978-546-9704
| North Coast Angler 978-546-9704 | |
Today’s bait-casting reels can be traced back to 1810 when a Kentucky watchmaker named George Snyder first fabricated the “revolving line spool” reel that would allow an actual casting function. The reel was originally designed to allow anglers to cast and retrieve “bait” (live minnows), thus the name bait-casting. Today’s casting reels have evolved to state of the art fishing tools that can be used for most types of fishing, salt or fresh, from trout to tuna.
 Spinning reels were developed in Europe in the late 1800’s and the first one (Luxor) came to America in 1935. The spinning reel utilized a “fixed line spool” with a revolving guide for line pick up. It took another decade or so before they were broadly accepted by American anglers. Today’s spinning reels have also evolved to state of the art fishing tools that can handle just about any angling situation required in salt or fresh water as well as most fish species.
Most fishermen who have only used spinning gear may wonder why they should consider using bait-casting techniques. Many professional and serious anglers choose too use bait-casting because it offers a combination of important characteristics that suits their angling pursuits or preferences. For instance: bait-casting equipment offers versatility of tackle options including crankbaits, surface plugs, spinner-baits, heavy jigs, all sorts of large soft-baits and live bait.
The reels generally offer large line capacities, smooth drag systems that afford very good cranking power and most importantly, casting accuracy at short and medium distance.
Bait-casting however, is more difficult to learn and master as compared to spinning gear. Today’s well designed bait-casting reels have made the learning process quicker and thus easier for a variety of anglers.
The more common disadvantages of bait-casting include; backlashes (bird nests), casting light lines (usually less than 8#), long casting distance and small baits.
Today’s spinning reels and rods offer the angler many qualities, most notably, ease of learning and casting. Generally speaking, spinning gear will allow for greater casting distance, especially with lighter lines and baits.
Even a beginner will become quickly proficient at casting. Spinning gear has distinct advantages when fishing with live bait (with little or no added weight), very light lines (2-8#), small artificial presentations such as; spoons, spinners, soft plastics, jigs, plugs and crank-baits. The greater casting distance will be appreciated when casting in open water for actively feeding or surface schooling fish. The more common disadvantages of spinning gear include; accuracy, casting heavier lines (greater than 30#), and line twist that is usually associated with repeated casting and retrieval of certain baits or lures.
Today's accomplished anglers have learned the value and versatility of both casting and spinning methods and as such, carry both types of equipment with them.
On my charter boat you would most often find casting, spinning and fly gear. There have been many occasions when I have used all three in the same day.
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