Can You Use a Baitcasting Reel for Surf Fishing

There are two kinds of fishing reels, spinning reels and baitcasting reels. However, as far as the popularity is concerned, spinning reels are used more often than baitcasting reels. This raises many questions in the minds of beginners like:

   Why are spinning reels only used more than baitcasting reels?

Can You Use a Baitcasting Reel for Surf Fishing

In this regard, it is essential to let novice anglers know that baitcasting reels can be used for surf fishing. Before moving forward, we should know what actually a baitcasting reel is.

So, a bait-caster reel is a fishing reel to be generally used in freshwater fishing. Its spool rotates while casting whereas the line comes off the spool in loops.

The major reason behind its use is its accuracy and control during cast. It is a popular choice among anglers for bass fishing. Moreover, it can handle larger lines and lures as well to catch larger fish. Likewise, the spool of a baitcasting reel rotates parallel to the rod, unlike a spinning reel where the spool is fixed perpendicular to the rod.

Can You Use a Baitcasting Reel for Surf Fishing: Challenges

• Dealing with the Waves: A baitcasting reel requires enough room behind you to make a full swing and to avoid catching with anything. But in surf fishing, you cannot have enough room for that purpose due to waves and anglers around you.
• Dealing with the Wind: Dealing with the wind is the next challenge accompanying with a baitcasting reel. The baitcasting reels are more sensitive to wind as compared to spinning reels. To deal with this situation, you will need to adjust your technique accordingly.
• Dealing with Corrosion: Using a baitcasting reel in saltwater causes corrosion. Therefore, you need to regularly maintain the baitcasting reel to avoid damage from corrosion.

Can You Use a Baitcasting Reel for Surf Fishing: Positives

A baitcasting reel brings many pros and positives with it. These positives are:

1. More Power

   The preferred use of baitcasting reels for heavier lures and fish is evidence that these reels are more powerful than spinning reels.

• Higher Sensitivity

     As mentioned above, the spool on the baitcasting reel rotates parallel to the rod, it has more sensitivity as far as bites and strikes from the fish are concerned.

• Longer Casting Distance

     Longer casting distance is another plus point while dealing with the question can you use a baitcasting reel for surf fishing. The baitcasting reel can be cast further than a spinning reel when it is about reaching out to the fish that are located far offshore.

• Better Accuracy

     A baitcasting reel brings with it good control over casting accuracy. Moreover, the braking system and spool tension can easily be adjusted. Likewise, the casts can be fine-tuned to make their land according to your target.

• Lighter Reels

     The baitcasting reels are lighter and smaller to provide you with a lot of freedom to hold more lines.

 Can You Use a Baitcasting Reel for Surf Fishing: Minuses

        The baitcasting reels are not without cons either. They also have some minuses or cons which need to be kept in mind as well.

1. Price: Some anglers might not prefer the baitcasting reels due to their expensive nature. They are more expensive than spinning reels.
2. Light Tackle Issue: As discussed earlier, the bait-casters are designed to deal with heavier lures and lines, therefore, they cannot be ideal for lighter tackles.
3. Take Time to Learn: Learning how to use a baitcasting reel requires skill, practice and patience to learn how to cast a baitcasting reel.
4. Bait-casting Handle: Another disadvantage that baitcasting reels carry with them is that they are either right-handed or left-handed which is very distressing near some fishermen whereas the handle of spinning reels can be swapped from right to left and vice versa.

     Can You Use a Baitcasting Reel for Surf Fishing: Tips

For novice anglers, there are some tips that they need to know to answer can you use a baitcasting reel for surf fishing?

1. Practice: Beginners should have a lot of practice casting baitcasting reels on some open areas before moving towards the beach. The spool tension and braking system should be adjusted according to keeping in mind the weight of the lure and surf conditions.
2. Cleaning: The anglers should regularly clean and maintain bait-casters to avoid wear and tear to them.
3. Use of Sinkers: The anglers should use sinkers or heavy lures to combat with winds and waves.
4. Awareness: The anglers should be well aware of the wind direction to manage their casting technique accordingly.
5. Heavier Lines: Heavier lines of 12lb test and larger lures be used while using bait-casters.
6.  Patience: Patience bears sweet fruit. Therefore, be patient and take time while catching large fish from the surf to find an answer to your question can you use a baitcasting reel for surf fishing?

Last Word

To conclude, using a bait caster is a good option for surf fishing because of its features of power, control, sensitivity, accuracy, and casting distance. However, the cons and challenges of baitcasting reel should also be considered before using it for surf fishing. Similarly, the tips discussed should be a part of your plan. However, at the end of the day, these are your personal preferences and fishing styles that account for good results. Fortune favors the brave, however.

     FAQs

Which reel is best for surf fishing?

Ans. If you are going for smaller lures and fish, opt for spinning reels. But if your target is larger lures and fish, a baitcasting reel is useful in this regard.

Why baitcasting reels are preferred more by anglers?

Ans. The reason behind the preference for baitcasting reels over spinning reels is the casting distance of bait-casters. Next, spinning reels are vulnerable to winds and waves, unlike baitcasting reels.