Some What Beginner Bait Caster Reel That Will Be Good For Long Term

[BeEzLeBoSs2010]

Hi, I'm on the market for a new reel. I have a Abu Garcia Black Max reel and pole combo, and I really like it. But I'm looking at upgrading and having at least two good bait casters. I'm a some what newbie to fishing, but I can cast bait casters pretty good, hit same spot every time, or close anyway.

 

From the research I've done the Shimano Citica 200E is one of the best for its price. $100-$120. Good bait caster for everything, which is what I'm looking for. Gonna be fishing plastics, worms, and crank baits, spinners, buzz baits...all of it pretty much. Mainly bass fishing. 

 

Just wanting some experienced bass fisher mans input on this. Would the Shimano Citca 200E be good for me? I do want something that has good distance, and fairly fast reel. I think the Citica is a 7.1:1 ratio. 

 

I've seen Curado and Caenan mentioned as well, but I think this was liked the most.

 

Thanks!

[War Eagle 44]

I think you are on the right path here, I use 4 Citica E's for a big portion of my fishing. They are fantastic reels for their price. They are 6.3:1 ratio reels though. You can order Curado/Chronarch E 7:1 gear sets and install them in the Citica to get the higher ratio if that's what you want. I use mine for everything, I've not been disappointed yet. I fished them completely stock for years with the only "mod" being a good spool bearing cleaning. This is something I would STRONGLY recommend you do if you pick up this reel, it's very simple and easy to do.  

 

They've been bullet proof for me, easy to fish, comfortable, and that's about all I'm looking for. IMHO you can't go wrong buying these reels. 

[new2BC4bass]

If you use left hand, there is a like new Daiwa Advantage HSTL going for $75 shipped and paypal fees covered.  That makes the reel price less than half of what it cost new.

 

EDIT:  Just noticed this was your first post. Welcome!  Lots of good reading here.  Take the time to read some of the articles.

[BeEzLeBoSs2010]

I really appreciate it guys! 

 

Citica sounds good for me. I didn't know you can change up the ratios like that. Is it difficult to do? Very pricey? It's not super important to me anyway, just maybe something I look at down the road for a nice little upgrade without getting a whole new reel. 

 

So I'm guessing that the bearing count isn't everything? I noticed that the Citica has like 3+1 I believe. Just thought that was strange when my Black Max has 5, and the Shimano Caenan has 6, yet it's reviews aren't as good as the Citica. Not trying to side track here just trying to understand it a little more.

 

Also curios what you guys would suggest for a good pole? My buddy tells me to get a Berkley Lightning rod, I guess it's good for distance. I honestly know nothing about poles either, I didn't know that poles played such a big part in getting distance. And I'm only trying to get all the distance I can because I shore fish a lot until I get a boat so I can definitely use more range.

 

Thanks again! 

[Fishwhittler]

I really appreciate it guys! 

 

Citica sounds good for me. I didn't know you can change up the ratios like that. Is it difficult to do? Very pricey? It's not super important to me anyway, just maybe something I look at down the road for a nice little upgrade without getting a whole new reel. 

 

So I'm guessing that the bearing count isn't everything? I noticed that the Citica has like 3+1 I believe. Just thought that was strange when my Black Max has 5, and the Shimano Caenan has 6, yet it's reviews aren't as good as the Citica. Not trying to side track here just trying to understand it a little more.

 

Also curios what you guys would suggest for a good pole? My buddy tells me to get a Berkley Lightning rod, I guess it's good for distance. I honestly know nothing about poles either, I didn't know that poles played such a big part in getting distance. And I'm only trying to get all the distance I can because I shore fish a lot until I get a boat so I can definitely use more range.

 

Thanks again!

Changing the gears will cost $25 or so and is fairly simple to do. You'll have to take your reel apart, but if you keep a schematic in front of you there shouldn't be any problems.

Bearing count isn't everything, not by a long shot. Much more important is a metal frame to hold the parts in alignment, and close building tolerances to prevent the parts from knocking around and wearing prematurely. You really only need two bearings on the spool shaft to help casting; everything else is gravy, albeit gravy that can make a noticeable improvement if done right.

