1st i did try to search spinning reels vs bait casters but didnt come up with anything. i'v always used spinning reels & here lately iv wanted to try a baitcaster, i didnt want to get to cheap of one figuring a better quality reel might be better to learn on. all my friends hate baitcasters claiming they are a P.I.T.A. whats a good quality into level BC reel to see if i will like them or not.
If its got boobs, tires, siding, or an outboard motor you have trouble!!!
Buy a Baitcaster,,any of them starting at 100$ and a 5 1/2' pistol grip rod. Medium action. Match it with the weight of bait listed on the rod. Pull a long cast of line off and put a piece of electrical tape on the remaining line on the spool. Reel the line you pulled off back on over the tape. Adjust the friction of the spool to allow the bait to fall from a horizontal rod held straight out from your body and stop on its own when it hits the ground. Now practise with a hookless weight in your yard till you get the hang of it. Then go fishing and have fun entering the world of Bass Fishing,,your friends will be following along very shortly after you show them what you can do with one!
I've always primarily used spinning rods. That being said, I have always had a few baitcasters as well. I use them for crank bait fishing, sometimes spinner baits. I've found that I'm just not comfortable using the baitcaster, but who knows...you may like them.
Bill Gard
Richmond, Indiana
2015 BassCat Caracal/225ProXs
TEAM SHERM'S MARINE
Of course I talk to myself...sometimes I need expert advice.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by siskiyoucrash »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote"> Buy a Baitcaster,,any of them starting at 100$ and a 5 1/2' pistol grip rod. Medium action. Match it with the weight of bait listed on the rod. Pull a long cast of line off and put a piece of electrical tape on the remaining line on the spool. Reel the line you pulled off back on over the tape. Adjust the friction of the spool to allow the bait to fall from a horizontal rod held straight out from your body and stop on its own when it hits the ground. Now practise with a hookless weight in your yard till you get the hang of it. Then go fishing and have fun entering the world of Bass Fishing,,your friends will be following along very shortly after you show them what you can do with one!
Good advice!!
I used spinning rods for years, cast right handed, reel left. Never could get the hang of switching hands. All my reels are left handed.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by fr8dog »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
Good advice!!
I used spinning rods for years, cast right handed, reel left. Never could get the hang of switching hands. All my reels are left handed.</td></tr></table> I started with old Pflueger Supreme's then 5000 Abassadors and up,,back then all righty's cranked right handed,,at least the ones I knew. So that is the way I have stayed. But I did learn to cast left handed when I got fishin elbow in my right arm. I bought the Wife left cranks because that is what she wanted, now it gets confusing in the rod locker
go quantum or super tune diawas if you do some shopping you can find good deals on 200 dollar reels for a 125 .
to get good it takes practice i started in the yard playing boat off a lawn chair and slinging 1/2 jig heads with the hooks cut off
Casting reels have advantages over spinning reels.....
It's extremely difficult to use line larger than 12# on a spinning reel because it tends to loop off the spool if given any slack at all. Of course, the larger saltwater-style reels can handle it, but they're extremely heavy and don't match up well with bass-action rods. And there ARE instances when larger line is mandatory.
I have always used spinning reels - catch some grief from my buddies, but catch just as many fish as they do (they even bought me a pink kids combo for our first tournament this year). I was like you and wanted to try, just couldn't get the hang of it, spent more time fighting with nests than fishing.
I use 40lb(braid) on all my reels no problem, same diameter as 10lb mono, so you can use larger than 12lb if you use braid.
Good luck
The drag system on the baitcasters is much better and for that reason alone it's worth using them instead of a spinnig reel. With a little practice you'll be fine.
I went a lot of years without using a baitcaster much and just got back into them. I was mainly walleye fishing a long time.
I tried to go with a right cast/left retrieve reel but couldn't do it, I have to switch hands after the cast. Pitching I can do left-handed now.
Best advice - buy one high dollar reel like a Curado E or $199 Chronarch, $150 plus Revo or the like vs. two cheaper ones. Go more expensive to start at least. Have someone help you figure out the braking system(s) on it.
Start out using lighter line than an expert would use and a little more weight.
Make sure to set your spool tension.
