Yes, a conventional reel and a bait caster are the same type of fishing reel. They are often referred to interchangeably in fishing terminology. Both terms refer to a specific type of reel commonly used for casting and retrieving fishing lines, particularly in baitcasting setups. These reels have a spool that rotates during casting and retrieval and are typically mounted on the fishing rod. They require the angler to manually apply thumb pressure on the spool during casting to control the line's release and prevent backlash. So, in short, a conventional reel and a bait caster are different names for the same type of reel.