Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Someone posted an interesting topic about spinning vs baitcasting for bass fishing. I think it was a FS digest discussion starter. Not sure.
I think this warrants further discussion.
The general consensus of that post was “ do whatever you are most comfortable with “
To an extent I agree
But let’s look at efficiency for a review.
I use both.
I carry12 bass rods on my boat.
Generally speaking , 6 of those I offer to my guest or co fisher.

I keep 6 rods on my deck usually. 3 spinning and 3 baitcasting in a large percentage of my outings.
Unless I know today I’m going for panfish , or that day I’m going for musky.
Then I bring along gear specific to what I’m trying to do.

I know a lot of guys fish from the bank and like me in early years had “ a rod” or are limited to 2 or 3. and most guys don’t have 12 rods at their disposal.

When I had “ a rod” it was spinning. Best I could afford

Spinning rods are so versitile.
A medium spinning rod with a decent reel is all the typical fisherman needs. You can do so much stuff with this outfit.
You can fish everything from slip floats to jigs to light crank baits and jerkbaits with this outfit.

All the major manufacturers offer good quality stuff.
I’m brand loyal but that’s just me. Find one you like and stick with it. They are all good.

Spinning gear is a all purpose kinda deal. It will do most everything pretty good.

There is a lot of cross over between spinning and baitcasting setups.
By that I mean , you can use different techniques with either with some degree of efficiency.

Baitcasters typically don’t do all that well with light weight baits unless you drop major league cash on specifically designed finesse outfits.

Spinning outfits are typically not that efficient on hard pulling lures such as deep cranks , and fishing around a lot of wood and weeds.

My advise. If you are limited in your investment opportunity , go spinning ,
If you want to get a little more versitile with your techniques . get both and get good with both.

So many variables. Rod characteristics , reel capability ,
Retrieve ratios , rod taper , rod rating. Etc

If you are really serious , and can afford it , get a variety of baitcasting and spinning.
Match rod and reel combos for what you want to use em for. I
e, rod rating , taper , length . Gear ratios , Etc
If you are more of a casual fisherman , go with what you are most comfortable with.

Both spinning and casting along with all the variables and their efficiency at different techniques will determine what you want to use for whatever application you want to use it for.

Like I said , I have a lot of set up’s. They are tools.
There are tack hammers , framing hammers and sledge hammers.
View your outfits with this in mind and know your efficiency limitations and have fun.

Kinda like to hear some input on this subject.

audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD

Pretty well covered. I don't mind others spending lots on rods and reels, but I don't dare bring home another ord or reel. LOL Retired on a budget. So no Boat either. That limits me to Piers and bank fishing. I did buy a 10 foot Penn rod for $85(?). Found out the the handle to reel eat is the difference. Only about 3 inches difference between my Old 9 foot (bought back in the mid 90's) and the 1 year old Penn rod from where the reel mounts to the tip.
Surf rods. M/H When I broke down and bought a "Good" open face spinning reel I bought a Garcia Mitchel 406 and the High Speed Handle. Never had a problem with heavy Crank Baits with it. A lot of the spinning reels now are 4-5:1 retrieve. Most bait runner reels are up to 16 LB Drag. IMO If you can afford the high dollar reels and rods go for it. If not get what you can afford and enjoy it.

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Audigger
I have zero experience with your style of fishing , but I appreciate your input as I’m sure others will
This is a good discussion
Let’s hear some thoughts.

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

I've got a lot more surf than freshwater kutfuts, based on use. Fresh is really new to me. I use both conventional bait and spinning on the beach. I prefer righting 30 plus pound striper on a conventional rather than spinning because it's more efficient. Too many direction changes on a spinner. It's also, being honest, an ego thing. Not everybody on the beach can throw one of my Avets. There is a long learning curve on tossing 8 ounces of lead with one of those. Bit when it's dark and I'm fishing hard I'm much more likely to dr a g out mt Penn spinfisher cause I know I CANT blow it up in the middle of the night.

mbrillhart1957 Loc: Southeast Wyoming

Ben, what you said is right on target. My experience with spinning and baitcasters has been pretty much the same as yours. Also, when buying a rod and reel. Buy the best you can afford.
I started out fishing for largemouth in the midwest. The baitcaster was king for them. Now I live in the west and my home lake has smallmouth and walleye. Spinning gear is the best. Mostly fish for the smallmouth. I just love how strong they fight. Plus, my favorite bait is a jig.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

