Sorta depends upon the target species. Open reel is much less prone to have
line problems for most. It takes a lot of skill/experience to handle a bait
caster well, IMO. I always take both. Usually use both. Open reel is
often better if you want to simply drop a live bait over and just let it
swim. A bull minnow can strip a lot of line off and cover a lot of
territory with an open reel rig. I often get much longer casts with a bait
caster. That can be useful in some situations. I load my bait caster with
heavier line in case I get into a mess of bull Reds (rare but terrific fun)
or hook up with a Jack or other big fish. I like both but tend to favor a
bait caster as that was all there was when I was a lad and began fishing
with my father.

Butch
"SoFarrell" wrote in message
news:1112533058.e03e077ee05b93a2e6a153ff6cdd29f7@t eranews...
For live bait fishing, what's your pref? Open or spinning reels? Why?