Thinking of starting fishing on the summer days with friends? Great idea! But can’t understand what would be the best suitable rod for your fishing type? Don’t worry. In this article, I will present a comprehensive overview of the difference between spinning and casting rods. So that, one can easily compare which one is the best spinning or casting rod?
Basically, the rod types depend on the skill of the anglers and what types of fish they like to catch! There are several differences between the spinning and casting rod. Many people are cautious about the fact that there is more than goes into choosing a fishing rod besides the price and performance of the reel. But it becomes difficult for the new anglers to determine which would be the best for them. A clear understanding of the differences between a spinning rod and a casting rod is a great advantage to anglers as it will help them in selecting the best suitable rod based on their skills.
Here you’ll find a complete review of the spinning and casting rod. I’ll try to show you the basic features in a quick time. Before wrapping up, I would like to answer some common questions about the spinning and casting rod. Let’s get started!
What is a casting fishing rod?
A casting rod provides a reel seat that sets a bait-cast reel over the rod and looks like a small winch mounted to the rod. When a fish is fighting with the casting rod, the rod bends over with the guides as the eyelets take an ascending position. So, the force of the fish hits the line down on the eyelets and the rod blank. This resists a big fish from hauling the eyelets off of the rod.
Long casting rods are designed for powerful bass fishing tactics or large fishes with straight handles such as blue catfish, salmon, striped bass, and much powerful saltwater fish. The rods of the casting fishing rod usually have larger rod guides to tackle the weighty line of bait-cast reels, while smaller rod guides tackle a lighter line of spin-cast reels. This union is perfect for a newbie because it is easier to cast than the bait-cast combo. It is also important to mention that the spin-cast reels are best for haunting smaller fish species.
Some important information about casting rod:
- There are several backlashes inside the casting reel that accelerate changing the line in different ways.
- Altering the line is often time and money absorbing
- It is difficult to master the cast rods.
What is a Spinning Rod?
A spinning rod is a specific type of fishing rod that comes in different sizes from a light action one to a medium one. Unlike the casting rod, a spinning rod carries the spinning reel under the rod with the rod guides facing descending. So, when one is fighting with a fish, the force of the line pressed against the eyelet is pushing away from the rod blank and could lead to a big fish pulling an eyelet off of the rod. The handle is carried usually on the non-dominant hand of the angler. Spinning rods are famous for fishing with live bait for catfish, panfish, and walleye.
Spinning rods differ in lengths and actions for capturing different fishes. Here is a chart for facile comprehension:
| Types of rods | Line or handle type | Fishes type |
| shorter ultralight or light action spinning rods | thin line | panfish or trout |
| Medium and medium-heavy action (6- to 7-foot rods) | Medium line | bass fishing |
| Long heavy action rods | elongated grip handles | saltwater fish or steelhead and salmon fishing. |
Good sides of Spinning rods:
- Spinning rods are convenient for beginners as Spinning rods are more manageable
- Spinning rods are fast to reel fish with them, and they avoid line tangles. As a result, most amateur anglers prefer Spinning rods
- The spinning reel is easier to master the straightforward mechanism
Differences Between Casting and Spinning Rods
Both casting and spinning rods are similar in the way they are used. Though they have the same purpose, their styles of operations are different. Here I’m explaining some basic differences between the casting and spinning rods:
Size of Guides for Casting and Spinning Rods
Spinning rods have magnificent longer guides, and the spacing is generously far apart. On the other hand, casting rods have comparatively smaller guides, and the spacing is equally more miniature.
Performance
Casting rods provide anglers with comparatively superior performance than spinning rods. They are both outstanding but casting rods are mostly used for serious fishing, while spinning rods can be used by beginners who are trying to master the mechanism.
Experience with Casting and Spinning Rods
As previously said, it is difficult to master casting rods because of how the rod bends while the eyelets take an ascending placing. Beginners may find it difficult to handle.
On the other hand, spinning rods are easy to use due to their straightforward mechanism. Moreover, spinning rods are easy to learn for the starters, and it provides an enjoyable experience.
