Ladies and Gents,

I typically use an open faced reel but have had the urge to work with a bait caster recently. However, I do not currently own a bait casting rod. Will a spin casting rod or spin rod suffice? If so, will the performance of the reel be stifled at all?

Also, what you suggest for my first bait caster?

Best,

flyguy85

I'm not 100% on it but from what I was told by a guy that builds his own rods the blank is built to bend one direction or the other and were not interchangable. I've seen people use spinning rods with casting reels but the only person who I knew that did it multiple times the rod ended up breaking on him after very few trips. I'm sure there is someone who can give you more information on it but just my experience with it. You can get a decent casting rod for pretty cheap so you don't have to worry about the problem also.

It will definitely work, provided the reel seat can accommodate the reel, if you mean spincasting (think zebco) and not spinning.

Now if the rod is a spinning rod, it will definitely NOT be ideal, but I have seen it done.

You need to make a financial investment in the proper equipment to get the maximum results.

Bass Pro Shops, Caebela's, Gander Mountain and local tackle shops have inexpensive baitcasters. You can find one for around $50.

You can also check the newspaper for yard and estate sales to locate a rod but that is time consuming and most of the equipment for sale is junk.

View the rod's specifications stamped near the rod handle. Always stay within these paramaters for your line test and bait weight.

A medicum heavy would be ideal but if necessary a medium fast action will suffice.

Then invest in an inexpensive baitcaster to match the rod's specifications. The baitcaster has its line test limits written on it.

When you get any new reel consider taking it to an individual who works on reels to add oil as the reel may have been sitting on the shelf or in the warehouse for a period of time. Do not open the baitcaster to try to work on it yourself.

After you get your new rod and reel, let us know and we will give you tips on how to avoid or minimize backlashes and the techniquest to use plus setting the "brakes."

All in all, the entire rig should cost you under $100. Try to find a "combo" ready to go, too.

Looking forward to reading what you did so we can continue the dialog.

Mounting a baitcast reel on a spinning rod is like holding a spinning rod upside down and cranking backwards. It works, but is not how they are designed to work. Baitcasting will enhance your fishing experience if you invest a little and do it right.

I'm not 100% on it but from what I was told by a guy that builds his own rods the blank is built to bend one direction or the other and were not interchangable. I've seen people use spinning rods with casting reels but the only person who I knew that did it multiple times the rod ended up breaking on him after very few trips. I'm sure there is someone who can give you more information on it but just my experience with it. You can get a decent casting rod for pretty cheap so you don't have to worry about the problem also.

What you're refering to is the spine of the rod which is caused by manufacturing anomolies and leads a blank to bend more easily on a certain plane. Many if not most rod builders now days ignore spine and build on the straightest axis but opinions vary. Guide size and placement is used to distribute the load along the blanks length and varies between casting (all on top) and spinning (guides on bottom). This is possibly why the blank failed or it could have been one of several other reasons but it was definetely not from bending in the "wrong" direction.

What you're refering to is the spine of the rod which is caused by manufacturing anomolies and leads a blank to bend more easily on a certain plane. Many if not most rod builders now days ignore spine and build on the straightest axis but opinions vary. Guide size and placement is used to distribute the load along the blanks length and varies between casting (all on top) and spinning (guides on bottom). This is possibly why the blank failed or it could have been one of several other reasons but it was definetely not from bending in the "wrong" direction.

beat me to the punch.

Ladies and Gents,

I typically use an open faced reel but have had the urge to work with a bait caster recently. However, I do not currently own a bait casting rod. Will a spin casting rod or spin rod suffice? If so, will the performance of the reel be stifled at all?

Also, what you suggest for my first bait caster?

Best,

flyguy85

when i bought my first baitcaster earlier this year i mounted it on an old spincast rod i had, it works just fine. aside from the occasional monster backlash(which i blame on me, user error) ive had no problems and its becoming one of my favorite combos. so yes, it will work just fine on a spincast rod. if you dont like it you can always upgrade the rod later. but mine works great and i have no plans to buy another rod. i really dont see a great deal of difference between a spincast rod and baitcast rod, they appear the same to me, though there may be some subtle differences...

however, i would not recommend putting a baitcast reel on a spinning rod...

If it has a trigger, it will work with a baitcaster.

If it has a trigger, it will work with a baitcaster.

Yes it will. My very first set-up was a Zebco 33 combo back in the early 90's. After about a month into the season, I bought a Quantum EX250 and paired on the rod I used with the Zebco. Worked great for a while and then I upgraded.

One of those short rods with a pistol grip can make a neat little tool for in close spinnerbait work.

Those short, whippy, pistol grips are fishing couture in Japan right now.

God Bless America!!!

I'm not 100% on it but from what I was told by a guy that builds his own rods the blank is built to bend one direction or the other and were not interchangable. I've seen people use spinning rods with casting reels but the only person who I knew that did it multiple times the rod ended up breaking on him after very few trips. I'm sure there is someone who can give you more information on it but just my experience with it. You can get a decent casting rod for pretty cheap so you don't have to worry about the problem also.

that's in agreeance with what I know, I'm not too verse on the subject though.

from what I (think) I know, a rod blank isn't uniform, the backbone is on one side of the blank. When building rods, it's important to position the backbone a certain way when putting on the guides. A rod should bend downwards (like a human bending to touch their toes) and the backbone should support the elastic stress (like a persons backbone). Using a baitcast reel on a spin rod, would be like a person trying to touch their heels bending backwards, it probably wouldn't work too well.

that's what I've gathered from my limited research on rod building. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

ive thrown a spinning reel on a casting rod and vise versa, never had a problem with it though. i actually have a pflueger president spinning reel on an echelon casting rod right now lol

that's in agreeance with what I know, I'm not too verse on the subject though.

from what I (think) I know, a rod blank isn't uniform, the backbone is on one side of the blank. When building rods, it's important to position the backbone a certain way when putting on the guides. A rod should bend downwards (like a human bending to touch their toes) and the backbone should support the elastic stress (like a persons backbone). Using a baitcast reel on a spin rod, would be like a person trying to touch their heels bending backwards, it probably wouldn't work too well.

that's what I've gathered from my limited research on rod building. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

See post #6 in this thread. Backbone refers to the power of the rod in relation to the tip. Has nothing to do with the spine phenomena.