…that freshwater bass fisherman mainly throw plastics/artificials with a baitcast reel, but the saltwater guys mainly use the spincast?
Do any of you guys use a baitcast when throwing DOA’s and such to reds/trout? If not, why? If so, what do you like using and why?
I have only used spincast but was thinking of giving a baitcast an honest try.
My bait casters didn’t stand up to repeatedly getting wet in the kayak. The spinning reels take more abuse.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
Ralph Phillips has converted me to a baitcaster. Its kinda like changing your golf grip. Takes a little time for it to feel right.
IMO the bait caster makes it easier to finesse an artificial. Just a small wrist movement is all it takes. Its still easier for me to work a topwater with a spinner though.
I guess I’m just more used to it. Give it a try…
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com | www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
What brand/size do you favor Optiker??
Bait casters are for finnesse and technical casting. Like docks, throwing up into the grass and quickly pulling it back out. I can’t do that with a spinner. Spinners are for long casts, and using a popping cork for me. If you ever get the hang of throwing a baitcaster, you will find there are many things that make it different, you just have to try it. It’s not for everyone though. I keep spinners on the boat for all my guests, most people can’t throw a bait caster.
I’ve always used a spinner for just about everything. A few weeks ago I took my 10 year old rarely used baitcaster with me and really enjoyed fishing with it. Now, I won’t leave home without it. I’m not going to stop using spinners but a baitcaster on a light rod can make for some very challenging and fun fishing. Everyone should try fishing a baitcaster at least once. The learning curve is relatively short. And, it’s a nice way to change things up a bit.
Geronimo pretty much nailed it.
I actually use both as well. The spinners seem to have an advantage using smaller diameter braids. A small diameter braid can really stuff up a baitcaster. It’s not just the dreaded “backlash” syndrome. If the line gets between the spool and sideplate that reel is out of commission for the trip. PAY VERY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE MINIMUM LINE DIAMETER A REEL IS RATED FOR. This goes for both bait casters and spinners. When loading them up with braid, the line diameter is more important than breaking strength. I prefer to load up a baitcaster with fluorocarbon or mono. A little bit of stiffness in the line is a good thing for baitcasters. I like the finesse, smooth drag and cranking power of a baitcaster but on a windy day casting one with a rattle cork rig is very challenging. I prefer spinners for that tactic.
The big guy
A major hint for those opting to use a baitcaster, NEVER cast into the wind!
I started using a baitcaster last year and now it is my favorite rod. I love fighting a fish on that rod. I use my spinners for live bait and corks and then toss the plastics with my baitcaster. Lately i have been catching more with the baitcaster. The next rod i buy will be a bait caster. but there are not for everyone. you have to stick with it and be willing to respool your line a couple times when learning how to use it but the payoff is worth it.
Wando Red
http://wandored.com/
My baitcaster is the Calcutta 50 spooled with 12# mono on a G Loomis very light action rod. I bought it for bass fishing but have lately found that the small size, light weight, light action rod make catching flounder and reds very fun. I can feel everything, cast anywhere, and the rod can handle some big fish. Caught a 28" red on it the other night on artificial at 1 am. The drag is sooooooo smooth.
Here’s a quick setup tip for newbie baitcaster users.
While standing up, hold the rod up at a 45 degree angle. Tighten down the anti-backlash setting all the way. Turn the reel so that the axle of the spool is parallel to your body (if you are right handed, your thumb will point to the left). Incidentally, for casting the reel should be turned like this as well. Press the cast button and slowly loosen the anti-backlash setting until the lure just starts to fall.
That setting will be where it needs to be until you get better at casting. As you gain confidence you can loosen up the anti-backlash and find your “sweet spot”.
Another tip is the first cast of the day should be a gentle one just to wet the line. Mono absorbs water and is slightly heavier after it gets wet. Fluorocarbon is affected even more dramatically. When the line gets wet it will change how the reel reacts to a cast. Take another gentle cast and notice the difference. If you recognize this you’ll have a lot less problems (especially with fluorocarbon).
The big guy
One thing I have wondered about is that on a baitcaster or spincaster rod the rod is between the line and the fish. On a spinning rod the line is between the rod and the fish. Does that make the line on a spinning rod easier or more likely to break ? Is that one reason why big game offshore rods are baitcaster style ?
Black – I am using a Penn Sargus 64LP with 10# green power pro. Love this setup. The reel is very well made and has a great smooth drag. It was recommended to me by Ralph and Mike Able Sr at Haddrells.
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com | www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
quote:
Originally posted by mikeylooOne thing I have wondered about is that on a baitcaster or spincaster rod the rod is between the line and the fish. On a spinning rod the line is between the rod and the fish. Does that make the line on a spinning rod easier or more likely to break ? Is that one reason why big game offshore rods are baitcaster style ?
two reasons Big Game reels are conventional because you can put a higher drag on a side plate brake setup and there’s no ring and pinion gearing needed. There are more reasons… the rest of you guys want to chime in?
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
quote:
Originally posted by BlackMagic…Do any of you guys use a baitcast when throwing DOA’s and such to reds/trout? If not, why? If so, what do you like using and why?…
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>Cane poles are my favorite fishing set-up. I’m am not so traditional that I won’t use graphite, though. Hearing the strain of the graphite with a 6lb saltwater fish on a graphite “cane-pole” is NUTS!Most fishing (inshore) is reactive to trend. I can think of 3 saltwater rated baitcasters. I can easily think of hundreds of saltwater rated spinning reels. I like my Abu 6500 HCL baitcaster for throwing grubs and plugs. Has a high retrieve rate. But… next year I might change with the trend.
Too Busy–I could not have put it as technical as you…you obviously know your reel internals. I was thinking the same as you regarding “big game offshore rods being conventional”. The first thing that came to my mind was EXCEPTIONAL DRAG. When the reel begins to sing, just reel…no fiddling.
I use Quantum saltwater baitcasters with mono on my topwater rods,braid on spinnerbait/plug rods.Much easier to walk the dog for me plus a lot more accurate.Spinners on popping cork/jig rods.
Spinners for most clients except bass fisherman.
I use both. My baitcaster is a classic round one, the shimano cardiff 200.
“In every species of fish I’ve angled for, it is the ones that have got away that thrill me the most, the ones that keep fresh in my memory. So I say it is good to lose fish. If we didn’t, much of the thrill of angling would be gone.” Ray Bergman
Baitcaster is more accurate, gives your more torque/leverage in my opinion. I use spinning reels in fresh but usually for very deep clear water applications like drop shot or shakey head fishing or perhaps finesse swim baits and very light balsa crank baits.
Other than that, I’m throwing 100% bait casters and all are rigged with various rod lengths, power of rods, speed of the tip, and line diameters and types.
I will say that a spinning rod will throw farther making stealth a strong argument for the spinning set up but I throw my bait casters pretty darn far as reel quality and line type has a lot to do with that also.
Chuck D - Hilton Head, SC
Ranger z21 Intracoastal
I agree…who needs them anyway!
quote:
Originally posted by OptikerRalph Phillips has converted me to a baitcaster. Its kinda like changing your golf grip. Takes a little time for it to feel right.
IMO the bait caster makes it easier to finesse an artificial. Just a small wrist movement is all it takes. Its still easier for me to work a topwater with a spinner though.
I guess I’m just more used to it. Give it a try…
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com | www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
