Which reel to use when you fish? Nowadays, baitcaster reels and spinning reels are the two kinds of reels that are used by anglers the most.
Both of them can be used for a variety of different purposes. So the question arises, which one is the reel for you? – both these reels have their pros and cons.
Hence, in this article, we’ll be discussing the pros and cons of both reels. That’s why we’re here to help you come up with a conclusive end, so you can get the one that’ll help you better.
Baitcaster Vs. Spinning Reel (Pros and Cons)
As mentioned before, both of them come with their own advantages and disadvantages. Once you’ve compared and contrasted them, you will better be able to decide which one you want to go with.
Baitcaster Vs. Spinning Reel Casting Distance
Casting distance and accuracy can be the difference between catching or missing a fish. If you want a reel with superior casting distance and accuracy, then baitcasters are the ones for you.
This is one of the reasons why many anglers choose to go for a baitcaster when surfcasting. What’s more, you can get faster and more precise casting even over a long distance. On the other side, spinning reels have a relatively short casting distance and aren’t as precise as baitcaster.
How Much Weight Can You Handle?
Spinning reels tend to be on the heavier side compared to baitcasters. Although reel weight has zero effect on rod efficiency, it does matter to the wielder. Holding a rod with a lighter reel on it seems like a better option than a heavier one.
What Kind of Game do You Want to Catch?
One tip to getting the right reel is what you want to catch at the end of the day? Baitcasters are excellent at catching heavy fish effortlessly. They aren’t the best option for lighter fish.
If you want to catch small to medium-sized fish, a spinning reel is a way to go. Their versatility in use allows them to be used for many kinds of fishing. Baitcasters are mostly used for big game casting like bass fishing.
Level of Difficulty
Although baitcasters seem superior in function, but spinning reels haven’t lost their charm as well. Because their learning curve is less steep compared to baitcasters. Mastering a baitcaster takes an enormous amount of trial and error and time! This is one of the reasons why many inexperienced anglers shy away from using baitcasters.
Contrary to that, spinning reels are easy to use. They are like the best friends of inexperienced anglers. Some people get so comfortable using a spinning reel that they don’t want to move on to another like a baitcaster. Spinning reels also give you peace of mind, as the consequences of messing up aren’t as bad as baitcasters.
Can You Handle a Reel that is High Maintenance?
Maintenance can’t be skipped if you want your fishing equipment to last longer. In this regard, bait casters are durable but exceptionally high maintenance. Baitcasters are like a dream once you master them. Until then, they’re no less than a nightmare. Baitcasters have a more complex structure compared to spinning reels.
That’s why there are more elements to have to disassemble and clean and reassemble. Another thing that scares new anglers away is the backlash rate. There are more chances of you getting a backlash with a baitcaster than with a spinning reel. This is because of the casting system. As you cast, you have to slow down spool rotation by using tension.
If you don’t, then the spool will continue rotating at high speed even after the lure has slowed down on crashing into the water. This causes the line to backlash. The end result is a tangled mess of line that a bird can mistake for its nest. Untangling this mess can be quite a hassle. Thus, if you don’t want to be caught in this mess, using a spinning reel will be a better option for you.
Don’t Forget the Piggy Bank!
Nothing is free in this world, certainly fishing equipment. So if you just started fishing and don’t have any long-term plans for it, you should opt for spinning reels. This is because they are relatively inexpensive and low maintenance. But, if you want to pursue fishing professionally (now or maybe in the future), baitcaster is a better option. This is because, although they’re on the expensive side, they’re durable and are perfect for casting game fish.
Final Thoughts On Baitcasting Vs. Spinning Reel
Fishing is an activity that brings peace to the mind, even when done competitively. But one thing that can be frustrating is using the wrong reel. If you can’t properly cast or drag in your fish, what’s the point? Considering all these issues, we compared the two most popular kinds of reels, so you can choose the one that works best for you. By using the suitable reel, you’ll get the best result while fishing.