I need some suggestions from members on baitcaster reel and types of rods that would go well with it. It would be for someone who has never used a baitcaster, nothing fancy, but doable for bass and walleye fishing.
Suggestions?
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I need some suggestions from members on baitcaster reel and types of rods that would go well with it. It would be for someone who has never used a baitcaster, nothing fancy, but doable for bass and walleye fishing.
Suggestions?
I have several had types of BC reels since the 70's. I still have a few that I use for different types of fishing. BC reels usually work best with a bait of 1/4oz or more, though you can get down to 1/8 once you get used to them. A good reel isn't a cheap thing to buy and folks generally try to buy something less expensive to see if they like it or not. This is kind of counter productive because the cheaper reels have bushings instead of bearings and hinder the smooth casting capabilities of a reel. More bearings means smoother, longer casting and easier to learn the finer points of this workhorse of a reel. Ambasadeur (SP) reels aren't pretty or small like the newer light weight models, but they still are a mainstay for several different applications, and their prices are reasonable. I still have one for stripers and 1/2oz and heavier baits. You really have to work at it to hurt em.I have 2 Shimano Curado's that I absolutely love, but their price is pretty steep for entry level. They cast like a dream and are built sturdy and light. My advice is to handle some of your friends reels, even if it's in the yard, and get a feel for them. If you could set a price limit of about $100 you could find a good reel, and should you not like it, it would be good enough to sell and get most of your money back. A light 6'6" medium action rod will get you off the ground and you don't have to spend lots for them. A quantum Torsion at Wally World is about $20 and will serve you well for the money. Spool it up with 12lb premium line of your choice and you'll be all set. Good luck and keep us posted as to how you do. Tight lines....Skeet.
I agree with skeetbum's advice.
Well said skeet. You won't save any $$ by trying to save $$ on a BC. One of the cheaper models might serve you well for catfishing or trolling for crappie but the constant casting associated with bass and walleye fishing make the multi ball bearing reels worth the price.
Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier Baitcast Reels. here u go buddy it was my first bait caster that i bought my self adn have had noting but succees with it. it will hold braid line and any other it is cheap and i have had mine for 2 yrs now adn no problems with it i love it
ABU GARCIA AMBASSADEUR 5500C it was the first "REAL" reel my dad bought me. Still use it for trolling for specks and the occasional use while using shiners for bass. Used it up until last year for all plastics. Recently swithed to a REVO SX for all bass purposes. I like it especially when flipping, it leaves an ultra soft presentation. Although pricey if it lasts 1/2 as long as my 5500c it will be worth the cash. I will only buy ABU GARCIA when buying baitcasters for the rest of my life.
I gave my 14 year old son my bass pro viper reel and he took to it right off and has had very few back lashes to deal with. This is his striper hybrid outfit. It has a med. Action. XPS rod with 14Lb. Fire line on the reel. The fire line is very forgiving with backlash and if you do get a backlash they come out very easy.. Now with that said ! The worst line for back lashes is braded..
Now if you have the money I would recommend the shimano curado 200e7 and you can get them at walmart for $150
As for a rod I have a Wright McGill Blair Wiggins flats blue rod 7'9" I have all kinds of rods and this is the strongest most versatile rod I own. It suppose to be a medium heavy but it feels more like a good medium rod to me . It has some killer sensitivity to it to.
Good luck and let us know what you got.
Chris ... my first suggestion would be to look in local bait shops, those that have a "consignment" deal. This is where people can bring in their used rods/reels & sell them thru the store, receiving store credit equal to the price of the equipment being sold. You can find some decent deals on quality equipment, that's been taken care of but "traded in" for a upgrade, or from lack of use. I have several "consignment" reels, that I'm still using ... years, to tens of years, after purchasing. But, if they don't "feel" right, or "sound" right ... you put them back on the shelf !!Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisCarter
My second suggestion would be to ask yourself, "do I really need/want" a baitcast outfit ?? Many people fish for Bass/Walleye, and other species that grow larger than Crappie, and still use spinning outfits. If I didn't already have many baitcast outfits, and wanted to change the species I was targeting ... I could still use over half of the Crappie outfits I now own. All I'd have to do is change the line to a heavier pound test. Many of my spinning reels came with a spare spool, so line size changes are quick & easy. Changing line size, rod length/action, or method/style of fishing, on my baitcasting equipment, requires multiple outfits to chose from.
