Can I Use A Spinning Rod With A Casting Reel?

A fishing rod and a fishing reel are the first things you need for a successful fishing career. There are different types of fishing rods and fishing reels, and you cannot easily match them without the same type. Depending on your skill level, you’ll be wanting to upgrade to a better reel system for a better fishing experience, such as bass fishing.

By the time you gather enough experience and become a professional angler, you’ll end up with a bunch of spinning rods. However, you will also upgrade to a casting reel and wonder if I can use a spinning rod with a casting reel? It can be expensive to buy a full new casting rod, and a great save if you can pair the spinning rod with a casting reel. Stick to the article to know if you can do it or not, if yes, how you can compensate for them both.

Can I Use A Spinning Rod With A Casting Reel?

The mind-boggling issue for new fishers is, you need some distinct knowledge about the job, and choosing the right gear is one of them. You have to choose the right fishing rod, and the reel can match your needs. Here are the things you must know if you’re wondering how can I use a spinning rod with a casting reel?

Difference in the guide size

To determine if you can use a spinning rod with a casting reel, you must understand the difference between a spinning rod and a casting rod. Both of these rods will come with almost identical length options, making it even more confusing to choose the right one. The biggest difference between the spinning rod and a casting rod is the type of guides. A casting rod will come with smaller guides compared to the spinning rod because of their different purposes.

Reel types are different.

The spinning rods and the casting rods are specifically perfect with a similar type of casting reels. That’s the exact reason why the experts suggest that you should not use a spinning reel with a casting rod. A casting rod will have a distinct mounting position and design that only the casting reels are suitable for. The casting reel on a casting rod will look like a winch to the handle side. On the other hand, the spinning rod will attach to the spinning reel, which is easier to control, especially for beginners.

Why You Shouldn’T Use A Spinning Rod With A Baitcasting Reel

Now that you know that both the baitcasting reels rods, and the spinning rods, reels have different specifications, it’s time to decide to get both of them in your rig. The spinning rods work great when you pair them with a spinning reel, and the same applies to the baitcasting rods and reels. If you use a spinning rod, it will come with larger guiding eyes and bigger loops, so they work together very well. However, if you’re a professional angler or fisherman, you should use a baitcasting reel with a baitcasting rod. They will give you a better precise over the cast and help you land a pinpointed casting.

How To Use A Spinning Rod?

Fishing can be amusing, but you must know how to properly use the fishing gear if you want a successful cast. Your fishing starts with the casting, and as you’re probably a beginner to the game, a spinning reel with a spinner rod is the best combo. Here is the process of how you can use a spinning rod with a spinning reel and get your first cast:

Prepare the reel

Before you cast a spinning rod, you must get the reel prepared for the cast with the right orientation. A spinning reel will come with a cradle that you can use whether you’re left-handed or right-handed. It will come attached prepared for the right-handed people; if you’re lefty, unscrew the bolt that keeps the cradle firm. After opening the screw from the reel, take the cradle out and reattach it from the other side to use it with the left hand.

Get a proper grip

Holding on to the spinning rod is the first step for a cast; you have to get your dominant hand’s primary grip. The reel will be underneath the rod itself, and you’ll hold on to the reel foot where the spool will be pointing towards the water. You can put the reel foot between your four fingers or three and one from either side. Now, flip the spool from right to left and try to reach the line with your index finger without using the other hand. If you cannot reach it spontaneously, you’re holding the rod wrong, and you need fixes on the grip.

Getting your first cast

Now when you’re holding onto the spinning rod firmly with your dominant hand, put your other hand on the closest end of the spinning rod and hold tight. Flip the bail from one side to another and hold on the line with your index finger without holding it too tight or close. Loosen the bait or the lure on the tip of the spinning rod by 6 to 8 inches and let it hang on. Once you have firm control over the rod and the reel, you can now land your first bait with 3 casting types, overhead, side to side, or a spinning method.

Final Thought

Fishing and angling is no more only a commercial practice that only the professional fishermen do. It’s now become one of the most practiced hobbies and a good skill for anybody to do in free times. If you’re a beginner to the game, you’ll start with a spinning rod and a spinning rod for your first fishing or angling.

However, after a while with your first spinning reel and rod, you’ll want to upgrade your fishing with baitcasting gear for better control. At that point, when you’ll ask yourself, can I use a spinning rod with a casting reel, the tips I mentioned above will come in handy. If you’re planning for a successful fishing career, don’t hesitate to invest in a separate gear for the baitcasting reel and rod.