Baitcaster For Everything

[Bonifas9017]

Looking for a bait caster that I can throw anything from light weight top water and weightless worms to spinner baits. Also in a good price range.

[fstr385]

I might get hazed for it, but the abu black max and abu med vengeance 7` rod with 12lb flouro is my favorite all around versatile combo. I had 10lb but some of the snakeheads and rock bottoms/ledges where to munch for it, but I use it for weightless senkos and flukes up to 1/2oz spinners and t rigs. I got it for my work truck so Id have something decent but not worried about crying if something happened to it, and its great. Esp for the price!

[jbsoonerfan]

"Good" price range will vary from person to person. I am a Shimano guy, no bones about it. I would look at the Citica, Curado, Chronarch 50, Core 50 series.

 

I have heard great things about the BPS reels, but I haven't actually used them

[Darren.]

Thus far, I'm pretty impressed with the Daiwa Lexa 100's ability to handle just about anything.

 

I've thrown all you mention, without backlash. In fact, I have been able to dial it in to where I hardly need to thumb the reel, if at all.

[Shoalamfishin]

I like the Abu combos for inexpensive durable, and generally good baitcast combos. The black max and pro max combos are a good value for the money. As far as reels go I have to side with  Lew's; even the lower end laser mg even is a good reel that handles most of what your talking about easily. I'm moderately biased on Lew's reels though; I have been very impressed with them and as a result I have begun to use them almost exclusively. 

[EvanT123]

I'm not the most experienced fisherman; however I think you would be hard pressed to find a baitcaster that can do everything well unless you spent bucco bucks on both a rod and reel and even then it will have limitations.

Think about the techniques you like to fish and buy equipment that can excel at them but still cover a nice spectrum.

[Felix77]

I might get hazed for it, but the abu black max and abu med vengeance 7` rod with 12lb flouro is my favorite all around versatile combo. I had 10lb but some of the snakeheads and rock bottoms/ledges where to munch for it, but I use it for weightless senkos and flukes up to 1/2oz spinners and t rigs. I got it for my work truck so Id have something decent but not worried about crying if something happened to it, and its great. Esp for the price!

X2. If you can spend the extra the silver is even better. Own 3!

[new2BC4bass]

Looking for a bait caster that I can throw anything from light weight top water and weightless worms to spinner baits. Also in a good price range.

 

 

Price range would help.  Quite a few baitcast reels capable of throwing from light to heavy lures...depending on how 'light' light is.  Biggest problem will be the rod.  I don't know how 'light' or how 'heavy' you plan on casting, but you may be much better off with 2 outfits if the range is very wide.  Some MH rods are rated for 1/4-1 oz.  I have a couple with this rating, but admit to not having tried the extremes with either rod.  Matter of fact I think my heaviest lure is a 3/4 oz. spinnerbait (so it probably weights around 7/8 oz.)..  If you plan on throwing less than 1/4 oz. lures, then you are much better off springing for an expensive reel designed for light weights.  Some reels can be modified to throw lighter weights than originally designed for...such as a Fuego or Sol.

 

I picked up an Abu Black Max combo at DSG store recently, and gave the spool a spin.  I was amazed at how long it free spooled.  But...as always...the rod has to load properly with the weight being used.  A 1/8 oz. lure on a rod rated for 3/8 to 1-1/2 oz. ain't going too far no matter how expensive and capable the reel is. 

[fstr385]

Have one of those too lol  got it at bps for like $70 I think.

[TNBassin']

I gotta break out the "fairy wand" for the lighter baits. I just can't toss them on my Revo S or STX without having to pick out a nice thick back lash. Almost all of my jerkbaits, except for the 5/8oz versions get thrown on spinning gear.

[katmandew]

I like the Abu combos for inexpensive durable, and generally good baitcast combos. The black max and pro max combos are a good value for the money. As far as reels go I have to side with  Lew's; even the lower end laser mg even is a good reel that handles most of what your talking about easily. I'm moderately biased on Lew's reels though; I have been very impressed with them and as a result I have begun to use them almost exclusively. 

I think I'm the same way.  Tried an Abu STX, just didnt like it as well.  It casted fine, It was just harder to dial in and the spool tension knob had to be very tight to avoid backlash.  I have a BB1 and 2 Lew's TP's.  They'll see most of the action in my boat.  Both models throw very light cranks a very long way with no backlash.

[Sundance]

The pro qualifier/carbonlight combo for 150 at bps is a good combo. A medium or medium heavy fast rod is a good all around rod and id recomend #12 yozuri hybrid line.

[roadwarrior]

Depends on what "a good price" means to you. Your best bet is being patient and keeping

an eye on our Flea Market. I have bought most of my reels, both new and gently used from

Forum  members.

 

My two suggestions are the Shimano Citicia or Curado 50E. For "gently used" equipment

the Citicia will range from $75-$85; the Curado 50E $125-$150.

 

 

[Arv]

The pro qualifier/carbonlight combo for 150 at bps is a good combo. A medium or medium heavy fast rod is a good all around rod and id recomend #12 yozuri hybrid line.

x2

[Shoalamfishin]

More information would certainly be helpful but with what is given I would suggest a rod 6'6 to 6'10 because medium heavy with a fast tip. I know you are seeking suggestions on reels with that in mind I would consider a 6.4 ratio reel as an "all around" reel for most things. My suggestion would be to go to a sporting goods store when you have the time and pick up a few different reels try them of various rods you may be using (have or may consider buying) and see what you prefer. As you can see from this thread opinions differ a lot on what reels people prefer but its best to get a reel that is comfortable to you; this is a little more time consuming than going off the opinions or suggestions of others but it pays to get something you know you like the first time. Also you can check reviews on sporting goods websites, they give a bias as you generally only get really god or really bad reviews, but they are useful; there have been several threads here on bassresource regarding best and worst tackle purchases that may be helpful as well on forming ideas where to start.

[Nick49]

I have to agree with the above "AG Max" advocates.  Granted, they are not quite as smooth as some of the $100 - $200 reels that are consistently recommended.  However, with all the fine "higher end" reels that Abu Garcia sells, those $45 - $50 Black Maxs' keep performing.  I like my Curados and Lew's SSs, but my Black Maxs' also have a place on my boat.

[Bonifas9017]

I have been looking at dicks sporting good at the quantum escalade baitcaster any thoughts or anyone use one

[Shoalamfishin]

I know some people who have had decent luck with Quantums, but I haven't. In my experience a majority of Quantum reels (in the lower to middle quality range for Quantum) are very cheaply made and perform well for a while but kind of fall apart after a short time. 

 

Checked up on the Escalade before posting (I think its smart to be educated or at least refreshed on a topic) it looks good. The reviews on the Escalade look good, it seems much better than other Quantums that I have dealt with that were at and around the same price.