Bait Cast Of No?

[Matthew Pena]

Hey guys so im new to the websight and have a question i usually fish for trout and i recently moved where there is a golf course with a few lakes and started bass fishing almost everyday for the bast 4 or 5 months .... well since i fish for trout i have a ultra light setup with 6lb test and i love it but im thinking about a bait cast for bass. there are some very large bass i have caught 3 above 10 lbs on my ultra light and yes they were weighed biggest one so far 11lb 6 ounces i was lucky to land these on my pole but i managed so my question is do i need a baitcast i have never used one ever and i have around 100 to spend is that enough for a decent setup what do you guys recommend?? anything helps

[SirSnookalot]

What's your address, I'm coming over​.

[Matthew Pena]

What's your address, I'm coming over​.

hahaah thats what everyone says 

[Revival]

I would say no. Why change what's working for you? If anything maybe get a new rod in medium or medium heavy or are you looking for a new combo in general? What size reel do you have now?

[SirSnookalot]

I'm a spinning man, if I were consistently catching larger bass I'd use a med inshore saltwater rod or mh  freshwater rod and 2000 or 2500 reel.

[Matthew Pena]

I would say no. Why change what's working for you? If anything maybe get a new rod in medium or medium heavy or are you looking for a new combo in general? What size reel do you have now?

i am kinda looking for a new combo especially heavior line cause i have had my line snap like 3 times and i dont know the size of the top of my head its just a standered ultra light for trout fishing i have another pole i use for catfishing but i think it would be over kill for bass

[Matthew Pena]

I'm a spinning man, if I were consistently catching larger bass I'd use a med inshore saltwater rod or mh  freshwater rod and 2000 or 2500 reel.

ok i would feel more comfortable on a spinner cause thats what I've used since i was 4 years old and i dont feel the need to change if its working o any rods/reels in mind i could pick up at likke bass pro?

[Tuckahoe Joe]

You don't necessarily need a baitcaster.  If your comfortable with your spinning gear, you could just get a heavier combo.  Like Revival and SirSnookalot said, medium or medium heavy rod.  Get a 6.2:1 reel with some 10-12 pound line and you should have a pretty good all around bass combo.  If you do decide to go with a baitcaster, I'd recommend the Abu Garcia BlackMax combo.  You can get the at Dick's or WalMart and its within your $100 dollar budget.

[Matthew Pena]

You don't necessarily need a baitcaster.  If your comfortable with your spinning gear, you could just get a heavier combo.  Like Revival and SirSnookalot said, medium or medium heavy rod.  Get a 6.2:1 reel with some 10-12 pound line and you should have a pretty good all around bass combo.  If you do decide to go with a baitcaster, I'd recommend the Abu Garcia BlackMax combo.  You can get the at Dick's or WalMart and its within your $100 dollar budget.

would you recammend braid or mono line?

[Matthew Pena]

And i mostly use senkos and spinners if that helps at all

[Tuckahoe Joe]

I use mono.  Don't really have experience with braid.  But if you do end up using braid, you can use a heavier line because the line diameter of braid is thinner than that of mono.  Basically, if a reel is rated for 130yds of 10 pound mono, it can hold an equal amount of say, 30 or 40 pound braid.

[SirSnookalot]

I'm a braid man I like it with spinning gear.  Looking at that pond in your avatar I'm wondering how thick is the vegetation, I'd be using 10 or 15# braid most likely.  I don't get into specific brand recommendations bur for a $100 budget you should be able to find something that's going to work quite well.

The printed numbers on the reel are a guide to line capacity, I have reels that read out 150 yds at 20 lb,  I would never use line that heavier on that size spinning reel.  On bass sized reel If I were using mono it would 8# unless it was a thin 10#.

[Tuckahoe Joe]

And i mostly use senkos and spinners if that helps at all

For senkos and spinners, I'd think you would be ok with mono.  It's my understanding (and I'll admit I could be mistaken) that braids main attributes are its strength and sensitivity.  It's better for fishing in heavy cover, feeling bites/what's on the bottom of the lake, and setting thicker hooks like on a big jig.

 

Almost every time a bass has hit one of my spinnerbaits, he's hit it like a truck so you shouldn't have much of a sensitivity issue there and I wouldn't think you'd be using a very thick hook with your senkos so braided line may be overkill.  Like I said, I'm no expert.  Just my opinion.  See what others have to say about braid.

[Matthew Pena]

I'm a braid man I like it with spinning gear.  Looking at that pond in your avatar I'm wondering how thick is the vegetation, I'd be using 10 or 15# braid most likely.  I don't get into specific brand recommendations bur for a $100 budget you should be able to find something that's going to work quite well.

The printed numbers on the reel are a guide to line capacity, I have reels that read out 150 yds at 20 lb,  I would never use line that heavier on that size spinning reel.  On bass sized reel If I were using mono it would 8# unless it was a thin 10#.

the moss there is heavy man but after about 40 or 50 feet it drops off and it pretty deep thats where i always get the big ones an everywhere else ther is around 3ft of water then just moss 

[Matthew Pena]

I'm a braid man I like it with spinning gear.  Looking at that pond in your avatar I'm wondering how thick is the vegetation, I'd be using 10 or 15# braid most likely.  I don't get into specific brand recommendations bur for a $100 budget you should be able to find something that's going to work quite well.

