Speaking from a guy that started with 4 spinning outfits in my boat year around and HATED baitcasters because I could never cast them, Baitcasters are much better unless you are using light line. Light line, light lures, spinning reels but everything else is Baitcasters. I used to carry 4 spinning reels 3 years ago and now it is 6 baitcasters with different mono and flouro line sizes for different applications. One piece of advise, buy the best baitcaster and rod that you can afford to start with. The better the rod and reel the more foregiving it will be and the less frustrated you will be. I started with CHEAP on both ends and they constantly backlashed and I hated them even more. I bought a Quantum Accurist, $79 at Bass Pro was my first and still have 2 of them for I love them. Put these on Bionic Blade rods from BP and you have $160 total in an outfit that will work just fine for you.