My thought is that it is not the rod that is the decision-maker but the reel and my proficiency to use the rod. If I have to place the lure right next to the piling, or the rock, or whatever, I will use the spinning rod and reel combination because I grew up with it, and I'm more proficient with it. If I'm fishing an area where the fish could be big and may need a better drag system on my reel, salmon from shore, for example, I will use the bait caster. The length of the rod will affect the distance of the cast. So, if I'm going salmon fishing from the shores of Lake Mich., I'm going to take my 11 1/2' baitcasting rod and my Ambassador 6500C. If I'm going to fish off the pier of the harbor of Lake Mich. where I might have to put that lure right next to the wall, I'm going to use a 10' spinning rod with my Penn Battle II, 6000 series spinning reel. Another example of that is that I will order a blank and make myself a spinning rod, if I like it, I will order the identical blank and make a casting rod out of it. That is my humble opinion, Ben. a very good question that will never be answered by more than one person.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

I have a decent selection of spinning combos from UL to M and about a half dozen M and MH bait casters for hunting big bass, pike and Muskies.
Once I graduated from Dad’s Zebco 33 combo to my first spinning reel (a Quick 210?) the collection started. My catch rate on big crappies increased once I added an UL combo to the mix…maintaining that soft, constant pressure keeps them on, all the way to the net.

Ivey Loc: South Central Tennessee, Tim's Ford Lake

Ben, My set up is close to yours, I normally only keep three rods on the deck this time of year, one bait caster for crank baits on the warmer days. A 6'9" medium action spinning rod for jigs and plastic craws, ned rigs and such then a 7"6' medium extra fast spinning rod for tight lining. As the water warms I'll add a couple bait casters for top water and a mix fiberglass/graphite rod for spinner baits jerk baits and such. I normally end up with a spinning rod in my hand most of the day unless the fish are hitting top water.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

After graduating from hand lines and cane poles, spinning was my first real fishing gear. That's all I used until I started fishing the salt. Spinning and conventional reels ruled then. When I got back into freshwater, I added a couple baitcasters, for throwing heavier jigs in rough cover. I now have 4 baitcasters and 4 spinning rods that I use regularly. I usually have 6 rods on the boat,3 or 4 casting, and 3 or 4 spinning. I just added a longer medium light spinning rod to try Tightlining. My next boat will have room to carry all at once and also a couple ultralight spinners as well. Growing up with little money has taught me to be frugal (cheapskate) so I went from economy gear, to lower midrange gear. If you care for your equipment, it will catch just as many fish as expensive gear, sometimes more. (I saw KVD get skunked on tv a couple weeks ago):-)
Great topic Ben.

Rutinbuck Loc: Haysville, Kansas

I’m pretty much like Ben except I’m a bank fisherman. I’ve got both spinning and baitcasters. I will take 3-6 rods with me when I go fishing. I can cast plastic worms with my baitcasters without weights but they have to be set just right and I won’t get the distance I’d normally get. I’ll always take at least 1 spinning rod with me for lighter lures. I’ve got 18 rod and reels I use and I have my favorites that gets taken most of the time. I have 4 catfish rods, 2 spinning and 2 baitcasters. I have a penn 209 and 309 level winds and they are definitely fun to fish with. If you can cast the 309 you can cast any baitcaster.

agatemaggot Loc: iowa

Tip for you guy's that get a lot of grief when buying a new pole .
When you get a new outfit picked out, go home and grab a half dozen rods and make sure your wife sees you carrying them out. They always ask if you are going fishing and you tell them you need to get new line on your rods.

They never count how many go out or come back in !

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

Well said Ben it sounds like you covered all the bases🇺🇸😀👍

EdwardL Loc: Tenino Wa.

I use a spinner for casting but I have trolling rods with Penn reels that i used on my boat they don’t cast very well but for trolling or straight down fishing they are great
The problem i have with bait casters is they
Back lash a lot at least for me so for me I
Use the spinner. Unless I’m using one of my 🪰 fly rods It’s a kind of bait caster 😂
It’s a level wind if you move your fingers
Back and forth 😇

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Genius

ripogenu Loc: norfolk, MA

Well I'll address 2 things, gear and money. I have way more than I need but got most of it at bargain prices. the number of rods and reels I have is an accumulation of 70+ years of fishing. most of them are set up for specific target fish (that's why so much gear). the last few years I have been going to auctions. I think I posted already the last one where I picked up G Loomis rods, custom boat rods, Sage & Scott fly rods, 4 Penn Senators spooled with wire and two never been used Shimano spinning reels. all for less than $900. Sold what I didn't need for $1,200 and kept the rest. Including enough flys to stock a store! It's worth the time to poke around on the net to find fishing tackle auctions nearby. Also there are several that do a monthly on line. Most of the gears comes from estates and is high end. Best buy at last auction Brand new Sage 8'-6" for $20.