At one time, bait casting reels were produced in one style and bait casting rods were any rod that didn't dwarf the reel. Today, the vast selection of bait casting rods and reels is enough to make the average fisherman’s head spin. Rods are manufactured in dozens of models, and reels are produced in many styles for both freshwater and saltwater bait casting.
Combinations
Dockside chats and fishing blogs about bait casting rods and reels invariably find their way to the same conclusion. A rod and reel combination must be balanced to be effective. Balance refers to the way an outfit performs when casting and retrieving bait, jigs and lures.
Considering all fishermen are not alike, bait casting requires a rod and reel combination that’s suited to the individual fisherman, as well as the type of fishing. Typically, larger bait casting reels and longer rods are preferred for saltwater where distance is often a factor. In freshwater, shorter rods and compact reels provide accuracy that could produce a strike instead of a snagged lure.
Rods
Bait casting rods are made from graphite, fiberglass or composite materials. The design of these rods includes a quick taper at the rod tip for accuracy and a large backbone at the lower portion of the rod for stability.
Graphite rods have become popular in recent years, despite the high cost when compared to other rods. Dick’s Sporting Goods states, “Graphite has been refined over the years to provide lighter, more flexible rods that give you "sensitivity," a big plus in feeling when a fish begins to nibble on your bait.” Fiberglass bait casting rods provide power and flexibility that’s not available with graphite. They have a strong backbone that out-lifts graphite rods and makes them the preferred choice for big fish bait casting.
Manufacturers of composite bait casting rods boast the durability and power of fiberglass combined with the lightweight and sensitivity of graphite. Many composite rods are produced in the medium weight class that's suited for inshore saltwater and deep freshwater fishing.
Reels
The design of bait casting reels was derived from conventional reels. Although spinning reels are easier for a novice to cast, the conventional style unloads line from the reel with more power, which translates to longer casts. In addition, conventional bait casting reels have a larger drag surface than spinning reels, and this provides an advantage when fighting larger fish.
With the implementation of the level wind feature on bait casting reels it was no longer necessary to guide the line onto the spool to avoid uneven stacking that could affect subsequent casts. The advent of the low-profile bait casting reels allowed fishermen to grip the rod and reel with the casting hand in a way that added more accuracy to casts.
In describing the Shimano Calais 200 bait casting reel, Baitcasting Reel Review reports, “This bait caster has a maximum fluid movement due to the highly greased bearings.” The reference to lubrication and the internal systems is indicative of the manufacturing and engineering that's found in bait casting reels.
Freshwater
Leading manufacturers such as Daiwa, Shimano and Abu Garcia produce traditional and low-profile styles of freshwater bait casting reels in a number of models. Reel bodies are made from magnesium and aluminum alloy and the various models are designed for test line that ranges from 8-lb. to 12-lb. monofilament or braided fishing line. Freshwater bait casting reels include a thumb release free spool lever and the level wind feature.
Saltwater
Saltwater fishing requires larger reels with greater line capacity and durable drag systems. Manufacturers such as Penn and Daiwa produce bait casting reels that hold up to 250 yards of 20-lb. test monofilament line and are capable of casting bait well away from a boat or the shore. In contrast to freshwater reels, saltwater bait casting reels have a free spool selector lever on the side of the reel and high-speed gear ratios that provide ultra-fast retrieval of bait, jigs and light lures.
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