Why Are Spinning Rods Mostly Used For Finesse? 2024
Wbeadlescomb reply :
Why don't you see spinning rods used for different techniques other than your finesse baits(drop shot, shakey head,finesse jigs etc)? I buy mostly mid range to high end rods but I found a couple of 7'2 medium heavy shimano sellus spinning rods today on clearance for 20 bucks. Not the greatest rods in the world but who could pass up a $60 dollar rod for what a couple decent lures cost. They are a lot stiffer than any medium heavy spinning rod I've felt. There's no way i would ever throw any finesse baits with rods this stiff.I had a couple of extra spinning reels so I spooled them with 30lb power pro I had laying around and have no clue what to use them for.
What would you use these for? I was thinking soft plastic swim bait and.....
Hooligan reply :
Primarily because spinning reels in freshwater sizes are lacking in torque, and the retrieve rate is far too high for most techniques. I use MH spinning rods for a variety of techniques from stick baits and plastics to soft jerkbaits to light Carolina and Mojo rigs.
Wbeadlescomb reply :
I think both of those reels are 4.8:1
bflp3 reply :
I think its just personal preference. I feel I can cast further and more accurately with a baitcaster, and I really don't like using spinning reels. Since Spinning reels are able to throw lighter lures than baitcasters, I use baitcasters when I can, spinning when I must.
I don't think there is anything stopping you from using spinning for heavier applications.
J Francho reply :
Retrieve rate and gear ratio are two different things. A 5:1 ratio spinner can be 30" per turn or more, because the spool diameter is much larger than a typical bait caster.
SirSnookalot reply :
On 2/21/2014 at 1:57 PM, J Francho said:Retrieve rate and gear ratio are two different things. A 5:1 ratio spinner can be 30" per turn or more, because the spool diameter is much larger than a typical bait caster.
Absolutely true.
To be perfectly honest I never knew there was difference in finesse or power fishing until I become a member of bass sites, although I've been fishing for bass 60 years. IMO people equate finesse to spinning as that's the programming they've been led to believe, I don't think it's true at all. There are a number of people on this site alone that use nothing but spinning in all types of water conditions, wind, species and lure types, seen some pretty nice fish displayed here too. There is a spinning rod made for just about every thing, many have a wide range of lure weights too, standard size 2000 or 2500 reel has more than enough line capacity and drag. It's a personal choice, mine is always spinning and never b/c.
Phauren reply :
I love using my spinning reel, I just switched to using baitcasters as a new thing to do. I still love throwing my spinning set ups.
0119 reply :
I've always been surprised that you don't see more folks using spinning for buzzbaits. Faster retrieve and the ability to get the buzzbait up on the surface faster by having the reel ready even before the lure hits the water.
RandySBreth reply :
I have some MH spinning combo's I throw bigger soft swimbaits on - mostly for Stripers though I do it for Bass, too. It's really personal preference. I always throw spinnerbaits and buzzbaits on casting gear, but I use spinning with thin superline/fluoro leader for deep cranking and wonder why I wasn't always doing it.
FishinFool22 reply :
On 2/21/2014 at 8:35 PM, 119 said:I've always been surprised that you don't see more folks using spinning for buzzbaits. Faster retrieve and the ability to get the buzzbait up on the surface faster by having the reel ready even before the lure hits the water.
That's all I used to throw my buzz baits with. I am just now kind of getting into the bait casting game. When I first started fishing I went with a guy who all he threw was bait casters and he always told me he never understood how I fished with the spinning setup but I always hung with him in fish count.
Goose52 reply :
On 2/21/2014 at 8:35 PM, 119 said:I've always been surprised that you don't see more folks using spinning for buzzbaits. Faster retrieve and the ability to get the buzzbait up on the surface faster by having the reel ready even before the lure hits the water.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
Spinning reels excel throwing light baits just due to the mechanics of a baitcaster, and for slack line presentations where a perfectly vertical fall is critical. For sheer casting distance, spinning can't be beat as long as it's set up correctly. You can get by bass fishing with all spinning or casting but being proficient with both opens up options and enhances the over all experience IMO.