It's all about the thumb :)
You'll get good at it, just takes practice. It's easy to switch over for casting 1/2 oz spinnerbaits. Throwing a 1/4 oz jig into a pop can sized hole by a tree 25' away will take some time.
I like using Braid, Fireline, and Co-Hybrids over flouro, especially when starting out. Mono is great too.
One line that works for me well in cover is 15# Izorline Co-Hybrid. It's a lot stronger than 15lb test should be and though it sorta acts funny in it's own way I never get overruns and it pitches very accurately. Tough as nails too. If I need heavier I go to 30lb Spiderwire. Most of my other line in clear water is 8 -12 lb Pline or YoZuri flouro.
"Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game; In the deed the glory."
I grew up using spinning reels and got pretty good with them. THEN, I found a friends old black Shimano Bantam Baitcaster, started playing with it. Now thats ALL I use. Except for the occasional spinning reel on wading trips... Do yourself a favor, buy a nice baitcast reel, you won't regret it.
I've NEVER looked back
You'll find that many of the members here use both. I use spinning for all finnese presentations, and bait casting for all others. Also even though this is the Bass boat forum, I use spinning exclusively for bream and crappie fishing. I find spinning tackle works better with light weights (below 1/4 oz.).
As others have said, buy a decent reel. Low priced reels will not help you much. There are many sales going on right now as fishing season starts over much of the country. Buy one of the name brands and practice with it using whatever anti-backlash controls it has. I would suggest starting with low priced mono on the reels at first since it's easier to get backlashes out than with braid or other lines. Then as you become more skilled you can put good line on the reels of whatever type you want.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by menoceros »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">You'll find that many of the members here use both. I use spinning for all finnese presentations, and bait casting for all others. Also even though this is the Bass boat forum, I use spinning exclusively for bream and crappie fishing. I find spinning tackle works better with light weights (below 1/4 oz.).
As others have said, buy a decent reel. Low priced reels will not help you much. There are many sales going on right now as fishing season starts over much of the country. Buy one of the name brands and practice with it using whatever anti-backlash controls it has. I would suggest starting with low priced mono on the reels at first since it's easier to get backlashes out than with braid or other lines. Then as you become more skilled you can put good line on the reels of whatever type you want.</td></tr></table>
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^This!!
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." -- Benjamin Franklin
BPS Enigma ($49.99-99.99) is supposed to be designed for beginners. Rule of thumb is to set spool control to where the bait barely falls and doesn't cause backlash when it hits the ground but may want to go a little tighter to start. Start with short lob cast and work your way up....Also, patience grasshopper, patience.
Shimano just came out with the Caius. It is $65 and is a perfect entry level baitcaster. Super light, and smooth. You pretty much have to try to backlash it. Probably the best starter baitcaster I have seen.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by siskiyoucrash »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote"> Buy a Baitcaster,,any of them starting at 100$ and a 5 1/2' pistol grip rod. Medium action. Match it with the weight of bait listed on the rod. Pull a long cast of line off and put a piece of electrical tape on the remaining line on the spool. Reel the line you pulled off back on over the tape. Adjust the friction of the spool to allow the bait to fall from a horizontal rod held straight out from your body and stop on its own when it hits the ground. Now practise with a hookless weight in your yard till you get the hang of it. Then go fishing and have fun entering the world of Bass Fishing,,your friends will be following along very shortly after you show them what you can do with one!
Good advise
There easy once you get the hang of them. I only use spinning for shakey head and drop shotting.
But heres a trick that work everytime us get a backlash.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by billius »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I've always primarily used spinning rods. That being said, I have always had a few baitcasters as well. I use them for crank bait fishing, sometimes spinner baits. I've found that I'm just not comfortable using the baitcaster, but who knows...you may like them.</td></tr></table>
Me too Bill. I have 2 of the green model Curados and thats it. They get used a bit in spring when I'm throwing big cranks or spinner baits but thats about it.
Boatless Bank Trash for now
Don't cast into the wind until you learn how to adjust the reel. You will love it with a little practice.
When learning to cast a baitcaster the temptation is to throw the bait as hard as you can. Overthrowing causes spool override when the spool speeds up faster then the line is being released.
One way to adjust your cast when learning is to place a book or magazine under your armpit of your casting arm. Learn to cast without dropping the book and you will have an easier time getting used to the reels.
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