Baitcast reels for Trout - advice needed

I noticed several guides and advanced fisherman use baitcast reels for trout and other inshore fish. I am looking to get better at trout fishing. Would baitcast reels be better and what line should I use? I will be throwing Trout Eye jigs, Trout Tricks and other plastic baits. Using a 7 foot medium TFO rod Any advice out there for an old fisherman -new forum member?

I recommend the Shimano Caenan. 80 bucks. You can buy 3 for the price of one Curado. Hold up well for inshore.
I use 10 lb PowerPro braid on mine. This is my main setup.


2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com

Thanks Optiker. I confess Im a bit leary of using light braid on a baitcaster. I heard the lighter braid can be difficult to master with a baitcaster. I do love it on my spinning reels though. I’m average at best with a baitcast reel but I will give it a go.

Another question please. Do you tie directly to pp or do you use a leader?

I don’t think you will have a problem with the light braid. I had my friend Ray with me the other day try my baitcaster. Within 20 minutes he was winging it. There are a few settings to help from bird nesting at first then once you get some practice you can back off. The main thing is to stop the spool with your thumb before the lure hits the water (or otherwise stops)

I tie straight to the jig unless I’m using something with trebles then I’ll use a leader. Just to keep the braid from fouling in the split rings


2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com

X2 on the Shimano Caenan…Opt gave me the same advice. While I was looking on line on the Cabelas website, these reels dropped in price from $80 to $45…well, I bought 3 and I really like them. Guess they were trying to clear out some inventory. Smooth, fits great in your palm and speedy retrieve when needed. Been using them mostly for stripers in Lake Murray but also at the coast for trout and red fish. Great reels!

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And if and when the drag or bearings start having issues, you can easily upgrade both. You can purchase carbon drag washers online. Also, I have recently been replacing/upgrading my Caenans and some friends Curados with ceramic bearings from BOCA Bearings. For around 50 bucks the reel will be better than new, and cast about 20% further.


2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com

I use both spinning and baitcasting reels but I don’t know that using a baitcaster is going to make you “better” but there are some positives to be gained by using them.

One, they offer more power than spinning reels. Two, when you get proficient with them, you can be more accurate with your casts. Three, they have a wider range of gear ratios and faster gear ratios.

Use what you’re comfortable and confident with.

Earn it everyday

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Good point, archer. Some, probably most, people prefer a baitcaster for working a topwater plug. I don’t know why, but I can work a plug much better with a spinner. But, I much prefer a baitcaster for jigs. Like archer said, you can be very precise with your casts because you can control the distance with your thumb. We do a lot of pitching to structure like bushes and trees (just like bass fishermen) and you can underhand ■■■■■ the lure under docks and things really easy once you get used to it. I always have both types on my boat on any given trip. Gott use the right tool for the job. But, its great to give yourself another tool by getting over the learning curve of a baitcaster.


2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com

The Caenan is a pretty good reel. I grew up on freshwater bass fishing and have used baitcasters a lot. Learn to cast the baitcaster both left handed and right handed. It is not hard. If you pull up broadside to a dock with dock on the starboard side, you may have to cast backhand with a spinning reel. With a baitcaster, switch the rod to left hand and pitch left handed. The same is true if you are working an oyster bank with the bank on the starboard side. It is also helpful to cast left handed if you have rods in a stand up rod holder or if another fisherman in your boat is close to you on your right. With a spinning reel in these situations you may be stuck making a weak backhand cast.

A 2000-3000 size spinning reel loaded with 6-10 pound braid (10-15lb mono or fluoro leader) on a 6 1/2-7 1/2 ft. med-lt. rod will take care of 80+ percent of the lures/presentations for trout. I only use baitcasters for trout when using top waters and hard plastic jerkbaits and twitchbaits. Baitcasters for trout are a little “overkill” for trout around here IMO.

quote:
Originally posted by Optiker

I recommend the Shimano Caenan. 80 bucks. You can buy 3 for the price of one Curado. Hold up well for inshore.
I use 10 lb PowerPro braid on mine. This is my main setup.


2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com


Caenons are $90; Curados are $180

A Curado 200E7 is $250. Anyway it doesn’t change the point


2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com

It’s the 300 frame that is $250 not the 200. Very different reel.

You’re right. Didn’t look close enough. Well its $180. Caenans can be found for $60. Still 1:3


2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com

Curados can be found for $130 too. Its more than twice the reel a Caenon is. LOL ?

You win! Congrats.


2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com

No, mine’s bigger!!! Lol!!!

No matter how much it hurts, how dark it gets, or how far you fall…you are never out of the fight.

Just checked Cabela’s…Caenan on sale $ 59.99

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