Choosing A Bass Fishing Reel.

Spinning Reels

Spinning reels are perhaps the most widely accepted style reel for fishing.  Period.  The reason for this is largely due to the versatility of the design as well as its ease of use.  A spinning reel hangs below the rod and comfortably sits between your fingers.

PROs: 

-Versatile: operates well with baits of various weight and performance. 

-Easy to learn and use

-Allows for quick retrieves

-Outperforms baitcasters with finesse techniques (wacky-rigging, tube fishing, etc.)

-Works best with lighter line (4-14 lb test line is optimal)

-Easy to re-line and oil
   

CONs:

-Heavier line tends to overfill the reel capacities

-Line tends to coil after sitting for extended periods of time

Baitcasting Reels

Baitcasting reels are especially common for bass fishing due to the reel’s success in delivering certain bass presentations.  The baitcaster is quite different from its distant cousin, the spinning reel.  One distinct difference is that a baitcasting reel sits on top of the rod, with a “trigger” on the rod that supplements your cast and grip.

PROs: 

-Spool is controlled by applying pressure with your thumb.  This means having extreme control over placement of a bait. 

-Gearing performs as a drag system which allows applying pressure to tire out the fish.

-Operates best with heavy line and heavy baits.  Bass techniques that meet these criteria include Carolina-rigging, Pitching, Flipping, and Jigging.

-Small profile in addition to “trigger” on rod create a firm grip

CONs:

-Subject to backlash and tangle

-Less than ideal for lightweight tackle

-Tend to be priced higher than spinning reels

Summary

This past summer a friend of mine traded his spinning rod with someone else for a baitcaster.  While he proved himself by skillfully using the new rod and reel, he spent more time re-lining and untangling his reel in an afternoon than I did all summer with my spinning outfit.  That is not to say that baitcasters do not have their place in the world of bass fishing, as they certainly do hold their own.  Rather, it is more important to note that each reel design is built for different conditions and we, as fishermen, cannot expect a single rod or single reel to be perfect in every circumstance on the water.

Each reel should be understood as an individual piece of equipment.  Spinning reels and baitcasters have different limitations, but together they will allow you to dominate the water.  Spinning reels are more versatile, easy to use, and operate best with lighter weight tackle and line.  Baitcaster reels are best with heavier line, heavier tackle, and are more difficult to master.  But, each reel has its own unique qualities and when used appropriately, you will be the happiest BASStard on the water. 

If you would like to learn some more on bass fishing equipment consider my other articles HOW TO SELECT A ROD, and HOW TO SELECT FISHING LINE.

-Come chat with me, the Lucky BASStard, on the BASStard Forum.

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