Should I Go Back To Spinning Gear? 2024
jason41987 reply :
let me start by saying i like my baitcasting reel.. but, as ive been using it for a while now, im beginning to notice its limitations.. one such limitation being light tackle.. by this i mean i can take the spool drag all the way off and still not be able to cast some of the lighter lures
a good spinning reel doesnt need a spool drag... the line comes off freely (of course, we all know this) but this means a single spinning reel, depending on the rod and line i use, would be well capable of handling a very large variety of lures without adjustments... so if i was going to have a few different rods, ultralight for panfish, medium for general purpose, heavier rods if im targeting things like pike, muskie, bowfin.. and most new spinning reels have quick change spools which make it more versatile... but one other thing that gets me interested, is the ability to use fly fishing rods as well
so... should i really go back to spinning for general purpose fishing.. and perhaps reserve my baitcasting setup for only larger game, or perhaps for float fishing or trolling?
Mike2841 reply :
What it's comes down to is what you like. I use spinning 90% of the time
Khong reply :
There's nothing wrong with spinning gear. It doesn't make you less of a fisherman. If you feel more comfortable with spinning gear, then just keep on using it.
Remember, it's about catching fish and having fun.
BrianinMD reply :
Use what works for you, lighter presentations spinning gear works great. But for heavier presentations or heavy cover baitcast gear provides advantages. The key is being comfortable and confident with your gear not what people say to use.
CTGalloway21 reply :
Baitcasters >
I don't throw much light tackle but when I do I use a spinning reel. I am much more accurate with my baitcasters. I normally carry 4 baitcasters and 1 spinning reel on my kayak. I use spinning for shaky head.
new2BC4bass reply :
Yup, use what you like. Light baits can be thrown on a baitcast reel, but it won't be a run of the mill reel. It is also very important to use the right rod. Takes a lot of practice to get good with light baits on a baitcasting outfit. Heavy baits can be thrown on the right spinning rod. Take your pick. 
What weights do you use for your "general purpose fishing"? Baitcasters handle my general purpose fishing just fine. I've gone to some trouble trying to get to the point where I can panfish with a baitcast reel. However, a spinning outfit is still much more practical for me.
I like b/c reels better than spinning, so I stick with the b/c reel even tho there are times it would be much easier if I switched. I'd switch sooner if it would increase my catch, but I fish where a tree limb and string would catch nearly as many fish as a high tech rod/reel....which is often none. 
5dollarsplash reply :
As others have said, they are all just tools. If I feel confident using a jig saw, I don't need to break out the circular. They can both get the job done in different ways.
Whatever feels best in your hands for the job at hand.
tugsandpulls reply :
i went from spinning to bc now i feel awkard using spinning
J Francho reply :
I fish for bass, but also fish many other species present here. I use spinning, casting, conventional, centrepin, fly, and even spincast reels. Some work better for certain things. As you said, lighter lines and baits suit spinning gear. I wouldn't replace one with the other; rather build a collection of tools.
GADawgs reply :
I agree with everything that has been said. I have recently made the switch to baitcasters also. However, when I go fishing I bring at least one spinning rod for my light/weightless/finesse applications. Most of my fishing is with soft plastics and I am starting to try to work on jigs. I find myself in the 1/4-1 oz. weight range and I have no problems throwing that on a BC. However, I also throw some weightless or 1/16 oz setups and my medium light spinning set up is great for it. As J Francho said, I just added it as a tool to my arsenal, not replaced it all together. However, when it boils down to it, if you are happiest and most comfortable throwing a spinning set up then do that because I assume that you are like most of us and fish for fun and to catch fish. If you aren't having fun or catching as many fish with a BC because you are limiting yourself or throwing setups you aren't comfortable/confident with then don't use it. There isn't a wrong answer or decision to be had.