One baitcast outfit for Bass/Walleye, is like choosing one outfit for all methods of Crappie fishing ... it's just impractical. The "method" used dictates the rod length & action ... and the reel would have to match/balance to that rod. There's not really any "all around" outfit that covers all the methods. Take a look at any brand of baitcast rods/reels, and you'll see a long list of styles, actions, and price ranges. (just like with Crappie fishing outfits)
I'll let my friend "Bassdozer" give you his take on this : Beginners Bass Rod Basics
... cp
I just bought another BPS Pro Qualifier reel to go with my old one and think that you will have a hard time finding a better reel for the money. Find them on sale for $79 this week. I like 7' rods in general, for a dual purpose bass/walleye rod I would look for a fast action medium-med/hvy rod. I am not a believer that somebody needs to spend $200 on a rod and have had a lot of good use out of the Ugly Stick Lite rods.
i have ambassador 1 reels if you need one i'll send you one for the orice of shipping they are good reels had a stroke and can't use anymore
That's the best deal I've heard of today. Attaboy Mr. Kinser!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken Kinser
Sorry to hear that Mr. Kinser. That is a very kind offer.
das speck hunter, I still have my first 5500c also. It was the first BC I bought myself. It howls a little now, but still a good rig for catfishing and heavier work.
very kind Ken, you are to be commended.
Sorry to hear that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken Kinser
Thanks for the input from all of you. I've never used a BC nor do i know anyone that uses one. I will more than likely have to learn how to use a BC by watching plenty of how-to videos and experience with one. My price range on a BC is about $100-150. But if i need to get another rod, which it sounds like i do. I will more than likely wait another 2 months before i can spend a good amount on another rod and reel combo.
Ken, I'm sorry to hear about your stroke, my aunt had one a few years back, so i know what it can do to you and how serious it is. It is very generous of you to offer me your AG ambassador reel. I have no problem paying for the shipping for it, however if a BC is not my kind of reel that i can get used to, i hope you won't take offense to me sending it back to you. It wouldn't feel right to me to get someone's reel and then turn around and not have a use for it myself.
Crappiepappy, I read the article and it pretty much validated my interest in a BC reel. There is quite a few spots around where i live that call for heavy cover that i usually avoid fishing at because the spincasting reel just doesn't feel natural or i can't control too much of where my lure lands, so i either come up short or in the thick of the brush with a caught lure trying to get it unstuck. It also helped me decided which kind of rod i want to get and i might need to do some more research into it, because it sounds to me that i might need 2 different kinds of BC rods. I will more than likely need to decide what exacly i am going to be fishing with a baitcaster rod and reel. Originally i was going to use the baitcaster for worms, grubs, jigs and other soft baits, but it sounds to me like that spinning reels are more for that while baitcasting is used for the heavy cover when using crankbaits and inline spinners.
So once again, thanks again you guys. I'll let you all know what i think about the baitcaster reel.
send me your address
(address removed for security/privacy reasons)
My next question would be what kind of line should i use with the baitcaster reel? I've heard that braided line leads to more backlash, is that true? Quite frankly i prefer the braided line, saved my lures from getting stuck ( In fact, i bent the hook on a crankbait when it got caught on an underwater obstruction, 10lb test, dang that is strong). But if i need to go to a mono i won't complain if it saves me from backlash and ruining my experience with a baitcaster.
I see a LOT about Abu Garcia reels here, as well as the Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier. The Pro Qualifier is a good reel, and it is made by the same factory that makes the Abu Garcia reels. That said, the CarbonLite reel is the same reel as they Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier, with some lighter weight components. You can get BPS to bundle it with their CarbonLite rod, so about $169.00, right in your price range, well a couple of dollars above it. You can also get them to bundle the Revo S with a CarbonLite pole. I usually pay for the protection plan for rods but not reels. They can unbundled them and sell you protection on the poles if you ask, but they still give you the bundled price, they just discount the rod....Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisCarter
Either would be a good choice, but I tend to prefer the CarbonLite combo. I have the Revo S combo for weeds, using frogs and such, because it has over 20 lbs of drag force.... I use the heavy CarbonLite pole with it, with my CarbonLite combo I use a medium light pole. The CarbonLite combo is very versatile and if you read the reviews you'll find more than one person has both the CarnonLite reel AND a Shimano Cruado, and prefers the CarbonLite reel. I suspect they are compairing the newer Cruados as the older ones were supposed to be better, but in any event, the CarbonLite combo is very versitile and VERY light, a real pleasure to use.
