Are Spinning Reels Good For Bass Fishing?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The answer is simple: they’re dependable, versatile, affordable, and easy to use!

Spinning reels have a lot of advantages, especially for hobbyists or new bass fishermen

. They provide a solid and dependable drag system, they’re easy to learn how to use and are often relatively inexpensive.

What’s better for bass fishing spinning reel or baitcaster?

Baitcasters are suitable for large fish and heavy lures, while

spinning ones are much easier to use

. Baitcaseres are also better for heavier lines, while spinning ones are more forgiving when it comes to backlashes.

What reel is good for bass fishing?


Baitcasting reels

are now and have been in the past the “workhorse ” reel for bass fishermen. They are mechanically stronger than spinning reels and provide better casting accuracy and control. Additionally, they are better suited to fishing larger versions of spinnebaits and crankbaits.

What lures to use on spinning reel for bass?


Small shaky heads, squarebill crankbaits, and drop shot rigs

work well on spinning gear. Once, you cross over and hit the 3/8 oz mark sometimes you would be better with a baitcasting set up. Heavy weighted baits, and rigs just don’t throw very well on a spinning rod.

Is a 4000 reel too big for bass?

A 3000 size spinning reel is more suitable for medium sized fish (such as bass or pike), due to being lighter in weight, while

a 4000 is better for bigger fish

(such as muskie), or for saltwater fishing.

What does 4000 mean on a fishing reel?

Choosing a fishing rod to go with this size reel: A 4000 or 40 reel is

where you start to gain a little size

so this sized reel will generally suit medium action classes of rods in the 6ft-7ft (barra/snapper style rod) with a line class of around 4Kg-10Kg or in an 8ft-10ft (light surf) rod with a light line class …

When should you use a spinning rod for bass fishing?

Why do bass fishermen use Baitcasters?

For using “power techniques”, working with heavier lures like crankbaits and 1⁄2 oz. spinnerbaits, or fishing in heavy weeds where you need strong line, Nels recommends baitcasters because

they have more torque and handle heavy line better

.

Why is Baitcaster better than spinning?


Someone proficient in casting a baitcaster will have mastery over accuracy and distance in the long run after plenty of practice

and are preferred when fishing locations that demand such, while a spinning reel can be used in virtually every situation possible.

What is a good max drag for bass fishing?

For bottomfishing, it’s maybe 12 pounds at strike and 20 pounds max. Most anglers don’t ever need to go above

25 to 30 pounds

of drag, says Rice.

How do you set up a bass reel?

Which is the best fishing reel?

  • Shimano Stradic.
  • Penn International.
  • Abu Garcia Revo SX Low Profile.
  • Penn Battle II.
  • Daiwa Exist.
  • Shimano Talica II.
  • Shimano Baitrunner.
  • Pflueger President.

How many rods do I need for bass fishing?

Many serious bass anglers will have

at least 3 rods

on standby to fish most scenarios that could arise. They have a medium action bait caster to pitch plastics deep near cover. This rod is usually a fast action model spooled with heavy braid to haul bass out of cover fast to prevent break-offs.

What is a shaky head in bass fishing?

A shaky head jig is

a lightweight leadhead

, with 1/16 to 1/4 ounce sizes being the most common. This ball-shaped jig is coupled with a light wire bass-style hook, making the use of finesse plastic baits a reality.

What do you throw on a spinning rod?

If the water is clear, it is essential to scale down to lighter line and finesse lures and that is when a spinning rod shines. I use a spinning rod then for casting

soft plastic jerkbaits, plastic tubes, wacky-rigged Senkos or floating worms, Mojo-rigged plastic lizards and finesse worms on lightweight shaky jigheads

.

What is a 2000 reel good for?

The right spinning reel size for most

kayak fishers

would be 2000 or 2500 – it’s small enough to pair well with the lightweight rods needed for kayaks but large enough to stop a wide range of game fish you encounter fishing in lakes and bays.

How much drag do I need for bass?

Your drag should be set at

25 percent of the breaking strength (pound test) of the line you are using

. You can check the breaking strength by tying the line to the scale hook, holding your rod at a 45-degree angle and pulling down on the scale.

Are more ball bearings in a reel better?

When they’re considering purchasing a reel, anglers can’t help but notice how many bearings it offers. But the truth is that

reels with lots of bearings aren’t necessarily better

. The quality of the bearings, and the quality of the reel that contains them, are much more important than the number of bearings.

What do fishing reel gear ratios mean?

Gear ratios in reels are simply

an expression of how many times the reel spool turns each time you turn the reel handle

. So a 6.4:1 ratio means that for every one revolution of the reel handle, the spool turns 6.4 times. The Revo Rocket’s spool revolves 10.1 times for every time you turn the handle.

Can you use spinning rod for crankbaits?

What action is best for bass fishing?

For bass fishing, a

medium-heavy

is one of the most versatile options you can choose. A standard medium also works well for a variety of fishing techniques and a medium-light spinning rod is an excellent option for lighter lures, while still having enough power to land bigger fish.

Can I put a baitcasting reel on a spinning rod?

The truth is that

it is probably not a good idea to use a baitcaster on a spinning rod

. Why? The two are mismatched. Spinning rods are designed to work with spinning reels, baitcasters are designed to work with baitcasting rods.

Why do pros not use spinning reels?


Lower casting distance and accuracy

. Not as good for heavy lures. Not good for big game fish. Heavier in weight than comparable baitcasters.

Do any pros use spinning reels?


Even the biggest professional bass fishermen will use a spinning reel when they need to toss a small crankbait, a beetle spin or a light jerkbait

. They just can’t get the distance that they need with a baitcasting reel when they are using light or small lures like that.

What are the advantages of a spinning reel?

Benefits of a Spinning Reel


Because they only need to pull the weight of the fishing line, spinning reels are especially useful for light tackle and bait

. Also, spinning reels gives you a more solid construction than the spincast reel, while also giving you more options for line to use.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.