It is often hard to decide, choose or know the type of reel is suited to a particular fishing style. There are so many, and it seems to be added to weekly. Drop fishing, shore, boat, float, bottom, jigging, trolling, surf, rock, kayak even jetski. This list seems to be steadily increasing in length.

Luckily despite this list there are still two reels that are used by the majority – these two fishing two reels are the spinning reel and bait casting or conventional reel. Each has its merits depending on the fishing situation. Here we look at which is better for surf casting.

Let’s take a look, very briefly as this has been done elsewhere, at the differences between the two then we will get into the meat of which one performs better. If we can – as this question has caused riots on fishing forums for years!

Preference plays a large role in choosing between Spinning / Conventional fishing reels for surf fishing. Spinning reels are beginner friendly, water and dust resistant and better for light tackle. Casting reels have the ability to cast further using heavier tackle and have heavier drag for larger fish.

If you know the difference and want to jump ahead to the comparison table just click here.

The Spinning Reel

Depending where you are in the world, Europe and Asia especially, the spinning reel is the mainstay of most anglers tackle. It is suitable for heavy duty work and durability, most are made from aluminum to make them lightweight and corrosion proof. Cheaper version can be made from graphite, these tend to be less durable. A decent spinning reel will be suitable for a lot of general use fishing.

Spinning reels use a fixed spool that wraps the line gets wrapped around repeated and comes of the side as its cast out. This is controlled with a flip bail arm which can be used to respool the line. The spool moves up and down the reel to allow the line to be distributed evenly along the spool.

PENN 1403983 Slammer III Spinning
  • Full metal body, sideplate, and rotor
  • CNC Gear technology
  • IPX6 sealed body and spool design
  • Retrieve Rate 40 Inches| 102cm

The Bait Caster or Conventional Reel.

Bait casters use a different method to release and retrieve line. It is directly spooled back as the handle winds and is stored evenly on the spool by moving across horizontally. They offer more control, and if used well more accuracy than a spinning reel. However they do take time to get used to.

Sale 17%
KastKing Rover Round Baitcasting Reel, Right Handed Fishing Reel,Rover40
  • Bullet Proof - The KastKing Rover round baitcasting reel has been reinforced with thicker hard anodized aluminum...
  • More Powerful - You will love the stronger, more powerful KastKing Rover round baitcasting reel with a superior...
  • Super Smooth - KastKing Rover baitcaster reel have premium MaxiDur double shielded stainless steel ball bearings (6...
  • Versatile - KastKing Rover baitcasting fishing reel is a conventional reel for trolling, bottom fishing, and other...

There is learning curve with bait caster, and for that matter spinning reels, but the main difficultly beginners face with a bait caster is the use of the thumb to control the line while casting. Too much pressure and it will reduce your cast length and too little and it will create a bird nest. (where the spool turns faster than the line is released) and this is not fun to sort out at all.

These reels can be found for under 100 dollars with pretty decent features, or the top end of most peoples price range in brands like Shimano.

A full description is going to take a longer article and you are here to find out which works better in Surf casting situations. So lets take a look at that.

Does a Spinning Reel Cast Further Than a Casting Reel?

Spinning Reels Vs. Casting Reels for Surf fishing

The short answer is no it doesn’t. There is additional friction from the line coming off indirectly, and rubbing against the spool as it releases. However there are so many variables here that a complete answer is not so straight forward. The action of the rod, weight of the lure or sinker, how powerful you are, what grade or type of line. All of these will have significant impact on your casting distance.

All these things being equal a conventional reel with its reduced friction will get bait and terminal tackle out further though. If you have the skills to handle it.

Even with this pretty controversial statement, there are exceptions as well. Fishing Reels are not all created equal, and especially in the last few years, there have been some very good casting spinning reels appearing on the market. We will highlight a couple below for you to cast (ha!) your eyes over but be warned they tend to be at the higher end of the market. However reels from Penn and Daiwai have started to appear hanging off the bottom of rods on beaches all around the world.

They all have some things in common to help them deal with the wear and tear of surf fishing, and the fish that may be targeted.

