What to buy

[fishinphilth]

I used to primarily fish for walleyes until about four years ago. Then a buddy got me hooked on bass fishing and there is nothing better than watch a bass come up and hit that lure. Since I used to only fish walleyes I dont have any bait casting rods and reels. I have no idea where to even start looking. I know that I need a reel that limits the backlash and dont feel like spending a whole lot at first or at least until I get the hang of it and can justify spending more on a rod and reel. Any suggestions will help thanks. Oh yeah, only 1 more day plus tax until we can start pulling those greenies.

[SluggoMaster]

The Shimano Curado SF has been awesome for me, and it won't break the bank, relatively speaking.

[Deitz Dittrich]

For a reel, many people go with the Shimano Curado. It retails for $119.99. Not sure if thats more than you were wanting to spend or not. The reel is well worth the investment. You will have a hard time finding someone who owns one and does not like it.... For the rod it really depends on what lures you want to use with it. IF your looking for just a basic rod that can do a lot. I would go with a 6'6" Med/Heavy.

[Tom Wilson]

fishinphilth,

Congratulations on your conversion. Dietz, is right about the Curado. Without spending into the $200-300.00 range it is the best reel for the money, however if your not going to shell out the money for the SF (super free) model than you are not getting much better than a couple of the other less expensive baitcasters that are currently on the market. I've been playing with and selling those reels for a long time, and while I am not claiming to be an expert, there is a vast difference in those two Curado reels. Last year, I was tossed with the decision to buy a new reel, and I couldn't afford the SF at the time, and I really didn't like the differences in the plain Curado. I bought the Pflueger trion. 6 ball bearings and a super free spool. I fished it for a month, won my first bit of tournament money, and went back and bought two more of them. I fished them all summer last year, and have already fired em up agian for this year, they are a really nice reel, and for $99 bucks ($89 on sale) they're hard to beat. The only other thing I would say is this--as much as I like them, it was an issue of quality and dependability for the money. If the funds were not an issue, I would definitely take the SF Curado, if this is you same battle, hopefully my opinion here will help you. You would be happy with either reel.

[buzzin for bass]

fishinphilth-

I've read quite a few posts on FM that mention the shimano reels and have to admit that I have never tried one, so in recommending something else I may not be in the best position. That said, a couple of years ago I picked up a pair of prodigy reel/xml rod combinations from cabela's and have absolutely fallen in love with them. I've found the reels to be extremely smooth and the anti-backlash on them has helped with teaching my wife how to fish with the baitcaster instead of the old spincast/pushbutton. I think the combo can be picked up for around $150, so for $30 dollars more than the sf reel you also get, what I believe to be, a good quality rod.

I'd be interested in hearing what others have to say about the prodigy/xml combo. I'm also looking to pick up another rod/reel, and wonder if the extra money for the sf, etc. is really worth the difference. In two+ years I've had no problems with my prodigy combo.

[nitro640]

I've tried the expensive reels and no matter what kind I try they never seem to last a whole season, you are going to laugh at this but here goes, I go to wal-mart and buy regular spin-cast reels I think they are shimanos, for $3.99. I keep three or four in the boat, when one wears out I just throw it away and put on another one.I like fishing topwater so I make alot of casts. the best part is the bass dont seem to care either.

[Juice]

Has anyone used the Citica reel by shimano? Are they a good reel? If not i'll just stick to my Abu Garcia Ambassador Series reels. Thanks

[gspman]

I have 2 citica's in which I replaced the bushings with bearings. I got them on clearance at a walmart for under $50. With the new bearings in them they are essentially now the same as a 5.0:1 Curado. They work very nice.

Don't get a cheap baitcaster because they just plain don't work as nice and you'll end up being frustrated and quit using it.

Get a Curado and a 7' Medium or Medium Heavy rod and have at it. Practice, practice, practice with that Curado until you have it down.

gspman

[Granny]

You can find decent reels on sale for $50. Don't go cheap or you will be turned off by the poor performance. I would highly recommend the Shimano Clarus rod. Its a one time investment of $60-$70 with an over the counter replacement if you break it, no questions asked. In my book that is priceless!

Granny

[HellaBass]

Citica reels are solid and they 5.1.1 ratio, rather than 6.2.1 that the curado has and has one less bearing. Its a good buy, ecpecially for cranks and spinnerbaits when that slower retrieve can help keep you from reeling too fast. But Curados are the best value.

[Guitarzan]

I would have to say that Pflueger has won me over. I picked up one a few years ago (my first baitcaster) at Bass Pro for $50 and have been using it without problem for the past four seasons. I bought a Pflueger Trion this past winter and had no problems during opener week in Canada.

Whatever you end up with, I recommend starting out with a heavy lure (around 5/8 oz). If you start by trying to throw a 1/4 oz jig, it will be nothing but frustration. Once you feel comfortable with the reel, back off the "rat's nest" preventers and you will be able to cast a country mile! Finally, I tend to stick to the higher gear ratios (6.3:1) to keep those buzz-baits cruising and single-piece rods for sensitivity.

Good Luck!

[Lunker]

I agree with a lot of the guys here. My baitcasters are curados with shimano rods. But don't completely abandon spinning tackle. I fish baitcasters a lot when appropriate, but prefer using spinning when possible. Including most finesse tactics(drop shotting, small baits), as well as fishing plastics(when not in heavy cover).

[waltinader]

There is nothing better to use than a 6 1/2 ft G-Loomis heavy rod hooked up with a shimano baitcaster.

[Deitz Dittrich]

No offence Walt- Please do not take this wrong. I love Loomis rods, but I can think of a lot of applications where I would not want a 6' 6" heavy action rod!

What works for someone may or may not work for others. A heavy action rod, amplifies mistakes. I know few pros that carry very many heavy action rods.