In Need Of Reel Advice

[WVbassin87]

I'm kind of ashamed to admit this, especially considering i'm 27 and have fished for 24 years, but i don't know how to use a spinning or baitcasting reel. all i've ever used is Zebco closed face reels. i bought a Berkeley Mike Iaconelli spinning combo, but after 3 casts i somehow managed to get a tangle on the reel. I returned it, embarassed because i couldn't use it. i would like to learn, and everyone on youtube makes it look simple, but i don't know where to start. i need a starter combo. i don't have much money (being a working husband and dad who sometimes is lucky to make it paycheck to paycheck). any advice would be appreciated.

[roadwarrior]

Well, you will need to give us a budget if you want specific advice. 

My general suggestion would be to keep an eye on our Flea Market

and buy a "gently used" Shimano Symetre for around $75 or less.

[WVbassin87]

As much as i hate to say it, i have to save up to be able to buy anything. i was thinking something close to $30 to learn on

[Preytorien]

I've seen some great starter combos at my local Wal-Mart.

 

I personally got my start with a spinning reel setup with a Shakespeare combo. It was solid enough and provided me a great time fishing until I made the step up later in life. I think the whole rig was about $30-40.

 

When it comes to using/casting a spinning or baitcasting reel. It all comes down to basic casting mechanics. I would just watch all the YouTube videos about it as you possibly can to enhance your knowledge. Practice in the back yard, I know I do, even though my wife looks at me like my hair's on fire. Soon your muscles will memorize the movements and mechanics and then smooth, effective casting will become second nature. There WILL be tangles, but just take a deep breath, slow down, untangle it, and keep practicing until you figure out what caused the tangle. Heck, I still get tangles bad enough I have to just cut the line.

 

But I know where you're coming from, I just recently started using baitcasters, and while the videos made it look so easy, it took me a while to get the hang of it without a bazillion tangles. But like they say, practice makes perfect. It'll eventually get easier and easier until it's just second nature.

 

But until you make the decision to really focus on spinning or baitcasting, I definitely wouldn't spend all that much money on it until you're ready. Check out your local stores though, budget-minded combos that are still decent quality can be found. And again, I've seen that Shakespeare seems have done a great job for me. In fact, the combo that I had is now my wife's and she refuses to use anything else since it's basic, works, and is easy to use.

[MemphisFF]

No shame brother you got to start somewhere.. Good luck and check sales at bass pro, academy, gander mountain, dicks and walmart.. Good luck to you...

[F14A-B]

No shame... No sir, not in anything you wrote...

You could be trying to throw to light of a rig.. Or.. You maybe reeling in on uncontrolled slack. Poor Quailty line.... Even on lower priced items.. The basics are the same ( spinning ) !

No hill to high for a climber.... Practice with heavier weight .. Then decrease the weight.. You can find deals where others have said. Good luck

[robster80]

gota start somewher. my first was a basspro reel and rod. used it for a few yrs before upgrading. check the flea market,walmart,fleabay. theres some great deals on quality stuff

[Fish Murderer 71]

This Abu Garcia Pro MaxII (click here) in my opinion is the best bang for your buck for a starter Baitcaster.  I still have one and use it regularly still.  Very forgiving for bad casting technique. just dont go over 12# test or it loses its forgiveness! 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Pick up a Pflueger Trion spinning reel and spool it up with 6-8# Trilene XL and mount on a Med/fast rod. When you're ready for the next step pick up a BPS Pro Qualifier baitcast reel in 6.4 or 7:1 on sale ($70 +/-), some 12# Trilene XT and a MedHvy/Fast casting rod. These should get you going inexpensively, but will remain serviceable as your skill and needs evolve. 

[bassh8er]

Some will disagree but I don't see the point in spending over $100 on a spinning reel.

Search reviews for the Pflueger President and you'll find lots of positive reviews and the reels are $50 - $60. I've got 4 of them and have used them in both open and hard water for the last 5 years with simple yearly maintenance with ZERO issues.

No matter what reel you buy, make sure to manually flip the bail before you start to reel. This will help with line twist and lots of those tangles you run into.

[hooah212002]

One thing I learned very late in life about spinning reels that everyone else treats as common knowledge (in no particular order):

 

1. make sure your line is tight before beginning your retrieve
2. close the bail by hand
3. DO NOT over fill the spool
4. use casting gear for lures that create line twist (soft jerk baits, spoons and inline spinners (unless you use swivels)) because even with braid, you WILL get line twist
5. use braided line.

The first two are very important and can be the difference in hating life or having no problems at all. Not only does closing the bail by hand extend the life of the reel, it also ensures that you will take the time to pick up the slack in the line before reeling in.