Drag: All surf reels have to have a decent drag on them. Spinning reels were usually lighter than casting reels and were not so suitable if you hooked into some monster at the back of the surf. This is now changing. The two Surf spinning reels linked to above ( and below) have 60lb and 33lb drag at their largest sizes and this is way more useful in the surf than at the local lake.

Water / Corrosion Resistance: Although its a fishing reel and will come into contact with water regularly, at least through the line / braid it is still susceptible to corrosion. ( make sure you wash it out after each use) Spinning reels at this price point and aiming at surf anglers are going to have some degree of waterproofing to assist. They are also going to be made of aluminum to prevent salt water corrosion.

Conventional / Bait Casting Reels Are Better At Surf fishing.

Yes we said it, and half of the fishermen said yes we agree, the another half, well politely, they don’t agree. Conventional reels have a slight edge over spinning reels, even at the high end of the market like the ones highlighted below and above.

But its not totally cut and dry. There are some areas that spinning reels shade the advantage and others where bait casters do.

Casting reels are likely to cast further on average than a spinning reel, simply due to the lack of friction. However they are better with heavier weights rather than lighter weights

Casting Reels are more fragile and susceptible to sand and water damage, as mentioned above spinning reels can come with water and dust resistance. Using them on windy beaches might mean they last longer than conventional reel.

Best shelter for fishing

Advantages and Disadvantages Of Spinning and Casting Reels For Surf Fishing.

Spinning ReelCasting / Conventional
Reel
AdvantagesDisadvantagesAdvantagesDisadvantages
Better for casting Lightweight lures / sinkers ( below about 110 grams – 5oz)  drag has to be tight to cast heavy lures or sinkersBetter for heavier weightsBirds Nests!! If not familiar can tangle the line upon release
No birds nest riskLess easy to control fish runs before striking. Gears more effective, better for retrieval. Take getting used to (thumb training required!)
The good ones are water and dust resistant (like the ones on this page)Good ones climb up in priceCan cast further (in the right hands and all things being equal) Not as sand, water and dustproof as spinning reels.
Easier to cast ( for beginners) Drag on cheaper models will be much less.Further casting distance depending on situation and skills
Great Retrieval ratesLesser casting distance (as a general rule)Better drag at a cheaper price. More suited to larger species

Our Surf Fishing Reel Recommendations.

Well this is a touch one, so just to sit on the fence and maybe lean a little to one side We will recommend one from each camp. Neither are that cheap however we recommend the Penn Spin fisher (choose long cast) when push comes to absolute shove we want something that although may be 20 yards less in casting distance, comes with corrosion and dust proofing in our spinning recommendation.

It is also designed for long casting so it may mitigate some of the other issues that spinning reels may face for surf fishing. 10 turns for oscillating the spool is reducing friction!

Sale 17%
PENN SSVI7500LC Spinfisher VI 7500LC, CNC Gears, HT100 Drag, IPX5, Black Gold
  • IPX5 sealed body and spool design
  • CNC gear technology
  • Ht-100 carbon fiber drag washers
  • 5+1 sealed stainless-steel ball bearing System

In the bait casting world ( or conventional if we are being accurate) then we have some thing a little out of left field. We could throw a Shimano in here, as they are consistently excellent. However casting reels are the bread and butter of Abu Garcia in the Bass world. So lets take a look at the Ambassadeur Blue Yonder. 15lbs of drag is a little less than we would like, but 300 yards of 30lb line isn’t to shabby. It has a price point to match a Daiwai or Shimano though, so if you are just thinking of experimenting with surf fishing it may be worth looking at the Kast King fishing reel above to try out first.

Abu Garcia Ambassadeur Blue Yonder
  • Corrosion resistant
  • Blue in color
  • Right Handed

Final Thoughts

We didn’t really give you a definitive answer because frankly there isn’t one. It really does depend on your set up and skill level as well as your preferences. We would argue that your rod is the main engine to your casting and the reel is secondary.

The simple answer is that both work really well. Spinners are perhaps more familiar to you, and more suitable for beginners. Bait casting will get you a little more distance but at the risk of birds nests.

Which ever way you go you will need a decent drag on your surf fishing reel as the fish that hang about on the surf line tend to have some power and weight to them. This will all add to the enjoyment of the fight though!!

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