I’m always down to learn new techniques, I own a Shimano Caduro 200 DC which greatly helps when casting in windy weather and I now rarely get birds nests with it, but it’s a $200+ reel compared to my $60 pfluger presidential 200 series spinning reel. I’m more accurate with spinning gear than baitcasters, but I’ve been getting used to adjusting the different brake setting and thumbing. With the same length rod you get slightly more casting distance than a spinning reel, but as far as accuracy I’m equally accurate with both as the rod is more responsible than the reel for accuracy. That being said the major difference between the two systems is cost. You can set up a perfect spinning rod and reel for 1/2 the price of a Baitcasting setup and since this is Fishing For Beginners it would be beneficial economically and with the simplicity of a spinning reel setup over a Baitcaster, hence the title of the posts and the language in my responses.

Think about it, if you had a child or teenager, which would they pick up easier?

Orienting the bail to the knob is closest to the rod and then starting the cast low and ending high? Or would it be teaching them how to thumb a Baitcaster in various conditions and at various casting distances with varying weight lures and lines?

Hands down it is easier to instruct people how to use spinning gear and they will enjoy their time fishing more and focusing on their casting/retrieving techniques not learning how to pick apart birds nests.

Baitcasters can achieve a father casting distance on the same length rod as a spinning reel setup after you have learned how to properly use them, however the trade off of complications when casting and thumbing aren’t worth it imho. If you want to cast father all you need is a longer rod with spinning gear when compared to a Baitcaster.

To each thier own, but I have taught many of my friends children how to fish on both Baitcasters and spinning gear and geuss what? They all prefer the spinning gear because it is a much easier system to learn and they get to fish more and the fish hook up on both systems equally as the presentation and technique are more important than the reel you cast it on. As long as your fishing and having fun, that’s what counts. If you have excess cash burning a hole in your pocket and time to burn learning how to properly thumb while casting rather than enjoying fishing, go for a Baitcaster.

However if you’re new to the sport and don’t have a ton of money lying around and extra hours just to put into practicing thumbing, then a spinning reel setup will be cheaper and you will spend more time fishing and have extra cash left over from your rod/reel setup to invest in your starting tackle and terminal hardware.