Side by side
| Spinning | Baitcasting | |
|---|---|---|
| How it mounts | Open face, under the rod, with a bail and line guide (New York DEC) | On top of the rod; the spool revolves during the cast and retrieve |
| How you release line | Lift the bail, hold the line between your finger and the rod and let go as you cast (Florida FWC) | Thumb releases the line and slows and stops it (Outdoor Alabama) |
| Learning curve | Easier; spinning or open-faced gear can catch all species (Outdoor Alabama) | Most difficult of the three major reel types to master; settings need adjusting (Oklahoma DWC) |
| Lure weight | Casts lighter baits and lures (Texas Parks & Wildlife, New York DEC) | Casts heavier lures and weights; moderate to very heavy weights farther than other reels (New York DEC, Outdoor Alabama) |
| Accuracy and power | Casts quickly and long distances, suitable for freshwater and saltwater fishing (Texas Parks & Wildlife) | More control and more power than spinning gear (Outdoor Alabama); many anglers rate it best for casting accuracy, and higher gear ratios wind in more line per turn (New York DEC) |
| Tangles | The biggest problem is tangles, from line put on wrong or reeling in loose line (New York DEC) | Prone to backlash, a tangle when the spool revolves faster than the line coming off (New York DEC) |
| Rods | Larger guides on the underside; a much wider range of lengths and actions (New York DEC) | Guides on top; pistol-grip or straight handle (Texas Parks & Wildlife) |
| Popular with | All species; light lures in fresh and salt water (South Carolina DNR) | Bass anglers (Outdoor Alabama, Oklahoma DWC) |
Which to start with
Start with spinning if you are new. It is easier to use, and Oklahoma DWC says baitcasting reels are the most difficult of the three major types to master because they require you to adjust settings on the reel, whereas spinning reels only need the drag set. Outdoor Alabama says baitcasting gear is commonly used by bass anglers but requires some practice to master.
Move to baitcasting when you want to throw heavier lures or cast right on target close to structure, which New York DEC says skilled baitcaster users can do. Then follow how to cast a baitcaster.
Line for each reel
New York DEC’s go-to bass setup is a 6.5 to 7 foot medium action spinning rod with 8 to 10 pound monofilament. For a more advanced option it suggests a baitcasting rod with fluorocarbon or braided line. Florida FWC’s pro tips for bass use 40- to 85-pound braid on baitcasting rods and downsize the line on spinning reels for smaller baits, like finesse baits, or during cold fronts. More detail is in mono vs fluoro vs braid.
Other reel types
A third common choice is the spincast, a closed-face push-button reel. See fishing reel types for how it and the conventional, fly and cane-pole setups compare, and how to spool a spinning reel to load one.
Frequently asked questions
Is a baitcaster better than a spinning reel?
Neither is better for everything. Baitcasters handle heavier lures and offer accuracy once you are skilled (New York DEC), while spinning reels cast lighter lures and are easier to learn. Outdoor Alabama says spinning gear can be used to catch all species of fish.
Which is easier for a beginner?
Spinning. Oklahoma DWC calls baitcasting reels the most difficult of the three major reel types to master, and they need settings adjusted for peak performance, while spincast and spinning reels just need the drag set.
Can I use the same rod for both?
No. A spinning rod has larger guides on the underside and the reel mounts below, while casting rods have the guides on top (New York DEC, Texas Parks & Wildlife).
Which reel is best for bass fishing?
Baitcasting reels are most popular among avid bass anglers (Oklahoma DWC). For a go-to bass setup, New York DEC suggests a 6.5 to 7 foot medium action spinning rod with 8 to 10 pound monofilament, and calls a baitcasting rod with fluorocarbon or braid the more advanced option.
Sources
- Learn-to-fish guide: tackle and casting (PDF), New York State DEC
- Wacky rigs for bass fishing, New York State DEC
- Fishing basics, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Pro tips for bass, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Fishing basics handbook (PDF), Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- South Carolina fishing guide (PDF), South Carolina DNR
- Basic fishing tips (PDF), Outdoor Alabama, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
- Chapter 2: Fishing tackle and supplies, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
- Learn to fish in Oklahoma, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation