Baitcaster Setup

[NTW]

Couldn't find the thread(s) related to this topic although I'm sure there are a few out there...

Anyway, I had some success throwing buzzbaits and crankbaits last weekend while chasing bass. I use all spinning combos for bass since my last baitcast was converted into a troller for walleye.

I would like to know what recommendations I can get for what rod/reel to purchase for fishing buzzbaits and such? I don't need to (can't afford to) go top of the line but would like something that gets the job done.

Thanks in advance!

[slipperybob]

I'll tag a Shimano Citica 200E '09 model.

Maybe matche a Shimano Crucial.

About $250 combo deal on sale.

[NTW]

Bob - $$$pricey$$$

Is this what you use? What are the key features that you like?

[EBass]

Get the best you can afford. Shimano, Quantum and those Abu Garcia Revos are sweet.

For buzzbaits a medium action 7' or 6'6" if you prefer fast action tip rod with a high speed real. 6.3:1 or higher gear ratio - rigged with braided line say 20lb test.

For Crankbaits - it's hard to beat an EGlass rod. (Like a wet noodle) it's more forgiving so the bass doesn't toss said crankbait. Here I roll with a 7' MH EGlass Rod (mine is Gander brand) with a quantum reel 6.3:1 ratio again and 20lb braid. You could get Floro line to.

Again get the best you can afford. They last longer and perform better - oh yeah less back lashes for sure!

Good luck

[ocf1]

I would say if you are going with heavier lures the pflueger purists are supreme for the price. Light lures stink on it though.

[BassAholic]

My favorite set up is:

rod: 7' Medium Team Diawa S Spinnerbait/Crankin Stick

reel: Shimino Curado 7:0:1

line: 17 or 20lb Berkely XT

bait: Cavitron 3/8 oz in Blk

This combo is pretty hard to beat!!

[Deitz Dittrich]

Like E-bass stated, get what you can afford... If you give us a price range it may help... The new Citica I have not used yet, but is supposed to be awesome for the money.. same as the Curado 200E. As for rods, If your looking to save money I think the Shimano Clarus is the best buy on the market. Decent blank and a lifetime warrenty. Hard to beat. If you can afford, the step up to a Compre or Crucial, then great. With each step up you get a better blank and components.

For throwing BuzzBaits, I would suggest a 7' MH rod, and a reel with at least a 6.2 gear ratio...

[slipperybob]

Bob - $$$pricey$$$

Is this what you use? What are the key features that you like?

Actually my first baitcasting set up is a Shimano Coriolis 100E and an Ugly stick medium 6'6" combo togeter costed me $65. The main use of this baitcaster is for ice fishing.

My second set up was a Shimano Cardiff 400A with a St Croix LT musky rod - downsizer.

My third set up is a Japanese Core (Metanium MG7) with a St Croix Avid rod 9' MH combo together costed about $550. I also have a 7' M rod.

***

From the design specs...

The new Citica and Curado for '09 have a reel body slightly smaller but a reel spool equivalent to a 200 size reel. They've also replace the one plastic bushing inside with a ball bearing in the Curado. They've also addressed the handle backplay that a lot of people found unnerving with more responsive anti-reverse bearing and an addition fail-safe anti-reverse. Those are features found in their top of the line Calais reel.

I'm new into the baitcasting setup and there has been a really good learning experience with the Coriolis and Cardiff. The Corilis has a magnetic brake but the Cardiff has the VBS - centrifugal brake. The centrifugal brakes seem to be more predictable to me in operation and performance.

If I had to do over and pick something with the best value for the money - Citica 200E with a Crucial rod.

There are two types of Crucial rods - one standard the other one with the TC4 - carbon reinforced rod.

[NTW]

I found the Citica 200E paired with Cabela's brand rod for $169.

Reel itself is $120 so that tells me that the rod isn't particularly great... Anyway, I may head over and check it out. I am also going to look over the others mentioned and see what kind of deals they'll offer. Thank you for the opinions!

[Gutz]

Berkley makes some pretty descent midpriced rods for the money. You can get into a rod for about $60.00 That will get the job done quite well. Your talking about buzzbaiting and throwing cranks, so incredible sensativity isn't really an issue. Quantum acurist's are a pretty solid baitcaster for around $80.00. I have a couple that are 5 or 6 years old and still work great provided they're maintained properly. I'd go with a 7 foot medium action rod with a fast/soft tip. This should provide some give close to the boat for cranking and the longer length will help you keep your bait high when buzzing. Go with a reel with a gear ratio that is 6.1 to 1 or higher. You can always slow your retrieve down when cranking and you'll really appreciate the extra speed when when trying to keep a buzzbait running the way it should. I actually use a separate set-up for cranking, a softer ML action rod and a reel with a slower gear ratio, but if you are only going to have one, the extra backbone in the rod will help your hooksets for buzzing and go for a higher speed reel, like I said before you can always slow your retrieve down. A slow gear ratio can only go so fast and you'll have trouble keeping your buzzer above water. good luck.

[slipperybob]

I should slap my other hand as since I recommended the Citica 200E while I myself was secretly plotting to get a Curado 200E7. I was going to either get a Pfleuger Patriarch or an Abu Revo STX...but the Shimano biased in me was too strong to shake loose.

Now I'll get to see if it's a fully non-engaging levelwind or not.