Confused

[MuskieBait]

I only have 2 baitcasting rod/reel out of my 15 rod/reel combos. I find very limited use of a baitcaster outfit and it is usually very specific when I need it. I usually pick up the baitcaster when I need a little torque to retrieve lures. Spinning reels have poorer torque due to the design.

But overall, you can fish most lures with a spinning reel, especially when your interest is on bass. Most bass lures are small enough that you don't need the heavy torque of a baitcast reel.

Don't let the sales people sucker you in...most people can't cast well enough to see the difference in casting distance between a baitcaster and a spinning reel. In fact, a good caster can cast a lure just as far with a mid-priced baitcaster vs a mid-priced spinning reel. High-end reels do offer better distance, but the marginal increase in distance decreases with price...you are not going to get that much more by paying a lot more.

My suggestion, like OT, is to get another rod and reel that is slight lighter or heavier than what you already own. If you already own a medium-light or medium rod (6-12lb or 8-17lb), then I would suggest getting a heavier rod that is rated 10-20lbs, and a larger reel that can accommodate heavier line (thicker diameter of heavier line need a slightly larger reel capacity). The bigger gears on a larger reel also give you better torque on larger lures and larger fish.

It is also much easier to use a spinning reel for all sorts of casting situation vs. a baitcast reel. You can do all the same casting technique like flipping and pitching with a spinning reel, and a spinning reel is just as good walking-the-dog with a topwater than a baitcaster.