Man, I'm glad I clicked on this thread or I wouldn't have known I've been doing it all wrong all these many decades!

Just because you’ve been doing something for decades doesn’t mean it’s the best way. You prefer to do it that way but the vast majority might do it differently. You guys can listen to me and Jimbo go back and fourth or you could do a quick internet search of spinning reels vs baiitcasters for catfish and decide for yourselves. I’m betting that most of y’all will want a baitcaster after you’ve researched it. Obviously Jimbo is a spinning reel guy and I am not. I posted the links above so that y’all can inform yourselves and make your own decisions. There is no right of wrong way, only preference.

Ok, look... I was not trying to start a Holy war like with a mono vs braid debate, I was just trying to do some homework before I made a couple of purchases. This wonderful sport has so many different facets and opportunities. We sometimes forget this sport spans the entire globe, and people fish with different gear geographically. Let’s face it, there is even a difference between East Coast and West Coast fishing in the states.

Bottom line, this is a God Bless America free and public forum. An awesome place where we can share experance’s and learn new tips & tricks and respect each other’s preferences. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to learn.

I don’t think spinning reels are “cheaper.” Penn, Daiwa, Shimano, Etc... all have high quality spinning reels in their premium spinning line. For example.

Shimano Stella at 849 to 1199
Daiwa Saltiga at 999 to 1099
Okuma Makaira at 799 to 879
Penn Torque at 699 to 799

Moreover, we could do this same comparison with baitcasters. Chad Ferguson promotes buying quality bait casting reels and not junk imitations. And, there are bait casters that can get pricey as well. Just go look at the Akios reels.

Buy the time I upgrade my Ambassadeurs, I average between 200+ in the reel. That is the reel and all the upgrades. But I am that crazy person. LOL.

But look at that from the other standpoint. If we are willing to investing so much money into a baitcasting reel, why wouldn’t you do so for a spinning reel? Not doing so could be considered double standard.

One of the issues Chad Ferguson has with spinning reels is the clicker option. This is the reason I have been asking questions about baitfeeder or live liner reels, which are apparently much more popular in the Europe than they are in the States. (Long cast spinning reels are also more popular in Europe as well, but moving on...)
Now we come to the meat and potato differences. It is much harder to find a good spinning reel with a “clicker.” After this post, I am probably just going to go with the Penn Live Liner model if I ever buy another spinning reel for catfishing.

I think a better argument could be made for a size comparison. Personally, I think it would take a larger spinning reel to equal the same structural integrity of a baitcasting reel. Yes you can catch larger catfish on a 4000/5000 size reel, but it is harder on your equipment. That was addressed further above in this thread as well. Your reel size could be an issue if you have limited room on a boat.
(Yes, a 4000/5000 spinning reel holds a lot of braid, but catfisherman are not known for playing fish as much as saltwater fisherman. Why, you can play fish in saltwater and we have to worry about structure when catfishing.)

Like it has been said, it’s preference. Luke from Cats and Carps prefers Okuma spinning reels. I have never used an Okuma and I favor Penn reels because that is what I have used and that’s what I am familiar with. (Ps, if you watch any of Luke’s videos he does address wearing out the gears and having to replace said gears. Maybe this is why he went with Okuma as he can obtain replacement parts, I don’t know.)

Now, in the category not addressed, rods. Rods have a bigger impact on casting performance than the baitcast/spinning debate. Even Chad Ferguson stated that the biggest problem with spinning reels was the lack of “catfish” rods available. Ironically, I wonder if this is one of the reasons Luke from “Cats and Carps” has used a lot of European spinning gear in his videos.

My thanks to everyone who has posted. It has helped me in more ways than one. I didn’t start this thread to be told what I wanted to hear. The responses in the posts have been awesome.

Duane

Getting back on subject, the Daiwa Emcast baitfeeder came in the mail yesterday. 5000 model I found as a “display piece” on sale for 60 shipped.

150 yards of 20lb braid on top of 125 yards of 20lb mono. I put it on a 7ft bass rod, because that’s all I had, and the 10 year old was casting a 3/4 oz weight over 50 yards with ease. I set up a 5 gal bucket and he could get within 10 yard of it almost every time. He had a blast was getting very good considering the technique change from the ultra light to the heavy rig. Within about 5 min he was getting within 5 yards of the bucket at 50 yards consistently. Nice start.

Think I am going to pick up a decent rod for it before we head out fishing this weekend.

Duane.

Duane I have a Penn Fierce 2 6000 live liner spinning reel (bought the combo actually on sale at Cabela's for $100) and have zero complaints. I have caught a couple decent fish off of it including a mid 40" kingfish. Haven't caught any cats on it but have no doubt it would handle em well.

Jerry, you are fantastic!

I called Penn and they told me if I was not going to be using the reel in saltwater to look at the Fierce III over the Spinfisher. With that being said, my youngest has already proven he can handle a large reel. I see a Fierce III in a birthday box in the future. I think he would have slept with the Emcast if I would have let him last night.

That’s good stuff right there. You should have let him sleep with it Scout. I remember sleeping with my first good rod and reel I got when I was 8. It was as Shimano Bantam paired with a Shimano Bullwhip rod in 1982. Man I loved that thing! I also got a handful of Jimmy Houston’s diamond blade spinnerbaits that had just hit the market. Great time in a boys life getting his first good rod and reel.