The Young Gun reply :
On 8/7/2013 at 9:46 PM, tugsandpulls said:i went from spinning to bc now i feel awkard using spinning
I almost feel the same way haha
.ghoti. reply :
I use casting, spinng and fly setups. I use what's right for the occasion, but sometimes use what I feel like using. Had a day last year, fishing a small private pond full of ten inch bass. Just happened to have my 3wt along, and had a really fun afternoon catching those dinks on a 3wt fly rod.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
On 8/7/2013 at 10:34 PM, J Francho said:I fish for bass, but also fish many other species present here. I use spinning, casting, conventional, centrepin, fly, and even spincast reels. Some work better for certain things. As you said, lighter lines and baits suit spinning gear. I wouldn't replace one with the other; rather build a collection of tools.
X2
ClackerBuzz reply :
On 8/7/2013 at 3:02 PM, Mike2841 said:What it's comes down to is what you like. I use spinning 90% of the time
x2. just use what suits you.
ur on the right track that baitcasters generally are better suited for weighted lures. specifically b/c you can thumb break during the entire cast and gently set down a 1/2oz jig or 3/4oz spinnerbaits in hard to reach places. this is very hard to do on spinning gear.
ur collection will grow according to ur needs: species, bank or boat, weight of lures, size of fishery, pressure or unpressured etc.
i'll only take my spinning gear when heading to heavily pressured waters b/c i'll be tossing light lures on 6-8lb line. bass in private ponds aren't usually lure/line shy so shoreline fishing requires baitcasters only with big buzzing bladed lures etc...sometimes on straight braid so i can haul pigs over the sloppy shoreline.
jason41987 reply :
dont get me wrong... i love being able to target a certain spot, maybe a patch of clear water between a group of weeds.. and im able to do that with a baitcaster... its when i decided i wanted to try some crappie fishing with a small marabou jig, took all the spool tension off and managed to cast about 2 feet.. embarrassing really and im not sure what im going to do about it to be honest.. i have options
reason i was considering going back to a spinning reel is because then id only need one good reel.. i notice more modern spinning reels have the option of quickly popping off a spool to change line weights.. interesting concept as i can put on a 4lb line for crappie, 10lb for bass, or put on my 20-30lb braided for walleye, pike, muskie, bowfin, etc all using the same reel.. and spinning rods seem to be more common
for me to do this on baitcasting setups.. im obviously still going to need multiple rods for throwing different weight lures, but what option do i have for really light tackle like marabou jigs, flies, etc?.. perhaps one of those light mr crappie baitcasters on a small telescoping reel would be a nice way to go
but, either way im going to have to have a collection of good fishing rods of different actions, i feel like id be better off collecting said reels in a spinning setup, simply because i can get by on just one good reel.. and have the option of fly fishing and centerpin gear too if i want to try something different
Mike2841 reply :
I have a 7' abu veritas spinning that ill throw anything with. I've used it for chatterbaits, weightless t-rigs, frogs, super spooks.
Darren. reply :
Well, there are certain baitcasting reels that allow you to throw light stuff. For instance my Shimano Chronarch 50e combined with an im7 6' Field and Stream rod allow me to effortlessly cast UNweighted 4.75" Zoom Finesse worms on a small hook. Granted I'm not able to cast a mile, but far enough.On 8/8/2013 at 4:19 AM, jason41987 said:dont get me wrong... i love being able to target a certain spot, maybe a patch of clear water between a group of weeds.. and im able to do that with a baitcaster... its when i decided i wanted to try some crappie fishing with a small marabou jig, took all the spool tension off and managed to cast about 2 feet.. embarrassing really and im not sure what im going to do about it to be honest.. i have options
reason i was considering going back to a spinning reel is because then id only need one good reel.. i notice more modern spinning reels have the option of quickly popping off a spool to change line weights.. interesting concept as i can put on a 4lb line for crappie, 10lb for bass, or put on my 20-30lb braided for walleye, pike, muskie, bowfin, etc all using the same reel.. and spinning rods seem to be more common
for me to do this on baitcasting setups.. im obviously still going to need multiple rods for throwing different weight lures, but what option do i have for really light tackle like marabou jigs, flies, etc?.. perhaps one of those light mr crappie baitcasters on a small telescoping reel would be a nice way to go
but, either way im going to have to have a collection of good fishing rods of different actions, i feel like id be better off collecting said reels in a spinning setup, simply because i can get by on just one good reel.. and have the option of fly fishing and centerpin gear too if i want to try something different
However, I've yet to master skipping on my BC rigs. For that I opt spinning gear.
