Bait casting rods are made for the small revolving spool reels that guys swear at when the line overrevs and tangles. They have small guides, and are meant to be used with the reel on the top of the rod.

Spinning rods have fixed spool reels that guys swear at when the line gets all twisted up and tangles. The reel is meant to be used below the rod, and the guides are larger to allow casting with the line streaming off the end of the spool.

Hope that helps.