drag adjustment is the main advantage

I like to use baitcasting in a more finesse situation with lures either in Saltwater or Bass fishing. I also like it when I'm using a live croaker, mullet or cut bait w/ the bait clicker on. I don't like a baitcaster in a windy situation esp. if I'm wading the surf or bay without a back up readily available. Backlashes SUCK in those situations and it's usually when the fish are biting and I'm trying like hell to get my line back in the water.

I use spinning a lot also. I like a the Shimanos or Okumas in the 3 or 4 thousand size w/ 10-12 lb. test. I can get it out there when the wind is blowing. The situations I use it most is when fishing w/ a popping cork, freelining shrimp or using plastics. It's more apt not to malfunction (ie - backlash) and for me it soothes my mind that the equipment will be in good working order on a long wade. I've been able to handle most things I have hooked on these.

Use what's comfortable and what you have confidence in. I like them both. I can also use them in both fresh and saltwater, so that's a plus. They are both great for inshore fishing here on the Gulf Coast.

If you are comfortable with using your dominant arm(right), then look at getting a left handed baitcaster. I am right-handed but my Dad was a lefty, so I grew up using his left-handed spinning reels,(I did not realize that you could switch the handles for a long time), then when I learned how to create a Professional Over-run( aka birdsnest) I was using left-handed baitcasters to do it. One advantage is when you cast, you are not having to switch hands to engage the spool. as previously said, use what your used to. MHO

wow... lots of spinning suppoert out there. ill certainly give the baitcasters a try. ill probably have MORE than my share of backlashes (always been the case when ive tried), but ill force myself to learn and see if it improves my finesse fishing.
thanks for all the input! i look forward to some long wades with you guys in the future!

If you are going to buy get a left handed baitcaster, you will never regret it, and it will seem natural to you. And you never have to switch hands or miss a casting situation to do that hand switching. I am right handed an taughtmyself to fish left handed bait caster. Only bad part is picking knots out, I do have to switch hands and the crank handle is on the wrong side for most of that problem resolution, but well worth the left advantages.

Key to casting bait casters well first off is the spool tension setting. Set up a full rig on your line. Reel it up to near the rod tip. With your thumb on the spool release the spool, if the spool runs tighten the tension thumb cap until it just about stops running when you do the above. When you get that far now shake the rod tip up and down to get the tension fine tuned so it is a barely moving spool when you pull up. That is the setting you need to prevent free spooling during the early arch of your cast.

Each cast Feather the spool with your thumb just enough so you feel the line on the spool hub. Get a Shimano or comparable bait caster, set the counter weights all the way out, try that braking action, then progress by cutting 1 or 2 back to medium, try that, and work your way to a comfortable brake setting for that weight of fishing rig. Pulling brakes back in lengthens casts, but risks backlashes if your thumb feathering is sloppy.

With the right rod and eyelet size spinning rigs will cast further, but have less cranking power. Rear Drags are available so you hand is not in the reel face. Shimano and Diawa both make them. There are more Diawa models available in Europe than the US. Rear Drag disks are smaller and have less stopping power than the front drags, but you have to put your hand into the running line for a front drag. However, I have landed a 30# red using a Diawa $19.99 rear drag reel, with 20# line on a BassPro 7ft MH extreme rod.

Hmmm... I've always used left-handed spincast, but I don't know if I could go to a left-handed baitcaster... my friend is left-handed, might try to mess around with this... but in all honesty I've never had a prob doing it right-handed when it comes to switching hands etc..., I do that before the bait ever hits the water... just a natural motion...

also, I've noticed something with the braided line I've been using: not as many back-lashes... actually, ever since I made the switch two months ago I've had ONE after about 10 fishing trips and it seemed easier to get out... took me a few casts and adjustments to get used to the braid, but I love the stuff....

find a used Curado 201, the green one, they are easy to clean. You will get used to it quickly.

