Can You Use A Spinning Reel On A Casting Rod?
When you’re pairing a fishing rod with a reel, you will regularly pair a spinning reel with a spinning rod. The same goes for the opposite; a casting reel should have a proper counterpart to pair with, a casting rod. Every fishing rod comes with a strong side, along with a weak side. As long as you’re using the rod the right way, it’s going to support you big time and help you cast well.
However, if you’re a beginner at fishing or a novice angler, the question you’ll ask often is, can you use a spinning reel on a casting rod? Well, the answer is both yes and no. You can use them crosswise, but there is a toll on that. If you’re planning to use a spinning reel with a casting rod, read the article completely to decide if you should do it or not.
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Can You Use A Spinning Reel On A Casting Rod?
Spinning and casting reel, rod setup, both have distinct characteristics and have different applications. Using them one with another can get you a catastrophic failure, even break on the rod. That’s why experts will discourage you if you ask, can you use a spinning reel on a casting rod. Here is what you should know to decide:
Different line guide system
Both the spinning rod or reel and casting rod or reel have their way of work. The first reason why the experts never use a spinning reel with a casting rod is the difference in the guiding eyes. Casting rods come with guides above the rod where the rod bends the opposite way. The guides carry the line from the spool to the lure and keep it organized without tangling. On the other hand, the spinning reel comes with a design that you attach to the reel from the bottom. When you try to guide the line from the bottom through the guides above, it gets complicated, and it doesn’t work.
Orientation problem
The problem I mentioned above has a firm stand, and you can never attach a fishing rod without aligning the guides to the spool. To resolve that problem, you might consider twisting the rod from the handle to the guide rod to align the spool and the guides. Hold on; there is a big issue doing that as well! Casting rods usually come with a finger grip, aka the trigger, which stays under the handle when paired with a casting reel. If you try to pair it with a spinning reel, the finger grip will come on top and mess up your grip! If you’re fishing big, you won’t have control over the rod to keep up with the fish and might lose the entire rod.
The spine of a fishing rod
Let’s consider you’re okay with the finger grip above, or your casting rod doesn’t have the rod in the first place. The next problem is the biggest reason you should never pair a spinning reel with a casting rod. A term called the fishing rod’s spine is the most important thing to know for fishers.
The wrong spine bend
The fishing rod manufacturers wrap the hollow stainless steel rod with thin cloth-like fiberglass or graphite fiber. When the manufacturer wraps the rod, the two ends come together on the rod’s side, where it gets double the size, and it’s the spine. When you fight with a fish, the rod bends scarily but doesn’t break because the spine is above, and the flexible side of the rod goes down; when you pair a spinning rod with a casting reel bents the other side, which may break or compromise the rod.
Spinning vs Casting Rod – Which is Best For You
Both the spinning and casting rods have their advantages and disadvantages to offer. Here is what you should know while deciding which type of fishing rod will be the best option for your next fishing:
- You must decide which one you use depending on the type of application and your expertise level. Casting rods (with casting reels) are the perfect choice for experts.
- If you’re after bass fishing or hunting in the salty water for big fish, you should get a casting setup for better accuracy and control over the job.
- Beginners should go for a spinning rod because it can offer better flexibility, and there is a lot to learn with it.
- A spinning reel will give you fewer backlashes, allow you to cast with light lures, and cast further.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the most frequently asked questions about spinning and casting rods and reels which you might find informative:
Can I use a spinning rod with a casting reel?
Technically, yes, you can. But, it’s not the right way to use a spinning rod pairing with a casting reel. The casting reel has a design that matches a casting rod with narrower guides on the rod.
How long should my fishing rod be?
Fishing rods usually come with a length of 6 to 12 feet, and the expert anglers generally use multiple rods, starting from 7 feet. You should decide the length, depending on your purpose.
When would you use a casting rod?
Casting rods are usually perfect choices for big and powerful fish such as salmon, catfish (blue or flathead) if you’re after bass fishing, and use a casting rod for trolling and bass tactics.
Final Thought
When people start fishing, a spinning reel is a perfect tool to get started for mastering the game. But as you get more fluent in fishing, you want to upgrade to a baitcasting setup for better control and accuracy. However, that makes you end up with two different fishing gear setups. It becomes confusing, and you ask, can you use a spinning reel on a casting rod.
The reasons behind the suggestions I’ve mentioned that you have to pair them with the same type are inevitable. Although it’s technically possible to do it that way, if you’re planning to pair them crosswise, you must reconsider the decision. Pairing your reel with the right rod will get you better accuracy, better longevity of the equipment, better control.
