Baitcasting Reel or Spinning Reel in Saltwater Fishing6707472
Light to medium action baitcasting reels or spinning reel combos are ideal choices for many saltwater angling applications. These easily handled outfits really shine when used to cast and present relatively smalllight fishing lures to striped bass, bluefish, and weakfish. To cover all the bases when on the water it’s a good idea to have both types of outfits rigged and ready to go at a moment’s notice. Let’s face it, when on the water, one never knows when a surface feeding blitz will pop up just an easy cast from the boat, and it always pays to be prepared for such fishing opportunities.
In my opinion, spinning reel combos are most appropriate for casting lighter lures that probe the upper half of the watercolumn. Common shallow water probing lures are typically called poppers and swimming plugs. I feel baitcasting reels are better suited for working heavier lures such as metal jigs, bucktails, and weighted swimbaits, all these lures are designed to probe deeper in the water column where most game fish spend a majority of their time.
Most spinning outfits are usually not as strong as baitcasting tackle. As a result,sometimes a little more finesse is needed when fighting a big fish on spinning tackle. So, after hooking up a big fishon a spinning combo, it is vital not to crank the reel handle when the fish is taking line from the reel’s drag. Cranking the reel handle at this time will cause line twists to form in the main line, and these line twists will eventually weaken the line. The twists in the line also causeannoying wind-knots to formwhen casting your lures. To avoid these twists with spinning tackle, make sure to hold the rod tip high during the fishes run, allowing thefish take the line freely from a properly set reel drag. Once the run stops, get the fish turned towards the boat by simultaneously pumping the rod, and steadily cranking the reel handle to take up the slack created from the rod pump. Pump and reel, pump and reel until the fish is close enough to the boat to be landed. A baitcasting reel is normally the outfit I will choose when I feel there is a good chance at encountering a whopper sized fish. I may be old school with these thoughts, but I really feel that I can always control a fish better with baitcasting styled reels. For instance, if I have to slow a run with a really big fish on a baitcaster, I can use and educated thumb to lightly thumb the spool to add just a little more pressure to the fish. Sure, you can cup the spool of a spinning reel with your hand, but I believe this is not as precise as an educated thumb on a revolving spool type reel. - By Capt. Tom Mikoleski Captain Tom Mikoleski is the successful fishing charter captain of the Grand Slam who sails out of Montauk, NY for trophy striped bass, doormat fluke, jumbo porgies, humpback sea bass, and monster sharks. Captain Tom is the author of Bass Buff — A Striper Fishing Obsession Guide.
