigger ones, using a mh rod similar to a bass rod is not very prestigious. That is until you have actually caught one, then I'd like to read a fair appraisal of that contest, providing it was landed.
The notion that a b/c rod has more power than a spinning rod is anything but true. There is a spinning rod made to compliment any bass conventional rod.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
Both spinning and casting tackle have their time and place. Neither is necessarily "better" than the other. In general spinning tackle handles light line (10#<) and lighter baits (<1/2oz) better. Casting tackle handles heavy line and baits better and is more accurate casting to many users. With all else being equal (rod power, action, length, bait and conditions) spinning can not be beat for flat out casting distance.
LMB ANGLER reply :
On 10/28/2013 at 1:12 AM, SirSnookalot said:Must be!
At least on the s/e coast of Florida spinners overwhelming dominate bait casters for the act of cast and retrieve with artificial lures. By definition, other than my own, I guess catching a 5# bass with 65# braid, locked down drag, then dragging them in 30 seconds or less is quite prestigious. Catching 40# tarpon or 20 # snook, or 30# permit, and these aren't the bigger ones, using a mh rod similar to a bass rod is not very prestigious. That is until you have actually caught one, then I'd like to read a fair appraisal of that contest, providing it was landed.
The notion that a b/c rod has more power than a spinning rod is anything but true. There is a spinning rod made to compliment any bass conventional rod.
i want to see a bass b/c catching a 100 pound tarpon and lets see what is more prestigious or stronger lol 
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
All a reel does is hold line. Tarpon can be caught on fly tackle. There simply is no logical argument that either type reel is better than the other. They're just tools. It's like arguing which is better, the hammer or screwdriver?
LMB ANGLER reply :
On 10/28/2013 at 3:44 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:All a reel does is hold line. Tarpon can be caught on fly tackle. There simply is no logical argument that either type reel is better than the other. They're just tools. It's like arguing which is better, the hammer or screwdriver?
you just agreed with me. like you said, you can get a tarpon on fly rod, therefore baitcasters are not better. like i said before anything a b/c can do, a spinning can also do.
rockchalk06 reply :
Problem is every time a thread comes up like this, you jump on your soapbox and scream Spinning reels are better more versatile or whatever your thoughts are on the day. Now your saying they can both do the same.On 10/28/2013 at 4:38 AM, LMB ANGLER said:you just agreed with me. like you said, you can get a tarpon on fly rod, therefore baitcasters are not better. like i said before anything a b/c can do, a spinning can also do.
Which is it today? Neither reel is better or worse. It comes down to what you prefer. Plain and simple. Almost every time a person asks "what's the difference" you go on some rant about how one is better than the other. The poster asked what was the difference, not some guys opinion on what "HE" thinks is the superior piece of equipment.
SirSnookalot reply :
Any reel does more than hold line, it applies drag that slow and tires a fish. Loosen the drag too much will reduce your chances of landing a fish the caliber of a tarpon, too tight isn't good either. Reel of choice doesn't matter, but I do believe spinning users play the fish more, if for no other reason lighter line is being used.
LMB ANGLER reply :
On 10/28/2013 at 4:50 AM, rockchalk06 said:Problem is every time a thread comes up like this, you jump on your soapbox and scream Spinning reels are better more versatile or whatever your thoughts are on the day. Now your saying they can both do the same.
Which is it today? Neither reel is better or worse. It comes down to what you prefer. Plain and simple. Almost every time a person asks "what's the difference" you go on some rant about how one is better than the other. The poster asked what was the difference, not some guys opinion on what "HE" thinks is the superior piece of equipment.
i always say that is more versatile and they do the same thing, i also said that spinning cast lighter lures better, so apparently your not payin attention or your just a b/c fanboy that cant except the truth.
rockchalk06 reply :
On 10/28/2013 at 8:08 AM, LMB ANGLER said:i always say that is more versatile and they do the same thing, i also said that spinning cast lighter lures better, so apparently your not payin attention or your just a b/c fanboy that cant except the truth.
