A friend that I fish with occasionally thinks that because of the way a spinning rod is made, with the guides and reel below the rod, that he has a better feel for strike detection with a spinning rod.                                 According to his theory,  baitcasting, with reel and guides above the rod is a little less sensitive.                         There are other factors as well. Line size/ type, overall weight of rod/ reel etc. I told him I think strike detection is all about a fisherman's skill level, regardless of what rod type is used. Some folks are just better at it.                                       In your own fishing, do you think you detect light strikes better with a spinning rod or a baitcasting rod?              Do you think that the type of rod makes a difference as far as feeling light strikes?                         

Think quality and skill level more than rod type for strike detection.

Strike detection? I just set the hook 4 - 22 times during every retrieve. 

24 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

Think quality and skill level more than rod type for strike detection.

I think this is true. 
 

Plus, I think I notice more “strikes” by watching my line than by feeling my rod when fishing certain techniques. 

6 minutes ago, JackstrawIII said:

Plus, I think I notice more “strikes” by watching my line than by feeling my rod when fishing certain techniques. 

This I think is more true at least for me. The line is the telegraph wire to the bait tied on. 

I keep a finger in contact with the line with either casting or spinning so sensitivity is equal-ish. In theory though casting set up is more sensitive, the spool and line is closer to the rod blank and more directly in line with the lure.

I don't find any difference in sensitivity between spinning and casting gear. Like Mr. Rutten, I keep a finger on the line as that's your direct contact to the lure.

I don't know if it's rod design or just that my spinning rods are just so much better balanced, but I believe I can feel more with my spinning rods. 

 

My casting rods are pretty well balanced and work well, but the majority of my spinning rods are perfectly balanced on my middle finger and I can feel the lightest of pickups if fishing a weightless plastic like a wacky Senko.

 

Experience and knowing what you are feeling play a HUGE role though,.... Probably more so than the rod type as mentioned above. But just looking at spinning vs casting... I think I am more sensitive on my spinning rods

I use both and don't feel much difference between the the two. I do prefer each one for specific situations and lean towards what I have the most confidence in. 

Balanced reel and rod combo is a important thing. If it is not balanced then the person has to use extra energy to hold the combo straight. It could take away from your being sensitive to the bite. 

I don’t use spinning for anything, I just keep 2 for the little ones. 
 

There are more than one reasons why but the inability to feel a strike isn’t one of them. 
 

 

 

 

 

Mike
 

 

Do you think that the type of rod makes a difference as far as feeling light strikes?                     

Can't say there’s a measurable difference either way.

I probably miss the same number of bites on both types of gear. 

Also define 'light'. . . . . 

A-Jay

 

 

8 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Also define 'light'. . . . . 

To me - light is the 'tap-tap-tap' of a fish checking out my Ned before deciding to scoop it up.

7 hours ago, Mobasser said:

Do you think that the type of rod makes a difference as far as feeling light strikes?

Well I’ve fished both types of rods just about every time I’ve gone fishing in the last 35 year and I’ve never noticed a difference.   But now that you’ve planted the idea in my head I guess I better start worrying about how many strikes I’m missing with my casting rods.  I’ll add it to the list. 😆

 

Rod cost

Rod weight 

Line Stretch 

Rod balance 

Lead vs Tungsten weights 

How I hold my rod

Rod type

 

I believe spinning rods are more sensitive. I also believe I can fly. 

Fishing rods do make a world of difference in detecting a bite.  I have several Japanese made rods and you can detect the slightest nibble.  Using the right rod for the species of fish you're targeting makes a big difference in detecting bites too.  You wouldn't use a heavy rod for catching brim nor a UL for taking on big strippers.  Sensitive rods are made for both spinning and bait casting reels, most men use heavy equipment for catching all and any fish.  Spinning rods come in more lighter powers than bait casting rods until you get into the finesse fishing rods. 

To me, the difference in bite detection is centered on the bait I am throwing.  Obviously a bite on a Senko is not the same as on a crankbait.  Line does play a part as does lead vs tungsten weights.  That is why I try to keep everything spooled with mono or pure braid.  When I use tungsten for dropshot weights, there is waaaay too much feedback through the line.  Likewise I have to reset my brain when using braid dragging on St Clair due to the increased feedback.  I know my gear and have become well versed on what a bite feels like depending on the whole setup. 

I don't think one has an advantage over the other but if he does that's all that matters for him. He should use what ever gives him the best feel & confidence. 

With a casting rod I occasionally see my line move before I feel anything.  With a spinning rod, that happens much more often.  Now that difference may well be attributed mainly to lure differences, like unweighted flukes and senkos, vice jigs and t-rigs, but I will vote casting anyway.  The lines I use are also so different that it makes comparison difficult. 

I can't feel much difference between the two. I agree with @Jig Man about the skill level and the type of equipment. The type of line can make a difference.

All else being equal there’s no mechanical reason for a spinning rod to be more or less sensitive than a casting rod. My spinning tackle is generally more sensitive because I reserve the highest modulus rods and components for finesse builds. 

16 hours ago, Mobasser said:

 In your own fishing, do you think you detect light strikes better with a spinning rod or a baitcasting rod?              Do you think that the type of rod makes a difference as far as feeling light strikes?                         

spinning

yes

On 1/19/2024 at 8:31 AM, A-Jay said:

... Also define 'light'. . . . . 

A-Jay

 

 

Light is big fish sipping tiny winter bait.  

If they spend too many calories going after the tiny bait, they lose instead of gain calories.  

This is a regular niche for me, and my favorite annual winter finesse fishing,

I have two extreme finesse rods just for it.  Almost identical, and the differences reflect the advantages of the two configurations - spinning and casting.  

Both highly sensitive rods, though long, they weigh 73 and 75 g.  

 

Side by side, 500+ catches, there is Zero sensitivity difference.  

The spinning has the ability to fish sub-gram jigs.  I prefer it for complex rigs like tandem jigs and weightless cigar cork dropper.  

The casting performs better on complex hooks, never fouling the hooks on the line.  

 

I think most of sensitivity comes from time on the water.  Knowing what a bite is on that particular equipment.   would assume if using a casting rod most of the time and training yourself to “feel” bites with it, will make that rod more sensitive “to you”.   Conversely with a spinning rod.  
I have to admit, when I break a rod I have used for a long time on a technique, then have to move to a new one, it takes a while to feel that sensitivity again.  (Obviously trying to match equal quality equipment)

 

I think the type of line used helps some on detection of a bite. Not really if the rod is a spinning or casting rod. One thing I know for certain what ever is used time with what your using will matter the most.