spinning vs. baitcaster reel

[nichila]

Hello all, I have been fishing my whole life, and have realized I don't know too much about the advantages of a spinning reel vs a baitcaster reel. I have used spinning reels (and I guess spincasting reels as well) my whole life. When would a baitcaster be better, and what would be the best situations to use either one?

[BoldBear]

Originally Posted by nichila

Hello all, I have been fishing my whole life, and have realized I don't know too much about the advantages of a spinning reel vs a baitcaster reel. I have used spinning reels (and I guess spincasting reels as well) my whole life. When would a baitcaster be better, and what would be the best situations to use either one?

Most UK anglers know a 'spinning reel' as a 'fixed spool reel' and not many have seen or know what a baitcaster reel is, which I guess is why you haven’t had any replies to your post.

In the UK we usually use the following reels in freshwater/coarse fishing:

Centrepin reels:
Basically it is a simple revolving spool with handles on the side which is extremely free running and Ideal for long trotting on streams where you use a float to indicate bites and carry your baited hook downstream.

Fixed Spool reels (Spinning reels):
In the UK we used to call these ‘Spinning reels’ which have Bail-arms which turn around a fixed spool guiding the line onto the spool when winding in.
When casting; the bail-arm can be flicked out of the way so that the line is released freely during the cast.
90% of UK anglers use these reels for all of their fishing both for fishing a bait and for lure fishing.
They are Ideal as there are many variations and sizes, from small shallow spooled ones for match fishing with finer lines through to large ones with long coned spools for casting large leads well over a hundred metres, and come with either rear drag or front drag mechanisms and some come with spools that can be clicked into free spool when needed.
They are Ideal for lure fishing and bait fishing so are very adaptable and can even chuck a free-lined bait a fair distance when required.

Closed Face reels:
These are similar to fixed spool reels however the spool is enclosed within a casing and the bailarm is replaced by a pin (or two) which moves out of the way during the cast when the spool covering is pressed with your finger, and then re-engages once the handle is turned.
These are also used for long trotting and for other methods of float fishing and are especially useful when the wind is playing havoc with the line wrapping it around the back of the spool, however they are not used quite as much as they used to be in the UK.

Multiplier reels
I don’t think you need any introduction to these as they are used world-wide including the USA. Where smaller ones I think are called Baitcasters and are often used on short lure rods etc.
They do sell small freshwater multipliers in the UK however there is not much call for them in freshwater fishing in the UK. You very occasionally see one being sold with a short American lure rod, but the UK course angler would be more likely to use a fixed spool reel.
UK Sea fishermen use them both from the shore and from boats, but usually if they are spinning for Bass etc they would usually plump for a decent fixed spool reel. And would usually only use them for fishing a lead off a boat or pier.

I hope this has answered your query.

Tight Lines

Keith (BoldBear)