Which is better? I have used spinning rods and reels but is a baitcaster and a casting rod better?

Being someone who's arsenal of ten rigs is evenly divided between BCs and Spinning, I have to say...neither.

 

Each is a tool, and what ever you have confidence in is the one to use. Now for me, finesse is done with spinning gear - but there are those who do it with BCs. Crankbaits are divided...larger/heavier ones on BC, smaller/lighter ones on spinning.

 

Really, it's a personal choice and you have to decide which is better for a given technique yourself.

There's no right or wrong answer. Use what you Like. Each reel plays a different role in fishing, and in certain situations, either reel will shine vs the other. 

 

I fished with 3 spinning rigs for years..but I finally broke down and bought a baitcaster. I currently own some of both.

Fish with the reels you like best, whether its a spinning reel or baitcasting reel. I prefer fishing with spinning reels and have caught lots of nice bass with these reels.

Thanks, cuz everyone around me seem to be using baitcasters

Well if every one around you was jumping off of cliffs...................LOL

 

I also say they are both useful tools and have their place but if I could only choose one it would be a baitcaster.

6 minutes ago, deez_bassss said:

Thanks, cuz everyone around me seem to be using baitcasters

Baitcasting reels are very popular in Japan. It's still a matter of personal preference..

Most bass fishermen tend to prefer baitcasting reels but you can do very well with spinning reels if that is what you want to fish with. 

50 minutes ago, deez_bassss said:

Thanks, cuz everyone around me seem to be using baitcasters

I am sure you already have one or two spinning reel, I am encoraging you to buy a bait caster set up and try it and you'll find it very handy in some situation, sometimes it is only answer for some situation, specially for covering water, Personally , I am using bait casting 90% of the time.

Do what feels good. I don't like spinning reels, so I don't use them.

Spinning for finesse 

 

Casting for power fishing

 

If I could do it all with BC's I would. My wrist and hands just feel better with it.  That said, it is hard to beat spinners for finesse.  I have 5 spinning set ups and 12 BC.  I am also far more accurate with BC but can skip better with Spinning.  My fishing partner is 100% spinning and he does just fine

Depends.....do you like to enjoy the battle and let the bass have fun too or do you like winching them in skipping the bass across the water and flipping it into your boat? My vote is spinning hands down  that aside they both do have their time and place. You fish heavy cranks (casting) lighter stuff I always fish spinning.

I used spinning reels only until about a year ago, and now I prefer using a baitcaster when I can. It's definitely better for working moving baits because the reel handle isn't so far from the rod--using a spinning rod for cranks or jerks just feels awkward to me now. I use spinning gear for really small swimbaits, tubes, and dropshotting. For senkos, I use either.

 

So, I'm glad I gave it a try, it really changed things for me.

Neko rig, Ned rig and light shakey head spinning hand down, everything else’s baitcaster.

Tackle is tools, each with an appropriate application. Baitcaster being better than spinning is like hammer is better than screwdriver. 

It's all personal preference. I dont use spinning reels unless I absolutely have to. They don't feel right to me. If you don't have a baitcaster, give it a try. You may end up wishing you had tried them long ago.

At one time spinning reels had the disadvantage  of only working with lighter line, and the drags were horrible.  Any time you needed to use line over 12 pound test, or needed to fight a fish that made long runs you were at a big disadvantage using spinning gear.  Now with excellent reels, and super braid line, there are no reel disadvantages of spinning reels.  A skilled angler with a spinning rod can master almost any technique that can be done with a bait caster.  I prefer bait casting reels for reasons other than their ability to catch fish.  I simply feel more comfortable with a bait caster.    I would recommend anglers  become proficient with both.   Each method does have advantages for each individual angler.  Some anglers love to fineness fish with bait casters, and others like to fish crankbaits with spinning gear.  You wont know what kind of angler you are if you don't try both.  If you really want to make the bait monkey happy,  add a fly rod to the mix. 

Here's my take on the subject:

 

If you are very proficient/comfortable with a baitcaster, including skipping and throwing very light weight lures, it's likey that you'll use spinning gear far less. That's not a hard fast rule, it's just my observation. Catching fish has little to do with the gear you use and everything to do with finding fish and throwing the right presentation for that moment. Use whichever type of gear you're comfortable with and enjoy using the most.

Only disadvantage to a spinning reel is line twist ...figure that part out which is easy its a tool like a baitcaster

..think of a spinning reel as a 16 oz hammer compared to a 20 oz framing hammer they both work ...just slightly different

I'm a finesse fisherman hands down, so 90 percent of the time you'll see me with a spinning set up in my hand.  Though I also like to throw a jig and a whopper plopper or even a medium sized swimbait.  If that is the case I break out my casting gear. 

23 hours ago, thunderblack said:

Depends.....do you like to enjoy the battle and let the bass have fun too or do you like winching them in skipping the bass across the water and flipping it into your boat? My vote is spinning hands down  that aside they both do have their time and place. You fish heavy cranks (casting) lighter stuff I always fish spinning.

You've been watching too many tournament fishing shows.    Or using a broom handle for a baitcasting rod. 

 

I use 12# mono/copolymer on MH rods and 8# on Medium or ML casting rods.  I might skate a dink across the surface, but never a fish of any decent size.  I like the fight, too.  I've read that fighting a fish for an extended period is bad for the fish.  I release mine.  I prefer they live afterwards.  I seriously doubt the fish consider it fun even if their pea brain could consider such things. 

 

OP, I grew up on spinning.  Got into baitcast reels when I got back into fishing at 61 after a 23 year hiatus.  All I've got to say is.....BE CAREFUL.  I now have a nice down payment on a bass boat invested in baitcast rods and reels.

For Ned, Shakey Head,Drop Shot,Flukes I use spinning setups and for everything else a baitcaster setup. That is just my personal preference.

Most saltwater stripper fisherman prefer spinning over bait casting. And those but largemouth to shame in size. So it really comes down to what you like and how you prefer to fish. 

I prefer baitcasters but I'm going to force myself to get better with spinning gear now that I'm starting to target smallmouth more. The main advantage as I see it would be the smoother drag.  Not as important when you're just winching largemouth but it's hugely important when you have to play out a big smallie that might be just barely hooked by a small treble or finesse hook.