Lookin at gettin a baitcaster. In about the $100 range but less is better. I currently use a small 1000 reel w/ 8# power pro and a 2000 with 12# for my light tackle inshore and freshwater setups. Everytime I walk through Wal-Mart I see alot of em. And our local tackle shops have almost none it seems. Want the r&r combo and will put line on it. I wanna be able to fix worms and well placed casts, and throw grubs and topwaters with it. It’s this or a 4wt fly rod so not sure lol. Thanks for the help
Hunter P. Hames
11’ Tarpon 100
19’ Sea Fox 125 merc
I only prefer baitcasters when I’m actually throwing bait (ie, fairly heavy lead on the bottom or heavy popping corks) and using line over 12 pound. I have an Abu Garcia 5500C3 I’ve used for catfish and reds, I’ve had it since 1998 and love it. But not the best, IMO, for throwing topwaters and jigs in the 1/4oz or smaller range.
I have 2 ABU 5500’s that are both about 12 years old. Never failed me.
I have found that a little heavier line casts better and helps to minimumize backlash. I also have a Shimano Cardif that is about 5 years old. It has been a great reel as well with zero problems. I use them for all general inshore fishing.
the Abu 5500’s are great reels, have had a few of them. I know some people may disagree, but I would say you’re probably better off getting a smaller, low-profile baitcaster if you want to use it for lighter lures and not just chuckin’ out a cork or carolina rig. I have a couple of baitcasters that are my go-to reels for just about anything.
I’ve also noticed that the local shops don’t carry as much in the way of baitcasters (at least cheap ones), but try Dicks or Sports Authority over Walmart. Abu, Daiwa, and Quantum all make combos well under $100 that will last a long time and stand up to decent fish if you take care of them. Probably not too much difference in features at that price range, but be sure to compare things like line capacity and type of cast control. I prefer a left-hand setup so that I can cast with my right hand without having to switch hands to reel, but it’s really hard to find lefthanded reels. Something to think about though, especially if you’re used to using a spinning reel with your left hand.
if you’re just learning the ways of the baitcaster, don’t spend too much money on line…
Thanks yall. I want to get a low profile I guess(seems that’s what all the bass guys use/). I would like to get a rod and reel combo for that 100$ mark. And if I like baitcasters I may look ay some bigger ones but this is for freshwater and possibly light saltwater. I really just don’t know what specs I need, I want the equivlent of a 2000 spinning reel. And I hate Wal-Mart so dicks or somewhere for sure! My next question was line… thanks yall
Hunter P. Hames
11’ Tarpon 100
19’ Sea Fox 125 merc
Yak, I’ve been using baitcasters pretty much exclusively for over 20 years. I suggest a Shimano Citica or Curado, 6’8" 10-17# medium heavy Clarus or Compre worm & jig rod with fast tip, 30# braid and 20# clear leader and modified albright union. Another good, fast, light graphite rod with a at least 8 or 9 guides would be fine, too.
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance Agency, Inc. https://stricklandmarine.net
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862
P.S. You could save some bucks by getting a Caenan reel with a lower-end graphite rod. Even a $40 rod with 6 or 7 eyes will work very well. I’ve gotten decent graphite baitcast rods for as little as $20 before.
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance Agency, Inc. https://stricklandmarine.net
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862
I’ve always preferred a tougher line with more memory on my baitcasters. I’ve used a lot of Trilene Big Game. I’ve found that, for whatever reason, memory helps the line get shoved off the reel as it spins.
Super limp lines like lower-diameter braids and Trilene XL seem to backlash on me easier.
Perhaps I sling them like a brute too much, and I’m almost always throwing more than a solid ounce of weight (usually 2-6 depending on the bait size). For throwing lures, maybe a limper line would be up your alley.
The configuration that I recommended above is primarily for casting artificials ranging from about 1/8 to around 3/4 ounce in total lure weight. A lighter rod and line with the same reel will be better for even lighter baits.
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance Agency, Inc. https://stricklandmarine.net
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862
im with gotchacovered i love my curado reels on clarus rods. but you could move down to the citica reels which are very simalar in size and shape just not as smooth as the curado. also have 55lb daiwa samurai braid on all of my reels and this combo casts like a dream even with the small D.O.A. shrimp. just my 2ct
I bought a Lews baitcaster reel about 15 years ago. I never learned how to use it and was frustrated with it. I took it out with me at the begining of this season, gave it another try, and love it. It casts like a dream and I can set the lure down on a dime. I picked up a pflueger on ebay but don’t like it as much. Look on ebay and see if you can pick something up cheap to test it out before spending money on a new rig.
P.S. Yakman, if you’re used to casting a spinning rod, and you’re right handed, then I suggest that you start out with a left-handed baitcaster. I know that sounds counter-intuitive, but it has always worked better for me and for everyone I know of who’s followed this advice. LH baitcasters are all I’ve bought for many years because, as a right-handed person myself, it feels much better to cast with my right hand and reel with my left. Many right-handed fishermen who use baitcasters buy the “right-handed” reels but switch hands on every cast. They cast with their right, then switch hands to reel. I never liked that extra step. Aside from just being unnecessary, it can lose fish for you when they hit the bait quickly, and it leaves more room for erros and a steeper learning curve for beginners. So, I bought lefty reels from the start and have always been happy with that choice.
On that note, I’ve always wondered why the manufacturers reversed the nomenclature for the baitcasters. A right-handed spinning reel has the handle on the LEFT, but a “right-handed” baitcaster has it on the right. Others have told me they wondered the same thing.
Anyway, I figure that if you’re new to baitcasters, this suggestion might save you some hassle, particularly if you’re already used to casting with the right and reeling with the left on spinning gear. If you’re a left-hander, of course, then a right-handed reel would be the reel for you per the same suggestion.
In other words, don’t just take the one off the shelf because it’s in stock. Go where you can put hands on left and right, rigged on a rod, try them both, and get whichever one that will not add extra hassle for you.
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance Agency, Inc. https://stricklandmarine.net
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862
Advice: save your money until you can afford to buy a nice setup like the curado/Clarus combo, you will be very glad you did and will last longer and handle abuse better than the less expensive combos. Also don’t forget about Abu, the revo series are awesome reels and their new line up of rods such as the verdict are great rods for the price. It really boils down to personal preference but as you just figuring out what style you like best you cannot go wrong with either Abu or shimano. Good luck searching…by the way, I’ve got dozens of setup a similar to what is described above that I hardly ever use, pm me if you’re interested in saving a few bucks and getting a used setup.
I have the Abu’s but I really love my shimano cruxis on a light action 7’ castaway with 30lb braid. Watch academy for sales, both were 1/2 off and got the whole rig for 75$.
