Baitcasting VS. Spinning Reels [What's Right For YOU?]

[@Saltstrong]

Get any of the gear featured in this video: bit.ly/3PwmmYQ

[@jamesleewilliamsjr.2865]

So Bait Casting better for fishing from a boat and Spinners better for off shore. Im looking for the best rod and reel combo for fishing any fish. You have any recommends

[@troylindsey1444]

I found this very informative. I'm an old guy just learning to fish and this is the best explanation I have found on the differences between the two types of reels. Thx

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for watching!!

[@lukedent]

Never too late to start. Tight lines.

[@AahFukIt]

I love you will find the same love that I have in fishing Sir. I'm Danish but grew up in southern Greenland, before I could walk I was handed a fishing rod. Have caught all kinds of fish. I now live in Denmark again, here I especially enjoy early morning coastal fishing, watching the sun up with morning Coffee is something special when you are the only one there. PS. I use both baitcasting reel and spinning reels. Stay all safe and healthy, enjoy that calm comfort fishing delivers.

[@thisolesignguy2733]

It doesn't matter who you are or how old you are, everyone loves a good 'pole dance'! happy casting

[@enterprise59]

This is why I own a few of each type. I love my baitcaster, it's old but works perfect. Owned it for a good 25 years and has always performed perfect. I have 3 baitcasters, 4 spinning. Two of the 4 spinning are salt water only however, rest are fresh water as that's what I do mostly.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the comment!

[@kevinharrigan2727]

I wanted a baitcaster, then I got one, and then I had to service it. What I didn’t know when I got it was that they’re MUCH more mechanically complex compared to a spinning reel, which is a huge con for me since I like to service my own equipment whenever possible, and I figured a spinning reel would be more complicated but I was wrong. I almost busted my $100 baitcaster because it was almost impossible to put back together. My Penn Fierce 3 however is an absolute dream to service and is built like a tank, so I’ve never looked back to my baitcaster. I use it for beach and freshwater and it’s just a wonderful reel that wasn’t much more than the Pursuit but is full metal so it’s an incredible reel.

[@monkey_ish4117]

I was just about to buy a baitcaster, then I read your comment. I don't want to struggle to service my reels. I'll stick to what I know hahaha. Thanks for your help.

[@phill9373]

I fish to relax and I always use spinning reels . Brought a bait caster and it wasn't worth the headache to me

[@twiggsherman3641]

They're definitely more complex, but they aren't that hard to work on. I service my own reels every winter. I have Shimano Curado's. They're easy to tear down and service if you place everything you take off in order, and have the schematic up if it's your first time. Spinning reels are harder to deal with, because you want to make sure the startup inertia is correct. You need a much lighter grease, and you can't use too much. It's much more precise than a casting reel in that regard. Too much grease on a baitcaster doesn't really do that much. Too much on a spinning reel and now you feel like you're stuck in the mud.

[@panchopistola8298]

@@twiggsherman3641KZbin has videos on almost everything

[@Hood.Housekeeping]

Step up your life. A baitcaster shouldn’t stump you under any circumstance. Figure it out, fix it and learn your machine.

[@rmorris75252]

Personal preference plays a lot into it I started with and fished spinning reels my whole life. Decided to pick up a bait caster and once I got proficient with them I rarely pick a spinning rod. Even with light lures I can cast just as far as I can with my spinning rods, if not father in the right conditions (after a lot of practice of course). And I also feel like I have more manipulation over my lures. But that being said there’s a time and place for both. But if I had to choose one I feel like a casting reel is far more versatile m.

[@CytoplasmicGoo]

you might be in the exception group in terms of casting distance. In terms of physics, spinning reels, when all other things being equal, will cast further than a baitcaster. When a baitcaster unspools it creates friction and decreases your casting distance especially with lighter lures. Spinning reels on the other hands unspools freely creating less friction. That being said, I do prefer the feel and balance of baitcasters but no way can I claim that it will out cast my spinning reels.

