The right baitcaster

[joeyd50]

Ok guys, I like to try my luck again at these baitcasters, I love the way they feel in your hand, but I would really like to hear what you would recommend, but I don't want to spend a fortune so lets hear about your least expensive baitcaster that performs well, I don't care how long ago they were made, if it?s a good one I'll find it on E-Bay
Thanks
Joe

 

[esoxlee]

Re: The right baitcaster

SHIMANO CORSAIR. Smooooooooooooooooooooooooth bearings. Put decent size stick bait on. Hold the rod out and push the casting button down. Now, adjust the brake so that the lure slowly falls to the ground. This is a good way of calibrating a bait caster. With this technique on the Corsair, you won't even need to thumb the spinning spool because there's just enough resistance to prevent over-running and it won't sacrifice casting distance. You'll love bait casting after getting this reel.

 

[JB]

Re: The right baitcaster

You get what you pay for, Joey. There are no cheap reels that perform like the premium reels, so forget that dream.

I have been using Garcia Pro Max and Morrum reels for years and this year picked up a Garcia Revo. Good stuff, but not cheap.

My son uses a Shimano Calcutta 400. Probably the closest thing to a Rolex you can find in a baitcaster.

Best bang for the buck, in my opinion, is the classic Garcia Ambassaduers. They come in a variety of sizes and sophistications, but the basic 5000 is the reel that revolutionized baitcasters and is still one of the most popular.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: The right baitcaster

I agree with JB about "You get what you pay for" If you go cheap you'll be frustrated to say the least.

My personal favorite for bass fishing is the Quantum Energy PT. Not cheap but probably the nicest reels to fish with for under 200$ I have used. I also like the old style Shimano Curado, but IMHO not near as good as the quantum, but still a decent reel.

Check this link

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...&parentType=index&indexId=cat20331&hasJS=true

 

[gonefishie]

Re: The right baitcaster

My cheapest in the rod locker is Quantum Accurist 500cx. I paid $100 at the time. I think this year model is $120. It's the easiest "cheap" baitcaster to use. Pfluger baitcasters are very good and are the best for your money, IMO. Downside is that they're hard for beginner to use. Whatever you buy, make sure it has the cast control knob (magnetic brake) on the outside so you can easily adjust the brake to the lure weight. It will help you to transition to the centrifugal brake type.

 

[JAL51974]

Re: The right baitcaster

I have two inexpensive ones but cannot get used to either one a Cabelas model and a Shimano older model, the name escapes me. I always end up with a messed up amount of line after the cast no matter how I tried to calibrate the reel. Is there a minimum weight lure to use with these? Any suggestions as what I am doing wrong?

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: The right baitcaster

I have two inexpensive ones but cannot get used to either one a Cabelas model and a Shimano older model, the name escapes me. I always end up with a messed up amount of line after the cast no matter how I tried to calibrate the reel. Is there a minimum weight lure to use with these? Any suggestions as what I am doing wrong?

If your not used to a baitcaster light lures are a nightmare. I would stick with 3/8 OZ and above till you get the hang of it, A great bait to practice with is a senko rubber worm with no weight rigged Texas style. You can cast that thing in the grass in the driveway on the deck,,, you get my drift. Are you thumbing the spool as you cast? you need to keep your thumb in contact with the line on the spool at all times or you'll birdnest every time. Is the line old? Old mono that has gained tons of memory is not worth a hoot. Spool up some new stuff and practice. Just a few thoughts.

 

[JAL51974]

Re: The right baitcaster

thanks for the tips I will try them. The cabelas reel has the thumb bar, should I still thumb the line itself or the bar? The shimano has a release lever to release the spool but no bar so I thumb that one on the spool and actually do a little better with that one than the new cabelas one.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: The right baitcaster

Yes thumb on the spool.

 

[hellbound]

Re: The right baitcaster

i use the old black shimano bantam 100's and they're awsome only thing i don't like is the don have infinate antireverse but easy to use fit in your hand perfect about 30 or 40 bucks on ebay

 

[nimmor]

Re: The right baitcaster

Using a baitcaster takes a lot of practice and good setting. Set up a target in your yard and a short distance, say about 20 feet. Set the spool tension pretty tight until you get used to controling the overrun, A.K.A. backlash. As you improve move the taget farther out and loosen the spooltension. Start out with a heavy weight say 3/4 oc to 1 oz. As you improve try lighter weight. Sometimes it is very relaxing just to be out in the yard practiceing. Who cares if the neighbor is laughing at me, I bet I can cast better than him. Right now I am doing a lot of practice beacause I have a torn leg mucle and can't get out on the water. Helps a little to be out at leats casting.

 

[BAYLINER185]

Re: The right baitcaster

I just bought a SHAKESPEAR SKP2000 bait caster. ( $37.00)

I had a small Diwa my friend let me use but the bearigns are trashed.

I really like the look of the SHAKESPEAR real, it looks more like an conventional spool reels. Are they really called boat reels?

