Reel For A New Angler

[Noraagolfs]

I'm new to fishing, as you can tell by my user name. However, I'm competitive by nature and like nice toys. In your honest opinion would the LTE be a good reel for a novice baitcast fisherman? Very interested.

[birdoflight]

I'm new to fishing, as you can tell by my user name. However, I'm competitive by nature and like nice toys. In your honest opinion would the LTE be a good reel for a novice baitcast fisherman? Very interested.

 

I'm also new(started fishing 4 months ago) and here is my perspective.  The price is quite good for the features you will get on the reel.  If you were to buy it and give up fishing, you could perhaps even make a profit on it provided you maintain the condition.  Otherwise, it will give you some reel to "grow into" as you become more familiar with a baitcaster.  I started with an Abu Garcia BlackMax2 reel ($50 at Wal*Mart) and would certainly have thrown the additional $20 at this one instead.

 

If this is your first baitcaster, I would recommend not using the QuickFlip button for some time until you are familiar with the reel's action on a basic to intermediate level.  You can check out bassresource videos by Glenn to gain familiarity with the platform and prepare yourself to start out.  With that understanding of what you will be doing, you should learn about Making Adjustments to Reduce Backlash and Method1, Method2 for clearing backlashes from the spool.  Starting with monofilament will lower the cost of learning to deal with backlashes in the beginning.  As your thumb learns to keep backlashes from occurring you may want to try out the QuickFlip mode.

 

The gear ratio on this reel is high at 7.3:1, which means each turn of the handle will spool a larger amount of line.  If you do not yet know what technique(s) you would like to fish with, be aware this one will require a great deal of attention if you want to do slower/finesse fishing as you may inadvertently pull your lure in too quickly for a good presentation.  The information I am finding online for that reel indicates 30.5" retrieve.

 

Finally, it may be a little daunting to service a more complex reel yourself so if you do decide to perform maintenance on your own, be certain to keep a copy of the schematic in a safe place and be orderly when disassembling.  There are professionals on this forum and probably local to you who can do it for you otherwise.

[Noraagolfs]

Bird,

Wow, that was more than I expected. You talked me into it. If swim jig gets back to me, I will take it. Thanks for your advise. I'm a little worried about the gear ratio, as this will be my worm, top water, spinner, cranks, and frog reel. Putting it on a fenwick or mojo bass rod.

Thanks,

AARON

[recordbreaker5]

Bird,

Wow, that was more than I expected. You talked me into it. If swim jig gets back to me, I will take it. Thanks for your advise. I'm a little worried about the gear ratio, as this will be my worm, top water, spinner, cranks, and frog reel. Putting it on a fenwick or mojo bass rod.

Thanks,

AAR

 

These reels would only be desirable for frog fishing by most of us.  Just something to keep in mind.  I personally think looking for 6:1 ratio reel would be better.  You are right in between and would be an overall better ratio to use for techniques on both sides.  Just me .02.  Good luck

[00 mod]

These reels would only be desirable for frog fishing by most of us.  Just something to keep in mind.  I personally think looking for 6:1 ratio reel would be better.  You are right in between and would be an overall better ratio to use for techniques on both sides.  Just me .02.  Good luck

 

 

I use 7.3/1 reels for more than just topwater fishing.  Anything that uses the rod to move the bait as opposed to the reel, I use the highest speed IPT I can get.  When you use the rod to move the bait, the reel is only used to take up slack line, and in this case, I want to get it taken up as soon as possible to hopefully set the hook! 

 

Any plastic on the bottom

flipping/pitching

jigs

topwater

jerkbait

 

 

 

Jeff

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Be used for lipless cranks and shallow running 1.0 or 1.5 squarebills as well for reaction strikes, they dont pose high resistance.

[recordbreaker5]

I use 7.3/1 reels for more than just topwater fishing.  Anything that uses the rod to move the bait as opposed to the reel, I use the highest speed IPT I can get.  When you use the rod to move the bait, the reel is only used to take up slack line, and in this case, I want to get it taken up as soon as possible to hopefully set the hook! 

 

Any plastic on the bottom

flipping/pitching

jigs

topwater

jerkbait

 

Jeff

Got that but I was referring to what he listed. He didnt mention anything about flipping/pitching or jerkbaits. I use the 7:1+ just like you except I use a 6:1 for my swim jigs and top waters(sammies) and worm fishing. He is new to casting so I was speaking on a more overall setup I guess. Sorry OP, I'm done clogging up your ad. GLWS.

[Long Mike]

I have several 7.3/1 reels also.  When I want to slow down my retrieve speed, I simply crank the reel a little slower.

[Noraagolfs]

That's what I was thinking. You can only reel so fast, but you can always slow it down.

I want this reel. Thanks for all the help.

AARON

[J Francho]

This thread is originally from a for sale post in the flea market forum.  The question and answer posts belong in here, and may help the OP, and other new anglers as well.

[new2BC4bass]

I see the reel is sold.  Hopefully to you.    Welcome to the forum and to fishing.  Specs on the reel suggests it is a pretty good reel.  Reviews are few, but the couple I have read were positive.  Looks like birdo gave you some good links to read...if you haven't already.  A search should turn up plenty of threads on learning to cast.  Might be some info in them that isn't in the sticky.