"'Reel' men use baitcasters."
Author - John E. Brady, Hanover PA-USA
Copyright 2001
e-mail - jeb@jebswebsite.com
Whenever I do a seminar, I always have my props with me. I'll usually have a rod and reel or two, and the specific tackle that I going to talk about. One of the most often asked questions, or actually statements made by someone in attendance is "I just can't get the hang of using one of those things," pointing to my baitcasting outfit. It seems a lot of fishermen feel that if they don't use a baitcasting outfit, they aren't real bass fishermen.
In the early 80's when I first got into bass fishing, you weren't a real bass fisherman, unless you used baitcasting equipment. Those temperamental level wind reels were a real pain, and took a lot of patience to learn how to use. In those days, most baitcasting reels didn't even have a line guide to help put the line on the reel smoothly.
Back then though, there was good reason for that attitude. This heavier baitcasting equipment allowed for better control of rod, line, and fish when playing a hooked fish over the lighter more flexible spinning equipment of the time. Although it still wasn't really what these early bass fisherman wanted.
The early pioneers of bass fishing had to look for the equipment that best suited they way they fished. And at the time, usually the right equipment was slim or nonexistent. Most of them made due with what was available. And at the time heavier baitcasting equipment worked best.
Fortunately for us today, this problem has been solved. Not only is there great equipment available in baitcasting equipment, you can also get quality bass equipment in spinning rods and reels too.
Just about any action of baitcasting rods can also be obtained in spinning rods. And most high quality reel manufacturers offer a full line of spinning reels to match.
After being breed on bait casting equipment, I had a hard time several years ago picking up a spinning rod. The old rule that real bass fisherman use baitcasting equipment still haunted me. But after seeing several of my early fishing mentors starting to use this "new" bass equipment, I finally tried it. At first, I was a closet spinning outfit user. Mostly when I fished alone, I'd pull it out of the box. I always liked fishing small soft plastic worms and grubs. And couldn't get the hang of casting these smaller baits with the heavy baitcasting equipment. A lighter spinning outfit seem to work better, and with less aggravation. And, it seemed, I could catch more fish. So when I was out alone, I'd pull out my old trusty spinning rod and reel.
Finally when the California finesse fishing craze started several years ago, that really put the emphasis back onto light tackle, I was able to use my spinning equipment without concern about what my bass fishing buddies would think.
Today, professional bass fisherman use an assortment of tackle. Baitcasting, spinning, some have even confessed to using spincast outfits (closed faced reels on baitcast rods).
So don't get concerned if you can't get the hang of baitcasting equipment. If you use a spinning outfit, and your comfortable with it, stick to it. If you want to experience something different or want to expand you fishing knowledge, try baitcasting equipment.
The bottom line is it's acceptable to use what works for you to catch fish.
After all..."They call it fishing, but the goal is catching!"