Can You Use A Spinning Reel for Crankbaits? For those who are eyeing opportunities to become an expert fisherman, crankbaits are widely popular when it comes down to bass fishing.
If you are fishing for a long time, you already know that baitcasting tackle is the ideal way to use cranks, but you only own a spinning tackle.
If you are looking for a spinning reel for crankbaits, look no further and reel in. But the question remains.
Can You Use A Spinning Reel for Crankbaits?
Of course, it is possible to use a spinning reel for crankbaits but, the question is – do you want to use a spinning reel for crankbaits?
While that answer is subjective, you should know that spinning reels need to be used very selectively. Here’s why –
Spinning tackles are good for throwing lighter lures at a greater distance. And this is one advantage good for luring up by throwing weightless baits up to a ¼ of an ounce.
This is what makes it hard to beat for the distance. And so, baits weighing ¼th of an ounce, 1/16th of an ounce, or 1/32-ounce are most certainly used on a spinning reel.
Even in a baitcaster dominated fishing competition, professional fishers still use spinning reel instead of baitcasters for shaky heads, drop-shotting, throwing light jerk baits, crankbaits, etc.
The bottom line is that spinning reels are used for lightweight crankbait and baitcasting reel to pull out bigger and heavier lures.
Although your spinning reel will serve the job, using a bait caster for better lure control should be your ultimate choice for bass fishing.
6 Main Advantages of Spinning Tackles that You Should Know Of
Here are the top advantages of using a spinning tackle when you are fishing for bass:
- The spinning rod has the ideal construction that allows it to use weightless lures (preferably from 1/4th, 1/16th, 1/32th, or 1/8th of an ounce) to be projected farther away distance than baitcasting rods.
- The wind is not an issue when using a spinning tackle because baitcasting rods have backlashes when cast into a heavy wind. This feature makes it ideal to use spinning reels over casting rods when casting the rods across or into the wind.
- Skipping lures in spots having low hanging covers like – docks, piers, bushes, etc., is an essential factor for bass fishing. Many professional fishers who fish bass for a living manage to evade the lures using spinning tackles.
- The lure on a spinning reel sinks vertically down in a straight line without much of a ‘pendulum effect’ found from the rotational spool on a baitcasting reel. Because the lure on a baitcasting reel experiences a pull from the rotational spool, it makes a lure move in the motion of a pendulum as it sinks into the water.
- The spinning reel has both right-handed and left-handed adjustments for each user because the reel is swappable, and you can place the reel handle on either side for your convenience. In baitcasting, there is no swapping, i.e., you either buy a left-handed version or a ride-handed one.
- Spinning reels allow you to adjust your drag while wrestling with the fish quickly. This is the fun of using spinning reels as it allows you to adjust the drag whether it is in front or at the back end of the reel. The same cannot be said about a baitcasting reel because its drag cannot be adjusted during a fight.
Recommended Crankbaits to Use with The Perfect Spinning Gear
Here are some fishing gears recommendation just for you:
- Rapala Shad Rap 05 Fishing Lure (Silver, Size – 2)
- Strike King Lucky Shad [for cold and fresh water]
- Bagley Baits Balsa B2 – Sexy Shad
- Strike King KVD 1.0 square bill crankbait [for shallow water]
Recommended Spinning Rod to Use with The Perfect Crankbaits
- Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod
- Abu Garcia MIKES76 – 6 Revo IKE 2.0
Recommended Spinning Reel to Use with The Perfect Crankbaits
- Abu Garcia, Revo IKE Spinning Reel, 6.2:1 Gear
Recommended Line to Use with The Perfect Spinning Gear
Finesse cranking should be your game plan when you are fishing using spinning gear, and so, you need a line that complements your fishing technique. There are two different kinds of line with their own advantages.
Fluorocarbon is almost invisible, and the braided line gives off the maximum bite sensitivity. Meanwhile, monofilament matches the best with spinning gears as it has a larger diameter and provides the best stretch and forgiveness.
Most cold-water fishes are lethargic and are not prone to biting the bait hard enough, and so, the monofilament line offers forgiveness when setting the hook, which gives a better chance to catch the bass.
To Wrap Up: Can You Use A Spinning Reel for Crankbaits
A spinning reel is versatile fishing gear, as we know from the advantages. Using crankbaits is okay, but do keep in mind that it needs to be small (about 2.5 inches), and the conditions are cold and windy. But, with the right spinning rod, you can easily make your way and land big bad basses for sure.