If you had say 2 spinning setups, one on a M and the other a MH rod, you'd have some pretty versatile setups. If you know how to play a fish, you could catch most, not all, freshwater fish around your area, methinks.
jason41987 reply :
well.. im probably going to buy a telescoping ultralight rod and a small 100/4 or so spinning reel and use this for trout and panfish with 10-15lb braided line... this way, i can handle bigger fish should i catch one, but still have the sensitivity necessary for panfish and trout
im willing to consider other options for small fish like this.. travel fly fishing setup? centerpin? im open to suggestions.. i have a 4 or 5 piece medium heavy spinning rod ive had for 10 years.. the reel could use an upgrade though, but im really considering going back to using this for the time being.. kind of getting tired of tuning baitcasters as well, setting spool tension for different weight lures, backlashes, brakes... i like the mechanically simple
Darren. reply :
On 8/8/2013 at 7:53 AM, jason41987 said:well.. im probably going to buy a telescoping ultralight rod and a small 100/4 or so spinning reel and use this for trout and panfish with 10-15lb braided line... this way, i can handle bigger fish should i catch one, but still have the sensitivity necessary for panfish and trout
im willing to consider other options for small fish like this.. travel fly fishing setup? centerpin? im open to suggestions.. i have a 4 or 5 piece medium heavy spinning rod ive had for 10 years.. the reel could use an upgrade though, but im really considering going back to using this for the time being.. kind of getting tired of tuning baitcasters as well, setting spool tension for different weight lures, backlashes, brakes... i like the mechanically simple
Sure that's a good setup. No reason at all you can't use UL gear! I've caught some nice bass on UL gear, and what a blast! I'd probably stay at 10lb braid. In fact, that's what I use on all my spinning gear. I happen to be a bass fisherman who prefers to use 1000 size reels (save for my 2000 size Lexa). I've caught numerous bass all the way to just over 6 pounds on 1000 size reels. Some consider these UL, though I do not.
And look, if you feel like putting down your BC gear, do it. Sometimes you just need to go to what is comfortable, or more fun, so you enjoy the sport more. There's a lot to be said for mechanically simple mechanisms!!
RAMBLER reply :
Yes.
jignfule reply :
Don't give up on a b/c. Buy a good high quality reel and spool it with 65# braid to start out, adjust it and practice.practice,practice.
---=Martin=--- reply :
BURN THE WITCH!!!
LOL J/K!!!
Use whatever feels best to you and gives you most confidence!
rjf385 reply :
Since, i've been using spinning reels for as long as i can remember. Own a few baitcasters but never really cared for them. Use what you are the most comfortable with.
Smallmouth Hunter reply :
There are some ponds I fish where I just can't catch much on small finesse lures, but there are others where they are great. I feel comfortable with both but I like bc more cause its more accurate and I can get away with bigger lures/stronger line. I don't use spinning rods for anything more than a 1/4 oz. I also love ultralights.
lmbfisherman reply :
There is nothing wrong with strictly using just a "spinning or baitcasting" setup. But I think using both in your arsenal makes things easier and cheaper (to get a BC to do some of the things spinning reels can do, will cost you!) I seem to always have two spinning combos with me with 3-4 baitcasting combos. I like using spinning combos for light presentations weightless worms, flukes, drop shot (1/4 oz and under), shaky head 1/8.. For all else I use baitcasting...I use to favor baitcasting more than spinning, but after buying my first Stradic 1000 FJ. It has changed my mind, as I always bought better quality BCs before and probably why I liked fishing with them more than my cheapo spinning reels.
