We Settled The Great Spinning vs Baitcasting Debate
- By: Joseph Simonds
- on
- Found In: Fishing Tips, Inshore Fishing, Salt Strong Podcast, Tackle & Gear
Most anglers pick a side… and never question it.
Spinning reel or baitcaster.
Distance or accuracy.
Simple or “more control.”
And once you’ve made your choice… it’s easy to assume you got it right.
So we brought both sides together.
Coach Scott (Texas, baitcaster loyalist) vs Wader Dave (Florida, spinning gear diehard)… head-to-head on what actually matters when you’re out there trying to catch more fish.
And let’s just say… they didn’t agree on everything.
See which side actually makes the stronger case below.
Key Takeaways
- Skill matters more than the reel you choose
- Spinning gear is easier to learn and more forgiving
- Baitcasters offer better accuracy and control
- Lighter line and longer rods help increase casting distance
- Fatigue and weight can make a big difference over a full day
- Maintenance and durability vary depending on how you fish
- There’s no “perfect” setup, only what fits your style best
Final Thoughts
Here’s the truth…
Both reels catch fish.
We’ve seen anglers dominate with spinning gear.
We’ve seen anglers dominate with baitcasters.
The difference isn’t the reel.
It’s how confident you are using it… and how well you understand when and where to fish.
If you’re comfortable with your setup and putting in the time on the water, you’re already ahead of most anglers.
But if you’ve ever been curious about the other side… it might be worth picking one up and giving it a shot.
Because sometimes it’s not about switching sides…
It’s about expanding what you’re capable of.
IMPORTANT REMINDER
The 2 core benefits we promise to Insider Club members is to be able to find and catch fish easier than ever before while saving money on fishing equipment.
So I am including links to the quickest ways to achieve each:
1) Finding Fish System
2) Insider Club’s Group Discounts
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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).
Just now got around to watching. Very informative and loved the friendly banter on the subject. Mostly spinning for me but I also have used one of the original “Mag Force” baitcasters from AbuGarcia back in the day! That being said, I have thought of controlability of spinning gear has tipped me over to spinning gear since I have been fishing saltwater in the great state of TEXAS. I am adding to my bucket list to explore the newer generations of baitcasters.
Loved the arguments they were fun I use both types and the casting one is still the hardest one to get use to but still like both of them great topics tonight thanks for the fun
Believe me, we had a lot of fun doing it. Thanks for listening.
I fish with both but prefer the baitcaster.
Thanks n for your comment Mark. I appreciate your listening to the podcast.
Great info from both of you. Like the debate and the fun y’all had. As for me I’m a spinning man. I have tried some bait caster, (with no luck) but I may give them another shot after this.
Question, what kind of oil do y’all use for your reels? Thanks
It’s good to learn how to use both – good luck!
Great Debate!!
Not just great fun but also informative.
Thanks David! So, are you a spinning or bait casting guy?
Great debate! Dave’s debate skills overshadowed Scott’s physics knowledge! Loved Dave bringing up “fatigue” to help Scott score a point (half-point??).. And I thought MMA fighters were supposedly in great shape, lol. To me, much of the opinions as to whether one is better than the other if both anglers are roughly equally skilled relates to the difference in fishing conditions (e.g., chocolate milk water clarity) and targeted species. If you award Scott a very high handicap, he won, lol. Our FL senior citizen making a strong showing. Great job by all three making this podcast!!
Rob – glad you enjoyed the debate and thanks for taking the time to post a comment.
Fish with both, because my fishing style demands it (spans the spectrum, for inshore [and f-w, too], from in-tight to structure and cover, to open water for trophy-class), and I’ve got enough years under my belt to appreciate the differences. Power (controlling big fish to get them in the quickest for safe release, almost instant max heat and let-off, adjusted by the thumb, as needed – almost instant off-on), Versatility (spanning the spectrum of casting geo-environments – eg, just a back-hand wrist-flip to a spot on mild hunch without any thought…can’t do anything close to that with a spinner, and have the same consistent results), Covering-the-Water (not just distance, but lots of casts, saturating the zone…sometimes it’s reqd), Rapid-fire launches after retrieves (more ‘water-covering’, to seize feeding opportunities when they arise), LESS LINE-TWIST on fast retrieves (take-up mechanisms on b-c’s vs spinning, big difference). Spinning reels can be a useful advantage into the wind when there’s no other choice when reaching out…and skip-casting (for me, anyway). Bottom line, reflecting on how I fish, Scott and bait-casters won by a fair margin. THAT, and $2 will get you a sorry cup of coffee at the Circle K, however. LOL
Leonard, where in Texas do you live? 😉 You make some valid points and I appreciate you sharing them with the Community.
Excellent video guys… with all the smack talking it felt like we were all on the water having some fun together. I use both reel types for various reasons. Good stuff.
Thanks for the positive feedback Keith!
I fish with both. Enjoy both.
There’s a good attitude! Thanks for your feedback James.
As a novice I used a spinning rod. I tried a baitcaster and after six months of frustration I got the hang of it. I learned that if you have the right rod a spinning reel can throw very light lures and heavy lures. I use a baitcaster for lures 1/8 oz (ultralight rod) to 1/4 oz (light acton rod). Baitcaster reels must be tuned for each lure and the wind conditions to prevent backlashes and optimize distance. I prefer a baitcaster for accuracy and speed/ease of casting (casts per minute). I don’t find much difference between spinning reels but a tremendous difference between an expensive Lews Custom Lite or Pro TI and less expensive reels.
Thanks for your comments George. All good points.