Baitcasting VS. Spinning Reels [What’s The Better Inshore Option?]
- By: Pat Ogletree
- on
What’s the better inshore option: Baitcasting VS. Spinning Reels?
More importantly, what’s best for YOU?
Let’s talk about the pros and cons of both!!
Check it all out below!
Baitcasting VS. Spinning Reels [VIDEO]
Not a member? Then click here to join the Insider Club today so you can get access to Smart Fishing Spots, discounts on the tackle shown below, and much more.
Gear Discussed:
Pros Of Spinning Reels
Spinning reels are a popular choice and it is often the first reel people use when first starting to fish.
It is an easy reel to use, easy to teach others to use, and it works very well.
Another reason to get a spinning reel is the cost.
It is definitely cheaper to go with a spinning reel rather than a baitcaster.
Additionally, the typical spinning reel has more line capacity than a baitcaster.
Spinning reels are also interchangeable for either hand.
You can switch the handle to either side you’re most comfortable with.
Baitcasting reels come either left-handed or right-handed.
Another pro to spinning reels is casting distance.
They simply cast farther than baitcasting reels.
This may sound silly but spinning reels also give off a cool sound when fish are peeling off drag.
There is something special about that click as a fish pulls the line off the spool.
Cons Of Spinning Reels
Now for the cons.
The biggest con is wind knots.
There are ways to mitigate wind knots but you’ll inevitably run into them here and there.
Especially when fishing braided line on spinning reels, wind knots are an issue.
Another con to spinning reels is weight.
They are a bit heavier than baitcasting reels.
Pros Of Baitcasting Reels
Right off the bat, you can tell baitcasting reels are more compact and streamlined.
These reels fit nicely in the palm of your hand.
For topwater lures and other hard-body lures where you need contact to the plug, baitcasting reels are a great choice.
You have contact with the plug and more control.
Another pro is less fatigue on you because they are lightweight when working lures.
Moreover, baitcasting reels are overall more accurate than spinning reels.
The reel acts as an extension of your hand giving you more accuracy when casting.
Furthermore, you can present your lures much softer than spinning gear with a baitcaster.
Because you can feather the line off the spool, you can have your bait land much softer than spinning reels.
This makes baitcasting reels an excellent sight fishing choice.
Cons Of Baitcasting Reels
The #1 con to baitcasting reels is backlash.
If you are new to baitcasting reels, backlash is inevitable.
As I mentioned earlier with spinning reels, line capacity is a con to baitcasting reels.
Baitcasting reels typically do not hold as much line as spinning reels.
Additionally, the drag systems on baitcasting reels are not ideal.
I find the drag systems in spinning reels to be a bit smoother than baitcasters.
Another con to baitcasting reels is the cost.
In my experience, cheaper baitcasting reels do not last very long while inshore fishing.
Getting a quality baitcasting reel is important and those can cost upward of $150+.
Due to the lack of sealing on baitcasting reels, maintenance and upkeep is a con.
Water and debris can get into the reel more easily than spinning gear.
You’ll have to take the reel apart and clean them more often.
What’s Better For YOU?
I personally use whichever reel the situation calls for.
If I’m throwing lighter lures trying to get as much casting distance as possible, I’ll go with a spinning reel.
But if I am fishing a hard-body or topwater lure, I’ll go with a baitcasting reel.
Lately, I’ve relied heavily on the baitcasting reel for accurate sight fishing.
It all depends on the style of fishing you do.
Also, it can’t hurt to have both types of setups available and at the ready.
There is no RIGHT answer.
It depends on what fits the bill for you and the application you need your gear to fulfill.
FINDING THE FISH HELP
In order to help make sure that you are targeting the right areas based on the latest feeding trends and upcoming weather forecasts, make sure to use the following 3 resources because they will save you a ton of time.
1. WEEKEND GAME PLANS (UPDATED WEEKLY)
These regional game plans will show you exactly what types of spots to target in under 10 minutes… just click the video to start, and you’ll be informed on what to do on your next trip.
Weekend Game Plan Lessons2. SMART FISHING SPOTS PLATFORM (UPDATED EVERY 15 MINUTES)
This exclusive software literally shows you where the most fish are likely to be feeding based on exactly when you’ll be fishing. It factors in the tides, wind, and weather to help you quickly see which areas to target throughout the day.
3. COMMUNITY REPORTS (LIVE FEED)
The Insider Community platform is what you can use to see what is biting near you, and you can get to know other members who fish in your area. Plus, you can use it to keep a log of your catches so you can use past trips to help predict future catches.
Related categories:
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Thanks to all, for the great input! Have used a mixture of both since childhood simply based on what Dad and Grandad made available, with no regard either way at the time. But nowadays using baitcast almost exclusively. Pat, really enjoyed the video review of the Daiwa Coastal TW 80. Do you think the Slot Machine would be a good rod choice for Daiwa TW 80?
I just wanted to add that if you use a baitcasting reel that when you clean your reel do not use regular reel oíl on the line guide of your reel because of the thickness of oíl will gather to much dust and evetually jam the line guide and and it’s game over.
Great tip!! Thanks for sharing!
Baitcasters are more fun to use. And it seems that you have honed your craft better if you can use one, surprisingly many can’t. I have used baitcasters since the 1960s and technology has sure changed over the decades they have become much easier to cast. Line capacity and drag are their only disadvantages now.
The baitcaster is the better one
They both have their advantages! I do like a bait caster though
thanks I use spinning mostly
Thanks Ronald!
thank you Pat !
No problem Terry!
I use spinning reels when saltwater fishing 80% of the time, almost exclusively because of the drag system. However, if you are fishing mangroves, or oyster bars… drag is a bad thing and I use baitcasters with heavy braid. You gotta keep them out of the cover, or you’ll probably lose the fish.
Thanks for watching John!!
I recently bought my first bait caster. Compared to my spinning reels, it is smooth, light, and accurate. Especially in reducing the amount of Plop noise when the bait lands. I will be using both from now on. Might take me a while to get the hang of keeping it clear of those bird nest though 🙂
Congrats on the new set up! The points you made about the softer landing is on of my favorite things about casting reels.
Nice comparisons!
Could you do a vidio on how to best set up a bait caster as far as adjustments to spool tension, drag etc. To minimize the birds nests/ backlashes and maximize casting distance. Not being a baitcasting angler, I am not sure of the correct terminologies or proper questions to ask, but you get the jist, I hope!.
Might be something I can put together! Thanks for the suggestion.
Great objective comparison between the two types of reels. We appreciate your teaching skills. Thank you Pat.
Thanks Nick! I hope this will help some people make a decision on which to go with.