Casting Contest: Baitcasting vs Spinning Reels (Using Light Lures!)

[@Saltstrong]

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[@Khaibu1999]

Finally a good and useful casting distance video where there is a good amount of repeated casts. Its interesting that the bait caster rod only barely lost despite being shorter. Now the pros and cons of a bait caster vs spinning is much more clear.

[@shallowwaterguy4755]

Appreciate the feedback! I’m not 100% sold on just because the rod is longer it will cast better. I have a couple rods that are the same but one is a 7 footer and the other is 7 1/2 ft. I’ve done casting contests between those two. There was only 6 inches difference in distance between the two.

[@Khaibu1999]

@@shallowwaterguy4755 thats a interesting test for a video!

[@EndoMartinez-re5bi]

​@@shallowwaterguy4755will we see a video of that?

[@jeffspencer4317]

Bought a coastal not long ago. It’s been my favorite reel since. Had 2 backlashes the first day, haven’t had one since. I can throw a 1/8oz jig with some plastic on it. So far I’ve landed a 30” red and 34” snook with it. Excellent reel.

[@Khainguyen-g7t]

Can you do a comparison between a 7ft and 7ft 6brods as well? You guys always recomend between 7ft and 7ft6 but i dont know how much 6inches will give you in casting?

[@KennyKoehler]

Great test, Pat! It's pretty cool to see how far baitcasters have come.

[@shallowwaterguy4755]

Thanks Kenny!

[@ivanradi4275]

Interesting, now some things to consider : 1. The theory about the drag is not true, you can find good baitcasters with a very good drag to manage big fish. 2. You should try BFS baitcasters and you'll found a difference. For me both have advantages and disadvantages and different purposes and both are very good. What I found annoying is many Salt Anglers shows a hate relation to the baitcasters and many Bass Anglers shows the same to the spinning reels.

[@sd0753]

I use both spinning and baitcasting gear. Baitcasting certainly has advantages in casting distance and accuracy with heavier lures. I don't have a BFS setup so once I get below 1/4 oz I go to a spinning reel. The biggest advantage for spinning reels is that the internals are better protected from the saltwater. The gaps on both sides of the spool on a baitcaster is a liability and will require more maintenance. That is why I use spinning reels for inshore saltwater.

[@sasha.djordjevic3071]

Saltwater angler here and agree with you. Other thing no one mentions is baitcasting has huge advantage at long lasting sessions, lot less or not at all fatigue while spinning gear will destroy your wrist and back muscles. Spinning gear is more usable in windy conditions, and throwing the lighter lures- unless you use BFS 😅

[@shallowwaterguy4755]

Thanks for the feedback! I do agree, there are some reels with excellent drags, that new Coastal is great. I even have some cheaper Kastking reels that are smooth also. But I do have some that chatter badly. My concern with the true BFS reels is line capacity. Have you had an issue with long runs from fish and getting close or even run out of line? That’s my fear.

[@vernervanschalkwyk2280]

I fully agree here. Shimano has some excellent bfs casting reels that will outcast a spinning combo any day. However, i do believe both have their benefits in certain conditions.

[@L0st-n0found]

What would be good would be comparison between a good casting baitcaster and spinning And using exact same brand and pole Specs in spinning and casting.

[@anglermattoutdoors]

Nice test. Next I’d love to see a comparison with the same size rods. I’d imagine the extra 3 inches could be what put the spinning setup ahead.

[@shallowwaterguy4755]

I’ve done testing with different rod lengths and I’m not totally sold that just because it longer means it casts farther. I’m pretty confident that wasn’t much of a factor if any at all. Something I might do in the future though. Appreciate the suggestion.

[@DeanHansen74]

as with all things, right set up for what you are fishing, there are applications where casters are better and others where it makes zero sense to use anything but a spinning reel. A typical coastal wading set up will be vastly different then a boat set up. and also if long casting is a priority or short very precise casts. casting technique matters a lot too, if you throw both reels the same, you might not be maximizing the potential. things like rod action plays a factor too. and materials used.

[@shallowwaterguy4755]

Very true! I think there’s always the right tool for the job at hand. Some set ups are good at many things but maybe not the perfect set up. Thanks for watching and leaving the feedback!

[@bestthingsinceslicedrice]

This is why I stick with spinning reels based o my style of fishing since it gives more room to tweak to cast the lightest lure as far as possible

[@shallowwaterguy4755]

They both have their place! Thanks for watching and the feedback!

[@brucemearsdesignerbuilder8250]

Looks even considering the spinning rod was 3" longer

[@k.tanaka1866]

a very important point to consider is that bait casters have relatively very low drag power. Even the 200 size bait caster pales to comparison to a spinning reel. You can land massive sized fish with even a 3000 size spinning reel with 20+lb of drag. With most bait casters you probably average from 11 to 15 max.

[@shallowwaterguy4755]

Big drag numbers are more marketing hype than necessity. Proper drag setting is only 20-30% of the breaking strength of your line. If your leader is 20 pound test, and it actually breaks at that, your drag only needs to be 4-6 pounds. Even that is a lot, you can bend hooks with that much power.

[@jeffspencer4317]

I have a coastal and have landed a 30” red and 33” snook with it. My thumb is the extra drag when I need it.

[@nealhagood6792]

That was very enlightening! Thanks Pat!

[@shallowwaterguy4755]

Thanks Neal!

[@nealhagood6792]

@@shallowwaterguy4755 WHAT! Pat W/O a beard! Who is that kid?😄

[@shallowwaterguy4755]

@@nealhagood6792right! The first thing I did when I retired was grow a beard.

[@nealhagood6792]

@@shallowwaterguy4755 Perfect! I blamed COVID for my opportunity to grow a beard! I am about to retire in OCT & have a new reason to keep it! (to be fair, I have had NO kick-back from my wife- bless her!)

[@InfinityFishing]

dude use a metanium , daiwa alphas air or aldebaran bfs it would fly away even more ! baitcasting is more fun

[@shallowwaterguy4755]

I want to try but I’m afraid of the line capacity. Maybe I’ll just have to get over it at try one. Appreciate the suggestion!

[@great0789]

Your poor wife was waiting back there for you to finish. lol Good test. Thank you.

[@shallowwaterguy4755]

It was hot that day, she was not happy! Thanks for watching!

[@great0789]

@@shallowwaterguy4755 😆

[@cinepost]

Zebco Saltwater 33!

[@shallowwaterguy4755]

That brings back memories!

[@L0st-n0found]

Baitcaster has mono? 1mm is about 300lb braid .1 mm is high 20s 1mm mono is about 100lb

[@texoutlaw1732]

Longer casts always start with the hips starting the cast.

[@shallowwaterguy4755]

Most of my fishing is out of a kayak while standing. It’s very important to not shift your weight to create a pressure wave to spook the fish. With heavy surf outfits I agree with you but with lighter inshore set ups there is no need to rotate your hips. Appreciate the feedback and thanks for watching.

[@anotheryoutuber_]

but do this test with sub 100 dollars rod reel combos...

[@Khaibu1999]

A shimano slx should have similar or better casting capabilities than the tatula coastal sv80. Similar weighted spools and the centrifugal breaks provide similar cast distance if not better(daiwa is magnetic). Also ,the slx uses bushings so corrosion is really not a problem unless beach fishing. For spinning, the reel price does not affect casting distance that much.

[@shallowwaterguy4755]

I’ve got a couple sub $100 dollar reels and although they’re OK with the heavier lures, they just can’t cast the small stuff well.

[@Desconhecido1975]

Never ever !

[@andysharlofsky627]

This is stupid, you should use the right t😊