whats the advantage to a baitcasting reel?

i know i posted about them earlier.

One other question about the line, i fish everday in a small neighborhood pond, the biggest bass i've caught there is 2.5 lbs. Wouldn't 4lb test be just fine for those fish?

My other rod has 8lb test for larger lakes around Raleigh NC such as Falls Lake

whats the advantage to a baitcasting reel?

i know i posted about them earlier.

One other question about the line, i fish everday in a small neighborhood pond, the biggest bass i've caught there is 2.5 lbs. Wouldn't 4lb test be just fine for those fish?

My other rod has 8lb test for larger lakes around Raleigh NC such as Falls Lake

BC Reel

Advantages:

There is no inherent line twist as can be found with a spinning reel

They're just plain awesome to use

They tend to be better able to accomodate lines of greater # test than a spinning reel

Disadvantages

Unless you have experience or a Pixy, their performance diminishes considerably when attempting to toss lighter weights. For me, lighter is from 1/8 oz and less. I believe any bc reel worth its salt should be able to effortlessly toss 1/4 oz, which IMHO, is not light but just right.

Line

I try to use the lightest line I can get away with based on the cover I am facing. The cover dicates my final decision on line. You are absolutely right that 4# test can easily handle a bass that size with the right rod, but if the cover isn't factored in, you might lose the fish because of the cover.

I see both reels as tools and do not subscribe to a baitcast only or spinning reel exclusively philosophy.

I fish both and like them equally, but I have a STRONG preference for one over the other for certain applications or techniques. For me finesse = spinning gear; power fishing = baitcasting gear. My spinning tackle is spooled up with .009" or .010" diameter line. On my baitcasters I fish Yo-Zuri Hybrid #12 (19.5 lb test).

One other question about the line, i fish everday in a small neighborhood pond, the biggest bass i've caught there is 2.5 lbs. Wouldn't 4lb test be just fine for those fish?

Islandbass gave you some good information. I'll expand on it though.

4# test line will pull in a 2.5# fish. However, Will it pull in a 2.5# fish that is trying to pull away from you with all it's strength and managed to wrap you around 3# of weeds? (And worse yet, if you end up fishing in a river or stream the fish might have the current to help.)

I only weight 135#, but in some situations I can put out 300# of force. A fish diving away from you will have a similar effect.

With luck and a lot of skill you can bring in a fish that weighs more than your line it rated for (my uncle caught an 80# catfish on 14# line), but your drag WILL end up letting out line and there is a really good chance that fish will find some sort of cover to hang you up in.

I tend to use heavier line than most people, but part of that is spending most of my life on the shore, and not on a boat. With shore fishing you can't go get your lure (with or without fish) out of cover, but have to force it out (maybe while fighting a fish).

For wide open areas I'll go with 10# line, but for most of my bass fishing I use 15 or 17#. For really heavy cover (especially weeds) I go with my 40# braid (and for my catfishing I go with 65 and 80# braid).

Well, Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #4 is really 8+ lb test, but still relatively light. I have boated numerous 20+ lb drum, buffalo and catfish on this line. It is my "standard" line for fishing live bait on the Tennessee River. Most of my biggest smallmouth, including the two in my avatar, were boated using #4 Hybrid.

For me, 8# test is the smaller of the lines I use and I use it on my spinning gear. I use 15lb test on my BC reel. I don't need to use much bigger here in MN because the fish just dont get that big.

I prefer baitcasting reels because they tend to be easier to use and tangle less.

Both types of reels have their place and I use both.  

I use both types of reels. Spinning reels are useful in some situations, but I strongly prefer baitcasting reels.

I find it easier to throw heavier lures with a baitcaster.

I find it easier to throw heavier lures with a baitcaster.

I don't necessarily disagree, but it's really a function of your rod's power, action and rated strength. Fish Chris throws gigantic swimbaits, fishes for 300+ lb sturgeon and a variety of saltwater species with spinning tackle ONLY.

A baitcaster excels in accuracy and control.  With a stump 15yds away...can you put a bait right next to it without creating a splash with a spinning reel?  It's impossible.  Spinning reels offer virtually no way to slow your bait down and achieve perfect placement.  Spinning reels do have their place, or I wouldn't own a couple  

I use both my baitcasting and spinning rigs about the same amount. Although I have different uses for both setups. For finesse fishing I use my spinning gear. For power fishing I use my baitcaster.

But, if I had to choose only 1 to use for the day. It would definitely be my baitcaster.  

A baitcaster excels in accuracy and control. With a stump 15yds away...can you put a bait right next to it without creating a splash with a spinning reel? It's impossible. Spinning reels offer virtually no way to slow your bait down and achieve perfect placement. Spinning reels do have their place, or I wouldn't own a couple

Come on...lots of guys can feather a spinning reel. Most guys that use spinning tackle extensively are as accurate or maybe more accurate casting their spinning gear than their baitcasting equipment. Now, if we want to be more technique specific, for pitching or flipping the baitcaster wins hands down.

Come on...lots of guys can feather a spinning reel. Most guys that use spinning tackle extensively are as accurate or maybe more accurate casting their spinning gear than their baitcasting equipment. Now, if we want to be more technique specific, for pitching or flipping the baitcaster wins hands down.

Actually, I pitch with my spinning reels about half the time.  Once you agree that feathering a spinning reel is possible, how can you not see that pitching is feasible?  Are you speaking of pitching into heavy cover?

I wasn't saying it can't be done, but pitching and flipping seems easier and more accurate with a baitcaster, at least for me.

8-)

I wasn't saying it can't be done, but pitching and flipping seems easier and more accurate with a baitcaster, at least for me.

8-)

And here is the true answer to the question. Every person is different, and the choice will be different for different applications.

You just have to find out where baitcasters work better for you.

I've been using spinning gear for ages, and just recently picked up the baitcaster again. I can't pitch or flip with a baitcaster at all, but I can with the spinning gear.

However for casting applications, especially spinners and topwaters, the baitcaster is better for me.

I wasn't saying it can't be done, but pitching and flipping seems easier and more accurate with a baitcaster, at least for me.

8-)

Oh.  

Actually, with all the times I've seen fisherman whom I respect (including yourself and Fish Chris, among others) recently advocating a big splash, I may be pitching less and less in the near future  8-)  That sucks.  I've wasted all this time working on roll casting and pitching to minimize surface disturbance and it might be all for naught.

I wasn't saying it can't be done, but pitching and flipping seems easier and more accurate with a baitcaster, at least for me.

8-)

Oh.

Actually, with all the times I've seen fisherman whom I respect (including yourself and Fish Chris, among others) recently advocating a big splash, I may be pitching less and less in the near future 8-) That sucks. I've wasted all this time working on roll casting and pitching to minimize surface disturbance and it might be all for naught.

There are times when "silent entry" is probably a better choice and having developed the skill to use that option is a very good thing. Still, most of the time a big splash attracts fish.

There are times when "silent entry" is probably a better choice and having developed the skill to use that option is a very good thing. Still, most of the time a big splash attracts fish.

I realize that.  I was being a bit over dramatic.  I think silent is the way to go especially when pitching to specific targets.