I'm fairly new to fishing but I enjoy going out, I am going to purchase a new rod and reel, but I don't know the pros and cons of baitcasting reels v.s. spinner reels. Can anyone help me decided which route I should go.. If it helps I am going to be fishing mostly in a lake that has very little vegetation. Does anyone have any suggestions to a particular brand or model that has proven worth? Thanks for the help

Corey

Baitcasting is hard for a beginner to learn . The learning curve for a spinning outfit is much , much easier. How much money do you want to spend ? A decent beginner rod you can get for around forty dollars (Berkley Ligtning rod) and a decent spinning reel would run you about sixty dollars (Pflueger President 6730x).

Welcome to the forum. You'll get people on both sides of this question, but the fact is that both types of tackle have their place. Basically, baitcasting tackle for heavier lines (12lb+), heavier baits (1/2oz>)and heavier cover (thick weeds, wood etc). Spinning tackle excels for fishing light line and small baits. If you'll be targeting bass almost exclusively, a Med Hvy/Fast action baitcast rod and reel is probably the most versatile setup. There are tons of posts and articles about getting started with baitcasting. Good luck!

Great question.

It greatly depends on what you plan on throwing?

drop shot, Plastics,Crankbaits,Jibs, Spinnerbaits, etc. ?

Give us an idea of what u have for lures or what u want to use and u will get some great input.

Being your lake has little vegetation, it gives u a lot of ways to go.

Brian

As far as money I'm willing to spend, around 200 as long as its worth it. I dont have a problem spending a little more but of course I would rather not spend it if I dont need to. Is it the case of you get what you pay for in this instance? thanks again for the help

corey

Baitcasting is hard for a beginner to learn . The learning curve for a spinning outfit is much , much easier. How much money do you want to spend ? A decent beginner rod you can get for around forty dollars (Berkley Ligtning rod) and a decent spinning reel would run you about sixty dollars (Pflueger President 6730x).

Thanks I appreciate the welcoming, so you would recommend a baitcast for the versatility that comes with it. I have done a little bit of reasearch on my own and as you said there are both sides, so what u saod helped a lot, thanks! hope I catch a decent size

corey

Welcome to the forum. You'll get people on both sides of this question, but the fact is that both types of tackle have their place. Basically, baitcasting tackle for heavier lines (12lb+), heavier baits (1/2oz>)and heavier cover (thick weeds, wood etc). Spinning tackle excels for fishing light line and small baits. If you'll be targeting bass almost exclusively, a Med Hvy/Fast action baitcast rod and reel is probably the most versatile setup. There are tons of posts and articles about getting started with baitcasting. Good luck!

Especially with baitcaster's you get what you pay for, especially if you want to keep the reel for an extended period. Spinning you can get good equipment for cheaper. Honestly, if you are not planning to throw jigs, spinnerbaits or anything over 1/2oz I would stick with spinning gear.

well from what I have been able to gather, it depends on the time of day/ weather/ and season for what I should be using, I grew up on just using nightcrawlers but Im quickly learning that, that isnt the best. Im really not sure what type of bait to use and when. Im pretty much starting everything from scratch so at the moment I have a few spinners, and a handful of plastics, couple of cranks and I usually go buy nightcrawlers before I head out. Basically I am open to all suggestions from rod/reel to lures. Thanks Brian I really appreciate your help in getting started!

Corey

Great question!

It greatly depends on what you plan on throwing?

drop shot, Plastics,Crankbaits,Jibs, Spinnerbaits, etc. ?

Give us an idea of what u have for lures or what u want to use and u will get some great input.

Being your lake has little vegetation, it gives u a lot of ways to go.

Brian

As far as a suggested setup, I would do with a Shimano Compre 7ft Medium Heavy/Fast action, with a Diawa Exceler reel. Will confess I do not have that exact rod but have other Shimano's that I like and they always seem to be popular. I do have the reel and it has performed very well. The rod is around 100 bucks, reel is around 80 but I imagine there are some deals available.

The reel I have same with a 2500 and a 3000 size spool, suggest 6lb yozuri ulta-soft on the 2500 and 10lb yozuri ultra-soft on the 3000.

