Kerry,

I haven't ever used a baitcasting reel (other than for fishing muskies) so I never took one into the back country.  This year I invited a newbie from St. Louis who fishes in bass tournaments.  He only brought bait casting reels and they worked very well for him.  He was primarily casting spoons for northerns and some Rapalas.  For casting spoons, the baitcasting reels worked very well for him.  He did, however, have a very good quality reel.

As far as I could tell, his reel worked just as well as our spinning reels.

He had never caught northerns before and he really enjoyed catching northerns.  He even caught a 48 inch northern.  He did not, however, catch a lake trout.  Maybe next year.

Westwood