Your an interesting character. I've paid plenty of attention to your soap box ramblings every single day here. You ever wonder why people bash you everytime you make a post about this very topic. I'm not a fanboy of anything and what's funny is you have gone back on what you prefer so many times its comical.
What's even more funny is I agree that spinning tackle has more of an advantage in certain areas than baitcasters do. I've never said the opposite. I've never seen someone revert to name calling and acting like a giant 4 year old over something so insignificant such as a preference of one piece of equipment or another.
Till the next time sir
dodgeguy reply :
it's personal preference.i dislike spinning tackle and i'm going back to all baitcasting.my casting is far more accurate with a baitcaster.
LMB ANGLER reply :
On 10/28/2013 at 8:33 AM, rockchalk06 said:Your an interesting character. I've paid plenty of attention to your soap box ramblings every single day here. You ever wonder why people bash you everytime you make a post about this very topic. I'm not a fanboy of anything and what's funny is you have gone back on what you prefer so many times its comical.
What's even more funny is I agree that spinning tackle has more of an advantage in certain areas than baitcasters do. I've never said the opposite. I've never seen someone revert to name calling and acting like a giant 4 year old over something so insignificant such as a preference of one piece of equipment or another.
Till the next time sir
lol. i don't really care if people bash me, tell me something what do people accomplish by bashing me? absolutely nothing. that's why i continue doing what i do. if that makes them feel better than that's good for them. meanwhile i will continue expressing what i feel. 
pbizzle reply :
One's on top, the other's on the bottom.
pbizzle reply :
LMB ANGLER Are you that Largemouth Angler guy who got all pissy after everybody bashed his STUPID arguments? The one who led on about how the next world record bass will come from Florida? The one that made up words to call Rockchalk?
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
On 10/28/2013 at 10:21 AM, pbizzle said:One's on top, the other's on the bottom.
Ive seen people use spinning reels upside down. 
rockchalk06 reply :
On 10/28/2013 at 10:39 AM, QUAKEnSHAKE said:Ive seen people use spinning reels upside down.
I switched my son to spinning this year and the little turd uses it upside down lol.
pbizzle reply :
On 10/28/2013 at 10:47 AM, rockchalk06 said:I switched my son to spinning this year and the little turd uses it upside down lol.
Shoot, my 36 year old DAD turns a spinning reel upside down. Tell me how you get your kid away from push button reels and I'll try to use it on him.
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
On 10/28/2013 at 10:59 AM, pbizzle said:Shoot, my 36 year old DAD turns a spinning reel upside down. Tell me how you get your kid away from push button reels and I'll try to use it on him.
Try putting the handle on the other side of the reel??? That what I did for my son. I let him try retrieving witrh handle on right then handle on left and let him tell me which he prefered. That would be my take on why they reel upside down is cause hande on wrong side for them.
TiNuts reply :
^^^This. When I first started using spinning reels as a kid I also turned it upside down for this very reason. Until a decade later when I learned you could switch the handle around.
kickerfish1 reply :
The weight and gear strength of a spinning reel needed to accomplish deep cranking and heavy punching of thick vegetation would be essentially a saltwater type of reel. The reel would be extremely heavy compared to a comparable casting outfit. I would like to see the internals of a spinning reel that has been used for deep cranking for just one season. Guessing if the reel lasted that long the insides would be in iffy shape at best.
The name of this site is Bass Resource. Nobody would come to this site expecting to discuss the ins and outs of saltwater fishing, trout fishing, or walleye fishing for example. Just like nobody goes to stream trout fishing sites looking for an exchange of info on popular bass gear. Yes, this site offers a "sub" forum for other species and such applicable discussions should be held there. Advice should be given with "bass" fishing in mind unless the person is asking for some other species specifically.
As others have noted the main objective of this site is to help people become better "bass" anglers. The layout of the forum allows all aspects of bass fishing to be dealt with in a specific manor to maximize angler success. The spinning vs casting debate comes down to personal preference to an extent, but for those capable of using both, "most" will agree spinning for lighter lines and finesse and casting for almost everything else bass related.
