Casting Contest: Baitcasting vs Spinning Reels (Using Light Lures!)
- By: Pat Ogletree
- on
When casting light lures, what wins: Baitcasting vs Spinning Reels?
I set out to test a theory of mine – baitcasting reels have caught up with spinning reels when casting light rigs.
Get the results of the experiment in the video below!!
Casting Contest: Baitcasting vs Spinning Reels [VIDEO]
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Setups Used:
Baitcasting Outfit
- Rod: Cajun Alted 872 (7’3 Medium-Power Fast-Action)
- Reel: Daiwa Coastal ADTW
- Line: 10lb PowerPro braid
- Hook: 3/0 Hoss Helix Hook 1/8th oz.
- Lure: Slam Shady 2.0 Paddletail
Spinning Outfit
- Rod: Slot Machine Custom Rod (7’6 Medium-Power Fast-Action)
- Reel: Daiwa BG MQ 2500
- Line: 10lb PowerPro braid
- Hook: 3/0 Hoss Helix Hook 1/8th oz.
- Lure: Slam Shady 2.0 Paddletail
I believe baitcasting reel technology has caught up to where you can cast light lures just as far as a spinning outfit.
For this experiment, I performed 10 casts with the baitcasting setup and then 10 with the spinning setup.
The lures, hooks, and line were all the exact same all tied on rods and reels that match up fairly close.
After casting the lure out with each rod, I walked out to see the results.
The grouping of both the baitcasting and spinning reel casts were extremely close to each other.
This experiment proves the baitcasting setup can compete with the spinning outfit.
The thing with baitcasting reels is, though, they suffer from what is called ‘dig’.
That’s when the line digs into itself while fighting a big fish.
Spinning gear does not suffer from the same issue.
You can use lighter line and get a few more feet on your casts with a spinning outfit.
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Pat, I’d like your opinion. I use mostly spinning but what do you think is best fishing close to bridges and pilings from a kayak, where your almost flipping? I’m leaning towards getting a new casting setup for that.
One of the advantages of spinning rods that can make them a better choice is that spinning reels allow the line to come off effortlessly. This means as the lure is falling it will stay closer to the bridge and in the strike zone longer. For that reason I would recommend a spinning rod. For docks and mangroves, I believe there is an advantage to casting rods in that situation because of the ability to engage the reel quickly in case the fish strikes right away.
Hope this helps.
Thanks Pat, thanks answers my question.
Your videos continue to amaze me! Spinning tackle all the way! Thanks Pat!
Thanks Donald!!
Spinning all the way.
I think both have their place but use what you’re comfortable with. Appreciate you watching!
I always have been and always will be a spinning rod and reel guy (unless I’m fly fishing)! Simple and effective!
Eye opening for sure Pat, thanks for your efforts. 6# test has given me quite a bit more distance especially on the Slot Machine Rod !! Still use the baitcasters for all my topwater fishing, 10# & 30# setups.
I have never owned a bait caster. I might have to buy one and try it out. As always, a great report Pat.
Well pat I don’t use a baitcasting rig on really light lures I do use one for my spinnerbaits mostly quarter ounce size and a few subsurface plugs everything else I use spinning gear all of my rods though with the exception of 3 are st croix either mojo inshore or the tournament inshore series with a tran-x baitcasting reel or the nasci 3000 series spinning the other 3 are a Cajun 7 ft rod that I consider ultra light tgat is rigged with a shimano sadona 1000 series spinning reel the other a lews speed stick 7 ft with a lews inshore 3000 series spinning reel and finally my last baitcaster a shimano citica (unfortunatly this reel has been discontinued) on a falcon inshore baitcasting rod I normally carry about 10 rod and reel combos so I’m always prepared some say it’s a little overboard but to me its just being prepared for any scenario thanks for the info and all you do😀👍
Which Tran-X do you have, the 200? How do you like it?
Yes the 200 awesome reel you guys are always talking about diawa reels well I have been using shimano for years and I love them not saying diawa is bad just my preference that’s all my 200 is on a 7ft 6inch st croix tournament inshore series rod pretty expensive setup reel was 230 and the rod 300 buy the warrenty is awesome 15 year no hassel even if you break it and it’s your fault after the 15 years is up its only 50 bucks to replace it and the warrenty starts all over again now that’s a gaurentee that’s hard to top!!! And shimanos warrenty is great to although I have never had to use it never replaced my st croix tournament inshore rod but I did replace a mojo inshore 140 dollar rod that has a 10 year warrenty that acts just like the tournament inshore anyways thanks for asking😀👍
Have you tried ceramic ball bearings in your bait caster? Makes alot of difference in casting distance. https://www.spoolspeed.com/
I’ve never moded my reels but I’ve always wanted to. Thanks for the heads up and maybe I can make video on the difference. Appreciate the suggestion!
Thanks for that useful test.
Perhaps consider trying 20lb and 30lb line. It’s common in Texas to fish 20lb and 30lb brain with no leader. Not that I would ever do that.
I’ve done casting contests with 30,20 and 15 on bait casters. There was a 22% increase in casting distance going from 30 to 15, 10 will give you even more.
There’s a fear with going with small diameter lines on bait casters because of the line digging into the spool. In the past that was true but with the newer, rounder braids, that’s not an issue anymore. I personally feel in most situations there is no need to go that heavy with braid anymore. I use leader, and with that it allows the lighter line for longer casting distance and more line capacity.