Reel Conundrum

[IDK_Fishing]

I have a spinning reel and am proficient with spinning and spin-cast. I have tried my buddie's baitcaster, no infamous birds nest so far... So I was wondering, I have a budget of $130 + $25 Bass pro shops gift card; what is the best rod/reel for the money. Baitcast or spinning? Or should I get both and just use whatever rods I can find in me storage room?

 

[R Socey]

Re: Reel Conundrum

Welcome: What kind of fishing do you intend on doing?

 

[mk4713]

Re: Reel Conundrum

If my food source depended on me using a baitcast I would starve.... They take practice. I fish everything freshwater with a spinning reel. Thats the way I roll lol

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: Reel Conundrum

I have a spinning reel and am proficient with spinning and spin-cast. I have tried my buddie's baitcaster, no infamous birds nest so far... So I was wondering, I have a budget of $130 + $25 Bass pro shops gift card; what is the best rod/reel for the money. Baitcast or spinning? Or should I get both and just use whatever rods I can find in me storage room?

I don't thing you can go too far wrong with Shimano. There's certainly a lot of options to choose from and pricing is pretty good in their mid range products.

I have a personal liking for Loomis and Shimano combo's in as much as they are partnered up pretty tight. However, when you go that route your money doesn't go very far.

I stated in another post somewhere that the key to a good combo is presentation, feeling the bite and getting the fish to the boat. The rod and reel need to work well together to bring all that magic to your hand. You may be able to cast a mile with deadly accuracy but can you feel the bite and get that lunker back to the boat without loosing it. If your rod is not keeping pressure on the fish or the reel is not responding to the drag settings you're in for a tough learning curve. When I was younger and my fingers a little more agile and a little less numb I could fish with a cane pole and a spool of kite string and bring home supper. Now, I need an advantage so I save my nickles and buy the best I can find.

 

[catfishcarl99]

Re: Reel Conundrum

baitcasters are hard to get the hang of unless you have a hands on teacher but once you go with em youll love em. all i use catfishing.

i have 30 or so rods and reels. to many but there my babies.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Reel Conundrum

I like spinning for everything but trolling. To me they are just easier to use and cast better, farther, more accurately unless you are very expierenced. Just about everybody making reels nowadays makes good ones. Though I am also partial to shamano. Get as many ball bearings as you can afford.

 

[feedingfrenzy]

Re: Reel Conundrum

I know you said you only have $155 to spend but I would recondmend saving up a bit more to invest in a rod that will carry you over for the rest of your life. With that being said, ever since I used St. Croix rods, I have never even tried anything else. A begginer St. Croix will run you about $100. I believe their entry level rod is called the "premier". They sell them as both bait casters as well as spinning rods.

Like a previous poster mentioned, you cant go wrong with shimano reels. If your looking for a baitcaster I would highly recondmend the "curado". They go for about $179. A great baitcaster reel with all the bells and whistles and has a high ball bearing count. If your interested in a spinning reel instead, shimano has the "stradic" and "steller". They both are a great, great reel that will last you a lifetime.

I personally have about 8 rods between fresh and saltwater and a designated reel for each. All my rods are St. Croix with either shimano or abu garcia reels.

My favorite setup for all around fresh water fishing is my 7ft 1 piece, medium power, fast action, St. Croix "avid" baitcaster rod. It has last years model shimano "curado" reel on it. I have caught everything from bass to pike to sunfish to catfish to trout on this rod/reel combo.


feedingfrenzy