[@rmorris75252]

@@CytoplasmicGoo yes and no spinning reels will create friction as the line is going through the guides. Friction in a bait caster is caused by spool tension and breaks yes, however you can reduce those to almost nothing with a trained thumb.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@CytoplasmicGoo]

@@rmorris75252 yeah I see that, but it’s no coincidence that surf casters, where casting distance is key, almost always use only spinning reels. Like I said, you are probably an exception when you can cast farther with a bait caster reel.

[@rmorris75252]

@@CytoplasmicGoo it’s interesting you mention that cause where I’m from a lot of guys go down to hatteras island in the outer banks of North Carolina, commonly referred to as “the point” and there you will mostly see conventional reels on 12’-15’ heavers where guys are targeting old drum. It’s also not uncommon to see reels with the breaks completely removed and talking from experience here you cannot match the distance of those guys with a spinning outfit, I tried lol you have to consider how line comes off the spool of a spinning rod at an angle and winding through the guides that are getting smaller and smaller before eventually continuing in a straight line. Versus a casting reel the line is coming off in a straight line directly off the spool.

[@nickcautrell2514]

Have got all spinning reels except for one baitcaster. The baitcaster was a $40 reel approximately 20 years ago. Even when it was new no matter how much I messed with it I had about a 50% success rate on each cast. Pulled it out earlier this year, cleaned it up, watched a ton of videos on setup, re-spooled it, took it out Friday and it was about a 25% success rate unless they had this pool tension cranked up to where a long cast was about 40 ft with a big lure. To say to step back and watch some videos about pros and cons of each, I think I'm just going to stick with spinning reels. 100 to $150 baitcaster versus a $75 spinning reel. I'm going to go with a spinning reel. I would like to make the baitcaster work, it seems like it'd be a better design but having to babysit the spool every single cast to make sure that it doesn't backlash, no thanks.

[@comfortablynumb9342]

I like both. When I want to use a heavy bucktail or anything heavy I like a baitcaster. But I mostly use spinning rods. I recently got a cheap Abu Garcia baitcaster for taking out on my kayak and I can't believe how little it backlashes. But it doesn't cast as far as my Penn Squall 300. But I don't want to lose the Squall so I take the Abu for popping corks and heavier stuff.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks so much for watching and sharing the comment!

[@Shurmash]

For me casting reels are everything. Being a natural winch it gives you the power to control fish better. I can use my thumb as extra drag if needed. Superior accuracy and sensitivity because the line is going straight from the fish, through the guides, and to the reel with no turns or deviations. Love casing reels. Daiwa 4 Life!

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for sharing!

[@mikecarr1378]

They catch much bigger fish with a spinning reel so they have plenty of power.

[@AliceWilson-w9m]

​@@mikecarr1378Conventional reels are just bigger casting reels. Way stronger than spinning at the same size.

[@TheIconicFisherman]

Here's my take on this topic, if I'm using 30 lb braid ( 8 lb mono diameter equivalent ) or smaller for medium to small size fish. I will typically use a spinning reel because at 30 lb braid or less I don't see any significant difference in casting distance on the appropriate size spinning reel. When it comes to spinning reels versus baitcasting reels if I'm using anything heavier than 30 lb test for monster fish then I use a baitcasting reel. Because that's when I start to actually see a difference in casting distance between the two systems. That's why I have spinning reels and baitcasting reels it all depends on how heavy my line is and what I'm fishing for.

[@Saltstrong]

Thank you for sharing!!

[@mikecarr1378]

no

[@TheIconicFisherman]

@@mikecarr1378 contrary to popular belief 30 lb braid can cast pretty far on a spinning reel I think a lot of people hear the term 30 lb test and just assume it's thick. But 30 lb braid is roughly the same size as 8 lb monofilament so not very thick at all 30 lb braid is 0.28 mm and 8 lb monofilament is 0.27 mm. I don't know what you've been taught but 30 lb braid can cast a mile on a spinning reel with the right setup you might want to try it before you actually knock it.

