Do I Need A Baitcasting Setup? 2024
Tim Jones_31414 reply :
Hey guys, I've been a saltwater fisherman for a few years and decided to try fresh this year. I've got a few months under my belt at this point.
I fish from the bank in a few lakes and ponds near my house. The lake I fish primarily is pretty heavy with weeds and cover, and I have had most of my luck this spring/summer fishing texas-rigged plastics(summer) and hard jerkbaits(spring). All of this with a spinning setup. I haven't had any luck on crankbaits, but would like to keep giving this a try.
I'd like to give a bait caster a try, but is there any reason why I would need it? Will I have an easier time fishing through heavy cover? Could it improve my crank bait presentation?
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
If you have salt water spinning gear you probably have heavy enough tackle for any bass fishing. If you want to try baitcasting I certainly wouldn't discourage you. Baitcasting gear handles heavier lines more easily and retrieves baits with a lot of resistance (deep cranks, heavy spinners...) more easily. Being able to use both spinning and casting gear opens up possibilities thus enhancing the fishing experience.
SirSnookalot reply :
No, you don't need a b/c to catch big bass. I don't own a b/c and I catch nice bass from shore all the time using bass size spinning gear. I seldom use cranks as I fish heavy weeded areas too, my presentations are pretty much what yours are, just keep at it. IMO the only reason to use a b/c with heavier line is fighting the weeds not the fish.
Myself also being primarily a saltwater fisherman, find it more satisfying to catch bass on light tackle, b/c take the fun and fight out of for it me. I don't really care if I lose a fish in the weeds or not, I'll just go catch another.
baluga reply :
You should go for it. It's a lot more fun using the baitcaster may it be saltwater or fresh water. The only time i needed a spinning is when throwing weightless lures. Try the curado 50e or any of the calcutta TE 50/100/200 GT , I bet you'll find it hard to go back to spinners once you learn how to use it.
The CTE 100 GT is a great dual purpose reel size, freshwater and saltwater use.
jmed999 reply :
No
The Bassinator reply :
Of course you do or else your not a bass fisherman 
By the way welcome to the forum! Nice to see a guy who fishes splitrock around here
Tim Jones_31414 reply :
What rod/reel do you guys recommend for around $150 total? My birthday is coming up
NateFollmer reply :
Can't say this enough... I love my Quantum Bill Dance Select Baitcaster. $60 at BPS and the thing is a TANK.
Tim Jones_31414 reply :
On 8/6/2011 at 2:24 AM, NateFollmer said:Can't say this enough... I love my Quantum Bill Dance Select Baitcaster. $60 at BPS and the thing is a TANK.
They dont list it on the site. What about the "Code" from Quantum?
NateFollmer reply :
On 8/6/2011 at 2:41 AM, Tim Jones_31414 said:They dont list it on the site. What about the "Code" from Quantum?
Never had a problem with any Quantum product I have owned. Some people here hate their stuff, but I don't know why... Diawa hasn't been to bad either - same with the Pinnacle set up's my buddies have.
I'd start out learning to cast with braided line. It tends to backlash less and it's also easier to pick out if you do backlash.
Raul reply :
The answer is: NO, you don´t need a baitcasting setup.
hatrix reply :
For a reel I think it is hard to beat a Lews Speed Spool for the price or maybe you can find a good deal on a used Curado. Try the Flea Market section of the forums and see what people have.
ChiCityBasser reply :
I would say No you don't need a baitcaster either. I fish from the bank as well and I do have 5 baitcast setups but this year they are seeing limited usage. Most of my spinning gear is Quantum reels loaded with either 30# Cajun braid or 30# Power Pro braid and they make fishing around those trees and bushes and weeds lining the shore at some lakes easier to fish around. I fish everything on spinning gear from shallow cranks to frogs and 1 oz. jigs on my spinning gear.
If you do try it step upto at least the Quantum Catalyst or one of the PT series reels and you will do just fine. You can find a NIB Catalyst in either the freshwater or saltwater version for around $100 or less on ebay.
Welcome to the board also
new2BC4bass reply :
I say yes you do for a couple reasons. First you need to help keep companies that cater to us fishermen in business. 
The second reason is for personal enjoyment. I fished spinning gear my whole life. Started using baitcasting gear last year. I enjoy it more than spinning, maybe because it is new to me? If you enjoy it as I do, then one or two baitcasting outfits won't be enough. You will definitely be fulfilling reason number one. LOL. A year from now you could invite me to go fishing with you, and let me try some of your new outfits. 
:lol: They are sure to be different than mine.
I'm sure you already know that using a baitcasting reel is going to take some practice on your part. Any time my casting area is restricted, I have to switch to a spinning rod because of a lack of casting skill. I have learned to pitch, but haven't tried it on water yet. Also all my fishing last year was from shore. Got a Porta-Bote this summer. Casting room is no longer an issue.
As many have stated, you don't NEED a baitcasting outfit. However, you SHOULD buy one.....or two........or....
If you are concerned about spending a lot to get started, then I would definitely be looking at the classifieds for a quality used rod and reel. Occasionally you can find a quality combo offered for sale. However, there are some pretty good new reels out there for $100 or less. I tend to stick with name brands which is why I often buy used or when something I want goes on closeout. Like the as yet unfished 51E for $98. 
Whereabouts in NJ do you live? I travel to Warren, NJ for my job. I'd be willing to bring some outfits along for you to try if the drive wouldn't be too far. I will make you unravel your own bird nests though. 
EDIT: I went to baitcasting gear because I didn't care for the long reach for line pickup needed with the spinning reels I was using. A side benefit is the lighter weight of the baitcasting combos. HOWEVER, I never felt fishing with the heavier gear all day was too much for me. The sun. Yes. The weight. No.