Pick the right tool for the job. There is a reason the overwhelming majority on here pick one over the other in various situations.
rockchalk06 reply :
Well said ^
SirSnookalot reply :
On 10/28/2013 at 1:51 PM, rockchalk06 said:Well said ^
Can't say that I'm totally in agreement. I'll preface my statement by saying what someone else chooses to use is up to them, I use what I like the best. I've been using the same spinning reel for close to 5 years with no signs of any kind of wear, a drop of oil every 6 months and that's it, I fish it 12 months of the year too. Before I moved this reel to freshwater bass I used it for about 18 months for snook, IMO it's weathered the test of both time and fish, for me it's been the right tool.
J Francho reply :
This is a really silly argument....use what you like/want. Bickering doesn't prove what is better.
LMB ANGLER reply :
On 10/28/2013 at 3:38 PM, SirSnookalot said:Can't say that I'm totally in agreement. I'll preface my statement by saying what someone else chooses to use is up to them, I use what I like the best. I've been using the same spinning reel for close to 5 years with no signs of any kind of wear, a drop of oil every 6 months and that's it, I fish it 12 months of the year too. Before I moved this reel to freshwater bass I used it for about 18 months for snook, IMO it's weathered the test of both time and fish, for me it's been the right tool.
well said
pbizzle reply :
On 10/28/2013 at 11:08 AM, QUAKEnSHAKE said:Try putting the handle on the other side of the reel??? That what I did for my son. I let him try retrieving witrh handle on right then handle on left and let him tell me which he prefered. That would be my take on why they reel upside down is cause hande on wrong side for them.
I never thought about that. Thanks.
SirSnookalot reply :
The people I've observed with a spinning reel upside down are reeling backwards.
John G reply :
On 10/28/2013 at 2:14 AM, LMB ANGLER said:i want to see a bass b/c catching a 100 pound tarpon and lets see what is more prestigious or stronger lol
Shimano had an advertisement in, I believe in Florida Sportsman Magazine, back in the very early 80's showing a couple of guys fishing in Saltwater with the small Shimano Bantam reels and the advertisement said IIRC, they were catching 100# sharks.
J Francho reply :
On 10/28/2013 at 2:14 AM, LMB ANGLER said:i want to see a bass b/c catching a 100 pound tarpon and lets see what is more prestigious or stronger lol
Larry Dahlberg catches huge fish on little baitcasters in just about every episode of his show.
rockchalk06 reply :
On 10/29/2013 at 3:09 AM, J Francho said:Larry Dahlberg catches huge fish on little baitcasters in just about every episode of his show.
He also is in the new Calcutta D commercial catching I think it's a tarpon, and that sucker was massive.
baluga reply :
As what most of the folks say except for LMB, it's a matter of preference. But I like BC a lot better than spinning.
There..i'm in, before this thing get's locked.
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
Both work that's all that matters..people saying 1is better then the other .don't get out much
LMB ANGLER reply :
On 10/29/2013 at 6:17 AM, baluga said:As what most of the folks say except for LMB, it's a matter of preference.
There..i'm in, before this thing get's locked.
the reason last one got locked is because people like you have to use my name in an offensive way like you just did, and i contacted the big boss glenn because of that. you can argue and state your opinion all you want but never insult or offend nobody, things like that will eventually catch up to you and get you kicked. respect others how you want to be respected.
rockchalk06 reply :
Wow!
SirSnookalot reply :
On 10/29/2013 at 2:57 AM, John G said:Shimano had an advertisement in, I believe in Florida Sportsman Magazine, back in the very early 80's showing a couple of guys fishing in Saltwater with the small Shimano Bantam reels and the advertisement said IIRC, they were catching 100# sharks.
Big difference in the way tarpon and shark fight and not all shark species fight the same either. Whether tarpon or shark of that size using a small reel like bantam or even a small spinning reel the fish is most likely chased after with the boat, those small reels don't have enough line.