[@anotheryoutuber_]

spinning reels are joy, baitcasters are fine. whatever gets you wanting to spend the most time on the water is the better reel unless you have very targeted goals.

[@Saltstrong]

Agreed!

[@SebastianWoodard]

I have both. I just bought a spinning reel because i came to understand my baitcaster just cant do some things a spinning reel, mainly for distance. Ill eventually get another rod to put the spinning reel on, but for now, ima just switch em out depending on situation

[@Saltstrong]

Great stuff thanks for sharing!

[@koalaTcrap]

What do you have? That would be ideal for me.

[@SebastianWoodard]

@@koalaTcrap depends on how you fish.

[@morganghetti]

I always fished fresh water and used bait casters until i moved to Florida 8 years ago. I use apinning reels 100 percent of the time now. I can cast it just as accurately as i could a bait caster. Easier to use. More durable.

[@stevescuba1978]

Im with you. Ive never had much of an issue being accurate with my spinning rods.

[@mantaspetrauskas4431]

Hey there, can you tell me the reason why a spinning rod is better for lighter lures? Because I'm planning to re-equipt for the upcoming summer season where I'll be first time paddle board fishing. Could you help me choose some new equipment? What would be more compatible for paddle board fishing (light weight)?

[@sasha.djordjevic3071]

Hi, it’s not about the rod it’s about the reel type. Baitcaster spool is rotating when you cast and if the lure is light, then spool will rotate faster then line will goes out and you’ll get backlashes. To be able to cast light lures with baitcaster your spool has to be very light, for that purpose you can find BFS ( bait finesse system) baitcasting reel with shallow and light spool. Otherwise you have to tight spool tensioner and magnetic break, but you’ll loose the distance significantly. Then, you have to pair it with adequate rod. On other hand, when you cast with spinning reel, spool stays stationary- line came out freely which means that throwing distance depends on the rod and line type and line thickness of course. But as mentioned in the video baitcasting makes a less fatigue. And at the end, it’s totally wrong to say that one system is better than other and that only one has to be used all the time, as clearly noted in the video.

[@morganghetti]

There is no friction on the cast on a spinning reel. Baitcast have to unspool the line.

[@mr.c6057]

Appreciate you sharing your knowledge. Very helpful information. Serious unrelated question - When is the Fish Strong site going to have the 2023 Daiwa Saltiga 4000 Reels for sale?

[@Saltstrong]

Saltiga G Spinning Reel in the 4000 & 6000 are on order but they have not arrived yet. We are hoping to have these in the shop very soon!

[@mr.c6057]

@@Saltstrong Thank you for the respinse. I promise I'm going to be one of the first club members to buy one.

[@ryanbaril3917]

I buy a new reel almost every year so maintenance isn't really an issue to me lol. Have both love both. But let's be real here, fly-fishing is more fun than both...

[@snarl3027]

Spinning reel for at night and along shore around branches and things that can snag you during the cast. Open water is where baitcasters shine.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for watching!

[@therhino9661]

When using your spinning rod, I noticed you have the reel's handle on the left side of the reel. (Just as I do). But on your baitcaster, you have the handle on the right side of the reel. Is that how you should set your baitcaster reel up? If so, maybe that is why I am having such a hard time with using a baitcasting rod and reel. I have a brand new baitcasting rod and reel that I've tried to use maybe 3 times, and on each occasion, I have failed to cast out successfully. Your help and advise would be greatly appreciated 👍

[@Saltstrong]

The reason why I use right handed bait casters is because when I started using them, left handed reels were really not a thing so I was forced to use it that way. I’ve been doing it for over 40 years so it’s just natural for me to use the right handed one. It just takes practice to get the motion down, remember you’re learning something completely new. It sounds like all you need is a simple adjustment to the reel and some practice.

[@Chilobrachys-Natanicharum]

Another pro for bait casters is they typically have a faster gear ratio than spinning reels

[@mikecarr1378]

Line retrieve is more on spinning.

