Baitcaster Newbie

[Bk4]

My friend gave me a Lew's Speed Spool Laser MG ... 8 bearing, gear ration 6:4:1 and I was wondering what would be a good bait casting rod for this reel?

 

 

And what's it used for? Technique? I heard deep cranking but not too sure.

 

 

Edit: What type of line should I spool it up with?

[BrianinMD]

That gear ratio is a good all around setup, up to you to decide what you want to use it for then get a rod to match. .

[new2BC4bass]

Depending on cover and lure weights you intend to fish, a 6'6"-7' Medium Fast or Medium Heavy Fast is the most recommended rod for all-around use.

[Arv]

Something  7' M/F or MH/F depending on the cover and lures you're fishing. I would lean more towards a MH, it will allow you to fish most applications well. 6.4 will let you cover most of the spectrum of techniques also. If you pair that reel with a MH/F rod you should be able to effectively fish jigs, t rigs, spinners and many more. Let us know your price range and we can start giving you specific rods to check out as well.

[skeletor6]

If you had a 5.x. gear ratio I'd limit it to more deep cranking type activities but your ratio is very versatile. Name the techniques and weights of baits you will be using and the cover your throwing in and we'll find you a rod.

Oh yeah price range too

[Bk4]

Hmm I wanna flip and pitch with a baitcaster more of a soft plastic user willing to put up $40 to $100 for a decent rod for a first time baitcasting rod.

[Bk4]

Also I want to add what type of line do you guys recommend for this baitcasting reel? It holds up 12lb  that's what I heard.

[BrianinMD]

For that I would go with at least a 7ft MH Fast or Xfast with 20lb flouro. don't worry about the line size. The reel will handle 20lb without issue, the reference to 12lb is only to show how much line it holds.

[lmbfisherman]

I'd pair it with a 6'6" or 7' MH/F rod.  In general this rod would be a jack of all trades and can do some flipping/pitching if it's not too heavy cover/vegetation.  In the price range you listed you could go with -

 

1. Berkley Lightning "Shock" Rod - $50

2. Abu Garcia Veritas - Under a $100

3. Shimano Compre - Under a $100

 

I own both 2 and 3, if I had to choose though I'd go with the Compre.  I like the feel of them better than my Veritas and to me when using a jig. it felt a bit more sensitive than the Veritas.  Still either one would be a good buy at the price point.  Not to mention the Compre has a better Warranty (Life time limited Warranty).

[Sundance]

The abu garcia vengance and veritas, bps corbonlight and extream, st croix mojo, rage, and premire are all good roods in that price range. For line you cant go wrong with yo-zuri hybrid in #12 test.

[Arv]

my 2 cents, get either a 7ft+ MH or H Shimano Compre and spool it with either 12# Yo Zuri Hybrid or 50-60# braid (can't go wrong w/ Power Pro IMO) depending on the cover you will be fishing. 

[zwhiten12]

I would look into a MH veritas, I recently got one and I love it. It also very sensitive.