JeziHogg reply :
I think people use spinning reels mostly because of how much cheaper it can be. A "Finesse baitcaster can run easily $350+ as apose to a cheap spinning reel taht can do the exact same thing. Also spinning reels have the option of just opening the bait and letting your lure just sink, with a baitcaster you have to take all the tension off the spool control knob.
Wbeadlescomb reply :
I've always wondered if the little 1/4 ounce war eagle buzzbaits caught fish like the big buzzbaits do. I may try one of them for that and the other for my swimming fluke/small swim bait rod
Missourifishin reply :
I've fished all kinds of baits on my spinning gear, and it worked fine.
new2BC4bass reply :
I'd say it was because the vast majority of people on this and other forums are fishing fanatics, and their preferred tool of choice is a baitcast reel. Light lures are harder to cast on a b/c. It is harder to let line drop straight down after a cast with a b/c. From what I have seen it is my opinion that the majority of non-fanatics use spinning or spin cast reels. They probably do it all with one or maybe two rods. I know that is how I did it before getting back into fishing a few years ago. I didn't know anyone using a baitcast reel when I bought my first one.
That isn''t to say that there aren't fishing fanatics that only use spinning. However, I've been reading this and other forums for 5 years now, and it seems the spinning reel only guys are a small minority on forums. As already stated, you can use a spinning reel for anything a b/c reel can do. Might not always be the best solution, but it will get the job done. Just like I am now trying to use a b/c reel for everything. I know it isn't always the best option, but I like b/c reels. 
Wbeadlescomb reply :
On 2/21/2014 at 11:11 PM, new2BC4bass said:I'd say it was because the vast majority of people on this and other forums are fishing fanatics, and their preferred tool of choice is a baitcast reel. Light lures are harder to cast on a b/c. It is harder to let line drop straight down after a cast with a b/c. From what I have seen it is my opinion that the majority of non-fanatics use spinning or spin cast reels. They probably do it all with one or maybe two rods. I know that is how I did it before getting back into fishing a few years ago. I didn't know anyone using a baitcast reel when I bought my first one.
That isn''t to say that there aren't fishing fanatics that only use spinning. However, I've been reading this and other forums for 5 years now, and it seems the spinning reel only guys are a small minority on forums. As already stated, you can use a spinning reel for anything a b/c reel can do. Might not always be the best solution, but it will get the job done. Just like I am now trying to use a b/c reel for everything. I know it isn't always the best option, but I like b/c reels.
I feel like you need to use both and be versatile. I usually carry enough powell rods with lews and quantum bait casters on them to stock a small army but I also like to have atleast 2/3 spinning rods on the boat just in case
new2BC4bass reply :
On 2/21/2014 at 11:19 PM, Wbeadlescomb said:I feel like you need to use both and be versatile. I usually carry enough powell rods with lews and quantum bait casters on them to stock a small army but I also like to have atleast 2/3 spinning rods on the boat just in case
I grew up using spinning gear (Mitchell 300 at 6, I'm 66) so it isn't like I don't know how. I've already stated that a b/c reel isn't always the best option. I've picked up 6 new spinning combos since getting back into fishing. Gave my old ones to my grandsons with the exception of a Penn 430SS / 6' Lightning combo. I will often take one spinning rod with me, but in all honesty, it seldom gets used.
