Spinning or baitcasting reel?

[Mr B]

For me, alot of it has to do with what size line I want to use and the weight of the lure. Also how much control you need on the cast.
We have both, complete opposite ends of the spectrum out here when it comes to "cover".
One day we are Flippin' 1-5' with heavy cover, the next we are fishing no cover in 60'

6-10 lb test mono / Fluorocarbon I use on Spinning Tackle

10-20 mono / fluorocarbon I use Casting.

65 lb braid on my Frog Rod, Casting.

Split Shotting, Drop Shotting, Wacky Worming (small 4-6" worms) Shakey Heads and very small crankbaits (1/4 oz or less) get the spinning rod.

Just about everything else gets the Casting Set up.

When casting accuracy is needed it is hard to beat a Casting rod/reel as long as the bait is heavy enough to ues on it. Dont get me wrong, Spinning tackle can be accurate, especially w/ small baits but getting a 1/2 oz jig on 20 lb test into a teacup sized hole in the weeds, under a willow is much easier w/ a casting setup. I spent hours Pitching & Flipping jigs in my mom's back yard when I was a kid to get myself good before getting out on the water.

Get a good casting setup and practice it in the back yard. You wont be sorry. Start with 10-12 lb test, its easier than the heavier stuff.
Also do not go too cheap. Try to not go below $100 on the reel if you can.
A good entry level reel is the Shimano Citca. It basically replaced the older Curado. It runs about $120 and is a very nice reel.

For a casting rod, start with something in the 6.6 - 7' length in the Med - Med/Hvy action.

Let me know if you need any more info.

Baitcaster reels are very hard to get to use at first, but once you get the hang of it, it is the most controllable reel you can get.

To make it easy on yourself, when you get a baitcaster when putting line on it, fill it 3/4 up then put a piece of electrical tape over the spool, then fill the rest. If you birdnest your reel you won't have to dig through the whole spool.

Good luck,

-Z

[rack04]

Originally Posted by Diesel Kinevel

Baitcaster reels are very hard to get to use at first, but once you get the hang of it, it is the most controllable reel you can get.

To make it easy on yourself, when you get a baitcaster when putting line on it, fill it 3/4 up then put a piece of electrical tape over the spool, then fill the rest. If you birdnest your reel you won't have to dig through the whole spool.

Good luck,

-Z

My wife picked it up one the first cast. Maybe it was me telling her she couldn't do it that made her do it. In fact, on her first cast she caught a 4 1/2# largemouth on a texas rigged cotton candy zoom u-tail worm. She thought cotton candy was a pretty color. I thought she was crazy.

Originally Posted by rack04

My wife picked it up one the first cast. Maybe it was me telling her she couldn't do it that made her do it. In fact, on her first cast she caught a 4 1/2# largemouth on a texas rigged cotton candy zoom u-tail worm. She thought cotton candy was a pretty color. I thought she was crazy.

that doesn't surprise me. When I take my girlfriend fishing she always manages to out fish me...

-Z

Originally Posted by Diesel Kinevel

that doesn't surprise me. When I take my girlfriend fishing she always manages to out fish me...

-Z

Thats usually how it goes

Over the years, I have realized that I'm not fishing to catch fish. Something that most people that don't fish will not understand.

[DPD6030]

Originally Posted by ChicagoWhiteSox

Thats usually how it goes

Over the years, I have realized that I'm not fishing to catch fish. Something that most people that don't fish will not understand.

Sometime I am sometimes I'm not. As long as I'm not at work it's great. That and in a boat or casting from shore makes a great place to smoke cigars. Thanks for all the input guys.

[DPD6030]

Well I got this one in 6'6 MH.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...-box.jsp.form1

Now I'm waiting on this to arrive.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...-box.jsp.form1

and of course a few other necessary things

[shilala]

Originally Posted by ChicagoWhiteSox

Over the years, I have realized that I'm not fishing to catch fish. Something that most people that don't fish will not understand.

That's why they call it "fishing" and not "catching", my brother.

Originally Posted by ChicagoWhiteSox

Thats usually how it goes

Over the years, I have realized that I'm not fishing to catch fish. Something that most people that don't fish will not understand.

very true. It is always nice to hook up to some fish but I really don't care too much. I consider myself a diehard angler but I don't get bent out of shape if I don't catch anything.

-Z

[jcruse64]

I like and use both, depending on the situation. For most worm and jig fishing, spinnerbait, crankbait, and topwater fishing, I'll go with baitcasting. When fishing light jigs or any other light lures (1/8 oz or less), or grubs, drop shot, or weightless worms, I'll go spinning tackle. Usually drop to the light stuff in all winter fishing, but will still use baitcasting for vertical spooning in winter on the deep stuff.

Baitcasting just takes a little practice if you've not used it before. Birdnesting still happens occasionally even if you've used them for years, unless you have one of the $400+ reels (I don't). You can end up with birdnests off spinning tackle too, if the line gets twisted too badly.

Either way you go, or if with both, enjoy!!! A bad day fishing is still almost always better than a great day at work (unless you sink the boat or something).