Many people who participate in freshwater fishing are unsure about baitcasters and whether they are used only for bass. Baitcasters can be used to catch various fish, including bass, and they are very effective when it comes to casting distance, accuracy, and retrieval. Though most freshwater anglers begin with a spinning reel for fishing, many eventually embrace baitcaster reels as well.
So, when it comes to baitcasters, are they only for bass?
Baitcasters are associated with professional bass fishing, however they are not only for bass. Many anglers utilize baitcasters for heavier fish, including different types of pike and catfish as well. Baitcaster reels require practice and experience, yet once mastered, they offer an effective and rewarding experience for anglers in pursuit of many types of fish.
Freshwater fishing is an excellent option for anglers who are beginning since it can be done from the shore and with a simple tackle set-up. Rod-and-line fishing is generally done with either a spinning reel or a baitcaster. A spinning reel fits underneath a spinning rod with the line-guides facing down, whereas a baitcaster is a reel that contains a revolving spool that sits on top of a casting rod with a trigger handle. Both reel types offer different benefits and can be used in various fishing situations.
Comparison of Baitcasters and Spinning Reels
Freshwater reels are mechanical devices that hold and spool out fishing line. All types of these reels are designed with a brake to slow down running fish, in addition to a handle to retrieve line and a bracket to fasten the fishing reel to the fishing rod.
The two main types of freshwater reels are spinning and baitcasting. Most beginning freshwater anglers start by casting with a spinning reel. Spinning rods and reels are considered to allow further casting, lower frustration caused by backlashes, and can be used with either hand. In general, spinning reels are more versatile in windy conditions as well.
Baitcasting is the single-handed rod casting of a relatively heavy, usually artificial, bait, which carries with it the light line from a reel. With heavier lures or other situations in which stronger lines are needed, baitcasters are recommended due to their torque and ability to handle heavy lines. Baitcasters are also considered by many to be more durable than their spinning reel counterparts.
Both reels feature different benefits and drawbacks when it comes to lines, lures, and drag:
Lines
Spinning reels without large spools tend to not handle heavy lines as well, leading to lines coming off the spool and subsequent tangles. Spinning reels are recommended for use with light lures since the spinning reel’s spool is stationary.
Lures
When casting with a baitcaster, the lure is more likely to act as a pendulum as it hits the water. This is due to the effect of the resistance it encounters from the rotational spool. With a spinning reel, the lure is more likely to sink downward, which is an effect that may seem more natural to fish. This is especially true in fishing areas where there are pilings or tall vegetation.
Compared to baitcasters, spinners also make it easier to skip lures. To do this with a baitcaster can take hours of practice. Therefore, for those who are occasional anglers and wish to land a lure under something such as a pier or tree limb, a spinning reel may be more helpful.
Drag
Spinning reels also make it easier to adjust an angler’s drag during retrieval, which is the process of reeling in a fighting fish. If the drag is near the rear or front of the reel, it’s easily accessible and provides a range of adjustments to assist in an effective retrieval. This is particularly helpful for beginning anglers, as the reel placement is right next to the handle. In addition, spinning reels can hold more line, and the spool can be changed with little effort to replace the line.
Some anglers decide to stay with spinning reels, whereas others move on to baitcasters—known to many as the reels professional bass anglers use. Both reels offer strengths and weaknesses, and experts agree that the best choice of reels depends on the particular situation, including the type of fishing and bait as well as preference of the individual angler.
Components and Characteristics of Baitcasters
Baitcasting reels are designed to cast larger lures or bait for longer distances. They are considered by most to be the most difficult of the freshwater reels to master. Baitcasters often include a level wind mechanism to prevent the line from being trapped under itself during rewind and subsequent casts. Many baitcasting reels are also fitted with anti-reverse handles and drags. These elements are designed to slow down runs by large and strong game fish.
Standard baitcasting reels are mounted above the fishing rod, with a retrieving crank on the right side of the reel for right-handed anglers and on the left side for left-handed anglers. Due to the momentum of the forward cast, which rotates the spool as well as propels the lure, anglers should generally use heavier lures with baitcasting reels.
Baitcasting reels feature specific elements and characteristics, including level winds, lighter drags, spool-tension knobs, and braking systems. Knowing and understanding the components of baitcasting reels can help anglers overcome the complexity of baitcasters, avoid potential problems, and adjust each mechanism to fit individual preferences for better fishing performance.