I don't tounament fish. I don't even have to catch fish. If I did I would have quit.......again. My b/c gear is what keeps me going back. Last summer I spent more time casting than at any time since getting back into fishing. I wasn't "fishing", but playing with new-2-me rods and reels. The few unexpected fish I caught were just a bonus. This year will see me actually out there fishing.....not trying new combos although there will be a few of them next year as well.
fishindad reply :
All great points made. Way back in the day (when I started fishing) there were no JDM baitcasters available that could handle 1/8th oz lures. A Fenwick Lunkerstik and Ambassadeur 5000 were the top-of-the-line for bass fishermen. There were no ML power casting rods, or superlines like Fireline or Power Pro that spinning reels could spool up with and muscle fish out of heavy cover. Nowadays the lines (no pun intended) are more blurred and people use spinning gear in situations they used to use casting gear and vice-versa, all due to the significant changes and improvements in tackle (line, reels, rods).
In my experience the biggest drawback to baitcasting gear for finesse fishing is on windy days like we have on the Great Lakes. It is very tough to cast small, light lures into/across the wind using a baitcaster (at least for my rookie thumb). My 'general' rule is 1/4 oz and 10 lb. test and below, spinning; anything heavier I use baitcasting gear. I prefer to use casting equipment whenever possible even though I feel it is more efficient to actually fight the fish using a spinning rod - unless one uses a spiral-wrapped rod. All that said, if I had to only choose spinning gear vs casting gear, I would choose spinning because of the waters I fish - clear water, not much cover, mainly smallmouth, and the advent of superlines. So don't worry about what others use, if it works for you then keep on doing it.
mjseverson24 reply :
For me the biggest advantage of a casting reel is accuracy. A proficient baitcaster will be much more efficient with lure placement than a proficient spinning reel guy. Also casting reels have much more power available as compared to the spinning reels commonly used for freshwater fishing. The advantages of a spinning reel is casting lighter lures easier, the drag on a spinning reel is fantastic which sets it up perfect for light line light wire hook applications(finesse). I love both for their strengths which is why I carry a good number of each.
Mitch
Teal reply :
I use my spinning rods in spurts. And not for just light line techniques. To be perfectly honest a lot of times they become alternate rods for techniques that are hot at the moment. I really enjoy working jerkbaits and smaller topwaters on spinning gear. Although I have casting gear to for these techniques, ill tie on an alternative color or size, on spinning gear. I really like them for flukes and senkos too! And really what it is, is me creating a lighter line alternative...sometimes its the slight ajustment in line size or downsizing the bait. If I'm on a boat dock pattern I generally have a couple spinning rods with alternate lures, it may be a senko, it may be a rage rig, or the centipede or trick worm...
I may have lighter line tied on, bit its hardly finnese fishing.
WIGuide reply :
On 2/21/2014 at 1:33 PM, Wbeadlescomb said:Why don't you see spinning rods used for different techniques other than your finesse baits(drop shot, shakey head,finesse jigs etc)? I buy mostly mid range to high end rods but I found a couple of 7'2 medium heavy shimano sellus spinning rods today on clearance for 20 bucks. Not the greatest rods in the world but who could pass up a $60 dollar rod for what a couple decent lures cost. They are a lot stiffer than any medium heavy spinning rod I've felt. There's no way i would ever throw any finesse baits with rods this stiff.I had a couple of extra spinning reels so I spooled them with 30lb power pro I had laying around and have no clue what to use them for.
What would you use these for? I was thinking soft plastic swim bait and.....
I know a few guys that use nothing but spinning gear. There's nothing wrong with it, but I think it's used more for finesse applications due to the fact that it handles lighter line better and casts lighter baits easier. It wasn't until recently that ML casting rods and bait casters geared towards finesse fishing weren't available. Personally I think bait casters are right at home throwing normal to heavier baits because you have more control over your accuracy. Also, I feel you have better control over a fish to and much more power than most spinning reels.
Those rods you have would be good for worm or jig fishing or even spinnerbaits, medium sized swimbaits, etc.
Raul reply :
Spinning gear until recently could do what baitcasting gear couldn´t ---> cast light weight baits even with heavier than 10 lbs test line, it´s a matter of simple mechanics, the line in the spinning reel flows from the spool freely.
