Spinning Reels vs Baitcaster: Which is Best?

When it comes down to choosing the type of fishing reel there are endless options it seems these days.  They all have their places when it comes to different styles or types of fishing. Spinning and Baitcast reels have their pros and cons.

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Let's start with just a few main differences between the two.  The placement of the reel on the rod is different in which a baitcaster has the reel that sits on topside of the rod and the spinning reel will be placed sitting under the rod.

Let's breakdown each reel into some pros, cons, and what best situation for being used.

Spinning Reels:

Pros:

• Easier to use for beginners getting into fishing

• Spinning reels nowadays come where interchangeable between left and right handed.

• Much more budget friendly and a wide variety of sizes for both salt and freshwater fishing available on the market today.

• Works great when using lightweight baits such as soft plastics.

• No backlash on the reel

• Working and adjusting drag is more user friendly especially for newly introduced fishermen.

Cons:

• Tend to be heavier in weight

• Tend to not hold up as well to daily abuse from fishing as do a baitcaster.

• Does not work great for heavier lures such as jigging.

•  Shorter casting distances

When:

Spinning reels come in handy when fishing in the surf of the beach or when fishing smaller streams, lakes and rivers.   When fishing for smaller fish from rainbow trout to snook my go to reel of choice will always be a spinning reel.  It's easy to use to fish with live bait such as silver mullet or pilchards in the surf or off the bank or when fishing for freshwater bass using live shiners as bait.  Also great for casting out small spoons and soft plastics.

Baitcasters:

Pros:

• Strong and well built giving it better durability and withstand abuse.

• Longer more accurate casts

• Generally holds more line on a spool then does a spinning reel

• Usually a smaller profile making it lighter in weight.

• Handles bigger game fish better

• Stronger drag system for those biggins’

Cons:

• Not best choice for beginners

• Spool can have a nasty backlash with the line

• Usually carries a higher price tag vs. a spinning reel.

When:

Baitcaster reels come in handy when targeting larger fish and also the reel being a lighter weight and if having to make extra casts you will appreciate the lighter weight of the reel in general.  Works great when fishing with heavy swimbaits and great for jig fishing as well in both salt and freshwater.  The accuracy on the baitcaster reel is awesome once get it down you will be able to pitch a bait with pinpoint accuracy.

Bottom Line:

At the end of the day it comes down to experience, style, and personal choice of which reel to go with.  I use the baitcasters more so when fishing freshwater canals here in SE Florida or small lakes when using jigs or heavier soft plastic swimbaits.  The spinning reel however is my go to as they are versatile and easier to use and make adjustments even though may lose on some distance and accuracy.  Just keep in mind if you go with the baitcaster that it can be a little tricky to get used to with the crazy backlash knots that happen at the beginning but with some practice will get better.

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Post written by Michael Kelly. Follow him at MichaelKellyWPB on Fishbrain