fl_bass Posted January 24, 2013 Posted January 24, 2013 (edited) So I got $100 in BPS gift cards and my bday is next week so I'll be getting some more gift cards probably another $100. So my question is should I toss all of that into a baitcaster rod and reel, go for something more modest price wise? I mostly use senkos and flukes. All I have is spinning gear. Thanks Michael Edited January 24, 2013 by fl_bass Quote
BenBassmaster Posted January 24, 2013 Posted January 24, 2013 If I was you I would buy some baits, a baitcaster ,and a rod. If your a beginner, I would go with a modest baitcaster. What brands do you like, and what techniques would you use if for? Quote
Super User LgMouthGambler Posted January 24, 2013 Super User Posted January 24, 2013 Get your first baitcaster. Its the best thing when you finally start tossing one. I remember my first baitcaster, I was 11. Quote
fl_bass Posted January 24, 2013 Author Posted January 24, 2013 If I was you I would buy some baits, a baitcaster ,and a rod. If your a beginner, I would go with a modest baitcaster. What brands do you like, and what techniques would you use if for? So I would not use senkos and worms with a baitcaster? More like buzzbaits and spinners? At this time I do not have a brand preference. I have a penn fierce graphite rod reel combo. And 2 BPS spinning rods. I have been fishing for about year. Quote
fl_bass Posted January 24, 2013 Author Posted January 24, 2013 Get your first baitcaster. Its the best thing when you finally start tossing one. I remember my first baitcaster, I was 11. Oh am going to get one. The question is how much should I spend for the first one Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted January 24, 2013 Super User Posted January 24, 2013 Buy your first casting setup as already mentioned. It took forever for me to cave in but man I'm glad I did. A nice entry level setup would be a BPS pro qualifier casting reel and a Berkley lightning rod. A 7' med/heavy would be great for what you want to fish on it plus more if you decide. That'll run you right around $200 with a spool of bps fluorocarbon and taxes. Also wait till the spring classic during the second week of Feb-March. Might be a better deal on the reel or even something better combo wise. 1 Quote
BenBassmaster Posted January 24, 2013 Posted January 24, 2013 So I would not use senkos and worms with a baitcaster? More like buzzbaits and spinners? At this time I do not have a brand preference. I have a penn fierce graphite rod reel combo. And 2 BPS spinning rods. I have been fishing for about year. I wacky rig with spinning, but Texas rig with baitcasters. And I use Buzzbaits and Spinnerbaits on baitcaster. A Abu Garcia Combo is $99.99 at most retailers. So you are going to use it for spinnerbaits and Buzzbaits? Quote
Super User LgMouthGambler Posted January 24, 2013 Super User Posted January 24, 2013 Buy your first casting setup as already mentioned. It took forever for me to cave in but man I'm glad I did. A nice entry level setup would be a BPS pro qualifier casting reel and a Berkley lightning rod. A 7' med/heavy would be great for what you want to fish on it plus more if you decide. That'll run you right around $200 with a spool of bps fluorocarbon and taxes. Also wait till the spring classic during the second week of Feb-March. Might be a better deal on the reel or even something better combo wise. Good advice right there! Quote
Arv Posted January 24, 2013 Posted January 24, 2013 If I was you I'd get a BPS Pro Qualifier, 6.4:1 gear ratio, and a BPS Carbonlite, 7' MH/F. There is a combo that you can get for 160 online. That will leave you about 40 bucks for line and some other bait and tackle. 2 Quote
Super User webertime Posted January 24, 2013 Super User Posted January 24, 2013 BPS Extreme is $60 now. Good start there, or wait for the spring classic sale and the pro qualifier is usually $80. Get a ~$100 7' mh rod (bps carbonlite, ***, Shimano Compre, Abu veritas, etc.). That should leave you with some $ for some nice line (Sunline Sniper) and some other small things. Quote
fstr385 Posted January 24, 2013 Posted January 24, 2013 I agree with Largemouthgambler. I never used one before, and only had spinners aggges ago when I fished as a kid. I think I seen em in the store and thought it was some stupid priced fancy reel Id never buy. Started researching them when I realized its used alot and a must have for a bass fisherman. I hated it at first because I backlashed it often but after learning to cast it and set it up, I hardly ever touch the spinners. I began fishing about late last summer and have 3 combos already. Sucks because my dad just got me a nice pfluger spinner combo for christmas, and Ive gotten one top water fish on it cos Im always using the casters. I cant stand not having the same control. Gotta worn you though, flukes and senkos can be difficult to cast on it till you get it down. Quote
Super User webertime Posted January 24, 2013 Super User Posted January 24, 2013 Yeah what Arv said ... Quote
Super User deep Posted January 24, 2013 Super User Posted January 24, 2013 Reel: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/111960-how-to-pick-a-baitcaster-101/ Quote
EvanT123 Posted January 24, 2013 Posted January 24, 2013 I may go alittle against the grain here and off topic but when I bought my first baircaster all I threw was senkos and flukes. Sure I backlashed a lot and casted them 20 feet but once I became proficient at that, I could chuck a 3/8 spinner bait a mile no problem. Anyways you have a lot of bps bucks and that's great but you might want to look for something in the flea market or ebay and pick it up cheap just in case you don't like baitcasting or get a decent used reel and invest in a good rod and a bunch of tackle. My first mistake was buying a 20 dollar daiwa sweep fire rod. as some night chime in; in baitcasting the rod is just if not more important than the reel. Quote
