offsidewing Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 Hello all, Looooong time lurker, first time poster. I've been using this forum for a long time for it's knowledge base on fishing techniques. The info here for a weekend warrior like me has been invaluable and you guys have helped me catch so many more fish the past couple of years! Now for some advice. I've been a long time spinning reel guy, but want to pick up a baitcasting reel (or two) for lures/baits that are above the 3/8 ounce range - jig and pigs, fat ikas, drop shotting 5 inch senkos, and crankbaits. I'll leave the weightless set ups to my spinning gear. This baitcasting reel will primarily be for smallmouth and largemouth fishing on inland freshwater lakes. I am looking for a reel that casts easy, has a good braking system to minimize backlashes, and can be adjusted easily. I would also like good build quality and feel to it. Money isn't too much of an obstacle, but I don't want to over spend where I don't need to. My initial thought after some research was a Quantum Tour MG or Shimano Chonarch Ci4+. Both seem like excellent reels, but maybe not the best choice for your 'first' baitcaster as one learns the nuances of using a baitcasting set up. Maybe I get one of those reels in my 'next' baitcasting set ups. To get to the point, I'm considering the Lew's Speed Spool Tournament Reel that Cabela's has on sale for $119. Based on the info found in this forum and elsewhere on the internets, this seems to be a good 'first' baitcaster considering my criteria. I figure I can pick up two of those reels and then pick up two of the Cabela's Tournament ZX rods (in appropriate specs) when those go on sale to have two rod/reel combos. I know there's a lot of brand loyalty with anglers, but the Lew's Speed Spool Tournament seems like a great value for an experienced weekend warrior looking to introduce a quality baitcasting reel into his inventory. What do you guys think? I've read lots of good things about the Lews BB1 and the Curado I too - but I'm thinking I'll get a lot of bang for my buck starting out with the Lews Speed Spool Tournament. Quote
Josh Smith Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 I think you will be happy with a Japanese-made Shimano or Swedish-made Abu Garcia. I suggest these because it's hard to find junk from either place. How fast do you prefer your retrieve? Do you prefer round or low-profile? Josh Quote
Trent Wilson Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 Being a newbie, spend a little more and find a Lew's BB1HLZ (if you're a left retrieve) or comparable right hander. They centrifugal brake settings on the spool literally will not let you backlash. I was shocked when my first cast went straight into the ground while practicing. My fault. I'm casting into strong winds now with no fear of backlash. So far, I've got easily over 10,000 casts with no backlash. It's the perfect beginner. Quote
Super User F14A-B Posted February 10, 2015 Super User Posted February 10, 2015 Go with a Shimano.. That ci4+ is a reel you can easily learn on, and grow into.. I get your point on minimal startup expenses.. In the long run a good shimano reel is almost always a great choice.. Best wishes, which ever reel you select! Quote
Global Moderator Mike L Posted February 10, 2015 Global Moderator Posted February 10, 2015 Go to BPS if you have one reasonably close by this week and get a Pro Qualifier. They're on sale for less than half of what they usually cost. If you don't have one within reason find one anyway. You won't be sorry. Mike Mike Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted February 10, 2015 Super User Posted February 10, 2015 Personally I'd get the Shimano over the Quantum. For worry free casting, I would suggest a Daiwa with the 3D Magforce braking. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm pretty sure it could be set up where it would be impossible to backlash. It is the only reel I can cast with zero brakes and not backlash. Longcast must apply some braking. I own Daiwa, Shimano, Lews, Pflueger, Abu, BPS...several models in some brands. I've read good things about the Tournament ZX rods, but have zero experience with them. Quote
offsidewing Posted February 11, 2015 Author Posted February 11, 2015 Being a newbie, spend a little more and find a Lew's BB1HLZ (if you're a left retrieve) or comparable right hander. They centrifugal brake settings on the spool literally will not let you backlash. I was shocked when my first cast went straight into the ground while practicing. My fault. I'm casting into strong winds now with no fear of backlash. So far, I've got easily over 10,000 casts with no backlash. It's the perfect beginner. Thanks for the advice! Quote
Robert Riley Posted February 12, 2015 Posted February 12, 2015 What do you guys think? I've read lots of good things about the Lews BB1 and the Curado I too - but I'm thinking I'll get a lot of bang for my buck starting out with the Lews Speed Spool Tournament. yeaaaaah! Lew's Speed Spool is great. Such a good reel for the money. A friend of mine like to say that Lew's biggest mistake was making their low-end reels so good. BB1 is a great reel as well, so is the tournament pro. You can find plenty of stuff on this board about those two. Quote
kschultz76 Posted February 15, 2015 Posted February 15, 2015 That Chronarch CI4+ is a very capable reel that would serve you well as a beginner or experienced angler. It has great braking system and is an easy caster. All that said you don't need to spend that kind of coin on your first baitcaster unless you're the kind of person who knows you won't be satisfied with a budget reel. I'd suggest you start with something more modest but still good quality. No sense spending that much until you first know you can effectively use a bc reel and find you enjoy it. Then try a few brands and different braking systems to find what fits you. Definitely try hold and them in person before you buy. If you check out TW you can actually demo some reels through their demo program. That helped me narrow down what I liked before dropping more then $200 on a reel. All depends on your preference for balancing budget and performance. Seems like you're willing to spend a bit more to get the quality and performance having reread your post but you are looking for more then on reel to cover a number of techniques. My humble opinion is that a couple Curado Is will balance performance and quality against budget, they are a great bang for your buck. Consider a 6.x for cranks and a 7.x for all the other techniques you mentioned. I started as a teenager with some Quantum bcs with simple mag brakes, those things gave me fits casting for years, I dreaded using them. Then a few years ago I found the BPS PQs and realized using a bc could be fun and not aggravating. Then decided I wanted something lighter, that was a bit more palmable, and I wasn't sold on the DBS. So I found my way to Shimano Chronarch CI4+ and Curado Is, and find them to be the right fit for me. So I can understand wanting to skip investing in gear you'll quickly want to upgrade to know what else is out there. I do have one Daiwa T3 1016 and that 3d mag force braking is very nice, but the current Daiwa offerings like the Tatula just don't fit my hand well. Cabelas also has the Chronarch Es on sale and they are nice reels for the money and great casters. But for the minimal price difference I think the Curado I is the better way to go. Quote
lecisnith Posted February 15, 2015 Posted February 15, 2015 My first baitcaster was an Abu Garcia black max2. Super cheap, but also super fun, effective, and durable. Of the 6 set-ups that I have used at any given time, that was probably used 75% of the time last season, catching 90% of my fish. From 1# crappie to 18# pike. Just because it's not expensive doesn't mean it won't perform and a $70 combo is not too much if you decide you don't like it. Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted February 15, 2015 Super User Posted February 15, 2015 Being a newbie, spend a little more and find a Lew's BB1HLZ (if you're a left retrieve) or comparable right hander. They centrifugal brake settings on the spool literally will not let you backlash. I was shocked when my first cast went straight into the ground while practicing. My fault. I'm casting into strong winds now with no fear of backlash. So far, I've got easily over 10,000 casts with no backlash. It's the perfect beginner. Either the BBZ1HLZ has a better braking system than the Tournament Pro, or I am just a better caster than you.......because I can backlash the TP. Must admit that I have not used it with all pins on. Actually I've never used any b/c reel with all its centrifugal pins on. Maybe because I never tried a centrifugal reel until I already knew how to cast a b/c reel. The occasional backlash is part of my life. Something I know will happen sooner or later. Like I said, the Magforce 3D is the only reel I haven't backlashed..................yet. Give me more time and I'm reasonably certain I can make that happen. Quote
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