First Baitcaster

Hey guys, first time posting. I just recently started fishing again, got myself a little 12ft boat and such and I want to get a baitcaster, just using spinning at the moment. I've been reading around and I was thinking something like:

http://www.abugarcia.com/products/reels/low-profile-baitcast-reels/max/black-max

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Fishing-Rods/Casting-Rods|/pc/104793480/c/104764680/sc/104823180/Berkley174-Lightning-Rod174-Shock-Casting-Rods/703944.uts?WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104793480%3Bcat104764680%3Bcat104823180

I would like to spend between $80-120 seeing as I haven't ever used one before, I live in Hampden, out in Western Mass so I have access to Cabela's, Dicks and Sports Authority as my closest places. Thanks for any input and suggestions!

Zach

This is what I have and I'd highly recommend it:

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Pro-Qualifier-Baitcast-Reels/product/102287/-1650486?cmCat=CROSSSELL_HOMEPAGE

Check out these links as well.

http://www.basspro.com/Abu-Garcia-ORRA-SX-LowProfile-Baitcast-Reels/product/10208927/-1742647

http://www.basspro.com/Shimano-Caenan-Baitcast-Reel/product/10219064/-1735659

http://www.basspro.com/Quantum-Kevin-VanDam-Signature-Series-Baitcast-Reels/product/10210407/-1760447

You cant go wrong with any Abu Garcia or a Shimano, Quantum makes a good product as well. The Johnnny Morris specials that Bass Pro sells are really good as well, I have one on my Crucial Flippin Stick and Ive horsed some monsters in the boat with it no problem,

Hope this helps

i hate my orra sx and absolutly love my pro qualifier

I don't like my Pro Qualifier at all. It has a lot of plastic parts that are kinda crappy. It worked well for a few months, then started to act up, so I took it apart to give it a simple cleaning, and it just crapped out from there. I've cleaned reels plenty of times, so this shouldn't have been an issue. Maybe I got a dud.

My least maintenance, best performing reel has been the Quantum Bill Dance Select. It was a 60$ combo, rod/reel, and has outperformed my other reels, which are close to 100 for the reel only (both Bass Pro reels).

If I can give you any advice, once you have your reel set up, pull out 50-100 feet of line and put some tape on the spool. When you first start with a baitcaster, you will get some wicked bird's nests. The tape will make it so that you can't ruin the entire spool...only up to the tape, which has saved me a few headaches!

Just get a Shimano Curado and be done with it. You will have no regrets and have a great reel that will last a decade.

Just get a Shimano Curado and be done with it. You will have no regrets and have a great reel that will last a decade.

I think they are on sale at Cabela's right now too, according the flyer I just got in the mail...

Just get a Shimano Curado and be done with it. You will have no regrets and have a great reel that will last a decade.

I think they are on sale at Cabela's right now too, according the flyer I just got in the mail...

They are on sale most places. Shimano is changing up thier line up for 2012. the 2011 model is on clearence everywhere. You shoulf be able to get it for around $130.

I highly recommend the Abu Garcia Revo S

I just started baitcasting this year and this reel was so easy to learn on. I didn't birdnest for literally dozens of trips... not until my lure got caught on a branch behind me and I still tried casting unknowingly, lol. So it pretty much never birdnests unless you do something silly like hit a branch or try throwing something way too light.

Even though it is the lowest end Revo model at $130 it reviews better than most of the expensive ones and many claim it works better and lasts longer.

Even though it goes for $130 at Bass Pro, I got mine as a combo with an All Star Rod for $100 at Dicks. There might be a few floating around, and if there is, they are $75 now for the combo.

Just look at the reviews... Mine is the 3rd review down (towelie).

http://www.basspro.com/Abu-Garcia-Revo&153;-S-LowProfile-Baitcast-Reel/product/84683/-1303266

I highly recommend this abu, over the silver max and over the orra.

Zack137z,
Looks like you have done your homework. I say go for what you have choice. As you get better you will want to go with the higher quality stuff.
It will take a little while to get use to the bait caster, but once you do you will love it.
Start out with a 5/8th plug and tighten the breaks down. Start casting and release the break a little at a time.
Don't give up on it. Like I said it will take you a little time.
Good luck
Rev Jim.............

Just letting anyone who wants to try/wants a:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Bargain-Cave/New-This-Week/Boating-Fishing|/pc/105591780/c/105633180/sc/105638580/Berkley174-Lightning-Rod174-Shock-Casting-Rods/703944.uts?WTz_l=SBC%3Bcat105591780%3Bcat105638580

They are on sale from 49.99 to 29.99 for the week it seems

ps. link is broke but you can see the name its the Berkley Lightning Casting Rod

You know, this is an interesting thread. When I lived down south (Louisiana) for about ten years almost all the serious fisherman used baitcasters as their first choice, but up here it seems to be spinning gear; I wonder why that is?

the answer may be as simple that the average bass are smaller

can someone poit out pros and cons of both systems, cause i wanna invest in a new stick as well today or tomorrow and mine so far are all spinners

can someone poit out pros and cons of both systems, cause i wanna invest in a new stick as well today or tomorrow and mine so far are all spinners

Ok this is just my opinion, I feel as though Spinning Tackle is more versitle in the aspect that you can tthrow just about anything on say a Med Spinning Rod, When it comes to Bait Casting Tackle the rods become more specific, Like Flippin Sticks, Frog Rods, Crankin Rods, Drop Shot Rods etc, each of my rods is geared towards a specific technique, Hope that Helps