Which Is Better Spinning Reels Or Bait Casting Reels?? 2025

bigbill reply :

Probably a tough question because it's shore fisherman vs boat fisherman too.

Do you fish mainly from shore or a boat or both?

Spinning, bait casting reel or both?

Pro's

Con's

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

Which is better screw drivers or Allen wrenches? Two different tools for different jobs. There's overlap and you can get by with all one or the other. I like spinning for light line and light lures 1/4oz< and casting for 1/2> line 10#>. Being proficient with all sorts of tackle adds to the experience too.

poisonokie reply :

Spincast!

Jrob78 reply :

Which is better??? Better for what??

Maxximus Redneckus reply :

I really dont compare but i do know i use 1/16 lures and spinning does that and i use 3/4 oz lures and casting does that i keep it simple and just fish

d-camarena reply :

None is better than the other. Both do the job just fine. I use casting for texas, frogs, spinners and anything with a weight.

Spinning for weightless rigs, drop shot, inline spinners, and anything finesse

Goose52 reply :

Isn't this a winter/hard water kinda thread...?

It's not winter here yet...

WRB reply :

Bass anglers are an unusual group and until the last 10 years a spinning reel was considered for finesse or sissy fishing suitable for trout anglers. Today most bass anglers own a spinning outfit or two. DVT said it best regarding bass anglers; spinning is for light line, light weight lures....or is it?

While I totally agree that bait casting reels are better fit the majority of bass angling techniques, today's spinning reels can and do very well for larger lures and heavier line presentations for large game fish.

If a spinning outfit can handle tuna there isn't any reason they be used for big bass.

We think of size 100/1000 to 300/3000 series reels, that also applies to spinning reels, use a larger size for heavier line and lures and the choice becomes academic, both work equally well for bass fishing.

Bass pro and lure maker Gary Yamamoto uses spinning for all his fishing the past 40 years, if Gary can do it anyone can.

Tom

flyfisher reply :

this is like asking which do you like better, blondes, brunettes or red heads....they all have their place.

Catt reply :

Who is holding then?

I stink with spinning reels cause I don't know how to use one.

Bait Casting, I can throw Wacky Rigged Trick Worms.

J Francho reply :

Learn both. Also, fly reels and centrepin reels. They all have uses for me. That and I just enjoy learning ways to fish.

BaitMonkey1984 reply :

On 9/29/2015 at 6:43 AM, flyfisher said:
this is like asking which do you like better, blondes, brunettes or red heads....they all have their place.

Only room for blondes in my boat. Also, favor the bait casters over spinning reels.

blckshirt98 reply :

It really comes to preference, and to some extent manliness. I kind of look at using baitcasting reels vs spinning reels as learning to drive a stick shift vs sticking with an automatic transmission. I fished with strictly spinning gear for the first 3 or so years of bass fishing and I was able to throw pretty much everything I needed to on a spinning reel, just needed to get a heavier spinning rod and reel with heavier braid for certain applications. I could target cast with a spinning outfit with pretty good accuracy as well. I just started to use baitcasters this year and they're fun to use, but I'd just as much be OK with using spinning reels if that's all I had available. Use whatever is comfortable to use there's no right or wrong, for example on the west coast it's all about using a round baitcaster in the surf to throw irons and swimbaits, on the east coast the striper fisherman still favor beefy spinning reels. Both styles catch fish as long as you have them set up with the right line and rod.

edfitzvb reply :

I have both. I could use only spinning if I had to. In that way it is more versatile. I am more accurate using bait casting tackle, and my hands hold up better. I would suggest using both, but if the original question was "Which should I buy if I can ONLY have one," then spinning, because it opens up more possibilities. I like having choices, and when fishing from my boat, I generally take 3 bc and 2 spinning, using the bc setups >80% of the day.

Jaderose reply :

Both and both

Fisher-O-men reply :

Braided line has made spinning reels much better. (than they were)

jitterbug127 reply :

I like baitcasters better myself, but I am not a finesse fisherman. My buddy uses only spinning gear and always outfishes me. I could learn a thing or two. If I am bank beating its always a spinning rod with finesse baits

Brett's_daddy reply :

I am mostly a bank fisherman and have always used spinning reels but I really want a bait cast reel too but again will be mostly bank fishing with only the occasional boat fishing...do bait casters work well for bank fishing too or are they mostly for fishing from a boat? If they are mostly for boat fishing I may have to re-think my purchase of a bait cast reel .

bowhunter63 reply :

Both have there place,I use both, Spinning for tubes and small worms, stick baits.Bait casters for spinner baits,bigger plastics and crank baits.Its good to get good with both of em.Stay versatile.Plus spinning is great for live bait in the fall.

Jake the Cake reply :

Don't know if there are set guidelines on how to fish different reels but this is the only way I use my reels because it's the only way I know how to.

Spincaster - top water and cast-and-retrieve baits and anything that needs to be thrown a quarter mile away

Spinning - deep water and/or slow presentations

Baitcaster - flipping for bass/Jig-n-pig

DogBone_384 reply :

I've been using B/C for a short 4 seasons but find I'm more accurate with B/C and get better distance with spinner/ heavier baits with spinning gear.

