I've never used one and was curious as to their advantages and disadvantages.

better drag systems, smoother retrieves, more accurate when casting lures to tight spots, handles heavier line better...

this mostly applies to bass fishing...I use both spinning and baitcast depending on the techniques...



[This message has been edited by Aggiegolfer58 (edited 2/5/2007 3:11p).]

I've heard they aren't as good for casting light lures. Does this apply to just the really light lures, or is this just something that was an issue with the older versions?

Positives not listed above: Not as suceptible to line spin or twisting issues.

Negatives: Braided line is a DISASTER on them.
If you have a cheaper one, or set it wrong, Backlash city....

If you are fighting a big fish, you can't beat the drag on them. But they are a pain in the ass to cast all day in my experience, unless you spend big bucks for a light one with mag spool control. I use a hay bailer for chunking lures instead, and it works just fine.. If I'm plugging or working big live baits for big fish, I go with the bait caster...

I fish almost exclusively spinning reels in freshwater, you get much more casting distance and precision with them if you use them regularly, and a quality one will have a drag only slightly inferior to the average baitcast reel. And no backlash....AND they work with braided lines much better without having to use backing.

to each his own though. I own 3 baitcast rigs and about 8 spinning rigs...

Yes, you will not be able to effectively cast anything under 1/4 oz any kind of distance because the casting force you have to use to free wheel the spool with a lighter lure combined with the light spool drag setting would greatly increase your chances of backlashing. Your choice is either short casts, or lots of backlashes, or a $200-$300 reel with sophisticated anti-backlash mechanisms.

Or a lot of practice. I can cast an 1/8 oz spoon a long way with a Shimano Curado or Chronarch. It is a function of light line (10 lb. test), a light action 7' rod and loose settings on the reel. The main advantage to baitcasting reels is that they dont twist your line around a fixed spool. Line twist is a problem with all spinning gear, given enough casts.

oh, and I would suggest Shimano Curado or Citica baitcast reels if you get one...they're worth it...

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But they are a pain in the ass to cast all day in my experience, unless you spend big bucks for a light one with mag spool control.

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You must consider big bucks $40 and up! Magnetic control and light weight are pretty much a given on any baitcaster you spend that on. The only thing I see as a disadvantage with a baitcaster is fishing tiny lightweight lures. Other than that situation I won't touch a spinning reel.

Don't cheat yourself. Spend a little money on one or you will hate it. Any of the Abu's you can get it pretty cheap and they are easy to learn to use.

Adjust the brakes down and then ease it out slowly as you get more comfortable with it. If it is adjusted wrong you will hate it. Get it spooled and ask the guy at the desk to help you with it. I fish them all the time and love them. You get more sensitivity with a baitcast reel as well.

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But they are a pain in the ass to cast all day in my experience

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I would ONLY make this comment about spinning gear, much easier to keep a lure wet using baitcasting gear...

I only use baitcasters and do bass fishing and coastal stuff. I think they are great, unless you backlash braid, which is a royal pain in the a$$ to untangle.

I vote for the old green curados, you can probly still snatch one up on ebay.

Very versatile, they can handle the big and small with a little practice...

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old green curados

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best reels ever made...

a baitcast is your best option for most freshwater/bass and bay fishing. I won't use a spinning reel.

know your reel and practice.

You also get what you pay for, but there are some pretty good reels out there for not too much money to learn on.

my picks:
1. Shimano Curado- an all-American reel- the old green one is a standard, but I also have one of the new ones and it's a much better reel.
2. BassPro- Johnny Morris series Elite and Signature series (my favorite new reel)
3. Shimano Calcutta- open face and more $$ but a smooth SOB


[This message has been edited by Zone416 (edited 2/5/2007 4:37p).]

Almost all I use is baitcasters. The only time I use spinning reels is for weightless applications in freshwater. I also have braid on all of them and if you are inexperienced I would not go that route. They are not hard to cast and I will through one every day all day for a week with no problems

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2. BassPro- Johnny Morris series Elite and Signature series

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Excellent reels!

and if you need a superline for something, the fused line is a lot easier to handle than braid...

I wouldn't get another of the BPS Extreme reels though, but maybe it's just the 7.1/1 model...

Reeling is a chore with a spinnerbait/crankbait...

I was die hard spinning reel guy and was given a Curado as a gift. Won't ever go back to spinning now.

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

I've been fishing pretty steady for almost 30 years, and I know the "green fish" crowd has had a perpetual obsession for baitcasters because you need the power and the line holding ability to bull them out of the hyrdilla or timber.. I can respect that. If you are going for largemouth, or stripers, or big cats, or redfish, you ought to be using a baitcaster most of the time.

