Would This Be A Good Beginner's Baitcasting Combo?

[ABW]

It will consist of...

 

-Lew's Speed Spool Casting Reel - $99.99 (6.4:1 gear ratio, 10 ball bearings)

-Shimano Convergence Casting Rod - $59.99 (6'8" Medium Fast Action)

 

Also, would this combo work for...

Weightless plastics such as flukes and stickbaits?

1/4 oz or 3/8 oz hardbaits and buzzbaits?

 

Not really going to be power fishing. The bass where I fish do not grow to become very big, sadly. (Max. 3-4 pounds)

 

I will be fishing from the bank also.

[Mattfrom_NJ]

You can probably use that set up for a number of different presentations. Some people prefer moderate action for baits with treble hooks but honestly it's all a matter of preference and using what works for you. Good luck

[c.rushing2010]

I might catch flack for this, but I think the combo that bass pro offers for $160 is hard to beat for beginner to intermediate bass fishermen.

 

The combo includes a pro qualifier of your choice and a carbonlite rod.

 

My suggestion for you would be the 7' rod and the 6.4:1 ratio pro qualifier.

 

This was my first decent combo and it served me very well until I decided to get into the expensive stuff.

 

What you have listed will probably work fine for you though.

[ColdSVT]

I might catch flack for this, but I think the combo that bass pro offers for $160 is hard to beat for beginner to intermediate bass fishermen.

The combo includes a pro qualifier of your choice and a carbonlite rod.

My suggestion for you would be the 7' rod and the 6.4:1 ratio pro qualifier.

This was my first decent combo and it served me very well until I decided to get into the expensive stuff.

What you have listed will probably work fine for you though.

This right here! Cant go wrong

[RippinLips4]

This right here! Cant go wrong

  

I might catch flack for this, but I think the combo that bass pro offers for $160 is hard to beat for beginner to intermediate bass fishermen.

 

The combo includes a pro qualifier of your choice and a carbonlite rod.

 

My suggestion for you would be the 7' rod and the 6.4:1 ratio pro qualifier.

 

This was my first decent combo and it served me very well until I decided to get into the expensive stuff.

 

What you have listed will probably work fine for you though.

Perfect answer.

[Cgrinder]

I'd put a little more money into the rod. Shimano rods are very good but at the lower price points you are paying a lot for the name/warranty. There are plenty of good rods around $100.

Other posters have suggested the BPS pro q/carbonlite combo for $160 and I think it's a good way to go. It's also a good idea to contact Valley Sports via e-mail and or shop around for sales. No need to pay retail!

[kingkong85]

That's a good choice. That's pretty much an all around setup you picked out.

[masterbass]

The combo the op asked about would be fine for a versatile set up.

[Arv]

Bps pq/carbonlite

[Brian Needham]

I might catch flack for this, but I think the combo that bass pro offers for $160 is hard to beat for beginner to intermediate bass fishermen.

 

The combo includes a pro qualifier of your choice and a carbonlite rod.

 

My suggestion for you would be the 7' rod and the 6.4:1 ratio pro qualifier.

 

This was my first decent combo and it served me very well until I decided to get into the expensive stuff.

 

What you have listed will probably work fine for you though.

 

I agree...... my first baitcast combo was a carbonlite combo, if a guy can swing it, it is a great start up combo.

 

I didn't know they put the PQ reel on them now, which is even better.

 

I know the lews reel in the OP was light years better than the Carbonlite reel that came on mine.

 

so maybe the OP can keep the lews Idea and catch a carbonlite rod on sale? that's what I would do.

[ABW]

I'd put a little more money into the rod. Shimano rods are very good but at the lower price points you are paying a lot for the name/warranty. There are plenty of good rods around $100.

Other posters have suggested the BPS pro q/carbonlite combo for $160 and I think it's a good way to go. It's also a good idea to contact Valley Sports via e-mail and or shop around for sales. No need to pay retail!

 

Instead of the 59.99 Shimano rod I had listed in the OP, would an Abu Garcia Veritas or Vendetta do me better? Also on the Veritas, Micro Guides vs regular?

[lmbfisherman]

Instead of the 59.99 Shimano rod I had listed in the OP, would an Abu Garcia Veritas or Vendetta do me better? Also on the Veritas, Micro Guides vs regular?

Getting the Veritas would be better, I owned a Convergence..I personally won't go below a "Compre".   For 79.99 the Veritas is an excellent all around rod and by far better sensitivity than the Convergence.  I would recommend the same combo (BPS PQ/Carbonlite), but if you want to go Lews, I definitely say take the Veritas..if you want Shimano don't go below a Compre. 

[Grizzn N Bassin]

you will love your lews

[Washout]

The vendettas are nice rods, light and sensitive. I don't know of a finer rod in the price range. The veritas are nice as well, but that's a different price range. If you can afford one, I don't think you can go wrong.

[buzzed bait]

veritas and lews would be a nice combo if you can put that extra $20 into the rod

[Blues19]

The vendettas are nice rods, light and sensitive. I don't know of a finer rod in the price range. The veritas are nice as well, but that's a different price range. If you can afford one, I don't think you can go wrong.

Actually the Veritas has dropped its price in most places to $79.99.  I like my Veritas more than my Vendetta, but both are nice rods

[Bankbeater]

Try it out with several baits and see which one you think it works best with.

[hatrix]

I would get a reel with dual breaking. Even so the speed spool is still a good reel.

[ABW]

Thank you guys for your opinions. I have decided that I will keep the Lew's $100 reel, plus a 7' Medium Moderate Fast action Veritas rod. Not really a big fan of the Bass Pro Shops stuff.

[Zeeso]

Thank you guys for your opinions. I have decided that I will keep the Lew's $100 reel, plus a 7' Medium Moderate Fast action Veritas rod. Not really a big fan of the Bass Pro Shops stuff.

What you picked is a very solid set up. You will enjoy it!

Just a question though, have you ever tried to BpsPQ or Carbonlite? They both fish well above their price points, I own a veritas and a few Carbonlite rods. I gotta tell you like my Carbonlites much more. If you get a chance to buy either a pq or a Carbonlite in the future I would highly recommend you do. You'll probably change your stance!

Good luck with your new set up!

[ABW]

What you picked is a very solid set up. You will enjoy it!

Just a question though, have you ever tried to BpsPQ or Carbonlite? They both fish well above their price points, I own a veritas and a few Carbonlite rods. I gotta tell you like my Carbonlites much more. If you get a chance to buy either a pq or a Carbonlite in the future I would highly recommend you do. You'll probably change your stance!

Good luck with your new set up!

Yes, maybe in the future I'll try them out. In all honesty I just like how the Lew's Reel looks. Not a fan of the silver BPS PQ reel, but maybe one day I'll get over that and purchase one.

[Zeeso]

Yes I too prefer the look of the lews reels, I won't argue that.

[bigbill]

The BPS spring catalogue I just received has some good deals n it.

[Washout]

Thank you guys for your opinions. I have decided that I will keep the Lew's $100 reel, plus a 7' Medium Moderate Fast action Veritas rod. Not really a big fan of the Bass Pro Shops stuff.

That setup is almost identical to my most fished casting setup. I don't know why, but my 7'2" with a lew's speed spool has cured my reel explosions. Don't get me wrong, I'm still new enough to backlash it if I have a headwind and try to blast it out 70 feet, but short of that, I'm finally figuring this rig out. Only about 6 hours of untangling under my belt, but I'm getting comfortable with it. I hope you enjoy it!