So I have been reading about downsizing when the bite is tough or for weightless applications. How important is spinning tackle to these ideas? Seems to me you just spool lighter line onto a bait caster and go for it. Am I missing something?

A lot easier to cast light baits on spinning tackle...

A lot easier to skip under docks with spinning tackle.

Here is Captain Chris Myers explaining the pros and cons of baitcasting versus spinning tackle. He has a whole series on it. Well worth watching.

Spinning Tackle

Now, he has specific reasons and prejudices: he fishes primarily in the flats in Florida. Still, valuable advice for those of us fishing lakes and rivers.

Agreed that a guy can use a baitcaster for many of the finesse applications; but, it will be less effective . . . just as using a finesse rig really struggles with power fishing applications.

How do I know? We are capitalists, still I think, and the guys earning paychecks, almost to a man, use finesse equipment for finesse rigs. If not, they'd just use baitcasters.

The primary thing that comes to mind for me is the rig weights. Baitcasters are going to struggle with really light lures and plastics. Sometimes you have to go really finesse to catch them.

Brad

So do most of you use spinning for weightless applications like wacky rig or weightless Senko?

Like Brad mentioned, go to Florida a see what most are using in the brine.

I have one spinning setup for flukes/senkos that can flat out cast into the next county
Works great for schooling activity.

Just bought a 7'6" lowrider salt to freeline shrimp/shad.

I do use a M/L baitcaster for 1/8 -1/4 shakeyheads though.

Why spinning tackle??

Cause you gotta have something to go crappie fishing with....

I throw waitless senkos on a baitcaster, but for other stuff like dropshot or wacky worm, I use spinning. For shakey head, it depends, sometime baitcast, sometime spinning.

easier to cast light lures and impart action with the lighter action rod

I don't use it. Never go below 17# Floro. and have no trouble getting bit if the bass are there.
I throw:
- Shaky
- Drop Shot
- Finesses
- Weightless Senkos
- Wacky
All on 5500c's so I know you can do it Frank with your better reels.

I always assumed it was so my wife would have something to fish with? But she refused...

I throw my weightless fluke on a Duckeet Rod with mircoguides and a baitcaster. I am a believer in microguides. I can cast more accurately and further with weightless applications than with regular guides. I tie on a swivel to give slightly more weight. Same set up with weithless senkos.

I like not having to feed line when fishing deep.
Tubes, shaky head, and drop shot will fall with a spiral action. They go straight down from where you cast. With a baitcaster, you have to peel the line to acheive this.
I also get more feel out of the lighter spinning rig in deep water with less weight. Add casting distance, and it seems the way to go for me. If you get a nice spinning rig, you will enjoy using it, the key is to get it setup how you like it.

Pretty much what I do. If you've watched any of the recent FLW or BASS tournaments you have seen lots of those guys with spinning gear in their hands. Power fishing is still my favorite and what I mostly do but you are missing out if you don't give the more finesse techniques a chance on spinning gear. Get a good quality set up and expand your catching.

In areas of sparse wood or vegetation (like rocky banks and plain shorelines)I like to throw 1/8 oz. - 3/16 oz. shaky heads and finesse jigs on a spinning reel with 30# braid and 12# copolymer leader. Casts and flips better (easier)than baitcaster for light weight baits. Plus I grew up using spinning gear in the '50's.