I am curious to see if there is a definite preference between baitcasters or spinning reels. Maybe some of you bring both and use them for different species.

Please note your reel style of choice - specific to a species if so - and why you prefer. Personally, I am leaning toward spinning, but I could see where the baitcaster would be more compact and durable.
https://www.pickkayaks.com/best-baitcasting-reels/

I like spinning gear for vertical jigging since you can just drop it down and not worry about line management. I also like spinning gear for lighter tackle because it can be harder to cast light stuff which can make baitcasters tricky (due to overruns/backlashes), especially in wind.

I like casting gear for power fishing because you can winch fish in. I also like the ergonomics which makes it more comfortable to hold for long periods. I also like casting gear for absolute precision, when trying to put a lure in a specific spot, often near brush. Flipping is so much more precise and enjoyable with casting gear.

In general, I prefer casting gear for bass and pike for precision and power, but I like the drag system of spinning reels and prefer them for vertical jigging, windy days, and light tackle. If I lived closer to lake trout lakes, I would probably start using casting gear for them even when jigging, to use bigger and heavier lures and to horse them to the boat so I can release them with a lot of energy so they have a higher chance of survival.

JDO pretty much nailed it. With that said, I use spinning reels 100% of the time, and I fish almost exclusively for walleyes and bass. I'll catch northerns on walleye rigs quite often and have never wished for a different rod/reel. I'll vary the reel size for the rod or species I'm targeting. I guess if I get more into big pike or muskies, I'll look at bait casters.

I use spinning gear for Smallmouth Bass and Walleye With monofilament line. I use a bait caster for heavier fish and use heavier lures for fish like Pike and Muskie. I use super line on these reels.

When I go fishing out of a boat/cabin in MN, I take plenty both types of rods/reels. Spinning for walleye and ultra-light setups. Slip bobber rigs, lindy rigs, vertical jigging, and anything panfish. 6 or 8 lb mono is typically on these.

Baitcaster for bass/pike. Spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, cranks, spoons, etc. I usually run braid on these in the 12-40lb range.

That said....I like to travel light in the BW normally since we put on some miles. I'll use a medium action spinning rod with matching size reel and do it all with that. Between my wife and I, we'll take 3 spinning rods. Main one for each of us and a spare.

If we were ever to do more of a basecamp style trip, I'd definitely bring a casting rod too but I can't say I've ever NEEDED it before. Of course it would be nice.

Ditto to all the above. I stopped bringing a caster altogether since it’s “less useful” - I can do everything with two spinning rods instead of throwing another rod into the mix that is only good for one thing.

I suppose the reel gearing in a bait caster is better for constantly reeling lures for northerns like daredevls and spinners.

But If I really think about it, I think I am just as precise with a spinning reel, and if you have a heavy lure on a spinning reel you can bomb it just as far.

I take two spinning rods and a bait caster.

Jackfish: "JDO pretty much nailed it. With that said, I use spinning reels 100% of the time, and I fish almost exclusively for walleyes and bass. I'll catch northerns on walleye rigs quite often and have never wished for a different rod/reel. I'll vary the reel size for the rod or species I'm targeting. I guess if I get more into big pike or muskies, I'll look at bait casters."

When I used to paddle for muskies, I always used bait casters, so once again, we're on the same page, Pete.

May I call you Same-Page-Pete?

I really only use spinning gear for jigging walleyes or with a slip Bobber for various species, or die chasing stream trout. Any time a lot of casting is involved I use a bait caster. I just have so much more control and it feels much more natural to me. Better for trolling as well.

I bring both...but I may switch to exclusively spinning moving forward. I purchased a few Shimano Nasci reels in the 2500 and 3000 size. they have 20lb drags and the 3000 comes with a t-handle and has a decently fast gear ratio at 6.2.1 so you can move baits and fish with it better than most spinning reels. I put braid on all my reels and tie on a 10lb fluorocarbon leader for plastics and jigs or titanium leader for cranks/mepps/jerkbaits. These reels are buttery smooth, can be used for saltwater and freshwater, powerful drags and are priced right at $99 (I picked mine up on sale for $70...absolute no brainer). That being said, I feel like I don't need to bring a baitcaster anymore, plus I'm still hitting my stride with them so I fight it more than I like.

Always one of each - one Stella (2500), and one old style Lew's (BB1NGH). Choice of which to fish is dictated almost entirely by the weight of what I'm presenting. Plastics, small plugs, and small inline spinners get the spinning rig. Larger spinnerbaits, plugs, spoons, etc. get the casting rig.

Cyclone hits it on the head for canoe trips, 3 spinning rods for two person canoe is ideal. Now that my group is old and lazy and takes resort boats into Moose Chain and Basswood, I take MH casting, M casting and 4 assorted spinning rigs...kinda like Kevin Van Dam for poor people with limited talent (10-12 rigs in a 16 ft Lund, no problem). Would never use anything but braid with flouro leader to hook walleyes or large bass, unless its a slip bobber rig. I am back to canoe trip in 2021 and will suffer after all these years of luxury...

Shimano Ultegra 2000 spinning reel on a G Loomis 6'2" Light action spinning rod for walleyes. Will bring a spool of braid and another of Flouro.
Old round style BPS Pro Qualifier baitcast reel ($50) and a 6'6" BPS Extreme MH rod ($10 bargain rack) spooled with braid and a titanium leader.

Been running those two setups in BWCA/Quetico for the last 15 years or so.
Two rods for me and two for my buddy. We use rod wraps and a tip guard to keep them all together while portaging.