On 10/29/2013 at 3:09 AM, J Francho said:Larry Dahlberg catches huge fish on little baitcasters in just about every episode of his show.
Since it's a tv show, how many takes does it get for that footage, how often do they show failure. Larry Dahlberg is not the average fisherman, he's a professional with a professional helmsman. Even weekend warriors are successful at times whether it's b/c or spinning, but landing fish that size is usually a team effort, angler, driver and sometimes a mate.
Big fish can be caught with anything, mako hunters using fly rods these days. The people doing it have experience handling those kinds of fish, a person that targets smaller fish has much less chance of success, just doesn't have the expertise.
John G reply :
On 10/28/2013 at 2:14 AM, LMB ANGLER said:i want to see a bass b/c catching a 100 pound tarpon and lets see what is more prestigious or stronger lol
Will a 1000 to 2500 bass size spinning reel handle a 100# Tarpon?
LMB ANGLER reply :
On 10/29/2013 at 3:48 PM, John G said:Will a 1000 to 2500 bass size spinning reel handle a 100# Tarpon?
probably not from shore because line capacity, but on a boat sure you can because you have the advantage of following the fish, But with a 4000 reel you can fish for them from shore.
EvanT123 reply :
Let me throw my hat in the ring. If I live in Florida and split my days fishing salt and fresh water would a large heavy duty spinning reel be more versitale? Yes probably
If I live a couple hundred miles from the ocean and am only targeting freshwater species would having a compact light bc reel be more versatile? Probably
I'm not all about light weight but I would rather have an 8oz bc then a 14oz spinner all day to do the same thing.
SirSnookalot reply :
On 10/29/2013 at 11:34 PM, et525i said:Let me throw my hat in the ring. If I live in Florida and split my days fishing salt and fresh water would a large heavy duty spinning reel be more versitale? Yes probably
If I live a couple hundred miles from the ocean and am only targeting freshwater species would having a compact light bc reel be more versatile? Probably
I'm not all about light weight but I would rather have an 8oz bc then a 14oz spinner all day to do the same thing.
IMO a large heavy duty spinning would not be more versatile unless your everyday target were fish that required it, a 3 or 4000 reel can handle most inshore fish you will run into. A good portion of those reels are well under 11oz, pretty light by our standards, I do use a cabo that is 14 oz and it's very comfortable, by no means am I saying spinning is the only way to go, it's just the more popular.
I think some of the posts have gotten a little carried away with a 100# tarpon, that's a big powerful fish and the likelyhood of an amateur pulling one in with 1000, 2500 or even a 4000 reel is remote. From personal experience and I've caught a lots of tarpon, 50# or so is pretty much the limit on light tackle on foot from shore. A couple of weeks ago a big young guy about 300# hooked one about 80# with a heavy convention outfit, must have taken him 45 minutes and that tarpon took him all over the jettie, back and forth quite a few times. Not a chance in the world could I have done with a mh rod and 4000 reel.
LMB ANGLER reply :
I personally have not got a 100# tarpon with a 4000 reel but i have this friend that works a basspro shops so we really knows how to look for tackle. he has a 4000 reel that can take over 400 yards of 30# pound powerpro and he catches tarpon all the time hes biggest one was 110 lbs. I always ask him for advise on tackle because he works there. but your right on the fact that some spinning gear weight a little more than you typical average weight, but some people just dont mind it because at the end what matters is the catch and i rather have the right equipment for the job rather than worrying about if its too heavy or what not.
J Francho reply :
So, I close this thread, and someone complains about heavy handed moderation. I let it run, and someone else complains about rude membership.
That puts us between a rock and a hard place.
I guess I'll be the bad guy this time. Either learn to accept that not everyone will have the same opinion as you - if you can realize that it's only an opinion about fishing for goodness sakes, or it's going to be a long winter.
Let's find another topic to jump on, and let's keep it positive and constructive. Ripping eachother because you don't have the same opinions doesn't help anyone, and helping is what this site is about.
See ya!
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