But I fish for whites, crappie, trout, lots of lighter saltwater like trout and flounder, and a lot of light and ultralight stream fishing in the hill country, and a baitcaster is at a disadvantage in these situations generally. It is too much reel, and too much of a pain to cast lighter lures. Plus I've gone to mostly braided line, since it has saved me many fish and many snagged lures. I've fished with both, and I found that for me, I can handle most situations with a spinning reel. Since I use them so frequently, I can cast with them very well and precisely, and the bail fip is natural to me as thumbing a the spool release on a baitcaster.

I've caught some pretty large fish on spinning reels, and they can handle it if you buy quality, just like if you buy a quality baitcaster... There's a reason you see coastal fisherman almost all using spinning reels east of louisiana..because they also get the job done in many situations.

There are times for both, and its best to have at least one of each. I've got a bunch of abu's baitcasters, and use them pretty regularly. I like them because they are easier to clean and fix than the more sophisticted reels you can buy these days, and if you screw one up, they are cheap to replace

Just out of curiousity, anyone have a good reel in the $100-$120 range these days? I've been looking at some of the mid range shimanos, but have heard that pflueger makes a decent inexpensive reel, too.

I have tried some of the more expensive reels out, but I just can't imagine dropping $250 or $300 on something that could fall off the side of a boat accidentally. I just don't have that kind of $$. They are very nice though. Maybe for X-mas one year....

[This message has been edited by MouthBQ98 (edited 2/5/2007 4:46p).]

Open face for Reds and Specs.

Spinning for Flounder.

If you plan on a little early frustration as you learn to control the baitcaster it will ultimately lead to the best fishing of your life.

Shimano Curado. I have 5 of 'em. I can easily cast 1/8 oz. lures all day long. Even 1/16 oz as long as it's not super windy.

Maybe we should ask what you are fishing for?

MouthBQ look at the Shimano Citica

And i use mine to fish for bass, redfish, flounder, and trout

I'm strictly an Abu Garcia guy, but i've heard good things about the citica

Another vote for Shimano Curados. I have the old 200B, a 200BSF (Super Free), and I've thrown my buddy's new Curado. All are super reels. You can throw 1/8oz tackle in light wind with a super free. Also, they are very corrosion resistant in saltwater if you take care of them properly. Every Ambassadeur reel I've had gets corroded up much faster than the Shimanos with equal use. I use my Curados about 20 trips each per year, and I get them cleaned once per year.

FYI, the guy that does some outboard motor work for me has a boat storage place, and he's told me that teenage thieves have learned about raiding garages, sheds, and boat storages for these things. They used to target carelessly stored electronics, but once they got wind of these $250-$300 reels, they're more than happy to lift them and pawn them, too. They're small and easy to steal. Just a word of warning...never leave them in a boat, even in your own backyard.

I bought several Calcutta's when they first came out as did my bass fishing buddy. As Shimano came out with new reels we got in an arms race to find something better. If it started with a "C" we bought it...Curado, Citica, Calais, Castaic, etc and now back to a Calcutta TEDC. I was able to set up any of those on a special purpose rod and do quite well. We fish mostly in heavy cover and with heavy line. I think the most over rated item on a bass reel is the drag.

We have conventional reels that we use for offshore but in the flats I haven't used anything but spinning reels for a long, long time. I use a very small one and put #8 line on it....they only hold about 90 yards. I have been spooled twice...once by a red and other time by something at night. I have had to run some down with the boat as well as move to a lot while wading. I make my own rods and I can cast a 1/8 jig head in excess of 60 yards with ease all day long. If necessary you can make some pretty good casts into the wind.

The sheriff and another guy I know stopped at the Circle K near the boat ramp in Port Aransas. The sheriff went into the store to get a six pack and pay for the ice. The other guy walked to the cooler and grabbed a bag. When he turned back toward his boat he saw a guy jump out with their rods and reels. As he hauled off down Cutoff Road he caught the plate number. They arrested him in less than thirty minutes. He had eighty eight pawn tickets in his car for rods and reels.

I prefer baitcasters for everything except ultralight stuff like bluegill and trout. Me and a buddy used to go to the White River every Spring break, and ultralight spinning combos were my preferred setup for that.

I use baitcasters as well. It takes a little more effort to learn how to use them and you will have some frustrating backlashes for sure. I think I can be much more acurate with them, cast farther, and use a variety of lures. The newer baitcasters are better and can even cast small lures. The newest version of Rick Clunn's BPS reels were designed so that he can cast very small crankbaits to big heavy spinnerbaits. The newest version also has better manufacturing than the second generation(long story).

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Maybe we should ask what you are fishing for?

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Mostly Largemouth Bass.

ok, so you're bass fishing...what lures do you like to use?

and what are you going to be fishing around? Brush, grass, open water, standing timber, rip rap?

Don't ask so many questions.

I plan on sticking a worm on a hook, throwing it in the water and seeing what happens.

just go with a cane pole....i can envision it now...