Spinning vs Casting Reels
Tools used in angling are many in number that even the most experienced anglers sometimes tend to get these tools mixed up. The reason for this is the many similarities they share with one another as well as their very similar sounding names. Spinning reels and casting reels are two such fishing reels that can easily be confused.
What is a Spinning Reel?
The spinning reel or the fixed spool reel has been in use since the 1870s and was created with the intention of luring in lightweight catch such as salmon and trout. With the fixed reel being mounted below the rod, it works well with gravity, not requiring any wrist strength to maintain the reel in position.
It was the name Holden Illingworth that was associated with the invention of the modern form of the spinning reel. However, it was in 1948 that the Mitchell Reel Company of Clauses, France introduced the Mitchell 300 which featured a permanently forward facing fixed spool placed below the fishing rod. With a wide range of fishing reels for both fresh and salt water fishing, the spinning reel eventually came to develop a wire bail design. Spinning reels are cast by first opening the bail, grabbing the line with the use of the forefinger and then creating a backward snap of the rod and a forward cast. This is done so while the line is released with the forefinger at the same time.
What is a Casting Reel?
Casting reel or bait casting reel are comprised of multiple reels storing line supported by a revolving spool. Dating back to the mid-17th century, it is also called as the overhead reel in countries like Australia and new Zealand because the baitcast is mounted above the rod. Some of the most commonly used materials that were used to bait casting reels are German silver, brass or hard rubber. Today, it is made of stainless steel, aluminium and synthetic materials.
Suspended from the bottom of the rod, casting reels do not require wrist strength to overcome gravity. In Europe, because of their geared line retrieve, casting reels are known as multiplier reels and two variations of this is available. They are known as the big game reel and the conventional surf fishing reel both of which are quite large and robust in form.
What is the difference between Spinning and Casting Reels?
It is common to assume that fishing reels are all one and the same. However, a professional in the field would know that this is not so. Spinning and casting reels are two such types of fishing reel that are very much different to one another.
• Spinning reel is the ideal fishing reel for beginners in angling. Casting reels are chosen by more advanced and experienced anglers.
• Finesse fishing or dock shooting is two angling techniques that are ideal for spinning reels, but very difficult to master in casting reels.
• Casting reels can handle heavier line than spinning reels. Spinning tackle can handle the braids much better than casting reels.
• Casting rods have more backbone than spinning rods.