- Level winds: level winds are mechanisms of a bait casting reel that distribute the line evenly, automatically upon retrieve.
- Drags: the drag is located on the side, near the handle of the reel, and is used to set and regulate the tension placed on the line while fighting fish. The more the drag is tightened, the harder it is for the fish to peel off more line.
- Spool tension knobs: the spool tension knob helps anglers avoid overruns by applying pressure to both sides of the spool. Some anglers set this tension control through tightening the knob so that the lure falls slowly during free spool. Spool tension knobs allow for adjusting spool speed and fine tuning the line in order to adjust for different lures that feature various weights.
- Braking systems: braking systems are designed to regulate the spool’s rotation during cast. Adding brakes to the reel during casting provides more resistance on the spool. This can allow anglers to get a better feeling for their reels, but the braking system can affect casting distance.
Gear Ratio
In addition to the components of baitcasters, gear ratio is also important. Gear ratios determine the speed at which a reel picks up line. For example, a 6:1 ratio indicates that the reel will turn the spool six times for each handle crank. Therefore, higher ratios have less torque but let the angler reel in faster.
Baitcast reels offer a wide range of gear ratios compared to spinning models. For most brands of baitcast reels, the gear ratios range from 5:1 to 9:1. Most professionals use high speed models for most applications because it’s easier to slow down a retrieve with a fast reel than to crank more quickly with a low-speed model.
Beginner anglers, however, should choose a lower gear ratio baitcaster since it takes experience to fish slowly with a high-speed reel. Buying a middle-speed model range allows for anglers starting out to fish both slow and fast-moving baits to develop their skills.
Advantages of Baitcasters
At one point, baitcasters were considered almost exclusively for professional anglers. However, for all anglers who wish to advance and enhance their fishing skills, baitcasting reels can be the answer. With these reels, the spool rotates as you cast and pays out line as the lure flies. These reels require practice and experience, but most anglers that develop such expertise find them effective for making perfect casts on a regular basis.
Baitcasters have many advantages apart from comparisons to spinning reels. Many anglers feel that baitcasters require a certain touch or feel that allows them excellence in lure-casting distance, accuracy with bait, and lure retrieves. In addition, baitcasting reels fall within reasonable price ranges with many models for beginners costing under $100.
Here are some specific advantages of baitcasters:
- Ergonomics: baitcasters are often more suited for bracing against an angler’s stomach to give leverage when heavy fish are involved. They are also more comfortable when pulling the rod tip down to side in certain situations.
- Accuracy and precision: those who are experienced with baitcasting reels claim that they are accurate and precise, in that they allow lures to be placed exactly where the angler wants them.
- Preferred for heavier lures: baitcasters tend to be the preferred choice for heavier lures such as large spinner baits and spoons.
- Cast halt: baitcasting reels allow an angler to stop a cast instantly by putting their thumb on the reel, which stops the lure immediately.
- Heavier line: for a baitcasting reel, the axis of rotation of the spool is perpendicular to the rod guides. This means that the line comes off directly through the line guide and straight through the rod guide, which makes it easier to use heavier lines as well as lures.
- Line twist: spinning reels often experience line twist, which interferes with good casting. Baitcasters spool the line perpendicular to the spool axis such that the only potential line twist would come from the lure.
- Longer casts: baitcasters tend to outcast spinning gear when attached to the right rod. This is a result of the line coming directly off the spool straight out of the rod guides as opposed to the uncoiling of spinning reels.
- Greater power: baitcasters are capable of great power due to their spool layout and design. Since the spool is in line with the handle and gears, the reel can apply more power and torque. In addition, the handles are mounted directly onto the reel frame, so there is no lever arm to cause flex when reeling hard.
- Greater control: baitcasting reels provide a greater degree of casting control compared to spinning gear. Anglers can control the distance and speed of the lure by thumbing the spool during the cast. Though such proficiency takes time and experience, anglers can gain pinpoint accuracy with casts, which allows the ability to place the lure exactly where the fish would be.
There are several professional fishing videos, many with bass, in which baitcasting reels are used almost exclusively. Anglers can view these videos to see the benefits of baitcasters through experts who have experience and hours of practice with these reels.
Disadvantages of Baitcasters
There are two commonly acknowledged disadvantages of baitcasters:
- The lure must turn the spool as it goes through the air, meaning that light baits without much momentum won’t go far.
