So, spincast vs baitcast, should I go for spincasting or baitcasting, this is a question that comes into the mind of every angler when he/she first comes into the game.
We will try to help you answer this million-dollar question by going through various aspects of both of these.
In short, spincast is for lightweight fishing and is the least expensive of all the fishing reels available. Its straightforward construction and easy operation make it the go-to reel for beginners.
On the other hand, baitaster has a difficult operation and will require at least a season’s worth of practice to really get hold of it. It is made for heavy lure and pick-up lines and can handle the big catches.
Table of Contents
Attribute | Spincast | Baitcast |
|---|---|---|
Operation | Easy | Difficult |
Cost | Cheap | Expensive |
Skill Level Needed | Beginners | Experienced |
Main Advantage | No backlash issues | Higher Precision |
Main Disadvantage | Lesser Efficiency | Backlash issues |
Spincast – Made for New Anglers:
Different Parts of a Spincast:
The construction of a spincast reel is really simple and straightforward. As shown in the image, the following are the different parts of a spincast reel.
- Thumb button
- Drag Adjustment
- Reel Handle
- Line opening
- Reel foot
- Spool cover
We will discuss their various functions in the mechanism of action.
Mechanism of Spincast:
In the spincast reel, the spool is enclosed in a nose cone cover, and generally, spincast reels come with narrow spools which give less line capacity than you would have from a bait cast or spinning reels of similar sizes.
When it comes to casting, the user has to press and hold the rear button and this disengages the pick-up pin of line and the line comes off on the forward cast.
We retrieve the line on the pool by turning the crank handle and this engages the pick-up line.
- Easy to learn
- Affordable
- Good for ultralight fishing – don’t expect to catch a tuna with it
- Minimizes line backlash issues
- Best for youngsters and new anglers.
- Straightforward construction
- Frail construction
- The drag system is not as efficient
- Not made for big catches
- Less Line Capacity
Baitcast – Made for Experienced Anglers:
Baitcast reels can simply be explained in that they come with revolving spools as opposed to fixed spools in spincast. And, like spincast reels and unlike spinning reels, they are mounted on top of the rods.
Its ability to handle heavier lines makes it suitable for heavy and big catches.
They are called the conventional reels in the United States and multiplier reels in Europe. Baitcasting reels can also be referred to as baitcaster, baitcasting, or baitcast.
Different Parts of a Baitcast:
As shown in the image, a standard baitcast reel has the following parts:
- Reel handle
- Drag
- Spool
- Spool tensioner
- Line Guide
- Reel Seat
- Brake
- Spool Release Button
Some of its parts have self-explanatory functions and others will be explained a little in the next section.
Mechanism of Baitcast:
In baitcasts, bearings support the revolving spool. The spool is geared which means that a single round of handle leads to multiple revolutions of the spool. The number of revolutions varies with different baitcasts.
Drag in baitcaster is located on the side and is used to regulate the tension on the wire. The tighter the drag, the harder it for the fish to peel more lines.
Similar to any car’s brake, the brake in this reel regulates the rotation of the spool when the line is cast.
- Durable
- Can handle heavy catches (>10 lbs)
- Cast further and provides greater precision
- Higher gear ratio provides faster retrieval
- No issue of line twists
- Anglers can apply more drag pressure
- Baitcasters have a high line pickup rate
- Designed for multiple casts
- The anti-reverse system prevents the handle from spinning backward.
- Drag is easy to manipulate
- Greater line capacity
- Difficult to learn
- Expensive
- A tendency to form bird’s nest or backlash
- Spool tension needs adjusting for every lure
Conclusion:
We have outlined for you the major differences that spincast vs baitcast has to offer. It basically comes down to your experience level and what you are hoping to get on your fishing adventure.
The design of the spincast reels allows line control and it can help with the backlash that is encountered with baitcasting. The simple bush button arrangement makes its casting and retrieval easy. As the line is covered inside a nose cone cover, what’s happening inside it is harder to notice unless the line knots become a big mess inside it.
Once you have gotten hold of baitcasting technique, then it is really an advantage for your fishing activities. It casts further and provides greater precision and its higher gear ratio provides faster retrieval.
Moreover, it allows applying more drag pressure which does not allow the catch to peel off more line length. Baitcasters provide a higher line pick-up rate. They are basically designed for multiple casts. It has a drag system that is easy to manipulate and the anti-reverse system prevents the handle from spinning backward.
In terms of price and durability, spincasts are much more in the affordable range than the baitcasters. Although the newer models of spincasts provide a robust construction, most of the models still are made up of plastic and are not that durable.
Baitcasts on the other hand are higher in price and their complex structure provides a durable reel that can last a while.
Nice,simply explained article. Having just bought my first baitcast reel and experiencing casting problems I was looking around for advice and found this. Only after reading it did it bring home to me that I got the wrong reel for the job,stuff I could cast with my Spincast reel I could not with my baitcast one. The difference was the lure weight,the baitcast reel is for heavier stuff,the Spincast for lighter. Now I know that I can use each reel for the right application.
Thanks Jared.
I am happy to hear that our article helped.
I wouldn’t call a bait-cast the wrong reel. It just takes more effort, awareness, and practice. You can cast a light lure if you adjust it properly.
Just don’t expect to whip a 75 to 125 yard cast until you are well-practiced. Even then, you may find yourself removing the spool to untangle it.