Texan29

Congrats! I just bought my first baitcaster and it was a Revo S. I love it. I've used a few Shimano's of a friends before and I'd be willing to trade all of those for one Revo. It's just the smoothest, easiest to control reel I've ever used. Let us know how you like it!

Thanks for all your help! Does anyone know if there is a website that might have a video to casting a baitcaster? I'm definitely a visual learner so pictures or video would help me analyze the process. I'll refrain from commenting on what kind of rod I'll be putting on the Abu Garcia Revo SX for fear of being banned from the forum. I'm so excited to get the reel. It should be here on Wednesday and my wife is going out of town for the weekend. We all know what that means: 2 straight days of bass fishing. So let's calculate: Reel arrives on Wednesday, Leaving for Lake Alan Henry on Saturday, can I learn a baitcaster in 3 days? We'll find out! Also, a question on line since I'm allowed to hijack my own thread. What would y'all recommend to start out using on the baitcaster? Mainly fish 4/0 offsets w/ 8" curvetail worms. I've always used mono because I had a friend caution me on braid saying that it will eventually cut through the eyelets of the rod, but I think he might have just been referring to spiderwire. Is there any truth to that? Any recommendations y'all have would be great! Thanks again for all your help, I've learned a wealth of information just browsing these forums in the last few days. I'm glad I found this place.

Well y'all! I have to admit I have turned to the dark side. After deliberating for 4 days straight on my next gear purchase, I've decided to get over my reluctance and purchase a baitcasting reel. I'd like to err on the side of caution and go with more power than I'll possibly need instead of less. I'm purchasing an Abu Garcia Revo SX tonight and will be going out tomorrow to select a 7' rod to match it tomorrow. Anyone have any tips, tricks, etc for this new reel? I'm sure I'll be in baitcasting hell in my backyard for the next week or so, but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it!

Also, I suppose I should mention that I have a good friend who wants to take me out stripper fishing at Texoma and I would assume I'd definitely be needing baitcasting equipment for that.

Oh man! Y'all are a bad influence on me. I guess I could give a little more info about my current setup it might help y'all to steer me in the right direction. Currently, I'm using a Shakespeare Agility Spinning Combo to fish Largemouth down at Lake Alan Henry. I'm a little afraid at this point that I just might hook a big one down there that my gear won't be able to bring in reliably. I want to keep my Shakespeare as a back-up, but I'm looking to move into a more serious setup. I'm very curious about baitcasting combo's, but I've tried to convince myself that they are going to be a big hassle and I'll be spending more time unraveling a bird's nest of line than actually fishing. That's why I was leaning towards a new spinning reel. In my current setup, I use 12 lb line and fish mainly crankbaits or texas rigs (my favorite). I'm unsure what the better choice is baitcasting or spinning, but I'm in the market for a $60 - $100 combo. I might be paranoid, but I think the setup I have now won't hold up to a real fighter. I was hoping y'all could give me some solid recommendations in spinning and baitcasting in my price range. I checked out a couple baitcasting setups at Academy, but I'm not really sure what I'm getting myself into. I really like the Quantum Lonestar's feel, but for $49 I can't believe it would be much of a combo. Thanks for all your help!

I am trying to get a heavy duty Largemouth Bass reel. I'm leaning towards a spinning reel since I don't think I'm coordinated enough to use a baitcaster. I've been looking at the Quantum Kevin VanDam KVD40 or the Shimano Solstace 4000 either front or rear drag. I'm coming to y'all to get recommendations. I'm liking the idea of the quickfire II system on the shimano reel, but I'm unsure of the front or rear drag reel is the way to go. Unfortunately Quantum's only quickfire reel is the Hypercast and I don't feel like its up to quality with the other two. Which of the ones above would you recommend and why? Also, are there any other reels I need to be taking a look at? I mostly fish crankbaits and Texas rigs, 12 to 16 lb line, and MH to H rod. Thanks in advance for all your help!