[@TheLostOne172]

I remember teaching my mom how to use a spinning reel when I was in like Middle School because she had only ever used spin cast. I wonder if she'd be able to learn a baitcaster now?!

[@escapetherace1943]

I like both and I learned on baitcaster but I honestly prefer the simplicity of a spinner

[@ボート初心者夫婦]

ch🔔といいね👍致しました💁‍♀️💕やはりスピニングですかね💕ボート初心者夫婦マミーより💁‍♀️💕

[@firearts_9767]

very helpful video thanks for sharing, im ordering my first baitcaster after watching this🎉

[@2throwed281]

I normally use a baitcast unless im throwing a cork. Spinning for popping corks. I backlash so bad with a baitcast and cork.

[@comfortablynumb9342]

How strange, I use a cheap Abu Garcia baitcaster for popping corks and it's no problem. I use a spinning rod some too for popping corks. Either one is ok. My problem is setting the hook with corks. What kind of action do you use for spinning rods and poppers?

[@2throwed281]

I use a med-hev fast with my cork rod.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for sharing!

[@gsh341]

I've been fishing with a spinning reel for years and have never had a "wind knot".

[@michaelc8606]

Agree. I’ve been using spinning reels for 50 years and while listening I thought, “What is a wind knot?”

[@NatureLanny]

Do you use braid?

[@michaelc8606]

@@NatureLannyI run straight braid for topwater and use P-line copolymer for pretty much everything else. Both work great on spinning reels.

[@NatureLanny]

@michaelc8606 I've only ever got wind knots after using a number 5 or so mepps with that huge blade that spins your line up. Switch lures to something small try to really wing it out there and boom the line twists up.. I've been told it's a wind knot but really it's a spin knot lol and actually not too bad to untie

[@NatureLanny]

And only with braid of course

[@ryancheyne7991]

Is casting further better on a spin reel? From watching videos the caster go's the furthest. I realize the cam effect. Your opinion would be awsome. I want to get on a baitcaster.

[@lesina.supermoto]

I live in Poland where most of people use spinning reels and the baitcasters are not popular as much as spinning ones, I bought from AliExpress a rod and reel I will try it and maybe I will buy more expensive stuff. I want to start and don’t know if I will like it.

[@justsomerandommfer]

Line capacity on baitcasters are usually larger size for size, right?

[@rmorris75252]

Yes and no, If you were to put 10lb braid on a 100-150 size bait caster you could probably get just as much line capacity as a 2500-3000 spinning reel maybe even more. That being said most people stay away from 10-15 lb braid on casting reels. 20-30 lb and up is much more manageable on a bait caster I typically opt for 30 cause it's less prone to backlashes and I don't notice much of a difference in distance. Im able get about a 120ish yards of 30 with backing on tranx 150 or curado mgl 150. Comparatively I get about 130ish yards of 10 lb braid on a 2500 stradic with backing.

[@Saltstrong]

Ryan has you covered!

[@miked6252]

Although the newer more expensive reels are getting smaller sometimes it can be hard to get a good/comfortable grip and if you don't have strong hands a hard enough strike can rip the reel out of your hands. Balance I find can be a lot better with the right spinning combo and then there using the rod butt in the gut as a fulcrum with either a large fish or just being on that 5 th or 6th 25inch Red. I will give it to the casting reels when it comes to flipping a soft bait.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the comment!

[@artmanbrown1453]

Looking at Shimano 300 Tranx? And Curado DC

[@tonyhaltmar1383]

I’ve got the 200’s. LOVE THEM!

[@jamesa6272]

5 spinning setups and 1 baitcaster. I like catching fish and not sitting there all day taking nests out of a reel so I’ll stick to the spinning setups

[@JordanHolmes-y3j]

What's a little while? I go fishing 25 times a year.... will it last a few years or a few months?

[@Saltstrong]

Definitely a few months to a year or more. Depends on how it is stored between trips

[@bqoutdoors2334]

Bait casters are way more accurate and I would beg to differ that most bait casters cast way further than a spinning reel prove me wrong! But by the same token, I do love my spinning reels

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for sharing!