pbizzle reply :
Do you know what I just realized? I just realized that all that stuff about you have to use baitcast gear for heavy weeds or heavy cover blah blah blah is really a bunch of horse crap. I mean look at all the east coast saltwater guys. I can almost guarantee you that most of them use spinning gear 90% of the time. And you can't say that it's because there's not as much cover or whatever to fray line until you try getting some big redfish out of some mangroves using a 4000 size reel (which is also my newest bass reel). I'm sure that SirSnookalot can elaborate more on this.
Cgrinder reply :
On 8/15/2013 at 9:36 AM, pbizzle said:Do you know what I just realized? I just realized that all that stuff about you have to use baitcast gear for heavy weeds or heavy cover blah blah blah is really a bunch of horse crap. I mean look at all the east coast saltwater guys. I can almost guarantee you that most of them use spinning gear 90% of the time. And you can't say that it's because there's not as much cover or whatever to fray line until you try getting some big redfish out of some mangroves using a 4000 size reel (which is also my newest bass reel). I'm sure that SirSnookalot can elaborate more on this.
You prefer spinning reels? That's cool. I think you should speak from your own experience, and not hypotheses or hyperbole.
pbizzle reply :
On 8/15/2013 at 10:17 AM, Cgrinder said:You prefer spinning reels? That's cool. I think you should speak from your own experience, and not hypotheses or hyperbole.
I am. I caught my PB on some 8 pound mono from the bank in heavy hydrilla before I even learned to use a baitcaster. It was so coated in weeds I thought I had a 7 pounder or something. I've also caught reds who have taken me into some pretty crappy stuff. My uncle even owns his own deep sea boat in which he strictly uses spinning reels besides for a couple Penn Internationals. I only picked up a baitcaster because I'm a naive 13 year old (14 in 2 weeks) who believes everything that he's told. I would actually say that I enjoy using a baitcaster equally as much or more as my spinning reels. I just got tired of hearing everyone saying that they need to use a baitcaster for these techniques.
Cgrinder reply :
Well, believing everything you hear is never a good thing. You'll have to forgive me for picking apart your choices in language. I work at the writing center at college. Can't help it. I shall not continue.
My PB Pike came on 4 lb. mono while screwing around for Bass with a #5 Shad Rap. That same Shad Rap was taken by a possible larger Pike a short time later. You can totally catch big fish on light gear. I also assure you that a fair amount of saltwater guys use baitcasters (Stripers, etc), but where you're right is that a 4000 spinner holds a hell of a lot of line compared to low profile casting reels. The larger capacity inshore casting reels get pricey fast, so there's a cost advantage to spinning reels as well. Plus, they are great in the wind. I hear the ocean is windy.
A reel is just a tool, no need to limit yourself. Bring all the tools you care to carry.
pbizzle reply :
On 8/15/2013 at 11:24 AM, Cgrinder said:Well, believing everything you hear is never a good thing. You'll have to forgive me for picking apart your choices in language. I work at the writing center at college. Can't help it. I shall not continue.
My PB Pike came on 4 lb. mono while screwing around for Bass with a #5 Shad Rap. That same Shad Rap was taken by a possible larger Pike a short time later. You can totally catch big fish on light gear. I also assure you that a fair amount of saltwater guys use baitcasters (Stripers, etc), but where you're right is that a 4000 spinner holds a hell of a lot of line compared to low profile casting reels. The larger capacity inshore casting reels get pricey fast, so there's a cost advantage to spinning reels as well. Plus, they are great in the wind. I hear the ocean is windy.
A reel is just a tool, no need to limit yourself. Bring all the tools you care to carry.
