Spinning Rods Vs Casting Rods [Which Type Should I Get?]

Casting and spinning rods are two totally different types of rods. Still, most of us often get confused between the two. If you happen to be one of them, you have come to the right place. In this article, I will be highlighting the main differences between spinning rods vs casting rods.

When you finally get to know and understand their differences, you will have a clearer goal to getting the perfect match between anglers, reels, and rods.

The Features of a Spinning Rod

The spinning rod comes in different sizes and types. There are the heavy spinning rods, light spinning rods and medium to heavy spinning rods. While fishing, this type of rod bends from the force of a fish bite. The line pulls down and feeds out while all of the eyelets are pointing downward. The reel rests just under the rod while the handle will be resting on your dominant hand.

Spinning rods can be of graphite, fiberglass or a composition of both. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages. Rods made of graphite are sensitive and very light to handle, but they are not that hardy.

Fiberglass rods on the other hand, are very sturdy but are less sensitive. The best features of both these are incorporated in rods made up of composite materials but naturally, they are costlier.

The length, bending ability and power of the rod are other factors that one might want to keep in mind while buying a spinning rod. Short rods are more accurate but long rods help cast your line farther. Some types of rods bend at the tip while others bend at the middle near the reel. The former is more accurate. The more powerful your rod, the bigger the fish you can attempt to reel in without breaking the rod!

Should I Get A Spinning Rod?

The biggest plus of the spinning rod is that it is practically tailor-made for amateurs, and that is because by using it, you can avoid all the line tangles and even reel in fish faster. This mechanism is quite straightforward in comparison to the baitcasting reels.

From my experience, I found the St Croix Premier fishing rod quite reliable and totally worth the money. The Shimano on the other hand, is on another premium level in terms of quality.

Their reels feature magnetic and centrifugal cast mechanism. A lot of anglers find this mechanism frustrating because they can consume a lot of time. The baitcasting reels on the other hand, are harder to master but are easier to use in many ways.

Editor's Note: If you want to find out more spinning rod choices, do not miss out our reviews on the Best Spinning Rods! 

The Features of a Casting Rod

If you want to understand a casting rod, you have to flip everything you know about spinning rods. When the fish bites on this one, the rod gets bent over while the eyelets are facing upwards. For amateurs, this can be quite confusing and harder to master. That is why these rods are better off for advanced or professional fishing.

Just like spinning rods, baitcasting rods also come in various sizes and are made up of various materials. The same conditions mentioned above apply when choosing a good casting rod. The length of the fishing rod determines its accuracy.

For casting farther, a long rod helps. A shorter rod will be better for vertical fishing near docks or right beside your boat due to its accuracy in handling. A rod that bends at the top is called a fast action rod and it has more accuracy. The reverse is true for medium or slow action rods. The power of the rod is determined by the stress it can take to bend. It is advisable to use powerful rods when trying to catch bigger fish.

Should I Get A Casting Rod?

As mentioned earlier, these rods are harder to master and learn when compared to the spinning rod. You have to expect a lot of trial and error in this department until you learn its real technique.

Due to that reason, you will have to change the line more often, which can take up much of your patience, time and money. Only get this rod if you are looking from a long term investment perspective.

From my experience of learning and teaching others, I found that patience and endurance are the main keys to successfully use the casting rod. Of course, investing in a good quality fishing reel can help speed up the learning process too.

Now, the beauty of this is that once you get the feel of using the casting rod, your fishing frenzy will be unstoppable. I vividly remember that moment when I finally mastered how to use the casting rod, I went fishing almost everyday due to the addiction.

Anyways, for first timers, I highly recommend the St Croix Triumph Casting Rod if you are looking to buy an affordable and durable rod. However, if you have the money to spare, the Shimano Trevela is no doubt the best of the best. You will definitely not regret getting this rod.

The way the casting is setup is by pushing downward on the rod eyelets, forcing them into the casting rod. On the other hand, the spinning setup is in pulling the eyelets from the rod, which makes them easier to snap. 

In the casting setup, eyelets are less likely to snap because the rod is supporting them.

Editor's Note: Want to know which casting rods managed to win our hearts? Check out our verdict on the best casting rods on the market today!

FInal Verdict

As you can see, both of these rods have their pros and cons. It all depends on the angler. The spinning reel and rod are harder to contain but easier to master, while the casting reel and rod takes more time to master but is actually better in the long run.

I hoped you enjoyed this article on spinning rods vs casting rods. If you were to ask for my opinion, I prefer using the casting rod. It is true that they are harder to master, but once you do, you will never go back to using spinning rods due to its usability and catching experience. In a nutshell, spinning rods are made for those who want to fish just for fun while casting rods are for those who hope to be or are already professional anglers.

Whichever type you choose to pick, a single piece rod is more durable and sensitive than two piece rods and if your intention is serious fishing then go for single-piece rods.