[@bqoutdoors2334]

@olmalydead3676 not true at all bud

[@mikecarr1378]

no

[@FortressMT]

I've always used a spinning real. Haven't fished in a long time and wanting to get back into the game so I've been watching a ton of videos this past week. Seen a lot of these KZbinrs using the baitcasters so I wanted to find out more about them, thus how I landed on this video. After about two minutes of you discussing baitcasters I was over the hype...no thanks! Reminded me of the people who like performance cars...there are great cars that are low maintenance and perform great. You'll get your milage out of them. Then there are the snobby cars that look pretty but they are a maintenance nightmare, just a basic oil change is a costly nightmare, and they spend most of their time in a garage. Again...no thanks! Spinning is winning!

[@phillatella6470]

Exactly

[@RecklessGenesis]

You typ so much , cant imagen you dont have time for fishing

[@Hood.Housekeeping]

He’s the one guy on KZbin who has a different opinion. What if you watched his and formed your whole fishing career on a guy who could be completely wrong

[@evanforst7272]

⁠​⁠@@RecklessGenesis And you type so little that your grammar and spelling is awful lmao.

[@TravisKuhlmann-h2m]

Are the more expensive spinning reels better on wind knots? I normally use 10 to 15 pound braid on 3000 Penn Fierce or Battle and guarantee at least one will get a wind knot every trip

[@gsh341]

I've never had a knot on my spinning reel. No clue what you're doing to get knots.

[@Gfredriksson]

Penn would be my issue here. Great reels but if your punching casts into the wind the lip is a bit aggressive. Shimano saragossa runs a slanted lip which is on most of their reels. I've tested this across all major brands and there is a proper difference in how the line leaves the reel. Havnt wind knotted any of my shimanos. Have lost a couple lures to my penns.

[@_sneer_]

A quick question: why when using a baitcaster you use RH wind one and switch hands for the cast if you are right handed? Wouldnt it be better to use a LH baitcaster and use the dominand hand and arm to fight the fish? Is there a reason, other than availablility of reels?

[@JLP_710]

I agree. I see people cast right handed then bring their left hand up to thumb the spool and then right hand to retrieve. I don’t get it. I use my right hand to cast and thumb, then left to retrieve, no switch and my dominant hand has better control on any retrieve techniques as well as fighting fish. RH vs LH is really just personal preference rather than which hand is dominant, but I just don’t see why people prefer switching hands lol.

[@michaelvincent8306]

Great video very helpful much appreciated 👍 thanks

[@Sara-lg8ul]

great video buddy! appreciate the info as a newcomer to the angling game :) my FIL is lending me a bait caster - looking forward to giving it a try

[@512TexasRed]

Wind Knots are worse than backlashes so I'd rather stick with the baitcaster.

[@Random-hi8yi]

Same

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for watching!

[@lukeholloway7836]

Word

[@imperialwhovian3461]

How are called getting wind knots? Never had one and fished on many a windy day

[@MatthewMervinF]

Salt Strong is simply the Information Super Highway for Fishing.Detailed information like what is contained in this video sets it apart from the other KZbin counterparts in this field leading experienced and newbies to an increased "tight lines" experience.

[@Saltstrong]

So glad we can help! Thank you for your support

[@jwill227]

Spinning reels have far far better drag. That’s the winning point for me

[@monssifzariam9244]

Thank you sir what will be the best combo for squid jigging please

[@imperialwhovian3461]

I have to completely disagree on wind knots with braid on spinning reels, I've exclusively used braid on my spinning reels and have never had a wind knot in 10+ years, like how are so many people having this issue?

[@JasonHumada]

I get them one in great while, usually on days with 20mpg gust. Mix that with a light trout lure, you will get them. I have found that it’s more common with mono, but I have gotten some on braided

[@eliosaleh9492]

i don't think i will ever get a bait caster ! after what I've seen happen to all anglers with bird nests and air knots , I'm good with my spinning reel ! such a problem could literally piss me off and I would call it a day if ever happened to me !