fl_bass Posted January 24, 2013 Author Posted January 24, 2013 Thank you all for the great advice. I really appreciate it. I'll start researching the different rods and reels mentioned in the post and wait for the big BPS sale. -Michael Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted January 24, 2013 Super User Posted January 24, 2013 So I would not use senkos and worms with a baitcaster? I hope that is not true because my daughter fishes nothing but Senkos on her 6'6" MH baitcasting rod. When I visit Florida I would venture a guess that 90% of the time I am fishing a 10" worm on an unweighted 5/0 hook throwing it into the weeds and lily pads with a Revo STX spooled with 40 lb. Sufix Performance braid. Seem to be able to cast nearly as far as my brother-in-law with his spinning rod. Quote
Arv Posted January 24, 2013 Posted January 24, 2013 I throw senkos and flukes all the time on a baitcaster. It depends on the rod but I think they handle well on a M and a MH power rod. 1 Quote
jsc4324 Posted January 24, 2013 Posted January 24, 2013 X2 on the pro qualifier carbonlite combo for 160. I have one of these combos and its a great set up. You won't regret that set up. Quote
Jaiden Posted January 24, 2013 Posted January 24, 2013 I personally started with the Quantum Bill Dance baitcasting combo. It runs about $70 last time I checked. Used it for all sorts of applications such as tubes and Senkos. I've gotten 3 seasons out of mine (soon to be more after I clean it). My little brother (age 9) got the Bill Dance Combo last year fot his first baitcaster and can use it just fine. Plus, for only $70 that gives you money for some lures and line. Quote
The American Posted January 25, 2013 Posted January 25, 2013 X3 on PQ/Carbonlite. I have nicer combos, but this one can do it all. 7'MHF or MF would work for soft stickbaits. Quote
Sodus Bay Scooter Posted January 25, 2013 Posted January 25, 2013 X4 for pq setup. However when I bought mine they still sold the pq rod which I love and I'm not happy they discontinued it. But, the carbonlite is a great rod as well. Lighter than the pq rod that I have even. The reel though is an awesome one. It's one of the lowest priced but quality reels that have both centrifugal and magnetic brakes. This will allow you to become familiar with both styles of brakes without having to buy separate or more expensive reels for these features. In my opinion there is nothing wrong with the reel whatsoever. It may not be the lightest, smallest, flashiest or strongest (absolutely plenty of strength though) reel on the market but since you're starting out it won't matter to you because you won't have a reference. But believe me, the reel is so good, especially for its price point that you will be absolutely satisfied with your purchase. Just do one thing before you buy and that's take whatever reel you're looking at and actually put it on different rods. You will find a comfort difference between reel seats, trust me. Good luck. Quote
jsc4324 Posted January 25, 2013 Posted January 25, 2013 ^ Bps website still shows the pq rod and reel combo for $99. Doesn't tell much about the rod but on a cheaper budget your basically getting a free rod. I'm hoping the carbonlite combo goes on sale during the dpring sale so I can grab another one but will probably buy one even if they don't. Quote
Super User rockchalk06 Posted January 25, 2013 Super User Posted January 25, 2013 X4 for pq setup. However when I bought mine they still sold the pq rod which I love and I'm not happy they discontinued it. But, the carbonlite is a great rod as well. Lighter than the pq rod that I have even. The reel though is an awesome one. It's one of the lowest priced but quality reels that have both centrifugal and magnetic brakes. This will allow you to become familiar with both styles of brakes without having to buy separate or more expensive reels for these features. In my opinion there is nothing wrong with the reel whatsoever. It may not be the lightest, smallest, flashiest or strongest (absolutely plenty of strength though) reel on the market but since you're starting out it won't matter to you because you won't have a reference. But believe me, the reel is so good, especially for its price point that you will be absolutely satisfied with your purchase. Just do one thing before you buy and that's take whatever reel you're looking at and actually put it on different rods. You will find a comfort difference between reel seats, trust me. Good luck. My local BP has the combo on sale I store only for 99 bucks. Quote
Sodus Bay Scooter Posted January 25, 2013 Posted January 25, 2013 ^ Bps website still shows the pq rod and reel combo for $99. Doesn't tell much about the rod but on a cheaper budget your basically getting a free rod. I'm hoping the carbonlite combo goes on sale during the dpring sale so I can grab another one but will probably buy one even if they don't. I just looked this up. Yeah it's a new pq rod. This isn't the older one I have. It looks to be a brand new rod from bass pro. I'll have to do some further investigation on this but still at $99 for both? Without looking at it, it sounds like an incredible deal. Quote
Super User retiredbosn Posted January 25, 2013 Super User Posted January 25, 2013 I just went and looked it is advertised as Bass Pro Qualifer Tournament..... BPS does this so often, by adding the Tournament to the end it may or may not be the Pro Qual we all know. Example under the Qualifer reel the frame is described as machined aluminum, and the combo just aluminum. I think I'll email or talk to them to see Quote
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