Choosing a spinning or baitcasting rod can be a challenge for new anglers. Generally, your skill level and the species of fish you enjoy catching will determine which type of fishing rod you should select.
The two basic types of rods are casting and spinning rods. Casting rods are designed for baitcast and spincast reels whereas spinning rods are matched with spinning reels. Let’s take a look at the differences between the two types and how to determine which one you should choose for your style of fishing.
Casting Rods
Lake Fork Guy fishing a crankbait on the Googan Squad Casting Rod
A casting rod is equipped with a reel seat that positions a spincast or baitcast reel above the rod and all the rod guides face upward. When fighting a fish on a casting rod the rod bends over with the guides facing up so the force of the fish pushes the line down on the eyelets and the rod blank. This prevents a big fish from pulling the eyelets off of the rod. Long casting rods with straight handles are designed for power fishing bass tactics and trolling or surfcasting for large fish such as blue or flathead catfish, salmon, striped bass and much powerful saltwater fish. These rods usually have larger rod guides to handle the heavier line of baitcast reels. Shorter casting rods with pistol grip handles and smaller rod guides can be matched with spincast reels filled with lighter line. This combination is ideal for beginners because it is easier to cast than the baitcast combo. The spincast outfit works best for catching panfish, trout and other smaller fish species with artificial lures or live bait.
Line flies straight off a baitcast reel so casting rods have smaller guides than spinning rods near the butt of the rod and the guides gradually taper down in size. The smaller guides mean less resistance on the line as it glides through the eyes allowing baitcast combos to provide better casting distance and accuracy than spinning combos in most instances.
The accuracy of a casting rod is especially important to bass anglers who want to make precise pitches or flips to specific targets where big bass are lurking. Casting rods also allow bass anglers to make accurate short roll casts beneath overhanging branches of trees along the bank or under dock platforms.
The power of a long casting rod allows anglers to easily wind in bigger lures such as magnum swimbaits, deep-diving crankbaits, and Alabama rigs, and vertical jig with heavy slab spoons. Heavy-duty casting rods are also best for winching heavyweight bass out of thick vegetation or brush.
Spinning Rods
Jon B with the Googan Squad Spinning Rod
Unlike the casting rod, a spinning rod holds the spinning reel under the rod with the rod guides facing downward. So when you are fighting a fish, the force of the line pressed against the eyelet is pushing away from the rod blank and could lead to a big fish pulling an eyelet off of the rod. Spinning rods vary in lengths and actions for catching a variety of fish. You can use shorter ultralight or light action spinning rods with thin line for panfish or trout. Medium and medium-heavy action 6- to 7-foot rods are ideal for finesse bass fishing tactics. Long heavy action rods with elongated grip handles for two-handed casting are best for surfcasting for saltwater fish or steelhead and salmon fishing.
The guides on a spinning rod are large and heavily tapered towards the end of the rod because the line comes off a spinning reel in large loops or coils. The tapered guides reduce the size of the coils to send the line out straight. The straightening out process does create friction on the line, which slightly slows the casting speed and reduces distance.
The light backbone power of a spinning rod enables it to load up properly during the casting process so an angler can cast lightweight lures longer distances in either calm or windy conditions, which would be impossible on a casting rod with heavier power. A spinning rod's medium or moderate action also delivers greater casting distance with bobber-and-jig setups for crappie or sunfish and float-and-fly tactics for bass.
Light or ultralight spinning rods are the top picks for crappie anglers adept at shooting jigs under docks and short ultralight spinning rods are ideal for ice fishing.
Some bass anglers prefer skipping tube baits and finesse jigs under dock catwalks or limbs of overhanging trees to avoid the hassle of backlashes that can occur when skipping lures with baitcast gear.Spinning rods are also popular for trolling or fishing with live bait for catfish, panfish and walleye.
Versatility: Spinning rods are more versatile than casting
casting
In angling, casting is the act of the angler throwing the bait and hook (or a lure) as well as other attached terminal tackles out over the water, typically by slinging a fishing line manipulated by a long, elastic fishing rod.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Casting_(fishing)
rods. They can be used for various fishing techniques, including casting, trolling, and jigging. Casting rods are better suited for specific fishing techniques, such as flipping and pitching.
You know, you would go, okay, if the pound test is greater than 10 pound, use baitcasting, because it handles thicker, stronger line, better than spinning. And conversely, if it was 10-pound tests are lower, use spinning because it does a much better job of handling lighter lines.
Typically speaking, anglers will generally throw lighter finesse lures farther on a spinning rig than a baitcaster. And anglers will generally throw larger lures like deep diving crankbaits farther with more control on a baitcaster.
The rule of thumb I follow is to use spinning reels when I need to fish with light line (8-pound test or less) and switch to a baitcaster for fishing with heavy line (10-pound test or more).
Since the line on a spinning reel will uncoil freely from the fixed spool, it encounters far less resistance than the pull needed to keep a rotational spool moving. This is critical when fishing vertical cover such as pilings, standing timber, steep bluffs, seawalls, or tall vegetation in deep water.
If you are new to fishing or looking for a more versatile rod that can be used for various techniques, a spinning rod might be a better choice. They are generally easier to use and more forgiving for beginners.
Baitcasters are perfect for flipping and pitching with heavier lures when you need to set the hook hard a get the fish headed to the boat before it buries itself in the vegetation. One strong suit of baitcaster is that you can use a heavier line on them.
Since the angler never technically has to remove their hands from the reel using a baitcaster, these reels are typically superior when throwing heavier lures for extended periods. Because the line is coming directly off the spool, anglers can use heavier lines on bait casters without sacrificing casting distance.
If the water is clear, it is essential to scale down to lighter line and finesse lures and that is when a spinning rod shines. I use a spinning rod then for casting soft plastic jerkbaits, plastic tubes, wacky-rigged Senkos or floating worms, Mojo-rigged plastic lizards and finesse worms on lightweight shaky jigheads.
Let's first look at the problem as a matter of physics. Baitcast reels, by design, are different from every other reel type. In most, the reel spool is stationary and never spins. Line goes out or back in by another mechanism winding it on the spool.
❖Whichever type of reel you choose, make sure that it is the right size and weight for the fish you are targeting. If you are targeting smaller fish, then a spinning reel would be the better choice. However, if you are aiming for larger fish, then a conventional reel would be the better option.
Professional angler Matt Lee has made his living fishing competitively the past five years and he'll be among the first to say he isn't afraid to target big bass with a spinning rod.
Spinning reels can throw light or heavy lures significantly farther than most baitcasters and are much more forgiving of mistakes, making them ideal for surf-fishing and other open-water casting experiences. Spinning reel maintenance is easy, and a simple rinsing with fresh, clean water is often sufficient.
It depends really. If I'm going weightless or with a small weight I'll use spinning. If I'm like using a big creature bait Texas rigged with a 1oz weight to punch mats then I'll use the baitcaster with braid usually. Weightless Texas/wacky rigged 5 inch senkos on like 4lb line is one of my favorite ways to fish.
A BFS rod will allow anglers the casting distance and backbone needed for success for smaller lures and smaller fish. When targeting walleye and smallmouth bass in clear water, using a medium light or medium power casting rod with a moderate-fast action will be perfect for fishing in those conditions.
Introduction: My name is Saturnina Altenwerth DVM, I am a witty, perfect, combative, beautiful, determined, fancy, determined person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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