- They can be more difficult to use, as anglers must press their thumb against the spool so that it does not spin faster than the line goes out.
With baitcasters, at the beginning of the cast, the spool spins at the same speed that the lure is moving. As wind resistance slows the lure down, the spool keeps spinning at the same speed. This can cause the line still on the spool to become loose and form loops and tangles. This is known as backlash. However, with practice, anglers can learn how to effectively use baitcasters and avoid backlash.
For those anglers who are beginners or only participate in freshwater fishing a few times per year, mastering baitcasting reels may not be worth the effort or investment. It can be difficult to achieve a straight cast when inexperienced with baitcasters, and if you don’t stop the spool when the lure lands, then the line will keep unraveling, which will result in frustrating tangles.
In addition, baitcaster handles can’t be removed and switched from one side to the other—unlike spinning reels. They are specifically made for either left-handed or right-handed users.
Utilizing a Baitcaster
Those that are experienced with baitcasters understand putting the right amount of pressure on the spool to get maximum casting distance without backlashes. It’s generally recommended that beginners turn adjustments up to prevent backlashes, though that can make it difficult to cast very far.
Here are some steps to utilizing a baitcaster:
- Pair the reel with a soft-tipped, easily loaded rod.
- Cast with smooth, overhead motion before trying other casting techniques such as sidecasts or pitching.
- Push down on the reel’s button while keeping your thumb on the spool, so it won’t spin until you want it to spin.
- Pull the rod back to load up and then release on forward swing, making sure to not entirely let your thumb off in order to avoid backlashes.
- Keep constant pressure on the line.
- When backlashes take place, pull the loose line off the reel, reel it back in and keep tension on it. For bad tangles, cut the line.
For anglers who aren’t used to baitcasters, the techniques and use of them can seem complex at first. However, with perseverance and practice, baitcaster reels can provide an effective and enjoyable freshwater fishing experience for those in pursuit of many types of fish—not just bass.
“Birds Nest”
When using a baitcaster, the spool tension and brakes on the reel need to be set just right in order to prevent a backlash. If the spool tension is too loose or the brake isn’t set tight enough, the spool will spin out of control. This causes the line in the reel to result in a tangled mess that anglers sometimes refer to as a “bird’s nest.”
Thankfully, there are ways that anglers can avoid this issue with baitcaster reels. Here are some techniques to help:
- Practice: though some baitcaster reels have high-tech, magnetic braking systems, it’s still wise for anglers to practice using their thumbs.
- Use different baitcasters: instead of readjusting baitcaster settings to accommodate different weighted lures, some anglers use different baitcaster rod and reel combinations for each lure type.
- Don’t overfill the spool: it’s important not to overfill the spool with line or load the reel too close to the spool lip.
- Don’t load the rod: this indicates that the added flip of a bent rod during a hard cast may send the inner spool rotating at an unexpected and uncontrollable rate.
- Pay close attention: paying close attention to your line, reel, and all other aspects of baitcasting is perhaps the best way to ensure that you don’t end up with backlash and a tangled mess of line that resembles a bird’s nest.
It’s important to remember that even professional baitcast anglers experience backlash and even the occasional bird’s nest. Though it’s a frustrating situation, it shouldn’t cause an angler to give up on baitcasting reels.
Baitcasters and Bass Fishing
Bass fishing is one of the most popular sports and pastimes in the United States. Bass are found all over America in lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams, and bass fishing is fairly easy to learn with practice and patience. Bass can get quite big, ranging from one to 20 pounds, and you don’t need to own a boat to catch them. In addition, bass fishing is often exciting for anglers as they are considered an aggressive fish.
Bass anglers do use both baitcasting and spinning tackle since each of these set-ups offers different advantages for different applications. However, most people associate baitcasters with bass fishing. Baitcasting gear is generally used for heavier lines for 10 pounds and up. In addition, baitcasters are beneficial for bass fishing when anglers use heavier baits such as crankbaits, spinnerbaits, heavy jigs, topwaters, and other similar baits.
One of the reasons that today’s anglers associate baitcasters with bass fishing is due to their heavy presence as originally featured on popular “bass pro” television shows and in fishing magazines. At that time, few professional bass anglers were seen using spinning rods. Currently, some bass anglers decide to downsize their baits and therefore use spinning gear. However, the pairing of baitcasting reels and bass fishing is still strong in the minds of most anglers.