You want a long-casting rod, check out the Daiwa Ballistic casting rods on sale from Tackle Warehouse. The 7'11" crank bait rod will launch baits a country mile. The Citica E is already a great casting reel, and if you tune it up it gets even better. I'd spool that combo with 10# Yo-Zuri Hybrid and spray it down with KVD Line & Lure conditioner. That rig will just about send lures into orbit.

[kschultz76]

I'd recommend the BPS Pro Qualifier. Great reel for 99 bucks even better when they put them on sale.

[BeEzLeBoSs2010]

Changing the gears will cost $25 or so and is fairly simple to do. You'll have to take your reel apart, but if you keep a schematic in front of you there shouldn't be any problems.

Bearing count isn't everything, not by a long shot. Much more important is a metal frame to hold the parts in alignment, and close building tolerances to prevent the parts from knocking around and wearing prematurely. You really only need two bearings on the spool shaft to help casting; everything else is gravy, albeit gravy that can make a noticeable improvement if done right.

You want a long-casting rod, check out the Daiwa Ballistic casting rods on sale from Tackle Warehouse. The 7'11" crank bait rod will launch baits a country mile. The Citica E is already a great casting reel, and if you tune it up it gets even better. I'd spool that combo with 10# Yo-Zuri Hybrid and spray it down with KVd Line & Lure conditioner. That rig will just about send lures into orbit.

Haha wow. I will definitely check out that pole. As for the conditioner, I never knew such a thing existed but I will definitely check in to it. This sounds exactly like the set up I have wanted. With my Abu Garcia Black Max, my Abu Garcia 5000 and this thing I think I'll have everything i want. 

 

Sounds like you really know your stuff. I appreciate the information, looks like I'm gonna be spending a little money in the near future, lol.

[Fishwhittler]

Haha wow. I will definitely check out that pole. As for the conditioner, I never knew such a thing existed but I will definitely check in to it. This sounds exactly like the set up I have wanted. With my Abu Garcia Black Max, my Abu Garcia 5000 and this thing I think I'll have everything i want. 

 

Sounds like you really know your stuff. I appreciate the information, looks like I'm gonna be spending a little money in the near future, lol.

 

The conditioner really helps tame mono, copolymer, and fluorocarbon.  Braid not so much, but I still treat braid just for the heck of it.  I was skeptical about the KVD spray until I tried it—I'm a skeptic no more.

 

The 7'11" rod is tip-heavy and it's not going to be the best for plastics, though it'll still do the job.  For cranks it's Da Bomb, and it handles spinnerbaits well also.  The taper is listed as "Regular", which I'd label a moderate-fast/fast.  One of the graphite Ballistic rods would probably be better for handling a wider variety of lures, but for sheer distance you're not going to beat the 7'11".  I got mine for long-range cranking—I'm bank-bound like you, and I wanted a rod that could chunk lipless baits into the next county so as to allow me to cover as much water as possible from one spot.  The rod works perfectly for that application.

[sarcazmo]

Pro qualifier is a great reel.

 

There are some decent deals on lews BB1 on ebay as well.

 

If you're patient you can really find some deals.

 

I just got 2 curado 50es from ebay for 125 shipped.  Past couple weeks I've got a 200e chronarch and 50e chronarch both for 140 shipped.

[basshole8190]

Bps PQ is good reel i have one but to be honest i really enjoy using my abu promax for 70$ its awesome high speed good drag i upgraded to carbontex drag system and its evenn better

[BradH]

A 200E would be perfect.  I'd leave the gears the way they are.  If you want a 7:1 reel get a Curado E7.  The gears in the Citica are fine for the applications you listed.  The nice thing about the 200E is a driveshaft bearing and Curado E handle can be added as upgrades later.

[BeEzLeBoSs2010]

Thanks for the tips guys, I think I know what I'm going to do now!

[Fishes in trees]

If you want a Shimano reel that casts great, gets better with age, built like a tank, relatively easy to do minor maintenance on, and will last you a LIFETIME - get a Calcutta.

[BeEzLeBoSs2010]

If you want a Shimano reel that casts great, gets better with age, built like a tank, relatively easy to do minor maintenance on, and will last you a LIFETIME - get a Calcutta.

Yea I know, I've seen them everywhere. That's something I'll look at further down the road. Great reels.