I always bring a spinning rig with me so I have something to go with when windy and/or dark. I don't see as well as I used to @ night and have difficulty udoing bird's nests in the dark.

the reel ess reply :

On 9/30/2015 at 2:35 AM, Brett said:
I am mostly a bank fisherman and have always used spinning reels but I really want a bait cast reel too but again will be mostly bank fishing with only the occasional boat fishing...do bait casters work well for bank fishing too or are they mostly for fishing from a boat? If they are mostly for boat fishing I may have to re-think my purchase of a bait cast reel .

The main advantage I get from a BC reel is better cast and spool control. You can put your thumb on the spool and slow and stop your cast at the exact distance you want and begin reeling immediately. More difficult for me with spinning. No flipping the bail and pulling against the slack to avoid loops and twist.

There's another advantage. No line twist (unless you use some bait that causes it). As mentioned before, braid has helped out spinning a lot. You can get a 20# braid that casts like 8# mono but doesn't have the memory. Spinning rods tend to be more limber for the same action. a MH spinning rod is usually about the same as a M BC rod. The braid helps with hooksets on that regard.

I use both for different reasons and the arrangement of the BC reel on top and exactly where my hands want to be just feels better and allows me better leverage and hooksets and since I'm right handed causes me to fumble less for the reel handle when I get excited. My left wrist and hand are stronger (hookset) but less articulate (reeling).

I know others have other ideas and that's fine. As I said I use both, but when it's a big boy on the line I do have more confidence in whipping him with a BC combo.

the reel ess reply :

On 9/29/2015 at 9:12 AM, BaitMonkey1984 said:
Only room for blondes in my boat. Also, favor the bait casters over spinning reels.

To me fake blonde is better than no blonde.

Three things a human being can't be too much of:

Too Blonde,

Too Pretty or

Too Rich

fishindad reply :

On 9/30/2015 at 3:34 AM, the reel ess said:

To me fake blonde is better than no blonde.

Three things a human being can't be too much of:

Too Blonde,

Too Pretty or

Too Rich

This is drifting way off topic but your sample size needs to increase because I've known some redheads that rocked my world. And the women who thought they were too beautiful were pretty average during the fourth event (an old triathlon saying). Can't say I've met any rich women yet but I'm still looking. lol.

As far as the spin vs. cast, agree that no one fishing method is better than the other. Try them all and get to know their good and bad qualities. Kinda like...

Paul Roberts reply :

I find BC better for lure types that require some torque: SBs and deep CBs in particular are a lot of work for spinning reels. I also like BC for winching fish out of cover. I prefer spinning for lighter applications. I'm equally at home with either for many applications.

I also prefer spinning rigs for shore fishing in tight, brushy places, and when exploring new waters where I might find myself in tight places. Ever been surprised by a branch on your backcast with a BCer?

Line twist is no issue if you backreel.

Ratherbfishing reply :

For more accurate casting and when lures are heavier and/or have more "pull" or resistance to them (spinnerbaits, deep-divers, etc.) and when more horsing is required (slop, heavy cover, etc.), I'll generally go with a bait casting outfit. But when a "lighter touch" is called for or when I'm fishing the river (in current), I'll choose a spinning outfit. If I'm casting into cover where the fish are holding tight to that cover and I want to bait to fall vertically (and not swing back toward me), I definitely prefer a spinning rod.

the reel ess reply :

On 9/30/2015 at 3:51 AM, fishindad said:

This is drifting way off topic but your sample size needs to increase because I've known some redheads that rocked my world. And the women who thought they were too beautiful were pretty average during the fourth event (an old triathlon saying). Can't say I've met any rich women yet but I'm still looking. lol.

As far as the spin vs. cast, agree that no one fishing method is better than the other. Try them all and get to know their good and bad qualities. Kinda like...

Well, since I'll also accept fake blonde, that's at least twice as many. Alas, I'm married anyway.

NathanW reply :

If you are a bank fisherman I would say that a spinning rod is more versatile and likely a better choice. If you are a boat guy you should prefer casting gear up until the point that it is counterproductive (e.g. light lures, skipping, deep water).

When boat guys deny or are unsure of the advantages of casting gear it is a pretty obvious tell that their skillset is very narrow, very weak or both. Don't take this the wrong way as guys with a narrow skillset can still catch a lot of fish and have fun. Just they will have glaring weaknesses that they are probably unaware of which is perfectly acceptable if they are just having fun but inexcusable if they are trying to become more versatile.

bigbill reply :

Spinning reels vs casting reels.

Spinning setups I can cast lighter weight, smaller baits.

Distance wise I can cast farther than a baitcaster. To me the larger circle diameter on the spinning reel handle to me is awkward to burn spinnerbaits.

Casting set ups I can reel a CRANKBAIT on a more even speed and burn a spinnerbait at a more even speed. But I can't cast smaller lighter baits. The casting setup seems stronger to pull up any size bass that's buried in the weeds with the heavier line test.

Each type of reel has its limits on line test. We can't really get the most performance using a heavier test line that's past the capabilities of the spools because of the tightness of the wrap.

I guess each has its pro's and con's.

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Which Is Better Spinning Reels Or Bait Casting Reels?? 2025

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