It's alright. I just get a little upset when I hear this because a guy at Academy (who now longer works their) completely turned my friend off of fishing because of this. He had to fish on a fairly tight budget and couldn't afford a baitcaster, but the guy just kept shoving them in his face. This convinced him that he was just too poor to fish. Which was not the case one bit. I'm not a fan of catching big fish on a light line, just because I can't ever play them quite right. I think it's good to recommend a baitcaster to new fishermen (which is completely not the case with jason41987) but not to keep forcing it on them.
0119 reply :
Now we are picking apart folks writing. Its time for the lock.
pbizzle you are right in your epiphany. But broadcasting that truth here is akin to showing that shimano is not strictly in it for their love for the angler or GASP, that you can catch really big bass using bait.
Oh shutter the truth...
J Francho reply :
There's no reason to be defensive or attack another for the gear they prefer. It's a simple question. There are reasons certain tools are generally preferred for specific tactics: they work. There also a reason some brands have their fans: they are well made.
Now, back to fishing.
J Francho reply :
On 8/16/2013 at 1:43 AM, 119 said:Now we are picking apart folks writing. Its time for the lock.
pbizzle you are right in for epiphany. But broadcasting that truth here is akin to showing that shimano is not strictly in it for their love for the angler or GASP, that you can catch really big bass using bait.
Oh shutter the truth...
...And speaking of hyperbole. Nothing could be further than from the truth here. Hundreds of posts a day, from those willing to take the time to share their perspective, and all you can do is insult it.
pbizzle reply :
On 8/16/2013 at 2:54 AM, J Francho said:There's no reason to be defensive or attack another for the gear they prefer. It's a simple question. There are reasons certain tools are generally preferred for specific tactics: they work. There also a reason some brands have their fans: they are well made.
Now, back to fishing.
I wasn't trying to attack any one or anything, just say that it's not necessarily needed. I actually prefer my casting reels for this, but I wouldn't ever tell someone that they can only use one thing for a technique.
SirSnookalot reply :
On 8/15/2013 at 9:36 AM, pbizzle said:Do you know what I just realized? I just realized that all that stuff about you have to use baitcast gear for heavy weeds or heavy cover blah blah blah is really a bunch of horse crap. I mean look at all the east coast saltwater guys. I can almost guarantee you that most of them use spinning gear 90% of the time. And you can't say that it's because there's not as much cover or whatever to fray line until you try getting some big redfish out of some mangroves using a 4000 size reel (which is also my newest bass reel). I'm sure that SirSnookalot can elaborate more on this.
I don't use b/c gear because I don't care for them, spinning works for me for whatever kind of fishing I'm doing. What other people use and think is best is entirely up to them, I think people should use the type of gear and fishing techniques that works best for them. As far as brands of rod and reels are concerned, in reality it really doesn't make that much difference providing the gear is of decent quality, they all catch fish and most of them will provide every bit of performance required.
It's quite true saltwater fishermen use spinning gear, I'd say it's more than 90% in my area, this would be more in reference to inshore type fishing and species. If one is comfortable using a b/c for inshore fishing, nothing wrong with it. Offshore it's bit different, there is suitable spinning for just about all species, but many conventional reels are used too, personally I never would use one that had a level wind and didn't have a power handle, a time or 2 out there and you'll know why.
0119 reply :
On 8/16/2013 at 3:00 AM, J Francho said:...And speaking of hyperbole. Nothing could be further than from the truth here. Hundreds of posts a day, from those willing to take the time to share their perspective, and all you can do is insult it.
