Northwest Fishing Reports

which type is better for float fishing? or pros and cons?

I use casting for everything nowadays. Pros are excellent control and instant hookset, cons would be trying to cast the really light stuff. But good quality reels take care of that. With my setup I can fling a1/16 oz jig as far as I need to.

I find myself switching between both. But the one thing i find is If your doing long downstream drifts and playing out line, it is real nice to just be able to slam your thumb down on the spool and set the hook on a casting set up. Versus flipping the bail over on a spinning reel. Also I feel like I have more power and control with a casting reel. and with some of the super fast gear ratios you can spend less time reeling up and more time fishing. Casting distance is about the same with both. I like spinning rods when I'm throwing spoons and spinners, Light summer run jig set ups, and fishing around a lot of underbrush and tree covers. Cause anyone that's accidentally hooked a branch on the back cast can tell you how much fun that rats nest is with a casting reel. I think it all boils down to skill level and preference.

I alternate between both, I have only been using a bait caster for a few years so I am no expert, My biggest problem is light weight short casts. I prefer the bait cast setup fighting any fish, I can add or remove drag with my thumb as needed, cant do that with a spinning reel.

I do use a spinning reel for floating roe, cast spinners, side drifting etc....

I prefer a spinning reel for float fishing. You can cast light gear when its low and clear. You can cast upstream and reel in the slack as your bobber floats toward you. You dont have to worry about backlashes. Sometimes its hard to get a solid hookset when the bail is open.

Im just a kid but, I prefer casting. I use the same casting for everything except bluegills and perch and pike minnow, .etc. Ive caught a 17 pound king, 4 pound 7oz triploid rainbow, 3 lb smallie, 4 humpies so far all on a 8'6" Shimano Clarus and Shimano Caenan with 10 lb Maxima Ultragreen. The king took 15 minutes to land. Anyways I like the the no line twist, higher pound test capacity, and the effortless casting on the casting reels. If you really practice and turn you're breaks all the way down, you can cast 1/4oz spoons and jigs no problem. I even casted a freelined doughball once, while fishing for carp. Caught a 7 pound mirror. Ugly sucker!

I do both (all three really) but I really have to say fishing from the boat with people in close proximity it's a lot easier with a good spinning setup. If you have a quality reel, no need to worry about that dreaded slop in the hook set. To tell the truth the only time I ever really felt it before was when I missed and that stings no matter what. So Coolness is not a factor for either and I don't care if you think your gods gift to Jack Spit because you prefer one or the other, either will serve you well. It all boils down to what you're comfortable with and what you have the most fun with. After all boys and girls if you aren't having fun, you need to check your priorities and pick a different hobby or profession. Life is much too short.

PS: This topic is a dead horse. It gets beat to death a couple times a year, check the archives, nothing has changed.