Baitcasters

[panolo]

I need some suggestions on a good bait caster that I can purchase. I have had a few in the past and went the cheaper route and paid for it with numerous problems. I would like something that is user friendly. Also any tips that I can get to help me learn to properly use a baitcaster would also be appreciated. When I was a kid I watched Paul Elias flip his like a surgeon made an incision. Most amazing thing I ever have seen anybody do with a fishing rod/reel. I understand to get that good would take tons of practice but I just need to be competant when using that setup.

[delmuts]

pan check the pike heading . there is a question about back lashes that should help shed some light on adjusting these reels. for good quality. look at garcias(?) ($50- $100) range another is the phluger trion for $70-$80 . ball park for better reels will put you into the 50 to 110 range. there arae many choices. del

[bucketmouth64]

Bass pro shops is having their spring sale. You can pick up a good reel for under $100. I have some Extremes ($50) that are a good reel for the money. I've also heard that Rick Clunn's reel is good. If you want to stay with name brands then you can't go wrong with Shimano's. In particular the Curado's. This seems to be the choice of many bass fishermen. I still have a bantam mag that has no ballbearings and it still works fantastic after 20 years. I have given it to my son who learned how to use bait casters.

[Dan Wood]

Shimano Curaod for $129 (100b) is an awesome reel for the money. You can get the rod in a combo from either BPS or Cabelas for another $20-30.

[DoctorB]

As mentioned above go with the Shimano Curado. They are almost the default reel for many (perhaps even most) serious bass fisherman. Just remember to back off the brakes when you get it to cast farther according to your skill. Play with the brakes casting different weight lures until you get the hang of how to set them to maximize your cast and minimize backlashes. To flip docks like a pro crank them way down and practice.

[Guest]

I've heard the BPS Extremes's are great reels though I have not used them. Right now they can be gotten for $49.99 through 3/20.

Personally I am a Team Daiwa fan but they are higher end. I am one of the rare non fans of Curado's.

[Coach Dog]

I'll chime in for the Curado as well. SMOOTH!

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GIT-R-Done!

[Banger]

I would also have to put my vote on the curado. I have tried all kinds of reals and the curados seem to hold up the best and for the money they are great. I go with them because they are the best left handed real on the market right now. I want to try the new quantum Pt's but as of now they only come in right handed models. Also saw alot of plfueger trions go out the doors of tackle shops last year. They are worth checking out, they have an unbelievable price for what you get with them.

[EBass]

I'm a quantum guy, but I also have a budget and sometimes I have to get the best one for the money at that time. I have a mixture of brands.

[BigMike]

We've had topics like this come up over time and time again and I think it's fair to say that the overwhelming majority seem to put their vote in for the curado as the best for the money (especially in the $100-130 range), and I would probably have to agree. However, in my opinion one can't just go by what others think. It's a great starting point though for reference! Just my personal preference, but I don't like the curado just because the way it feels in my hand. So when I looked for new reels I look for the features and feel I'm looking for and then evaluate prices.

just my $.02

[LOWinEYEin]

I'm thinkin about going over to the baitcaster, What are the pro's and con's.

Baitcaster vs Openface

[Deitz Dittrich]

WhaTT-

A baitcaster will hold heavier line and cast heavier line better than a spinning reel will. Once "mastered" you can cast more accuratly with a baitcaster than a spinning. And often times they do not make rods with a lot of backbone for spinning reels for some applications like flipping jigs...

[Dan Wood]

Baitcasters do allow for much better accuracy (at least close range). I also like to have my finger on the rod blank (under the handle on a baitcasting rod). This allows for great sensitivity.

You'll find you will do a lot of short distance pitching and flip'n (for this type of stuff the baitcaster is the only way to go). I pitch most of the time. Pitching allows you to keep the bait near the water for a more subtle entrance into the water. You can do similar with a spinning rod, but it isn't nearly as good.

I still use spinning gear once in awhile, but baitcasters the majority of the time. I still like the spinning rods for skipping docks, drop-shotting, and light tackle.

[Coach Dog]

Ditto on what Dan Wood and Exudedude both said. Baitcasters also allow you to fight bigger fish much more effectively. They are just stronger and have a much better drag system than spinning reels.

Coach Dog

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GIT-R-Done!

[Bushwacker]

I use baitcasters 75% of the time when targeting bass, but I can't effectively fish a baitcaster with plastics. How do you guys do it. Totally back off the brakes or switch over to spinning combos like I do? I can cast all day with baitcasters and not have any hand fatigue, but after a couple of hours with spinning gear it feels like I just wrote a novel.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Bushwacker-To affectivly cast lighter weight lures such as unweighted soft plastics, its very important to have matching equipment. For instance, its very difficult to cast a unweighted soft plastic jerk bait, rigged with 20 lb mono and a heavy action rod. Its just not easy to do. However if you have a Medium rod or even Med/heavy rod, 6'6" or 7' on 10-12 lb line. You should (with practice) be able to cast quite light lures. Most plastics have enough weight unless you are trying to cast a 4" finess worm wich just isn't feasable.

Again, turning your breaks down so that when you push the button down your lure falls slowly to the ground, no matter what the weight.

To me the most difficut thing to cast on baitcasting gear would be a small crankbait. Like the 2 hook floating rapalas... Them to me are just easier to cast on spinning... I too totally understand hand fatigue with spinning gear vs baitcasting.