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Post by smlmike on Mar 11, 2015 19:33:29 GMT -5
Looking to buy my first baitcaster. Rod & reel combo to throw cranks, a-rigs, jerkbaits, spinners, etc. Looking for some good reasonable ($$) advice on a first time purchase. Is a 7' plus medium rod and 5:3:1 reel a good start? Brand? have always been hesitant to buy one due to seeing others deal with backlash. I am sure it's user error? But want to learn for myself. Any help is appreciated. Thank, Mike
Myself
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Post by striperjohn on Mar 11, 2015 19:46:23 GMT -5
Couple of the best for a starter reel because they have super magnetic spool brakes are the Shimono Curado Bantam and the Abu Garcia Revo. They are mid to upper range in price but if taken care of will last you a long time. Start learning to cast a heavy 3/4 oz or larger lure at first.
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piper
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Posts: 727
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Post by piper on Mar 11, 2015 20:01:06 GMT -5
www.lews.com/combos-lasermg.phpThis. The 6.4 ratio is a good balance and only 100 bones. Backlash is 75% user and 25% equipment/line/weather/wind IMO. Each serves its purpose. Oh, don't fall for the bearing count gimic. More is not better. If throwing deep divers you'll want a different rod. Lastly. As noted now is a good time to learn. 1/2 oz jig and pig would be perfect.
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Post by striperjohn on Mar 12, 2015 5:38:32 GMT -5
Mike if you start out with a cheap reel that doesn't have very good spool braking you're going to get frustrated pretty quick simply because of backlashes. Now I use Abu Garcia C3 and C4 reels. They're all probably near as old as you are 30-40 years. If you want a baitcaster to last a long time the more bearings the better, would you rather your spool and gearing run inside a bearing or inside a friction sleeve. That's the difference. Over time the friction sleeves wear out and throw the balance of the spool out and smoothness of the gears off, which contributes to backlashes. All my reels have lousy braking (which I don't use anyway) but I've been using them for years and I am pretty good with them. I've been teaching my 8 year old grandson to cast a Shimano Curado Bantam and he's doing so right now after two months of practice. I'd say he's fair. Only because I've tighten the spool brake down and have him using a very heavy practice lure to cast. Just my 2 cents worth.
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piper
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Post by piper on Mar 12, 2015 12:33:09 GMT -5
John , I disagree regarding bearings. Its been noted that a lot of the extra bearings are in the handles and other obscure places to render them fairly useless. I agree on braking but encouraging someone to drop serious coin when they are just learning the baitcast ropes is no good. The link I posted is highly functional and a well regarding product.
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Gator
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Post by Gator on Mar 12, 2015 12:52:22 GMT -5
Reasonable to me === smart long term investment. If you are only looking to make one purchase then I would look at the Shimano Calucutta's. I'd start looking at the 200's they are 6.0:1 and will haul some SML pigs in without a problem. As far as a "all around" rod, I'd just throw it on a 7' MH Ugly Stik and see how I liked it. You can always upgrade the rod. Another thing for learning.....Try using a heavier test mono in the beginning...it will make getting those inevitable rats nest easier to deal with. I have been using a baitcaster since I was a chap and I STILL get them, on occasion.
John, I like the Abu's too. The Calcuttas just "feel" better to me. Which is really important when you are casting and reeling all day. You'll want something that feels good in your palm.
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Post by striperjohn on Mar 12, 2015 13:46:11 GMT -5
I like the calcuttas also. I think it depends on how the reel feels in your hand as to whats best for you. I think Mike was looking for Bass reels thats why I mentioned the Revos and Curado. Mike I would suggest you visit a place that carries them all and see how they fit your hand when casting and reeling. So many choices reminds me of a spring day on campus at UT.
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jmr04
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Post by jmr04 on Mar 12, 2015 14:25:21 GMT -5
I was in the same place last spring. Fished all my life but never used a baitcaster, mainly because I didn't want to deal with the hassle of learning. I got lucky and bought a Shimano Chronarch. It has a great break and very smooth. Within an hour I had it down. I'll still get a birds nest every now and then if I fill my spool to full or cast into a 30 mph wind. The thing casts a mile. Haven't touched a spinning reel since. Pair with a MH Crucial rod from Shimano and you'll be hooked. Curados are nice also if you don't want to spend the extra money. I bought a quantum this winter and can't cast it for crap. I fear if I hadn't bought the Chronarch I wouldn't be using a baitcaster at all. Missing out on pigs like this. Attachments:
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Post by getlinewet on Mar 12, 2015 14:36:54 GMT -5
I'm with Gator...I'm pretty sure most people have experienced backlash on a baitcaster at one point or another. Here's a useful technique to cure the backlash quickly: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDI5kwR5zjc
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Post by striperjohn on Mar 12, 2015 15:20:15 GMT -5
Good video I wonder how that works with braid? Seems anymore a birdsnest with braid means get the knife out. Lol
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Post by smlmike on Mar 12, 2015 16:02:18 GMT -5
I have been doing more striper fishing than bass lately. I usually do some bass fishing when stuck in town and can't get to SML. I am looking to cover more water (cranks, spinners, a-rigs etc) with the baitcaster compared to spinning reels. Probably will stick to spinning reels for finesse fishing. Thanks for the input, it gives me idea what to shop for and look for deals. I agree and about going to a store rather than online, hoping to get to Gander this weekend if we head to SML. Definitely a good tip in the video, have also heard don't be so quick to rank on the nest, usually not as bad as it looks.
Good tip on the video, haven't seen that before.
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Post by hotdog on Mar 12, 2015 16:56:26 GMT -5
Yes these are good tips. I've used the thumb trick like Getlinewet posted and it works very well. As far as which rod and reel to get, I always just buy middle of the road stuff. I don't spend top dollar but more importantly not the cheapest stuff. I feel like if you buy cheap equipment to see if you'll stick with it or if it works for you, your setting yourself up for failure. If you want to use a bait caster, buy at least a mid grade product and commit to learning how to use it. It just takes practice and there will be back lashes. I've found some of the best practice is with the key float from my boat. Not the foam kind but the hard plastic floats from back in the day. Anything really with a little weight and no hooks to start. I practice in the yard. Heck I even set up in my boat while it's parked in the yard (the neighbors think I'm nuts I'm sure) but that's ok. Something I've noticed is most of the back lashes I get now a days come when I hurry off a cast. If I just miss a hook up and try to cast back in there for another shot at him or if I come around a point and see a sweet looking pocket I want to cast to before my buddy gets his bait in it. Just take your time and don't give up. Good luck with it.
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Post by smlmike on Mar 12, 2015 18:12:50 GMT -5
Hotdog I hear yah! LOL! My neighbors and my wife think I am crazy when I am casting a line or throwing a net in the yard. I throw my net off my deck.
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Post by CorneliaGale on Mar 12, 2015 19:19:45 GMT -5
Interesting way to get the line loose will have to try that the next time I get one.
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BentRod
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Baitcaster
Mar 12, 2015 19:30:23 GMT -5
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Post by BentRod on Mar 12, 2015 19:30:23 GMT -5
I'd say buy a Shimano Curado and don't ever look back. If I had all the money back on the "reasonable" tackle I've bought over the years and then realized that tackle either wouldn't hold up to my abuse or was just crap to begin with, I'd be a much wealthier man. Do it right to begin with and you'll never regret it.
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