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Hi. This is also my first post here, so please excuse if the question seems dumb. Here's the background info. I have been fishing for about 5 years with a spinning reel. Now I want to try a baitcaster. My fishing partner and I fish every weekend from May to October and practically every day during August. We are on the Arnprior - Lachute section of the Ottawa, so the fish can range from tiny to huge. I guess I am looking for an all purpose reel - for fishing for anything from the dock or the boat (pontoon). I checked out a bunch of baitcasters at the OVFO show this weekend, but am a bit overwhelmed. I liked the Pfleuger President or Trion, but don't know if they are good learning reels. I was told that maybe I would want something with "magnetic braking", and they don't seem to have that. Any suggestion?

If your looking at a Pfleuger President I would send a little more money and get a Shimano Curado. You won't disappointed with your purchase it will wear you out first.

Steve

Gamblers Right...

And welcome to the site!

I picked up a Curado this weekend from the Paddletales booth. It has the "magnetic braking" you're talking about, and apparently it's next to indestructible.
It's my first baitcaster as well... I've never even made a cast with one yet, but hope to get in enough practice to be ready for Westmeath.
Anyway, sounds like you're in the same "boat" that I was... so I recommend simply going to talk to someone. My experience with Ed was great... helped me out at the show, gave me answers to my questions, and offered/suggested I come back to his store for some tips on how to use it, and also, he offered to help give me a hand with spooling it, etc...

Anyway... good luck...

cheers,
tallpaul

my first BC was the curado, loved it - bought another.

Hey Yuck_Worm


Sorry... can't help you on the bait casters(I can't use them ) but Welcome to the site

I wouldn't recommend a Pflueger (Trion or Presdient) as your first baitcaster. I have used them (not as my first) and found them to be more sensitive that other baitcasters. These are great reels, but not as a starter. If you do decide to go for the Pflueger, get the Trion. I found the difference between the President and the Trion (# of ball bearings) isn't worth the price as the Trion is good, well priced reel.

I would recommend the Shimano Curado as GamblerSteve, BassTalker,ady and tallpaul have.

The Curado first of all is well priced, very easy to adjust, a quality reel and it will last a long time.

Good luck.

Mike

Y_W

Not sure why someone would recommend magnetic braking over any other type. Did they give you a reason? I have used both and the differences are minimal. In your situation (new to baitcasters) I would not limit myself to only reels with magnetic braking systems as you would miss out on alot of great products.

The Shimano Curado uses a centrifugal braking system NOT magnetic.

The Curado is a bulletproof reel. It was the first baitcaster I ever bought and is worth every penny.

Sluggo is right... I guess I was just caught up in the excitement of owning one and knew it had a brake system and I thought they were pretty much all magnetic... anyway... looking forward to getting some line wet!

Variable Brake System (VBS) uses centrifugal force rather than magnets to aid in controlling the cast for increased distance and adjustability.

cheers,
tallpaul

I think the Pfleuger has the same centrifugal braking system. You remove some of the inside weights and you have less tendancy to create a birdsnest, but also lose a bit of distance on the cast. I guess you have the same trade-off with magnetic as well. I think I really liked what seemed like a lower profile with the Pfleugers, esp the president. Being female and having perhaps a slightly smaller hand, the reel felt good, but I can't discount that my preference may have been based largely on esthetics. I'll give the Curado a serious look before I buy. Thanks for the warm welcome and the help.

I went to a lot of sites on the web for buying a first baitcaster, so I can't remember exactly where I heard about the "magnetic brake" thing. I do remember that the site didn't suggest any brands, just general things to consider like, ratio, # of bearings, etc.
Thanks for the feedback.

hi Yuck_Worms. welcome to the sight

Pieter

Another reel that may suit you is the Bassmaster® Low-Profile Baitcast Reel. Model BSM1000H (6.3:1 gear ratio / 28" retrieve / 9.15oz / 6bb)

It will probably fit your hand better than The Pfluger or the Shimano. I don't have one as of yet but will be getting on soon. I have had one in my hands more than a few times

I know Baitcasters, a Fish-Hawk sponsor, sells these reels. It would be well worth your while to see that reel, and actually see how it fits you before buying any other reel.

Not too long ago, all the better baitcasters had magnetic brake systems, and this type of brake system worked quite well, although they did/do sacrifice a bit of distance compared to centrifugal brakes.

They did have the advantage of being quickly and easily adjustable to (usually) 10 different settings.

When fishing in very windy conditions you could turn the brakes down low to cast with the wind (and cast a mile if you were brave enough to turn the brakes completely off), then turn the dial to a high number and cast right into the wind without fear of "professional overrun".

When faced with windy conditions now, I preset a couple of reels with many or most brakes in the non-operating position, and others with most brakes set to function. From experience, I know I will not take the time to remove the side plate and fiddle with the brakes on the water.

CCB- votes for the Curado, too...

Hey man welcome,

I'd go with a Curado or a Team Daiwa Advantage Super Tuned.. Both excellent reels for the price. However Curados last a long time and the Daiwa's are new this year. Pfluegers are nice but seem a little bit of a wrong choice for a starter just because there is better for that price on in that range.. Shimano is backed with durability and quality..

Spence