Jim_M reply :
Need, no. Would you enjoy the added control and accuracy? My moneys on yes.
NBR reply :
I prefer BC's but you do not need one. Having said that everyone I know that bought a baitcaster and spent the time to learn to use it now prefers baitcasters. If you aren't willing to spend the time don't bother!
Stasher1 reply :
I own both, and am proficient with both, but prefer spinning for most techniques. I don't find baitcasters to be any more accurate than a spinning rig, either.
The only time(s) I reach for a casting setup over spinning is lipless cranks and spinner/chatterbaits, but I do have a spinning setup for them as well. For contact baits I stick to spinning gear.
So no, you don't need baitcasting gear at all.
Pond Scum reply :
No, you don't need a baitcaster, but think of it as a new way to fish. I hate the line twist associated with spinning reels and yes, even with high quality swivels, I still get them. The only lures I use spinning gear for are drop shots, small rooster tails and size 5 or smaller rapalas.
Once you get the hang of baitcasting you should try fly fishing. At least you don't have to worry about a birdsnest with the fly rod.
K_Mac reply :
As others have said, the short answer is no. With the proper equipment you can fish any style or bait with spinning gear. Using super lines you can have plenty of line capacity with reels that would be inadequate with heavy mono.
I do prefer baitcast for most bass fishing techniques. I use spinning only for baits that are too light to comfortably fish with baitcast. The only way to see which you prefer is to learn to use a baitcaster. It really is not rocket science, and you just might find it works better for you. As the old TV commercial used to say, "Try it , you'll like it!"
EDIT: I also use spinning gear and light line instead of baitcast in ultra clear water when nothing else will do.
tracker01 reply :
No, you do not need one. That being said, I have 4 spinners and 3 baitcasters and they all see time on the water. If you get one, you will use it.
Raul reply :
On 8/6/2011 at 11:20 PM, Jim_M said:Need, no. Would you enjoy the added control and accuracy? My moneys on yes.
Control and accuracy is something you obtain with practice.
bigfruits reply :
On 8/5/2011 at 11:09 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:Baitcasting gear handles heavier lines more easily and retrieves baits with a lot of resistance (deep cranks, heavy spinners...)
^^^
for bottom baits i try to use a spinning setup when i can get away with it as you dont have to strip line to get a vertical fall. im probably in the minority however...
i use a baitcaster for moving baits 1/4oz or greater and bottom baits of maybe 3/8oz plus plastic and up. i agree with most posts above, you do not need a baitcaster.
Tim Jones_31414 reply :
Got a BC setup for my birthday today. Took the day off and hit the lake this morning, pulled in a 15 incher on it (my biggest since I started bass fishing this spring). First time I've ever caught anything on a crankbait
tholmes reply :
Congrats on your first carankbait bass! 
Oh, by the way, I consulted that well-known tackle expert, the Bait Monkey, and he said you don't need a baitcasting rig, you need a half a dozen or so.
Tom
7mm-08 reply :
Nope they are definitely not needed. I have a baitcaster but use it less than 22.897% of the time.
BuckyKat reply :
Oh, by the way, I consulted that well-known tackle expert, the Bait Monkey, and he said you don't need a baitcasting rig, you need a half a dozen or so.
Tholmes beat me to it, I was going to say "No you don't need one, but Mr. Bait Monkey would like u to get one"
Happy Birthday! May we ask what kind of set-up you ended up with?
pitchinthejig reply :
Once you fish a high quality casting setup you wont want to go back to spinning once you learn how to use it. you could get you a decent BPS setup for that price range, Im a Daiwa guy but I would really try and find me a Citica E for about 65-70 bucks and then a used stick for about 70-100 bucks.. I have seen a few IMX's for about 100-120 recently and thats a heck of a deal on a very nice rod.
Tim Jones_31414 reply :
On 8/26/2011 at 3:08 AM, BuckyKat said:Oh, by the way, I consulted that well-known tackle expert, the Bait Monkey, and he said you don't need a baitcasting rig, you need a half a dozen or so.
Tholmes beat me to it, I was going to say "No you don't need one, but Mr. Bait Monkey would like u to get one"
Happy Birthday! May we ask what kind of set-up you ended up with?
Quantum code reel, All-Star 6'6" MH trigger rod w/ 50lb spiderwire braid (have always fished with cheaper stuff, this is the nicest freshwater rig I've ever owned). I backed with mono and spooled up to 1/8" from lip.
Watched a few youtube videos on baitcasting first and have had no problems. Fished all morning without any backlashes. I have alot of experience trolling saltwater with conventional reels, so i know backlash, but was still surprised that I didn't have any trouble casting.
Had a Strike King KVD rattling square bill in firetiger tied on, no leader.
Scorcher214 reply :
On 8/6/2011 at 11:20 PM, Jim_M said:Need, no. Would you enjoy the added control and accuracy? My moneys on yes.
I'm just as accurate with a spinning setup. But I much rather use a BC for spinnerbaits or cranks.
ChiCityBasser reply :
On 8/26/2011 at 4:34 AM, Tim Jones_31414 said:Quantum code reel, All-Star 6'6" MH trigger rod w/ 50lb spiderwire braid (have always fished with cheaper stuff, this is the nicest freshwater rig I've ever owned). I backed with mono and spooled up to 1/8" from lip.
Watched a few youtube videos on baitcasting first and have had no problems. Fished all morning without any backlashes. I have alot of experience trolling saltwater with conventional reels, so i know backlash, but was still surprised that I didn't have any trouble casting.
Had a Strike King KVD rattling square bill in firetiger tied on, no leader.
Congrats on your first crankbait fish and nice setup as well. I use braid the same way with no leader when cranking also but 30# instead of 50#.
Good luck on future success as well
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