Costs of learning Casting and Spinning Rods
The cost of learning how to use a casting rod is more difficult than the spinning rod. A casting rod engages with changing lines severally while trying to get the swing of it. It is both time-consuming and costly.
But Spinning rods do not demand any extra costs besides the purchasing costs. The learning cost is also comparatively low and facile.
Usage of Casting and Spinning Rods
Spinning rods are mostly used for trolling and still fishing. That means the Spinning rods are convenient for small fish-catching or light to medium action.
On the other hand, casting rods are convenient for catching heavy fishes such as blue catfish, salmon, striped bass, or saltwater fish.
Reels in Casting and Spinning Rods
For spinning rods, their spinning reels are not convenient for heavyweight activities. Because here, the line twists are not secured. As for casting reels, the line twists are strong. As a result, casting reels can handle heavy weight.
Spinning Rods Vs. Casting Rods: Comparison Chart
| Spinning Rods Vs. Casting Rods | ||
| Basis of comparison | Spinning Rods | Casting Rods |
| Size | Large spacing | Minimal spacing |
| Performance | Better performance Serious fishing | Lower performance Beginner fishermen |
| Experience | Easy to learn | Challenging to learn |
| Cost | Additional cost | No additional cost |
| Usage | Trolling and still fishing | Heavy cover |
| reels | Not suitable for heavyweight activities | Can handle heavyweight fishing |
Difference between casting Jigging Rod vs. Casting Rod
There are another group of people who are eager to know the difference between Jigging Rod and Casting Rod. This part is dedicated to them.
- The biggest difference between a jigging rod and a casting rod is how one can use them. Jigging rods are usually short and heavy. Therefore, an angler only needs to hitch it straight down to catch a fish. Oppositely, casting rods are longer and have more bend that gives you better casting ability.
- Rod Blank: Jigging rods are shorter, heavier, tougher, and usually 5.5 feet to 7 feet long. So that one can easily jig the nearby rod areas. On the other hand, rod blanks for casting can be as long as 12 to 13 feet, sometimes even longer. With a 12-foot casting rod, one can jig around a delivery distance of 300 feet.
- Fishing Rod’s Action: Jigging rods have extra-fast action tips that offer one to cast shorter while casting rods have moderate action tips to bend more. This feature allows one to cast further
The Braids: Jigging braids are multi-colored and often change color every 10 meters, then repeat every 5 colors. This feature is useful for anglers to mark the depth at which they are fishing. Moreover, jigging braids are a bit thinner than casting rods.
FAQ:
- Can one use a Spinning Reel on a Casting Rod?
Yes, they can. But If one uses a spinning reel on a casting rod, he will have to give up casting distance. Most importantly, he may compromise the rod and vice-versa.
- Why is Bait-caster better than spinning?
Bait-cast reels can tackle weighty lines and allow one for longer casts than spinning gear in the same size range. Oppositely, a small spinning reel has a smaller, narrow spool that has a large diameter line. Small bait-cast reels can tackle these lines and provide greater casting distance.
- What are bait-caster reels good for?
Bait-caster reels are perfect for use in several conditions:
- When one is desirous of heavier fish
- When one has mastered the mechanism of casting rods
- When one can invest in the higher price
- When the weather conditions are harsh
- When one will frequently be casting. At that time, one needs a lighter weight device
- When an individual is not using a rod holder
Final verdict:
Despite being used for the same purpose, there are several differences between a spinning rod and a casting rod. They operate in different functions. So, it is crucial to know all the features, advantages and disadvantages of them. When one can differentiate between spinning and casting, it will be easier for an individual to decide where to go, especially when he is a beginner!
In this article, I have tried to provide you with a detailed overview of the differences between a spinning rod and a casting rod. After reading this article, I believe one will get enough information regarding spinning rod and casting rod. But never forget, the rod type will be depended on the experience and fish type that are being caught. So, it’s time to get your one!