Any way Ive been back lashing the crap out of it and been usign a light weight and now I dont feel so bad since you guys say its not easy to lear with a light lure.

I re read the instructions and the one thing I found Im doign wrong / forgot was to se the tension knob on the side so I want to give this another try before I give up.

I bought the Shakesspear at wallmart for 37.00 for the real alone and and other 20.00 for a nice RHINO rod that looks alot like my two ugly sticks.

This is a 57.00 combo which I guess would be concidered cheep to a professional but is one of my more expensive rods. It has a cyntrifigul breaking system, Im not sure if its magnetic.

Can someone really explaine some of the advantages of a bait caster Vs a spinning reel set up.

I know there is more line capicity but it seems that you dotn even use 1/2 the line on a bait caster.
What else am I missing with the use of these reels? I really want to get better using it as this is nice rod / reel combo and seems like I can haul in bigger heavier fish with it then my spinners I have set up.

 

[gidds]

Re: The right baitcaster

I agree with the others about the high-end baitcasters but I had to remain within a budget (the amount of a gift certificate given to me). I had a great Diawa and wore it out when I lived on a lake in the near past, but I relocated.

Again, I'm talking budget.....I have been very impressed with my Bass Pro Shop Tourney Special Rod / Reel Combo. Adjusts well for drag and brake. I typically use a texas rigged worm, panther martin or small crankbait.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/s...1_74547_100003001_100000000_100003000_100-3-1

 

[nash1970]

Re: The right baitcaster

Abu Garcia enough said

 

[Grits]

Re: The right baitcaster

There is a lot of good advice in the above post. The Gracia Revo is a good reel and not hard to use. I have two and like them both.

The Pflueger Supreme is also a good reel but very similar to the Revo.

I do have a thirty year old Ambassador 5500C that I still use and like very much. If I were going to by a new 5000 series AmbasadorI, I would choose the model with the as many ball bearings as you want to spend the money for.

I have a Team Diawa Luna that is sweet. It is not a cheap reel but it is a dream to use.

The Shimano Calcutta is a great reel but very pricey. I have the Daiwa version due to the fact I can buy them wholesale.

I learned to throw a baitcaster using a very old, hand-me-down Pflueger Supreme. The handle would spin when you made a cast. Everything I have used since has been easy.

You do not have to buy a Shimano Calcutta to have a very good reel. There is a lot between junk and the Calcutta that are just fine and are easy to cast. Any of the bait casters will take some getting use to. Everyone gets a backlash now and then. The pros do not get backlash, they call it a professional overrun.

If you are looking at reels on eBay, make sure you know which one you are buying. There are several models in the Garcia Revo that cover a pretty good price range; however, the basic Revo is a very nice reel. All the major manufactures have good websites that will help you narrow down what you want.

Grits

 

[NHS Outdoors]

Re: The right baitcaster

Shimano Has a new reel out that i saw at cabelas the other day. It is red and black and weighes less then the Mg. I want some of these ...

 

[Bartman]

Re: The right baitcaster

I must be lucky. I have not had any problems with the cheaper models. Infact, I have one of Cabela's Mega Cast and love it. My most expensive one is a Prodigy from Cabelas. I spool all of my baitcasters with 20lb fireline. If you decide to go with a "super line", put on 10 feet of Mono line first and use a "surgens knot" to tie them together. If you don't, the super line will slide on the spool when you get a fish. When learning to cast, start out with 1/2 oz or heavier lure. Make sure your magnetic brake and centrifugal brake are set high/stiff. Slowly back off these settings as you get used to it. The more you back off these settings the further the lure will go but the greater chance of a backlash. Eventully, I have my centrifugal brake back all the way off and my magnetic brake set on #7 out of 1-10. I have to thumb the spool when the lure hits the water but I can out throw all of my buddies in distance using the same bait they use. I also tell beginners to release the bait like your throwing a rainbow. The worse thing you can do with a baitcaster is cast a line drive striaght into the water 20 feet out. There is no way of avoiding backlashes, so make a pick or buy one for getting them out. Sometimes I'll get one on an 8 hour fishing trip casting all day. If you are going to throw anything lighter than 1/4 oz go to a spinning reel. Good luck and give it a try.

 

[Rockchalk]

Re: The right baitcaster

Abu Garcia enough said

Exactly

I?ve got several Wally World Abu Garcia combos I bought specifically for trolling crank baits for walleye. There not streamline but cast amazingly well and have held up so far. You can get a rod/real combo for about $60.00... cant get any cheaper then that.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: The right baitcaster

It's hard to beat Abu Garcia, nearly every uncle of mine owns at least one. I enjoy mine. The only bad part about them is getting the drag set to the lure, if you don't set it right you will bird nest the baitcaster.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: The right baitcaster

ABU man here from the small 4500 to the 7000 and everything in between.
5000, 5500, 6000, 6500.
5 and 6 are the old flatside ones.
Never made a better reel. IMO.