Why baitcaster???

[joeyd50]

Can someone tell me the advantages of a baitcaster reels, I had several baitcasters and had my share of birds nest so I stop using them and went back to spinning and even spincasting reels and haven't lost a fish yet do to mechanical problems. I can't imagine what people think seeing in me in my 18.5 Skeeter bass boat using a Zebco 33, but I catch fish.
Joe

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Why baitcaster???

Well, looks like you didn't get a very venomous bite from the bass fishing bug. Before I answer this, tell me what dictates whether you use a spinning or a spincasting?

 

[Se2002]

Re: Why baitcaster???

Farther casts, does not twist the line when you reel in, and it looks better.

I actually prefer the simplicity of the spinning type.

 

[joeyd50]

Re: Why baitcaster???

bassboy1, I'm from NJ, so not a lot of big fish, nothing dictates what I use, I have something tied on every rod in my boat. And Se2002 they really do look better, I have nothing against baitcasters almost every one I fish with use um. I actually love the way they feel in your hand

 

[DufferJim]

Re: Why baitcaster???

My baitcaster reels sit in a box as backups unless I'm with someone using downriggers. 30 years of using open faced spinning reels for bass and pike made it impossible for me to convert. Even after I got the hang of casting it just didn't feel right not to have the reel hanging under the pole. I guess it'll take a reel failure losing me a big fish before I'll try again. Been using mostly ultralite gear lately anyway.

 

[jebeebe]

Re: Why baitcaster???

They may give you a little more power when reeling in as they are built like a winch. They give you a reason to get your blood pressure up when they "bird nest". I had a buddy who decided he was going to try one in canada on one of our trips, and he fought it for most of the week but wouldn't give up. Finaly pretty well got it mastered. I have one too, and if I get it tuned for the particular lure weight, can usualy get along with it pretty good, though I get longer casts and less trouble with the spinning reel. Started out with a Michell 301 (left hand) and have had some reels in the $150 class (won't do that again) and am now back to the old michell 301. Only because I backed out of the garage on my 4 wheeler and the rod fell off and I ran over it and smashed my reel. Bummer. My son found a 301 at a garage sale still in it's original plastic box with all the paper work and extra spool. Collectors item. I used to buy them at Holliday gas stations for 5-6 dollars back in the 60's.
The last time I was in canada I caught a 41" pike on a spinning reel and didn't have a problem. I also caught one that I couldn't control and I'm looking at the bottom of the boat where my musky rod with the 30# line on is laying and thinking,"this ain't right". When the fish got tired of the game he just moved out and took my lure with him. I never even got to see a fin.
Have a good one on the water..........................Jerry

 

[Se2002]

Re: Why baitcaster???

For those new to baitcasting, try first holding the center of the spool with your thumb (thumb resting on fishing line) and realesing the cast lever keeping your thumb on the spool. Then cast using your thumb as a release, you'll have a better feel for the release.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Why baitcaster???

bassboy1, I'm from NJ, so not a lot of big fish, nothing dictates what I use, I have something tied on every rod in my boat. And Se2002 they really do look better, I have nothing against baitcasters almost every one I fish with use um. I actually love the way they feel in your hand

I figured maybe you used spinning for certain baits, and spincasting for others.
I use a spinning reel for lighter lures. Mostly T-rigs, drop shot, basically most of my soft plastics and lighter 1/8 ounce spinners and buzzers. I use my casting rods for heavier baits. Hardbaits and topwaters, and larger spinners/buzzers.
Just gets tough to accurately pitch a heavy bait on a spinning rod.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Why baitcaster???

Impossible to finesse cast an 1/8 oz jig with a 2 inch minnow when using a baitcaster.
Well, that pretty much goes for any small lure, or small live bait rig.

I have a couple baitcasters, but only use them to pull my planer boards now.

Use spinning reels 99% of the time.

Use a spincaster when its real cold in the spring, and I want to fish with gloves on.

 

[woodduck17]

Re: Why baitcaster???

"Bird's Nest"---In my little circle of friends we call that "Professional Overwind". I carry both types and feel I can make much more accurate casts with the baitcasters. I guess it boils down to using what you are more comfortable with.

 

[RobDar]

Re: Why baitcaster???

each reel type has its advantages and disadvantages and should be used in different situations. When I first started tournament fishing...my first baitcaster was a real problem. They take ALOT of practice and time to get good with them. The quality of the reel also makes a big difference in a baitcasters performance. The spinning reels, other than durability, I personally do not notice too much difference between the $50 reel and the $100 reel...with a baitcaster I notice a huge difference. I never tangle up my $150 Shimano...my $60 Diawa on the other hand still give me fits if I am not careful with it...and I have been fishing a baitcaster for YEARS!