I have heard a lot of people bragging about casting distances with baitcasters, but they can never match a spinner as they have to drag a spool as well as line. They are more accurate though. Sounds like you have a good reel for the cost of shipping though, I'd HIGHLY consider matching it to a Shimano Crucial. I love my Crucials perhaps a little more than my CarbonLite rods, it's pretty close though. They go for about $149 so with the reel you are getting, it would be a super setup. If not, I'd go with the CarbonLite. I have some St Croix rods (100-130 range) too, I do not like them as much as the Shimano or the CarbonLite, though my St Croix spinner is at least the equal to my Shimano Compre. I took back a Mojo Bass... For a tremendous deal though, you can not beat the Berkly Cherrywood rods. They may not hold up as well over time, though I have something like 4 spinners and 1 bait caster and have yet to have one fail, but many complain that they do. They are SUPER sensitive for the money. sure my big dollar rods are a bit better, but only a bit and I often wonder if they are really worth all the extra money or if it's an ego thing. I do, in the end think they are worth it, but if you want to get into this for little money, I can not recommend the Cherrywood enough. Bang for the buck, it's a mighty hard rod to beat.
Got Ken's baitcaster in the mail today, I'll try to fit in some practice with it this weekend.
Been practicing some casting moves with the spinning reel. I really only know 3 - 4 ways to cast a baitcaster, does that sound about right?
Let me know when you have some time and I can help you adjust and get use to the bait caster.
EB
ChrisCarter, if you can find the instruction booklet for the reel Mr. Kinzer sent you then you need to read it. Follow the directions on the adjustments for the spool and casting. This will save you a lot of head aches. No doubt that EB can help you with the adjustments but the book to refresh yourself if and when you run into a snag will really help calm your nerves. The reel manufacturers give you good instructions "IF" you just take time to read them. Like the old saying goes, WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE FAILS READ THE INSTRUCTIONS..... The instruction book doesn't make you feel like a dummy either. lol Ferdi aka Fred
What Ferdi said is good advice, and I want to add just a little something to it. You've been around long enough to know that when you get tired and your arm gets fatigued you will make a bunch more mistakes than if you were fresh. Take your time and don't try to get all the textbook mistakes out of the way all at once. Many of us learned to cast in the front yard aiming at a coffee can. 20 to 30 minutes and take a break and you will get thru this with more hair left. It can be frustrating, but it can also go smooth and without incident. Not too much weight to start, maybe a plug with the hooks removed, and maybe backwards so it doesn't snag on the retrieve, and you'll be all set. Have fun and keep us posted.
I dont have the manual, probably try and find it online.
I did go out this morning to test it out with and extra crankbait I had so if I lost it no big deal. It was a calm wind morning, but I got backlash and realized my thumb is suppose to stop the line before the bait hits the water. After 10 to 15 tosses I realized many things. How accurate it is, its not about power but finesse, and I like how sensitive it is and how subtle the bait lands on the water. I just need to get used to putting my thumb on the line to stop it, my spincasting days are messing with my head of hitting the button and just casting.
Just don't try for distance at first. Get the feel of the reel, and then try for accuracy. Distance will come with practice.
This reel doesn't have the new technoligy on it, that the new reels have, with the braking systems. You will get a lot of backlashes at first, but it will come to you eventually. EB
Chris ... you'll also find that :
if you cast with the reel "sideways" (handle up or down) you'll get better/longer/more accurate casts ... plus, it allows your wrist to bend more easily, so you don't have to use as much arm.
if you release your thumb from the spool, on the forward motion of your cast .... BEFORE you get the rod above your head, you'll get better casts. Then, when the rod is back in front of you, and you can see the bait/line going away from you, let your thumb "feather" the spool to a stop. This allows the bait to take the "rainbow" slack (arch) out of your line, before the bait reaches the water, and also helps prevent backlashes.
Think of spincast reel casting as a "line drive", and a baitcaster reel casting as a "hook shot". There's usually a bit more arch in the trajectory of the bait/line, with a b/c reel, than with a spincast reel. As you know, with a spincast ... if your bait flies straight up, you've let loose of the button too soon. If your bait lands close in front of you, you've let loose of the button too late. So it goes, very similarly, with a b/c reel ... if the bait goes nowhere or straight up, you let loose of the spool too soon, and if it slams the water in front of you, then you let loose too late.
if your b/c reel has anti-backlash adjustments (brakes) ... play with them, adjusting them from very loose to more tightened, until you find the sweet spot for the weight of the bait you're throwing (& how hard you cast). When you find that sweet spot, you should only have to feather your spool to a stop JUST BEFORE the bait splashes down.
ALWAYS put tension on the line, as you retrieve ... especially at the beginning of your retrieve. You don't want loose line anywhere on that spool !!
... cp
From what I can tell from the black max ambassador, there are three features to it, there is a dial on the right with numbers 0 to 8, another dial on the right that says brake. And the other one I just figured out to tighten the retrieve.