If you are aiming to become an angler, then you would have likely exposed yourself to either fly or spin fishing, or maybe even both.
While these forms of fishing both catch fish as the end result, that is pretty much where the similarities end. It’s like saying a basketball and a volleyball are the same thing. Technically true, as they are both balls, but they are used in completely different situations. That also applies to fly and spin fishing.
Even today, the debate rages on for many anglers. Which fishing form catches the most fish? Which requires less skill to use? Which is more relaxing? Which is more cost-effective?
And most importantly, which is the best one to use overall?
Before you make your choice, let’s take a look at some key facts between the two fishing forms.
Equipment
Despite both requiring a rod to fish, equipment used by both fly and spin fishing are distinct from one another.
Fly fishers, for instance, have to wade in water wearing waders while equipped with a long but lightweight rod. Their lures are fly lures. That is, an artificial fly made with animal pieces, such as hair or feathers. The intent is to fool the fish by making the lure look like invertebrates, insects, or baitfish.
Spin fishers, on the other hand, are more likely to stay behind, away from the water, whether it’s by boat or hanging near the side of the lake. Their rods are also shorted compared to the ones used by fly fishers, and the rods pack more weight compared to the fly fisherman’s rod. Their lures vary widely in comparison to fly lures, with different shapes, sizes, and strategies to use them, from jigs, to spinners, to crankbaits.
Cost
For anglers just starting out, spin fishing is a cheaper choice, as you would only need to spend between $75-$100 for a complete set of fishing gear for a day’s worth. Maybe $150 at most.
Fly fishing, on the other hand, may double or even triple your expenses in comparison, as other than a rod, reel, and line, you will need waders for when you have to go in the water.
On the long term, though, fly fishing becomes a much cheaper option, at least in terms of lures. Compared to spin fishing, where the lures can get exceptionally expensive depending on the quality, fly lures can go as cheap as $1. Some are even made as a hobby by people, making the cost practically zilch.
Skill required
Fly fishing is usually done by anglers who are going for a specific catch, such as stubborn fish that are unlikely to bite.
This means that fly fishing has more of a challenge gap in comparison to spin fishing, especially since the rod is completely lightweight in comparison to a spin fisherman’s rod.
Some practice will be needed then, to be able to properly do fly fishing.
Spin fishing, on the other hand, is more about catching as much fish as possible. This is best seen when anglers use live bait for their rods. Sure, artificial bait can also be more specific with the type of fish they want to catch, but it is not as specific compared to that of fly fishing.
However, this is simply a rule of thumb. There is no law or rule actually stating that you can only fish in a certain way using a certain form.
Fishing tactics
As both forms of fishing differ, this means that the tactics for both differ as well. As mentioned earlier, fly fishing is meant to give the impression that the lure is of an insect, which attracts certain fish like trout.
The rod being lightweight allows anglers the technique of false casting, which involves whipping the rod backward and forward multiple times.
The intent is to increase the momentum of the rod, meaning that the fly gains more distance the more the rod is whipped. When a false cast is being done, the fly does not touch the water.
The tactics for spin fishing depend more on the type of lure or bait that you are using, as some types of lures require you to be active, while some allow you to lounge about and wait for the fish to come to you. However, most share the similarity of enticing fish from underwater, compared to fly fishing which entices the fish from the water surface.
As spin fishing requires a heavy cast, throwing the lure means that any fish directly below the lure will be spooked due to the weight. In comparison, the light nature of the fly means that the noise is minimized as it plops above the water, thus highly reducing the chance of spooking the fish underwater.
Best Location
As a rule of thumb, fly fishing is best used on moving bodies of water, such as rivers and streams.
On the other hand, spin fishing is best for still bodies of water, which means lakes and ponds.
An issue that fly fishing might present is that a lot of space is needed for a comfortable cast, especially if you don’t want your line to land on unwanted trees or foliage. Compare this to spin fishing, where you can fish on practically any body of water as long as you have a clear line of sight, since you can simply drop your lure in and wait for the fish to bite.
Which should I go for?
There is no “best” form of fishing, here. As you can see, the two forms differ so much that they barely share any similarities other than the fact that they are both used to catch fish.
Heck, even the type of fish they catch is different. Fly fishing is for more specific fish, spin fishing is for more general fish.
A good angler would use the form that is best for them and their style, as they both have their own strengths and weaknesses.
Or if you want, you can learn them both too. As long as you don’t mind the added expenses, that is.