As far as money I'm willing to spend, around 200 as long as its worth it. I dont have a problem spending a little more but of course I would rather not spend it if I dont need to. Is it the case of you get what you pay for in this instance? thanks again for the help

corey

The more money you spend on a baitcaster will result in a better piece of equipment. spinning reels.. you can spend $30 and get something that will be good enough for a season or 2. as far as rods go, it depends really on preference for price and brand. i use nothing but ugly stik's but thats my personal preference. your best bet for finding a rod would be to go to the store and whip a few around ( be cautious of whats around you before hand ) . one thing that is a must with spinning reels is instant anti-reverse. IMO.

as far as getting a baitcaster, it is a bit difficult to learn. you need to learn how to tune your baitcaster! yeah sounds silly but these things have magnetic brakes and such, and depending on what you cast you may end up adjusting it often, a lighter tackle may require more brakes compared to a heavy lure would require less brakes.

The more money you spend on a baitcaster will result in a better piece of equipment. spinning reels.. you can spend $30 and get something that will be good enough for a season or 2. as far as rods go, it depends really on preference for price and brand. i use nothing but ugly stik's but thats my personal preference. your best bet for finding a rod would be to go to the store and whip a few around ( be cautious of whats around you before hand ) . one thing that is a must with spinning reels is instant anti-reverse. IMO.as far as getting a baitcaster, it is a bit difficult to learn. you need to learn how to tune your baitcaster! yeah sounds silly but these things have magnetic brakes and such, and depending on what you cast you may end up adjusting it often, a lighter tackle may require more brakes compared to a heavy lure would require less brakes.

Hogwash! It is NOT hard to learn to use a baitcaster. Do a search here on learning to use one and you will find a wealth of very excellent information.

I would work on getting a solid spinning setup and a solid baitcast setup. BC reels at the $100-120 price point are quite good these days, and an $80-100 rod with decent sensitivity can be had these days too. $80 buys a whole lot of spinning reel that could be matched up with about a $100 rod. Either way you would meet your budget.

There are many applications that both reel types will work well.

I also like catching bass and other fish on UL gear. It is a total blast.

I only use a spinning rod for light bait finesse fishing but if I were just starting out, it's what I'd start out with. It will get you catching bass faster and easier than a baitcasting rod. A 6 1/2 or 7' medium power, fast action spinning rod. Rods generally get lighter and more sensitive as the price goes up. A 2000 or 2500 size spinning reel. There are lots of good ones. I like Shimano and Daiwa, but have also had good service from Abu Garcia and Quantum, so it doesn't seem that big a deal. You can do a lot worse than checking a Bass Pro Shops or Cabelas catalog or online for one of their discounted rod/reel combo packages in your price range. Throw in a box of 8 or 10 lb nylon copolymer line and you're in business. Your outfit won't be tweaked to perfection for every kind of bait presentation from ultra light to heavy, like those of us who can't leave the dock without 15 rods on deck - but it will handle 95% of bass fishing situations

I would suggest that you buy 2 spinning outfits: #1- 6.6' to 7' med. light, and #2-7' med. or mh. This way you can fish most any type lure, and your friend can go with you. If she gets into it, and has some fun, you could then introduce her to the bait monkey. There you go....

get a good baitcaster and a spinning set up.

I only use a spinning rod for light bait finesse fishing but if I were just starting out, it's what I'd start out with. It will get you catching bass faster and easier than a baitcasting rod. A 6 1/2 or 7' medium power, fast action spinning rod. Rods generally get lighter and more sensitive as the price goes up. A 2000 or 2500 size spinning reel. There are lots of good ones. I like Shimano and Daiwa, but have also had good service from Abu Garcia and Quantum, so it doesn't seem that big a deal. You can do a lot worse than checking a Bass Pro Shops or Cabelas catalog or online for one of their discounted rod/reel combo packages in your price range. Throw in a box of 8 or 10 lb nylon copolymer line and you're in business. Your outfit won't be tweaked to perfection for every kind of bait presentation from ultra light to heavy, like those of us who can't leave the dock without 15 rods on deck - but it will handle 95% of bass fishing situations

good advice i would listen to him

Spinning tackle:

St. Croix Avid AVS70MF/ Shimano Stradic CI4/ Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6

Baitcasting gear:

St. Croix AVC70MHF/ Shimano Citica 200E or Curado 200E7/ Yo-Zuri #12