Looking for advice on a baitcaster

[Mr.J.]

I know there will be a lot of great minds I can pick this weekend at Charleston but for those who cannot make it I am very open and eager to hear your thoughts as well.

First some background. I have always fished mono, I have always fished with a spinning reel. I now fish exclusively with a Quantum sure shot reel and an ugly stick and I love them.

I would like to get myself a baitcaster....why?....well so many great fishermen use them that it makes me believe there really must be something to them and the only way I am ever going to know is to start using one myself.

So if you had $200 and were going to buy a combo rod and reel what would you get and why? Keep in mind this would be your very first one too and you may or may not be able to fish with some one willing to teach you. Feel free to recommend a line as well.

Thanks and we'll see you all on Monday.

[Canadian Bacon]

A good starter combo is from BPS
The Extreme combo only $100 or so US.
But If I am picking a reel it is once again the Curado SF

[red_devil]

I learned on the BPS extreme combo and I'm still usin it. Bought it this year and it was the perfect learning reel/rod. Its no shimano or anything else but its worth it.

[GamblerSteve]

I wouldn't get a SF reel for a first baitcast reel. I would just get a regular Curado.

[Blaker]

I have a great combo for sale in the classified section all shimano gear in great shape with new braided line on the reel ready to go PM if you want to try and make a deal. This outfit will last a long time and is ideal for Largemouth fishing and also pike or muskie.

[SkeeterJohn]

Mr. J. I've only been using baitcasters for 2-3 years and i would never go back to just using spinning gear. Spinning gear has it's place but 90% of my bass/pike/muskie fishing is now with baitcasters.

The best advice don't go too cheap on a reel... i have some cheap and some mid range and there's a noticable difference.. My next reels will be curados as now i can tell the difference in the quality. I like my quantums and would probably suggest those if the curados are a bit too high in price for you.

You may also want to try a few when out in the boat with people to see if you prefer left or right handed reels... it should be pretty obvious to you as to which feels more natural... i just can't use right handed reels so all of mine are leftys.

[ady]

Don't go cheap on the reel, otherwise the quality of the one you buy may give you problems. Why not go for the reel this year and the rod next year. When buying a rod for an existing reel, take the reel to the store with and check the balance, a well balanced combo can be fished with ease all day.

2 Curados, one on a StCroix 6'6" the other on a Daiwa 7'

[tallpaul]

Hey Mr. J,

Well, I was in the same "boat" (insert groan here) at the start of the season, I asked the folks and the answer I got was the same... don't go cheap, and a Curado is a safe bet. I actually bought my gear off of Ed (Paddletales) at the Carp Valley show... the reel was about $200 and I got a $75 rod. Ya, I wanted to spend $200 as well, but I saw this as a long term investment so I spent the extra money. Once I had it, I took it to Ed's and he spooled it for me and took me out back of his shop and showed me how to cast with it. Patience is key. My first casts into water with it were at Westmeath and I rinsed a lot of lures that weekend. It has been great so far, and I'm improving with it all the time (lowering the brake and backlash features so I can cast a lot further now). I've changed the line since Ed spooled it and it now has Berkley XT 17lb mono and it seems to be working really well for me (Ed recommended 17lb mono).
Anyway, long story short... I love it.

cheers,
tallpaul

[FLOATFISHIN]

17lb mono is best to learn on for its diamiter.It is easier to manipulate the spool with your thumb, and getting used to the reel.

Thinner diamiter line for the "Newbie" and that isnt a pun towards anyone, can bite alot quicker, and cause headaches that might turn a new user away from baitcasters.

Once you feel comfortable with the 17lb, and your casting is confident, then you can go to thinner line, but if there is anything anyone who uses them 1st hand, "Dont try to cast 100yrds when you 1st get one!!!"Start off slow, and increase your distance with confidence, and knowing when its time to start turning brakes off, and cast control down.

My opinion, I agree with Steve, A super free is not a reel for a beginner, you will increase headaches b4 anything else with the "SF" system.

A curado for the money, as many have stated, is going to last you a lonnnnnnnnng time, and give you the best reel to learn on.Aswell with John, try feeling a left, and right to see which is more comfortable b4 buying.

Spool with cheaper line aswell if you are going to spool yourself.If you do get a backlash that has to be cut out(With thicker diamiter its also easier to get out)but with cheaper line you wont be cutting out 20$ worth of power pro when starting to learn

F.F

[steve-hamilton]

i've purchased two baitcasting combo's in the last year or so...

one lighter (compre with smaller ambassader) and one heavier (xtra heavy rod w/ 6500 ambassader)....

i've used them extensively...but still find myself going to my spinning rods anytime i'm gunning for accuracy...

i'm sure that'll change with time...but for me, my goto rod is a med-heavy St Croix Avid spinning with a 2500 Regal X (diawa)...

i've found baitcasters a big improvement over spinning reels when casting heavy baits...like muskie and pike baits...

the other advantage is casting with the wind, with heavier bass baits...just let'em fly....

but when it comes time for fishing structure...out come the spinning rod aresonal...

i'm a rod junkie though...i'm often on the water fishing with five spinning rods and two baitcasters....in a 17 foot boat, lol.

[Sluggo]

If you are certain about the $200.00 range then I also give the BPS Extreme Combo my vote. I picked mine up from Mike and Crystal at Baitcasters. Very impressive for the price.

It's still no Curado though............

[CNs]

I too would go for a curado non SF. This can always be upgraded to near SF by changing the bearings. (you won't get a whiffle spool ).

As for the rod St Croix Avids run from about 100 - 150.00 depending on the application.


Application? What the heck does that mean?

Really means what do you want to fish with it. What species, types of lures are you wantring to cast with it. There is a world of difference between a curado 100 or 200 ars to the weight od lures they can properly handle. This would also dictate the length and power of the rod as well.

Ed @ Paddletales
Mike and Crystal @ Baitcasters or the other board sponsers
would be able to match up a proper rod the the reel.

If you are trying other rods and reels out this weekend be aware that some people turn off all the brakes in their reels others half off half on other all on. You could pick up the same combo ,same line, same lure but the reel is set up differently. Each would seem totally different.

Good luck

[jbarker]

Why not try a a crestfire on a bob izumi rod. That is what I learned on and have since upgraded to a curado and an accurist 500 but the crestfire was great to learn on. You can get the crestfire on a rod for 99 or 75 by itself (I think) at walmart. plus another 75 for the rod. I know canadian tire sells the reel for 99.99. Good luck.

[Chunko]

First off, please dont buy a crestfire (just my opinion). Secondly, if you plan on fishing it with braid, dont start with braid. Make all your mistakes on mono and then switch over to braid once you have stopped having to cut the birdsnests out. My buddy started with braid and told him hed be sorry. 5 minutes into it he had to cut it all off.

Jay

[steve-hamilton]

agreed with whats been said, 'cept your not finding an Avid (st croix) for 100-150....that is the price of their premiere line of rods (which are still excellent, but dont carry the lifetime warrentee)...

the avid rods are all closer to 200 dollars, but carry the lifetime, over-the-counter exchange.