Baitcast vs Spincast vs Spinning – Basics of Fishing Reels

How were fish caught before reels? People used nets and poles. However, those methods were inefficient and the line often broke due to a lack of control over the fish. Spinning reels fixed that problem by allowing for easy casting, more control over the fish during a battle, and an easier way to retrieve the line without having to pick it up off the ground or water.

The first spinning reel was created in 1938 by Japanese tackle company Daiwa Seiko Co., Ltd.. The first spin casting reel was introduced in 1956 by Shakespeare Fishing Tackle Company. The first baitcasting reel was declared legal (for use) in 1958 by George Snyder Jr. (also known as “Butch”).

 

Spinning vs. Baitcast Fishing

Spinning reels are still widely used today but baitcasters are quickly gaining in popularity. Today reels are mostly categorized by spinning and baitcasting, but there is also a third category known as spin-casting.

Baitcasting has several advantages over spin-casting and spin casting. First, you do not need to worry about the line accidentally coming out of the reel while reeling in your catch. Second, if fishing from a boat or pier, there is no risk of the line wrapping around the dock or piling to cause any problems for that matter since you can easily remove excess line without having to touch it at all thanks to an automatic braking system built into most baitcasters. Last but not least, bait casters allow anglers to cast further than spincast and spinning reels by pulling back on the reel to decrease the gear ratio.

SpinCast or Spinning Reel

However, baitcasting reels are not without their faults. To use one, you must keep your thumb on a button known as a ‘line release’ (found under the handle) while reeling in to prevent line from coming out of your reel accidentally. This issue can be overcome by keeping your thumb on another button that is found directly above the line release (known as the anti-reverse lever).

If you’re looking for an easier way to store and transport your fishing rods, then spincasting or spinning reels may be right for you. Spinning reels are usually lighter than baitcasters because they do not have any complicated mechanisms built into them so they can easily fit in small spaces.

Spincasting reels, on the other hand, are much easier to use because you do not have to worry about line spinning out of control while casting or during a tug-of-war with your catch since they are set up for free spool which causes the line to come directly out of the center rod. Baitcasting reels are more complicated to use than spincasting and spinning reels but usually allow you to cast further and reel in faster. Click here and check some of the best spincast Reels and guide you should follow to buy one.

The basics of reeling

in a fish may seem simple, but there are many types of fishing reels, each with its own characteristics and best applications. Most anglers will agree that you can’t go wrong with any fishing reel in particular, since they all do the same thing – reposition line on the spool for easy retrieval. However, deciding which one is right for your type of fishing will help you get more fish in less time. Different kinds of reels include spincast, spinning, and baitcasting reels.

Spincasting

ZEBCO BULLET Spincast Reel

A spincasting reel is a fishing reel that uses centrifugal force and tension from the line to spin the handle as well as an attached spool. The term “spincast” refers to how this type of fishing pole is used, instead of the mechanism itself. Spincasters typically use lines ranging from 1-10 pounds, with some able to cast a line up to 20 pounds. While some regard spincasting rods as beginner gear because they are easy to use and require little practice, these reels have fewer parts than other kinds of spinning reels.

They also have no bail arm or level wind, so they cannot control line or tension during retrieval. Because of this, spincasting reels are ideal for novice anglers who want to get started bass fishing without spending too much money on equipment. However, this kind of reel is not recommended for fishing in higher-level competitions because it can hamper performance when targeting bigger or more aggressive fish. It is also not the best choice if you plan to use live bait.

Spinning

A spinning reel is a type of fishing reel mounted on the side of the rod rather than above. A spinning reel consists of a spool, frame and handles attached by rivets or screws. The spool rotates freely on a pin between two stationary plates. Its design allows for relatively long, thin rods and it can cast light weights very efficiently. Spinning reels are typically able to hold from 200-500 yards of 12-30 pound test monofilament lines but have been built that could handle up to 975 yards of 30-pound gel spun backing with 60-pound test monofilaments for ultra-long range.

Baitcasting

How to CAST a Baitcaster

A bait-casting reel is a type of fishing reel that uses centrifugal force and a bent rod to cast artificial baits. It is very similar in design to the spinning reel except it has a much smaller spool diameter. They are typically used for bass fishing but have been adapted for use by surf casters, saltwater flats fishermen, and others. This type of reel uses up rods from about 6’4 to 9 feet long, with shorter rods being more popular for this style of fishing due to their ease of casting precision and their ability to make fine casts at high speeds.

Rods used in bait-casting reels are typically made from graphite or fiberglass composites, which have increased strength while remaining relatively light. Baitcasting reels typically have a gear ratio between 5:1 and 8:1, have the ability to handle from 10-20 pound lines, and can hold up to 200 yards of 20-50 pound test monofilament line. The low gearing reduces backlash but makes it harder to crank in a struggling fish at high speed.

Conclusion

All three fishing reel types serve the same function, but their differences in design and capability make them suited for different kinds of fishing. Beginners might find spinning reels easy to use since they aren’t complicated by a bait-casting reel’s level wind or spincasting reel’s lack of one. However, there are some benefits to having these features depending on your skill and preference.

Spinning and baitcasting reels offer more control over line tension when fighting big fish. Baitcasting reels also give anglers better leverage when reeling in high-speed to avoid backlash from the narrow spool diameter. Regardless of which kind you choose to use, always remember that practice makes perfect!