I personally like a baitcaster for fishing in weeds and anywhere else I may need some leverage. I also prefer it for pitching, flipping, and jigging on close in structure
The spinning rig is better for carolina rigging, finesse fishing, fishing deeper waters with soft plastics, and I usually use it for cranks and spinners as well.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Why baitcaster???

Normally only use the spinning set up for skipping under docks and under over hanging trees. Just personal preference I guess. 90% of the time I dont even take a spinning rig with me on the lake. I have no problems casting any kind of finesse baits, I cast weightless rubber all the time with the BC, I can't agree more on the quality issue. A good quality baitcaster mated to a good rod is the best tool you can have on the lake, at least for bass fishing.

 

[JB]

Re: Why baitcaster???

Casting accuracy alone is enough to keep me using a baitcaster when I am not using a flyrod.

Yes, it took many years and many exercises of my seagoing vocabulary before I could fish a few days without a professional over-run, but it was worth it.

 

[dtherrien]

Re: Why baitcaster???

Baitcasters take alot longer to fish with them like you would with a spinning reel. Dont give up on using them. Bring one along with you everytime you go fishing and use it for awhile. It took me two years of using one off and on just to get to where i could cast decent. And thats after using spinning reels for over 40years. Start with heavy baits/lures and work your way down. Bait casters have a more natural feel to them. The only complaint your having is the birds nest.....they go away after while

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Why baitcaster???

Just put a cookie sheet in the driveway and cast to it, with a washer or nut or something. Just make a 4 or so inch leader of twine, as the line gets eaten all to heck and back on the concrete. I have more than 2000 driveway casts.

 

[sbulla]

Re: Why baitcaster???

Bring one along with you everytime you go fishing and use it for awhile.

Been thinking of doing just that.

What's the best type of line to use on one? I fish, mainly, freshwater lakes.

Sonny

 

[Andrew Leigh]

Re: Why baitcaster???

Hi

They feel good in the hand.
You fight larger fish easier in my opinion as the drag is generally smoother on baitcasters.
Casting accuracy.
The spool is in the correct orientation to reduce line wear from excessive passes over and around pins.
A negative is that one place I fish requires that you find you fish on a shelf, drop your bait and move back about 200 to 250 yards to take anchor in the shallows. In this instance you get line stretch and a cumulative build up of pressure in the spool. Split an old Penn bakelite spool last summer due to this effect.

Not trying to teach you to suck eggs here Joe but most people fail to set their baitcasters up before use, as I did. There is generally an overwind / casting drag setting on baitcasters, on my ABU it is the round knurled nut at the opposite end of the crank arm in the centre on the reel. With your bait tied to your line this nut is adjusted until the bait falls a couple of foot when the rod tip is jerked moderately while the reel is disengaged and ready to cast. Different weight baits require a setting change. This setting is your overwind / casting darg and prevents the overwinds associated with uneducated thumbs. It does tend to reduce your casting distance but that is a small price to pay for clean casts. As your thumb becomes more educated release this overwind / casting drag more and more until the point that it is no longer required.

I had a Penn 49 which I could never cast, bought my ABU and for once in my life read the instructions. Set up the ABU before I started and it took one day to get more than acceptable results. Got home set up the Penn 49 with the overwind / casting drag and hey presto could cast with it, immediately.

Hope this helps.

Andrew

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Why baitcaster???

What's the best type of line to use on one? I fish, mainly, freshwater lakes.

Sonny

Start with inexpensive monofilament 12lbs test because you're going to cut lots of it off.

Hey RobDar> where in the state of IN are you hailing from?

 

[ovlo]

Re: Why baitcaster???

why baitcaster when you get that 50 inch muskie your gona need that shimano with 80 lb test and a steel leader. or for that pesky 30 lb channel cat that seems like it can run for a mile.

I started using big bait casters 4 years ago for muskie and big cats. I lost a few cats to spinning poles with mono line. I said I would never loose another due to a pole thats too light. now I even have 2 bassin baitcasters. I love them there so smooth. when you get good at it you wont want anything else

 

[ovlo]

Re: Why baitcaster???

Start with inexpensive monofilament 12lbs test because you're going to cut lots of it off.

Hey RobDar> where in the state of IN are you hailing from?

that kinda sounds like a bad idea or it didnt work for me when I first started. casting somthing kinda heavy like a diver when you get a real good back lash the lure snaps off and goes flying. get 30lb spider wire with that stuff lures dont go flying