The printed numbers on the reel are a guide to line capacity, I have reels that read out 150 yds at 20 lb,  I would never use line that heavier on that size spinning reel.  On bass sized reel If I were using mono it would 8# unless it was a thin 10#.

and i know this beacuse a cat fish pulled my pole in and i went home got a mask and went swimming hahah but didn't find the pole but hey at least i learned what it was like out there

[ClackerBuzz]

you clearly have a good thing going! i'm guessing you're casting small trout style lures (soft plastics and 1/8oz mepps spinners etc).  the 10+lb bass in that pond obviously like them. bigger rods and line usually mean bigger lures.  it's nice to be able to hop a frog thru slop but remember the roots of ur success. no matter what you "upgraded" to, take one of ur proven light tackle rods too. punching is great, 1/2oz spinnerbaits are standard for most, frogging can yield hogs, 10" worms attract pigs but clearly those bass enjoy a small snack. going to 3/4" spinnerbait may mean getting a 14+lb bass on 25 days of the year.  but its sounds like you have them dialed in on the other 340 days.

great advice on the set ups. i'd go with 7ft MH spinning w/ 30lb braid.  its strong, versatile and still casts far. attach a 8, 12, 15lb leader as needed per the lure/cover ur casting.  tie straight to braid if you want but be careful b/c you can snap a rod much easier with braid (usually trying to 'unsnag' a lure. instead wrap the braid around a stick and pull directly. you can bend out the hooks and get it back. DON'T wrap around ur hand or u will bleed).

Edited June 26, 2013 by ClackerBuzz

[Dyerbassman]

If you are comfortable with a spinning set-up, stick with that. You don't need a baitcaster. Like the others have said, just get an upgrade, but keep using the ultralite, too. A baitcaster won't help you catch more fish. But a heavier spinning set-up with give you the confidence to get those big bass. Confidence is more important than a high priced baitcaster.

[B@ssCrzy]

I agree with the others and what they have said.  You don't need a baitcaster.  I believe that if you are only going to spend $100 on a baitcasting combo you will probably be disappointed.  It is my opinion that in order to get a nice baitcasting reel you need to spend around $100 for the reel alone.  I have tried the cheap baitcasting combos and they made my life miserable.  When I finally upgraded to some quality baitcasters it made a world of difference.  Spinning gear will be good for you, but I would definitely go with braid and learn to tie on a leader.  The braid will keep you from having to mess with the memory and line twist that can come with spinning gear after casting a lot, and the leader will allow you to break off if you get snagged and not waste any of your braid.  To me braid makes a world of difference on a spinning set up.

[NEjitterbugger]

Don't necessarily need a baitcasting setup maybe an upgraded spinning setup... 

[new2BC4bass]

Since the Bait Monkey has a permanent home on my shoulder, my answer is "Obviously you need a new outfit." 

 

A spinning outfit will just as obviously work if that is what you prefer.  I will say that I much prefer baitcast reels since buying my first one about 4 years ago.  So much so that I hardly ever use a spinning reel now.  I will admit that the learning curve is steeper than with a spinning reel.  BUT practice will have you casting just as far and as accurately as with a spinning reel.

 

Went through your posts a couple times and still didn't see where you stated a budget of $100.

 

look at Berkley Shock or Shimano Sellus.  Team it with a Pflueger President spinning reel of the desired size.  Nice, reasonably priced outfit.  Dick's Sporting Goods carries the Field & Stream Tec Spec (the black ones) for a few $$ more.  These are also good rods for the money.  Otherwise keep an eye on the classifieds.  Good bargains come up occasionally.

 

Post back what you decide on.

[Matthew Pena]

ive decided to stay with spinning but im going to go to braided line whats the best braid i here power pro is good?? and with the leader do i alsoo use braid or mono and no im just looking for a new rod and reel what do you guys suggest?? thanks for all the help i really appriciate it

[B@ssCrzy]

ive decided to stay with spinning but im going to go to braided line whats the best braid i here power pro is good?? and with the leader do i alsoo use braid or mono and no im just looking for a new rod and reel what do you guys suggest?? thanks for all the help i really appriciate it

 

I like to use 15-20lb power pro braid and use a mono leader just because it is tough and more forgiving.  I have not used fluorocarbon yet, but only because I don't feel like spending the money for it. 

[BamaBassChaser]

What's your address, I'm coming over​.

 

Could you pick me up on your way thru?

[new2BC4bass]

PowerPro is very good, but then so are several other brands.  Kind of hard to get bad braid.  I've used PP a fair amount on spinning reels as well as the 40# Sufix Performance on my STX baitcast reel.  Have 10# Sufix 832 on a spinning reel and 55# Daiwa Samurai on another baitcast reel.  Last 2 haven't seen a lot of use yet, but absolutely no problems with either yet.  Nor do I expect any.

 

I will say I didn't like how green flaked off Fireline while spooling it on.  None of the other braids I have did.  However, I have straightened out jig hooks with the 30# Fireline.

[new2BC4bass]

Could you pick me up on your way thru?

X2.  I will even buy the coffee!