European fishing tackle, what do you use.

[Ballpark Frank]

After viewing most of the pictures in this section, I see alot more spinning gear than baitcasting. Here in the US, it's as if baitcasting is the only way to fish for bass. Alot shun spinning tackle, except for the lightest baits and tackle. I know most of the fishing trip pamphlets(primarily Scandinavia and Germany) that I look at always recommend spinning tackle. Is there a preference? If so, what are the reasons? I used to use mostly spinning tackle, until I caught the dreaded low-profile baitcaster flu. If some of ya'll could shed a little light on this, I would appreciate it.

[MaxDal]

I personaly use baitcasting like 80% of the time and swith to spinning gear for light applications such as drop-shot, split shot, small weightless, tiny jigs, shaky and stuff.

I have to admit though that the vast majority of fishermen around here still rely on spinning gear for most of their fishing applications.

I know that baitcasting was used a lot in the first half of the century here (well baitcasting as they knew it at least).

Then the spinning took the lead....

But baitcasting is making a come back ..... and people tend to buy a lot of jdm products, (which is a pity to my opinion, since we now have a lot of people that are tackle junkies but barely go fishing).....

[Ballpark Frank]

Thanks MaxDal. The pictures just got me thinking about spinning versus baitcasting in Europe. I find myself fishing my spinning gear alot more lately, since I am primarily fishing light and weightless plastics. There are tackle junkies everywhere, we have out fair share here in the states. I know guys that spend $1000's a year on gear, and hit the water once or twice. I was a dedicated flyfisherman for several years. The fly fishing scene here is smothered with them. Many of those guys had custom Bamboo rods, Tibor reels and boxes upon boxes of flies, but could not make a decent cast to save their lives. They can't catch fish and instead of working on techniques, they buy better gear. I think we all have more gear than we need though.

Thanks for the reply and good fishing.

[cabrela]

Hello

I prefer baitcasters, but around here spinning gear still rule.... I believe it´s because of the brands that are sold around here or better, the lack of brands that make baitcasting reels....

The other choice is to import, and the price plus the customs expenses is a bit high.

[nipopotamme]

I'm from europe (Belgium and France) and i use as well baitcasting as spinning rods and reels.

 

 

for texan, carolina and weightless i use spinning, also for little jerk/minnows and jig's.

 

for deep cranking, lipless crank's en spinnerbaits i use baitcasting.

[tugabasser]

I'm portuguese and learned to fish for bass with fiberglass spinning rods and inline spinners. I think that the reality here is that baitcasters only entered the scene in the late 80's early 90's brought by the great US outdoor supply stores like Cabelas or. Bass Pro Shops, primarily available on the internet. In the present, most of the informed portuguese bass anglers use both spinning and baitcasting gear, depending on the type of bait they're using. For myself, due to the overall fishing pressure bass suffer here, I tend to use primarily spinning gear and a finesse approach like drop shot, split shot or shaky head. But, when they're readmitir and willing, I get my baitcasters going, my spinnerbaits and jigs out of the box and I'll hit'em hard

Except in the summer: then I'll fly fish them untill my casting arm is ready for replacement...

[JohnFromLisbon]

Portuguese guy here.

 

Most people who start out fishing will begin with spinning gear. Spincasting tackle is virtually non-existent here, and odds are those people will have fished inshore or some other type of saltwater fishing so it's easier.

 

When it comes to baitcasters, the main difference is that most of us use left hand retrieve reels. Dunno why, but you'll struggle to find someone who uses right hand retrieve. I've used it a couple of times and I'm okay with switching hands, but I always come back to my '01 Shimanos... 

[cabrela]

When it comes to baitcasters, the main difference is that most of us use left hand retrieve reels. Dunno why, but you'll struggle to find someone who uses right hand retrieve.

 

I have a question, why in the U.S. some use right hand baitcasters but left hand spinning reels?

[Matthew2000]

To answer that question is something to do with America being stupid... Not really its just a thing with using your dominant hand to gain more power. Bait casters are more in the reel while spinning you have to work the fish with the rod.

[cabrela]

To answer that question is something to do with America being stupid... Not really its just a thing with using your dominant hand to gain more power. Bait casters are more in the reel while spinning you have to work the fish with the rod.

 

I understand but most people are right-handed and since we should use our best hand to hold the rod, why do you guys there (not all, but many...) still prefer to use right hand baitcasters and have to switch hands after casting (or pitching or any other technique) is something strange...

[roadwarrior]

I have a question, why in the U.S. some use right hand baitcasters but left hand spinning reels?

 

Written by George Welcome

 

 

Let's get technical, as there are in fact reasons, not just some lame holdover from days past that put the handles where they are.

What will move the fish during retrieval is placed to the strong hand!

A baitcast is designed to be used as a winch, so it is the reel that retrieves the fish. Hence if you are right handed the handle is in your right hand.

A spinning reel is designed to pick up unloaded or loose line, not retrieve the fish. Hence it is the rod that does the retrieval, so it is the rod that is in your strong hand. If you are right handed then the pole goes to the right hand.

 

 

 

[cabrela]

 

Written by George Welcome

 

 

A baitcast is designed to be used as a winch, so it is the reel that retrieves the fish....

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry RW, but not 100% true...

 

It´s true that a baitcaster has more power than a spinning reel but it´s not the reel´s duty to bring back the fish, or at least not always....