Are Baitcasters Only for Bass?
Despite the association between baitcasters and bass angling, these reels are not only for bass. Anglers in pursuit of muskellunge, or muskies, very often use the larger variety of baitcaster for this large freshwater member of the pike family. Northern pike often demand the use of baitcaster reels, as well as large catfish requiring heavier rods and baitcaster reels to be pulled from the water bottoms.
As a rule, when angling, if you hope to catch anything that weighs more than 10 pounds, baitcasters are an excellent option. Baitcasting reels tend to handle larger fish better, and the rods themselves also tend to have additional heft when it comes to their spines. This combination of rod and reel allows for the opportunity to retrieve a fish quickly, secure it accurately, and release it if desired or necessary with minimum injury to the catch.
The following are factors that influence the type of reel an angler will choose when it comes to angling for different types of fish.
Line Size
Frequently, line size plays the most important role when selecting tackle. When professional anglers choose baitcast tackle, they do so for specific reasons often related to line size. Baitcast reels can handle heavier line and allow for longer casts than spinning reels within the same size range.
Bass anglers use heavy line in the 14-17 pound test range, and muskie and catfish anglers will generally use even heavier line. Spinning reels have smaller, more narrow spools that can interfere with large diameter lines. Baitcast reels can handle these wider and heavier lines while providing greater casting distance.
Rod Backbone
In addition, baitcast rods generally provide more backbone than spinning rods. The backbone of a fishing rod is the section closest to the handle of the blank (the long flexible pole component of a fishing rod) that provides the least give when bent. With a properly constructed baitcasting rod, the backbone lies directly on top of the blank as the angler holds it. This backbone allows lures to go through vegetation more easily and ensures a more powerful hook set.
Braided Line
The development of braided line for freshwater fishing has also impacted baitcast reels. Braided line features a thin diameter and heavier breaking strength. Such a thin line can cause problems for baitcast reels because it is so small in diameter. Setting the hook on a fish while using braided line on a baitcasting reel can bury the line deep into the spool. This situation may cause serious backlash on the next cast.
The advent of braided line with its high strength to diameter ratio has allowed spinning reels to gain more use in heavier fishing applications since it is more easily cast with a spinning rod and reel. In fact, manufacturers are creating reels that pick line up onto the spool so that it won’t bury itself into the spool on a hook set. Along with the low-stretch quality of braided line, this has made spinning tackle attractive to freshwater anglers as well as baitcasting tackle.
Baitcasters and Fishing Benefits 101
Regardless of whether you are a beginning angler just learning the basics, or an experienced angler that can use both spinning and baitcasting reels with expertise, freshwater fishing is an activity that provides many benefits. Here are just some of the positive outcomes that fishing can provide:
- Conservation: Most anglers are committed to preserving the environment. The purchase of fishing licenses and special taxes often fund many wildlife and conservation programs throughout the United States. Anglers often contribute to non-game and education programs as well as facilitating recreation on public land. Anglers regularly champion clean water and air, as well as preserving the environment, nature communities, and valuable habitats.
- Stress Relief: Fishing can provide a good deal of stress relief as both an escape from everyday life and a chance to be outdoors and interact with nature.
- Social Opportunities: Many anglers view fishing as an experience to be shared with family and/or friends, or with the angling community at large.
- Wildlife Support: Angling also impacts wildlife management. Contributions to wildlife and fisheries management have stabilized fish populations, reduced effects from pollution, and increased biodiversity in many areas.
- Healthy Lifestyle: Anglers are often outside and active, which contributes to a healthier lifestyle and quality of life.
- Recreation: Most people who fish, whether occasionally or regularly, find that it is an enjoyable activity in addition to a means of developing skills and goals.
- Food Source: Those who fish as a means of providing a food source can enjoy the health benefits of eating fish, which are low in fat and cholesterol as well as high in protein.
- Economic Boost: Anglers can generate a substantial amount of money for their states through taxes. In addition, the fishing industry supports various jobs.
- Sport: Angling can be a sport as well as a pastime that provides challenges, develops skills, and creates a community of fellow enthusiasts.
Learning to use baitcasting equipment with patience and practice is a means of gaining all these fishing benefits, whether you are angling for bass or another type of fish.