[@adamward-w3e]

Bait caster is reeled with the opposite hand than a spinning rod? This is the most confusing part for me. Use to spinning reel being reeled with my left. But notice most people who are using their spinning reel left, use their bait caster reels reeling with the right? Cant picture what that would feel like with out using one first.

[@ryno7382]

I'm a righty, my spincast and spinning reel are cranked by my left. My baitcast is cast and cranked on the right, it's hard to find left-hand in stores

[@TruckerTwan]

U have to order the left handed ones thats all

[@BrianSGuitars]

I'm a more accurate caster with a baitcasting setup. Maybe that comes from bass fishing most of my life before moving to Florida?

[@Saltstrong]

It is also a feature of baitcasting reels - they cast more accurately than spinning gear

[@mikecarr1378]

@@Saltstrong no

[@stevenbolton5967]

Longer handle on the bait caster makes it a bit smoother

[@ratceo]

Thanks very helpful

[@damon_8914]

not who i expected to see here lol

[@jasonlopez4855]

I say what ever you can use. The best 😜

[@amirspd7492]

Good job 🎣🎣🎣

[@Saltstrong]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@adamhorn8414]

If i ever put my fly rod down i usually go for a spinning rod

[@Saltstrong]

Always reliable!

[@mikecarr1378]

Spinning reels can do more, thats what I want..

[@undisputedtruth4954]

Spinning, for me, even offshore.

[@RichRich06]

Bait Caster is like driving paddle shifter cars and calling it a Manuel transmission lol just insulting to the fishing game.

[@fraudsarentfriends4717]

In other words, Spinners are designed to fish from the shoreline and Casters are designed for boats.

[@kurth5286]

Its exactly as explained. Use each for different kinds of situations. However, you do one crap cast with a baitcast and your done. It absolutely burns me every time. Unforgiving as hell.

[@1977BangBang]

46yrs old, never ever had a wind knot 😂, wtf was that?

[@samueljantz]

If it’s kinda windy and you throw out your line, sometimes the wind will just mess up your whole cast and tangle the line

[@imperialwhovian3461]

At this point I think wind knots Ona spin reel is a urban myth, always fished with spinning reels and never had that happen

[@survivalSC]

I was thinking same thing. I have used spinners fresh and salt water for over 25 years never seen a wind knot lol

[@ryancheyne7991]

Same but 43

[@projecthand2105]

Google said baitcasters cast longer than spinning reels

[@jaysonnookemus9865]

Honestly I could care less if the rod and reel are heavy just gives me a good workout

[@royschlickeisen2539]

👍👍👍👍👍🎣video

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for watching!

[@bendhilfishing3816]

TOP 👍

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for watching!

[@Tog_Tastic]

BG MQ Gang Rise Up!!

[@Saltstrong]

Excellent reel!

[@AliceWilson-w9m]

Casting reels are superior. As a winch it tires the fish out quicker. Power, accuracy, control, and sensitivity. That's what casting reels provide. I fish with my thumb only. No brakes, no spool tension.

[@johnparker8259]

Another plus for baitcasters is easier to handle while kayak fishing throwing lures.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the comment!

[@CytoplasmicGoo]

So you’re saying spinning reels can do what bait casters can do and more but not the other way around. Lol.

[@Saltstrong]

They have their own unique set of applications!

[@Jakob_s17]

Little pointer- no one cleans there poles😂

[@mikeledford5035]

You're a one to two ounce weight difference between the two as a fatigue factor? Really? I've never been sore/fatigued from casting a spinning real all day. And I have shoulder impingements. That is a stupid con for a spinning reel.

[@danielfarren7267]

I’ve never used a bait caster before, I’ve always used a spinning rod.

[@Saltstrong]

They both have their unique perks!

[@amirspd7492]

❤❤❤

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for watching!