But that doesn´t mean that spinning gear is for light weight use only, whomever thinks spinning gear is not suited for heavier bass fishing should ask Fish Chris, the dude fishes with spinning gear only and has caught more 10+ pounders than any in this forum, actually I´ll set the bar higher because for him 10 lbs is not significant, he has caught more 15+ lbers than all of us whom have caught a or several 10+ lbers .... actually I´ve never caught a 15 lber.
Christian M reply :
There are several reasons spinning setups are used for finesse techniques. Generally, when you think of finesse fishing, you think lighter & smaller. A spinning reel allows you to fish with very light line & smaller, lighter tackle. You can cast light tackle with a spinning reel without having to worry about a backlash. For techniques like dropshotting in deep water, you can open the bail and let your rig sink to 60'easily. You would have a very hard time doing this with a baitcaster. Another advantage to a spinning reel is a smoother drag. When you stick a big fish on a small, light wire hook, the smooth drag allows you to play the fish without risking a line break or having your hook straightened out.
Darren. reply :
Look, everyone is different. Does versatility mean you have to use both BC and spinning? Not necessarily.
The example of Fish Chris is spot-on. SirSnook fishes spinning gear for fresh/salt.
I use both, but could use spinning for everything if I wanted to. But I *wanted* to learn BC, so I bought some. I love using them, but they are not necessary for me, they're something I choose to use. Again, I could do everything I want with spinning gear...
Another reason I don't use spinning all the time is to give my elbows a break. I reel lefty with spinning gear, righty with BC gear. Helped me with my fishing elbow issues.
SirSnookalot reply :
I'n not so sure I understand why a B/C has more " power". If it's drag a 2500 stradic has 15# max, not that it should be set that tight, I notice b/c of similar size have less. Looking at a b/c, the distance from the fulcrum is much shorter than it is on a spinner, to me a spinner would have more cranking leverage. Also many of the spinners have a larger paddle instead of 2 tiny knobs, I see an advantage to spinning there too. Accuracy is up to the user, I've been using spinning for 60 years, I can put a lure where ever I want. I catch plenty of fish 15# +, if one has ever caught a jack crevelle that size you know no bass can compare to them, these are caught on 2000 or 3000 reels., my opinion an edge to spinning there. I don't change hands with spinning, I'm always in " strike" position, advantage spinning. Not only do spinning set ups cast light lures, a crappie jig is one of the most prolific lures in inshore fishing, they can be cast on spinning, don't think too many b/c will handle anything that light. On the other side a small 8' surf rod can fling a 3 oz lure into the stratosphere, yet a 1/2 oz bait presents no problem fishing the swash, advantage spinning. Big fish on the line, I don't mean 20 or 30#, I'm talking 50- 100#, a conventional can twist in your hands especially when puling up then reeling down, with the reel on the bottom of the rod that doesn't happen with a spinner, done that one many many times, my opinion advantage spinning again. Shimano terez rods offer an entire line of spinning for larger fish.
??? why do people even own a b/c any more??............lol
Raul reply :
On 2/22/2014 at 3:32 AM, SirSnookalot said:I'n not so sure I understand why a B/C has more " power".
Cuz you feel really macho with baitcasting !
Machos got more power. 
Dyerbassman reply :
I want to know where you found a Sellus for $20?!?!?!? That's a steal!
Wbeadlescomb reply :
Local store clearancing them out
J Francho reply :
Personally, I find a caster easier for heavier baits. Spinning has a sling shot effect, and I don't like the pressure if the line on my index finger from heavier baits. Easier for me to use my thumb on a caster spool.
SirSnookalot reply :
On 2/22/2014 at 11:01 PM, J Francho said:Personally, I find a caster easier for heavier baits. Spinning has a sling shot effect, and I don't like the pressure if the line on my index finger from heavier baits. Easier for me to use my thumb on a caster spool.
This is quite true, pretty common practice to overload our rods here, my finger sometimes can be a little sore.
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