baitcast vs spinner - 3 questions

[grneyemonstr]

I have always used a spinning reel when fishing and have never used many artificial lures. I am going to give a bait caster a try and attempt to use a variety of baits. so my questions are

1) does a baitcaster give a lure different movement.
if there is different movement
2) what types of baits/lures are better on each

3) i currently have a rod that was purchased as a combo with a spinning reel, are there different rods for spinning reels and baitcast reels or can i put a baitcast reel on that rod.

thanks in advance

[indianahunter83]

1) no but i feel like i have better control with a baitcaster
2) the basic rule is baitcasters like heavier lures. The newer high end baitcasters cam throw just about any weight lure but most finesse fishermen use spinning reels.
3) You could use a spinning rod but they are not designed for baitcasters and you would look mighty funny doing it.
And to add... once you are proficient with a baitcaster you will never want to go back! (You may get the occasional backlash but you won't have to worry about freaking line twist every again!)

[Fieldmouse]

ORIGINAL: indianahunter83

1) no but i feel like i have better control with a baitcaster
2) the basic rule is baitcasters like heavier lures. The newer high end baitcasters cam throw just about any weight lure but most finesse fishermen use spinning reels.
3) You could use a spinning rod but they are not designed for baitcasters and you would look mighty funny doing it.
And to add... once you are proficient with a baitcaster you will never want to go back! (You may get the occasional backlash but you won't have to worry about freaking line twist every again!)

I'll second that comment. I was a late switcher. I tried in the past but finally did it after some flounder fishing in the surf. On word of advice, get a top shelf reel. The more money you spend, the easier it is. I'm also a firm believer the reel is where you spend you most money if you need to choose. A good one will last generations. Rods can too but tend to get more abuse.

[m.t.hands]

1. no different action but a little easier for me to use, try walking the dog with a spook or throwing deep diving crankbaits on spinning tackle. plus a bait-caster will work like a winch when needed. i know spinning tackle has its place, but i am just not a big fan, i throw fineese baits on BC stuff all the time, to the disbelief of people with me, mainly because spinning feels so akward to me[&:]and i cannot get comfortable with it[:@]

2.as mentioned heavier baits are easier to control than lighter baits, also baits that catch a lot of wind become difficult when throwing into the wind, like a big bladed spinnerbaits[:@]..

3 the rods are built specific for there intened use, spinning rods will also incorperate large guides to let the line un-coil off the reel, also the handles are useally ergonoically(sp) made to be fished with the guides facing away from the angler, also most rods are splined with the guides positioned for that type of rod, some argue that there is now difference with the guide on the top or bottom of the blank, if you have ever "splined' a rod you'll see that it will change the action of the rod, spline up will make the rod more rigid, spline away from anlger lets the rod bend easier from what i have seen and from the rods i have built...

my wife has in the past few years been trying to "make the switch" there are days when she really gets fustraighted, and will ask me how can you do that W/O back-lashing, well i'm not gonna lie when i was 10-12 i cussed BC stuff like there was no tomorrow, now spinning tackle is on the recieving end of that, i won't use anything but baitcasters, with the exception of panfish, then i'll use spin-cast[:-][&:]

once you are proficient with a baitcaster you will never want to go back!

no doubt

[Chuck7]

I have equal amounts of both...I love them both and they both are wonderful to me.


1) does a baitcaster give a lure different movement.
if there is different movement
not really..although as mentioned many times before..the baitcasters seem to be made for the larger lures ...If I had one reel it would be an open face spincast..but instead I've got about 12 ..6 of each.
2) what types of baits/lures are better on each

The only lures I use on my spincast are inline spinners, crappie jigs and tiny spinners...all others are used with a baitcaster..

3) i currently have a rod that was purchased as a combo with a spinning reel, are there different rods for spinning reels and baitcast reels or can i put a baitcast reel on that rod.
You can go either way..