It's not line capacity that makes the difference. From my experience it is in the drag, and how the reels handle sits while fighting a large fish. For smaller fish it seems to make no difference, but when your fighting a 60+ pound fish the spincast reels seem to sit too low and it makes getting good leverage on the handle a little more difficult.

I used to fish spincast reels exclusively both fresh and saltwater until 4 years ago when I went on my first private charter with my son. I hooked a large shark, and faught it for about 45 minutes before it finally broke the line. Later in the trip I was fishing the jetties and hooked a 19# black drum on one of my spincast reels. While fighting it I realized the "different" feel and how mych easier it was for me on the shark.

I slowly began replacing my spincast with baitcast.

I'd say as far as this thread is concerned, if it works in Florida it'll work just as well here. Not much of a difference in the fish and the fight.

"Dance with the one that brung you."
-Darrell Royal

I prefer spinning because that was my Dad got me started on many years ago and somehow every time I cast a spinning rig it is like I am fishing with him again. My fishing buddies rag me constantly on my use of spinning gear (they are all baitcasters), but it is just what I am comfortable with.

Use what your comfortable with. I used spinning reels until I was 40 years old because I cut my teeth on a Mitchell 300. I then decided to see why in the world anyone would want to use one of those back-lashing bait casters! LOL! Every type of fishing reel has it's pros and cons. I use baitcasters about 95% of the time now but I still bring along a spinning reel on every fishing trip. I like using spinning reels for light lures and when I'm throwing a cork set up. Oh by the way: I am right handed and use only left hand retrieve reels. After using a left hand retrieve spinning reel for all of those years, it just didn't make sense to use a right hand retrieve baitcaster.

Be safe,
Rayzor

I think it all boils down to whats comfterbul, and how much practice you have put in. If you cant cast a baitcaster in 25 mile winds why even take it with you to the coast. I think this is why most people stick with spinning.

Left vs Right had been puzzling me for almost 40 years until I finally figured it out a few years ago. A spinning rod is held in the same place when casting and reeling, so changing hand positions is not necessary; a casting rod/reel is not held in the same position when casting and reeling, so the hand swap is the most efficient set up. As far as spinning vs. casting reels, both have their applications and can be found in nearly equal numbers on my boat. Spinning reels are definitely easier when teaching beginners to cast. The biggest fish I've ever gotten up to the boat was a shark almost as long as my 20 foot boat, on a spinning reel (Penn 8500). There's no doubt in my mind that my Ambassadeur 7000-C3 casting reel that was out at the same time would have done equally as well. I usually use Penn 5500 spinning reels for free shrimping, and Ambassadeur 5500-C3's and 6500-C3's for casting lures and shrimp under popping corks. I'm really looking forward to trying my new Ambassadeur Morrum SX 1600C Ultra Mag baitcaster for free shrimping, but might have to try braided line to get enough on the reel for that occasional Bullred or Jack.

I can relate to what you are seeing with the baitcasters in Texas. I have fished the panhandle of Fla and the Ala gulf my whole life. We always used spinning (not spincasting, there is a difference) tackle in the salt, even offshore. Every Cobia fisherman in the eastern gulf uses a big spinner. We even grouper and AJ fish with big Penns. Trolling for kings, dolphin, wahoo and blackfin with a big, braid filled spinner was not unusual at all. For trout and reds, some bass fishermen used baitcasters but the salt guys always had spinners. Now that I live in Texas, I have discovered almost the opposite thing. Everyone uses baitcasters for everything. The more drag arguement is a false one as new spinners will put out serious drag numbers. I tend to agree that it is just a matter of preference and what you grew up with. I do throw a baitcaster on occasion and certainly use big conventionals offshore but take comfort in know that there is another displaced saltwater guy using his spinning gear in Texas.

Heck I use both . In Florida they use spinners mainly to flip under the bushes and trees growning in the shallows . I use mine for free lining live shrimp . Ether one catches fish .