Hi,
I would recommend spending just a little more on something that will last.
I just got the Bass Pro Qualifier and I love it. It is miles ahead of the cheapo baitcaster I had.
Then pair that with one of their rods. Maybe one of these:
http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shopsreg;-2011-Bionic-Bladetrade;-XPSreg;-Trigger-Rods/product/10210581/70611?cmCat=CROSSSELL_THUMBNAIL
If you are willing to wait you might save a couple of bucks at the end of the season. I think I only paid 70 for my pro qualifier.
There are cheaper options and I'm sure some people will chime in.
Good luck.
I would recommend spending just a little more on something that will last.
I just got the Bass Pro Qualifier and I love it. It is miles ahead of the cheapo baitcaster I had.
Then pair that with one of their rods. Maybe one of these:
http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shopsreg;-2011-Bionic-Bladetrade;-XPSreg;-Trigger-Rods/product/10210581/70611?cmCat=CROSSSELL_THUMBNAIL
If you are willing to wait you might save a couple of bucks at the end of the season. I think I only paid 70 for my pro qualifier.
There are cheaper options and I'm sure some people will chime in.
Good luck.
I myself fish with a Quantum Nitrous combo, one of the best (under 100.00) setups I've ever used. I put 30lb braid on it (equivalent to 8lb mono) and it casts like a dream. Definitely worth checking into if you're looking for an inexpensive, somewhat easy baitcaster to get into. I also have a Quantum Vantex baitcaster combo. A little more expensive (around 80 dollars) but never the less still a nice setup for beginners, intermediates and pros alike in my opinion.
I bought a cheapo setup from BPS. The rod is nice and sturdy but I didn't care much for the real. I took that off and it's my back up now. Instead I bought an Abu Garcia Black Maxx from Wal-Mart for $60 and it's great. This is my first baitcaster setup and I use it primarily for flipping as it's spooled with 50 lb braid. But it can toss a senko almost as well as my spinner
when it comes to reels, you get what you pay for. I bought a cheap combo from cabelas last year to do the same thing. Learn how to baitcast. First of all, most people can learn to cast without birdnesting too much fairly quickly and second, my cheapo reel started crapping out just as quickly. The BPS extreme is a good reel and can usually be had for around 60 bucks. Regular price is 80 I think but they have them on sale a lot. Spending a little more now will save you $ in the end. Once you learn this reel you won't put it down. I barely touch my spinning gear anymore.
when it comes to reels, you get what you pay for. I bought a cheap combo from cabelas last year to do the same thing. Learn how to baitcast. First of all, most people can learn to cast without birdnesting too much fairly quickly and second, my cheapo reel started crapping out just as quickly. The BPS extreme is a good reel and can usually be had for around 60 bucks. Regular price is 80 I think but they have them on sale a lot. Spending a little more now will save you $ in the end. Once you learn this reel you won't put it down. I barely touch my spinning gear anymore.
That's awesome info. If this wasn't recommended i would stay away from it. I to experienced the cheapo reel market and couldn't return it fast enough. That was 10 years ago and technology has changed. But all my reels are 160.00 + mainly because i like abu Garcia and Team Daiwa. So i look back and think how much i could have saved if i went with BPS reel.
Shawn and Jay.... solid advice. If I had a nickle for every guy that wanted to get into a baitcaster, bought an inexpensive one, then complained it did not cast far or they kept getting backlashes....I'd have a lot of nickles. They eventually stop throwing it because of those issues.
I'm a shimano guy. Its all I will use both baitcasting and spinning. You can get a Shimano Citica 200g for $130 or 1 step dpwn is the Shimano Caenan 100 Series Casting Reels for $90. Those are 2 good entry level baitcasters. from Tacklewarehouse.
Right now all the Abu garcia Revos are on sale because they are changing the design of the series next year. You can get the S for $99, the SX for $129 and the STX for $159.
Here is how you should set a baitcaster when you are trying to learn. Tie on whatever lure you are going to use. Open the bail and let the lure free fall. It should fall at a slow, steady pace and when the lure hits the ground the spool should stop spinning right away with zero over run. . If the lure will not fall loosen the tension knob until it does fall slowly with no over run. If it falls quickly and the spool keeps turning, even a little once the lure hit the ground, tighten up the tension knob till it stops over running. If you change lures, they most likly will weight different. You need to readjust the tension knob accordingly. If you are throwing bulky baits like a spinnerbait or a buzzbait, especially into the wind you want to tighten the knob even more until it just doesnt fall at all, otherwise you are 1 cast away from the mother of all birds nests
I'm a shimano guy. Its all I will use both baitcasting and spinning. You can get a Shimano Citica 200g for $130 or 1 step dpwn is the Shimano Caenan 100 Series Casting Reels for $90. Those are 2 good entry level baitcasters. from Tacklewarehouse.
Right now all the Abu garcia Revos are on sale because they are changing the design of the series next year. You can get the S for $99, the SX for $129 and the STX for $159.
Here is how you should set a baitcaster when you are trying to learn. Tie on whatever lure you are going to use. Open the bail and let the lure free fall. It should fall at a slow, steady pace and when the lure hits the ground the spool should stop spinning right away with zero over run. . If the lure will not fall loosen the tension knob until it does fall slowly with no over run. If it falls quickly and the spool keeps turning, even a little once the lure hit the ground, tighten up the tension knob till it stops over running. If you change lures, they most likly will weight different. You need to readjust the tension knob accordingly. If you are throwing bulky baits like a spinnerbait or a buzzbait, especially into the wind you want to tighten the knob even more until it just doesnt fall at all, otherwise you are 1 cast away from the mother of all birds nests
The BPS Enigma smartcast reel is a great reel to learn to throw a bait caster. With the breaks set right it is nearly impossible to over run. As you get comfortable with it slowly ease off the breaks. They run about $100 but are on sale for 60-70 every other week. It is a great learning tool and overall not a bad reel at all. I have taught 3 people to use a baitcast on this reel and within a few months they are ordering a Revo. The other method of learning would be to get something like the BPS qualifier the masking tape trick the first few times out so you arent picking birds nests out of your reel all day and can build a little confidence. After a while you can ditch the masking tape and still have a solid reel.