16 Louisiana Sportsman^ | April 2015
field notes
A
nybody who’s taken the time to learn to use a bait-
caster has spent time cutting out — or stubbornly
attempting to untie — a backlash that seemingly
defies the laws of physics.
And spinning reels fans have probably grabbed their favorite
rod and reel and headed out, only to discover the bail won’t
automatically flip back any longer after the cast. Or, worse, a
loop develops deep inside the spool.
While anglers might have experience with both baitcasting
and spinning reels, they often gravitate to one or the other
depending on the fish they’re targeting or the typical condi-
tions they face on a given day.
But is one better than the other?
Capt. Owen “Big O” Langridge with Big O Charters in Venice
said both reels have their pros and cons — it’s mostly personal
preference and just getting used to a reel that feels comfortable.
“I don’t use anything but a baitcaster, myself,” Langridge said.
“Personally, I feel like I have more control of the fish — primar-ily because I can thumb the spool and control the drag myself,
instead of depending on the reel to control the drag.
“There are times when I’ll have a big trout on and I might be
fishing up underneath a rig, and I’ve got to get that fish out if
I’m going to land him. But if I put too much pressure on him,
I know I’m going to pull the hook out of his mouth. It’s just a
sixth sense you get— a feel you get with your own thumb — to
be able to turn that fish because you know he’s heading toward
a piling or down deep to try to break you off.”
Langridge adjusts the drags on his baitcasters accordingly to
allow for thumb pressure.
“Even if the drag is set perfectly, he can pull and get hung up in
whatever he’s trying to get hung up in. And the same thing goes
for big redfish,” he said. “Personally, I normally back off on my
star drags on my baitcasters.”
Being able to control the cast is also an advantage he gives to
the baitcaster.
“I also have more control of the cast with my thumb,”Baitcaster or spinning reel?
Guide says both reels have pros, cons By Patrick Bonin
Some detest spinning reels, while other
struggle with baitcasters. But each has
distinct advantages.
Andy Crawford