Difference between baitcast and spinning?

[4EYESONLY]

A friend of mine asked me the other day whats the difference in fishing with a baitcast or spinning. Now providing I haven't fished with a baitcast, only spinning and I fish everything with a spinning, from casting cranks to vertical jigging. I couldn't answer this question to him. So with the answers right at my fingertips here on WC, I ask can someone tell me the pros and cons of owning one or the other. Thanks for the help

[SetTheHook]

Spinning gear is easier to learn to use than baitcasting gear.

In general, baitcasting gear allows the angler to use heavier tackle than spinning gear. Baitcasting reels can also be more accurate for casting that spinning. However, there's a learning curve with baitcasters and backlashes with lots of tangled up line are common for beginners.

Many walleye fisherman prefer spinning gear for applications with lighter tackle, such as most jigging and rigging options.

Baitcasting gear shines in trolling situations, running bottom bouncers, and casting heavier lures. Some also use baitcasters for jigging, particularly for heavier jigs in current.

I use spinning gear for all of my jigging and rigging options. I also use spinning reels for casting light crankbaits.

I use baitcasting gear for trolling, casting most crankbaits, etc.

That's my two cents worth. A full explanation would take many pages, and I anticipate you'll end up with many as other people respond.

[ryan the poor college kid]

two years ago i bought my first baitcaster and wow! it is worth it. if you troll anything it is a MUST! it is so much easier to just push the button on the baitcster to find bottom if you are vertical jigging a jig or lindy rig. and to troll you don't even have to know how to cast, that just comes with a little practice in the back yard.
if you do decide to buy one after all these posts, e-mail me and i can give you an easy way to learn how to cast.
i guess i have two now and i couldn't imagine trolling plugs or anything without them. actually i am going to the outlet store to get two more in march.
hope this helped a little.

[Sunshine]

I also find verticle jigging to be easier with baitcasters. If you can get one with a flipping switch get it.

[4EYESONLY]

Thanks for your reply............

[tbomn]

Well put!!

I am one that uses level wind reels for jigging, in reality I am not sure why, they just seem to fit there. I would guess that is the same reason many anglers use both spinning and baitcasting rigs, they just seem to fit the situations. I know I like spinning gear for most applications, but when vertical jigging I found the 5 foot spinning rods didn't seem to have the right feel, so I use 5 foot trigger sticks with Shimano Crestfire reels for this application, and they seem to feel right. These are great little rigs and seem to work fine for me. Use what feels good, that's my philosophy.

[More accurate?]

>
>In general, baitcasting gear allows the angler to use
>heavier tackle than spinning gear. Baitcasting reels can
>also be more accurate for casting that spinning. However,
>there's a learning curve with baitcasters and backlashes
>with lots of tangled up line are common for beginners.
>

I'm having a hard time thinking of any cases where a baitcasting outfit is more accurate at casting than a spinning outfit. Do you mean if the person doing the baitcasting is an expert and the spinner is a novice?

[perchjerker]

I think what he is referring to is the fact that while casting, you can "thumb" the revolving spool and put the "brakes" on it easier than the line coming off a spinning reel.

Please correct me if I am wrong!

[SetTheHook]

You got my point, perchjerker. You can do basically the same with a spinning reel, but it's easier with a baitcaster.

[Cangl]

Baitcaster roll or wrap the line onto the spool, wherebye a spinning real use an arm and not the spool to pick up line wraping it onto the spool clock arm like. Baitcasters are better on your line, the non twisting action of the spool picking up the line is a plus especially for trolling, drifting and the accuracy provided by feathering and spool tension is greater especially with shorter casts. Spinning reels offer greater casting distances with less weight. The weight of the reel being under the rod also enables you to grip the rod along a forearm and their sweeping elbow with a little wrist hook set I love. They offer a greater amount of hook set pull because of this. Light line can get into either spool but you will find that "nest's" are a lot easier to deal with with a spinning rod.