spinning vs. baitcaster reel

[happybob91]

Hello all, I have been fishing my whole life, and have realized I don't know too much about the advantages of a spinning reel vs a baitcaster reel. I have used spinning reels (and I guess spincasting reels as well) my whole life. When would a baitcaster be better, and what would be the best situations to use either one?
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[theangler]

Spinning reels are much easier to cast, but typically a baitcaster is going to cast further and with more accuracy. Something to keep in mind is baitcasters take a bit of practice to aviod backlash of your line. Most have a spool drag setting so when starting out tighten it down a bit and the spool will spin slower. As you get better, loosen it up a bit and your will see the casting advantages. Starting out you may want to lightly thumb the spool to offer a bit of resistance when the bait hits the water so you don't get a "rats nest, or back lash on the line).

Hope that helps
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[Barnacles]

I'm no pro with a baitcaster though I like to use it when pitching or flipping to bass in heavy moss or under docks etc. You can use a spinning reel to do the same thing but a baitcaster doesn't require as many steps per cast.
I don't know if anybody else will agree but many of the lures I use are too light for my baitcaster so I find that my spinning reel is used much more often.
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[albinotrout]

I have both. I find that the baitcast stuff works great for the heavier lines and baits. I use the spinning rig for lighter baits and lines. ie: bait cast 10 lb plus and spinning 8 lb minus. I use spinner baits for bass and large cranks on my baitcast outfits. Jigs and spoons etc. on spinning..
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