The guys on the tv shows seem to use baitcasters exclusively. I use one baitcaster for trolling, one for minnows, and have an ultralight spinning reels for plastic, spinners, jigs etc. Curious how you guys mix them up.
While I'm on the topic, the spinning reels have the handle on the left side, but with the baitcaster I'm more comfortable with handle on the right. Any logic to that?
spinning reels vs baitcasters
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fishforfun
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I have 4 spinning reels and 3 downrigging reels. I tried bait casters when I was younger (30 yrs ago) nothing but rats nests! Never wanted to try since. Always reel left handed, don't know if I could play a fish with my left arm? I throw with my right arm so it seems natural to cast with it, but I shoot left when playing hockey.
I have 12 rods and up until this spring only one had a spinning reel, With Ed’s help I now have 2. All I use a spinning reel for is jigging and now with my newest addition ( 5.9 St Croix avid rod and reel) , it will be for skipping tubes. Personally I can’t imagine casting anything with a spinning reel. Yes bait casters have a learning curve but once mastered there is nothing like it.
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fishforfun
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- Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2004 2:45 pm
- Location: Georgetown Ont.
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fishforfun
- Gold Participant
- Posts: 1408
- Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2004 2:45 pm
- Location: Georgetown Ont.
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fishforfun
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- Location: Georgetown Ont.
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MichaelVandenberg
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When it comes to baitcasters and spinning reels it is all about personal preference.
My tourney partner only uses baitcasters for flipping, everything else is spinning. I use them for everything except ligth line applications.
Baitcasters do have a learning curve but if you buy a cheap baitcaster the learn curve is very extreme. Buy a quality baitcaster and practise with it.
Cheers,
Mike
My tourney partner only uses baitcasters for flipping, everything else is spinning. I use them for everything except ligth line applications.
Baitcasters do have a learning curve but if you buy a cheap baitcaster the learn curve is very extreme. Buy a quality baitcaster and practise with it.
Cheers,
Mike
HA! ED got another one. I see he used the old "I use this set up for skipping tubes under docks" sales pitch. He got me last year with that one.Xenos wrote:I have 12 rods and up until this spring only one had a spinning reel, With Ed’s help I now have 2. All I use a spinning reel for is jigging and now with my newest addition ( 5.9 St Croix avid rod and reel) , it will be for skipping tubes. Personally I can’t imagine casting anything with a spinning reel. Yes bait casters have a learning curve but once mastered there is nothing like it.
I have tried spinning setups before and hated them due to the relatively inexpensive reels and rods. The setup Ed sold me was much better and not as painful to deal with. Now I have two spinning setups. A set up for skipping tubes (which I still don't know how to do) and a 7' medium with a Rapala reel for plastics and lighter lures.
Recently went out to learn how to cast them. Not as bad as before abd I definitelly could get used to using them. But I prefer baitcasters.
I have a couple of pointers for those of you looking to try your baitcasters again.....
First thing, I highly recommend stripping off 30 to 50 feet of line and then placing a piece of electrical tape over the arbor. This will prevent any "Birds Nests" from digging too deeply into your spool of line.
Secondly, I recommend practicing in you back yard with at leat a 1/2 oz weight. It is much easier to cast a heavier weight.
Thirdly, if you are used to spinning gear and cranking with your left hand, buy left handed baitcasters. I find that I get the best of all worlds with my leftie retrieve baitcasters.
Finally, read the manual for your reel. It is very important to set it properly for the weight that you are using.
If you are in the market for a "Fool Proof" baitcaster, I HIGHLY recommend the Abu Garcia Anti-Backlash models. I bought one of these a year or so ago and it truely is foolproof. It doesn't use magnets or anything like that, but I can set it in free-spin mode, whip a two handed cast without using my thumb at all and maybe as a worse case get a loose loop or two on the spool. Try this with any other reel and you'll be cutting off half of your line. Granted, you don't get anywhere near the maximum casting distance from this reel with the Anti-Backlash mechanism engaged, but it sure helps to educate your thumb.
My 2 cents.
Karack
PS - I'm far from a pro with my baitcasters, but I love them and I'm determined to become very proficient with them. I just wanted to share some of the lessons that I've learned along the way.
Karack
First thing, I highly recommend stripping off 30 to 50 feet of line and then placing a piece of electrical tape over the arbor. This will prevent any "Birds Nests" from digging too deeply into your spool of line.
Secondly, I recommend practicing in you back yard with at leat a 1/2 oz weight. It is much easier to cast a heavier weight.
Thirdly, if you are used to spinning gear and cranking with your left hand, buy left handed baitcasters. I find that I get the best of all worlds with my leftie retrieve baitcasters.
Finally, read the manual for your reel. It is very important to set it properly for the weight that you are using.
If you are in the market for a "Fool Proof" baitcaster, I HIGHLY recommend the Abu Garcia Anti-Backlash models. I bought one of these a year or so ago and it truely is foolproof. It doesn't use magnets or anything like that, but I can set it in free-spin mode, whip a two handed cast without using my thumb at all and maybe as a worse case get a loose loop or two on the spool. Try this with any other reel and you'll be cutting off half of your line. Granted, you don't get anywhere near the maximum casting distance from this reel with the Anti-Backlash mechanism engaged, but it sure helps to educate your thumb.
My 2 cents.
Karack
PS - I'm far from a pro with my baitcasters, but I love them and I'm determined to become very proficient with them. I just wanted to share some of the lessons that I've learned along the way.
Karack
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M.T. Livewell
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- Location: Rockland
I'll say it again, throwing a baitcaster into the wind can be a humbling experience.
I, all too recently, learned how to cast a baitcaster, and would by no means consider myself an expert. But I throw them almost exclusively now.
There are 2 thoughts to learning a baitcaster.
1. Is to get an anti-backlash model which will help reduce the numbers of birds nests (or professional over runs as we like to call them). But, you are letting the real do the work and not really training your thumb.
2. Not buy an anti-backlash type. My advice for this is to start with inexpensive yet heavy line, and throw heavy baits till you get the hang of her.
One last though, spend as much as you can up front. If you buy crap, you will very quickly find it back on the boat floor and your spinning gear back in your hands.
Good luck.
M.T. Livewell
I, all too recently, learned how to cast a baitcaster, and would by no means consider myself an expert. But I throw them almost exclusively now.
There are 2 thoughts to learning a baitcaster.
1. Is to get an anti-backlash model which will help reduce the numbers of birds nests (or professional over runs as we like to call them). But, you are letting the real do the work and not really training your thumb.
2. Not buy an anti-backlash type. My advice for this is to start with inexpensive yet heavy line, and throw heavy baits till you get the hang of her.
One last though, spend as much as you can up front. If you buy crap, you will very quickly find it back on the boat floor and your spinning gear back in your hands.
Good luck.
M.T. Livewell