I wasn't attacking anyone for their gear choice. I was defending someone in their opinion. Wheres the insult there? Oh oh here comes yet another warning point!
jason41987 reply :
i had a HUGE backlash today on my baitcasting reel.. i lost my entire line trying to fix it... all the braided, even the backing.. make me VERY angry.. but i learned a couple things because of this.. in doing so, i put this rod/reel combo in the truck, the people i were fishing with had a spare spinning setup i used for about 10 minutes
now, trying to go back to spinning is difficult, i got used to reeling with the right hand, holding the rod with the left, but when i try switching the baitcasting reel to a right hand retrieve it still didnt feel right, the balance felt way off.. it just felt wrong.. tried the left hand retrieve and it still felt wrong.. that being said, this thing STILL backlashed and getting the slack reeled in under tension by holding the line is a pain in the rear compared to my baitcaster... so backlashes still occur with these. but the feel and balance just doesnt feel as good to me anymore as my baitcaster does
the other lesson i learned was when i put this rod/reel combo back, got mine out which no longer had ANY line on it, and pulled out a spool of 20lb i had in my tackle box and re-spooled it with mono (i had 20lb braided on it before)... and what i noticed is 20lb braided and 20lb mono, sure i could hold more braided... but were talking about a round baitcaster, specifically an abu garcia ambassadeur 5600C4, line capacity is never an issue, and backlashes werent an issue once tuned.. but also as interesting is the casting distance wasnt much different... that all being said i can get a 500 yard spool of mono for a few dollars vs only 150 yards of braided for about $20
so i think im going to keep the baitcaster and look at other alternatives for lighter tackle... there are reel mods i can apply to this reel that might allow me to work with lighter lures.. i wonder if one of those small mr crappie baitcasters can cast a small marabou jig?.. also, im using a medium-heavy rod so perhaps that could be another reason it didnt cast well.... another option i have i guess id a spincast reel for lighter tackle
Cgrinder reply :
You had 20 lb braid on a 6600? Holy cow. Did it hold a thousand yards? That is a big reel for bass and even normal pike fishing.
I have an old 5500 and it is a backlash machine. They are well built but they need heavy or aerodynamic lures in my experience.
No wonder you are getting frustrated. You need the right tools!
pbizzle reply :
On 8/16/2013 at 4:19 PM, SirSnookalot said:I don't use b/c gear because I don't care for them, spinning works for me for whatever kind of fishing I'm doing. What other people use and think is best is entirely up to them, I think people should use the type of gear and fishing techniques that works best for them. As far as brands of rod and reels are concerned, in reality it really doesn't make that much difference providing the gear is of decent quality, they all catch fish and most of them will provide every bit of performance required.
This is really well put. I was just trying to get across that you don't really need the baitcasters for anything when it comes to bass fishing. They're a tool and good to have, but not necessarily a necessity for any technique. I know lots of old guys who only use zebcos and spinning reels and will outfish any one they meet. The only difference between them and me is that they can use that tool to get the job done.
jason41987 reply :
well to answer a question above, i had a 5600c4, and no, i didnt have like 1000 yards on it, just put a 150 yard spool on a 20lb monofilament backing... and ill never use 20lb braided again... one time i casted so hard, there was a backlash, the line bit down onto itself, cutting the line as my lure kept going halfway into the lake.. the diameter is just too small, and given the extra capacity of these reels, whats the point to braided anyway? 20lb mono seems to work fine despite the memory it has
heres another thing i learned too.. tried to use a medium power casting rod.. i couldnt stand it, im so used to medium-heavy that it seems like an entirely different rod, way too sensitive for me... ill even notice when a small bass or even a little 12 inch pike bites on that, so, i think a light or ultralight for the small stuff, but for everything else this medium-heavy is exactly how i like a rod... that being said i only see myself needing two setups to cover everything id ever need to fish for
EvanT123 reply :
On 8/17/2013 at 11:03 AM, jason41987 said:heres another thing i learned too.. tried to use a medium power casting rod.. i couldnt stand it, im so used to medium-heavy that it seems like an entirely different rod, way too sensitive for me... ill even notice when a small bass or even a little 12 inch pike bites on that, so, i think a light or ultralight for the small stuff, but for everything else this medium-heavy is exactly how i like a rod... that being said i only see myself needing two setups to cover everything id ever need to fish for
Are you going to use an ultralight casting or spinning setup?
jason41987 reply :
i dont have an ultralight setup yet
related Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic
most viewed Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic
© 2024 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.