Bait Casters?

[Ratherbefishing75]

Hi I'm looking for advice on bait casters I'm going to be trying my luck with one and am looking for advice on a good one that won't brake the bank and won't brake to easy up unti now I've allways used a Bail casters and I want to give it a go I'm thinking if I get a lesser expensive model and see if I like it I'll get the more expencive one any advice thank you

[DogBone_384]

Here are a couple of links to other threads that'll get you started:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/106413-how-to-cast-a-baitcaster/

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/92295-how-to-set-up-a-baitcaster/

There's a ton of info and trustworthy opinions in the FISHING RODS, REELS, LINE, and KNOTS section of BR.

My two cents I'd pick up a BPS Pro Qualifier, Diawa Lexa, or Shimano Caena and a 7' Medium Fast rod of your choice to start. Follow instructions found on this forum and practice as much as you can.

I started two years ago and now prefer them to spinning reels.

Best of luck!

[jyu87]

Started getting heavy into them last year. Now I have three. I have a Daiwa Zillion TWS, Abu Garcia Revo STX Gen 3, and Lews Speed Spool LFS.

Highly recommend the Lews; great quality and not too expensive at all. Hope that helps.

I prefer a medium hvy fast action 7'

[Big Al23]

My advice to you is to buy a Shimano Citica G. I've always liked Shimano's 6 pin brake system because you can get it adjusted so you don't need to use your thumb to feather the spool. You can find these reels sometimes under $100. You may also find a Curado G for a good price. I think they are the easiest to use for beginners. I tried a lot of baitcasters and still go back to Shimano. Don't get me wrong, Daiwa , Abu, Lews, they're all good reels also, but the Shimano brake system makes them my favorite.

[Smokinal]

Some good advice above^^^ My 2 cents is not to buy a cheap first reel. I made that mistake when my son wanted to go to baitcasters. I bought a cheap combo with a cheap reel in case he didn't like it. Well, cheap reels are the hardest to cast and he hated it. Get a good reel, some good quality line (20 lb Super Slick imo), tie on a rattle trap, set the reel correctly (lots of good vids on how to set up your baitcaster)  and go fish.

After all, what's not to like about a casting setup???

[Ratherbefishing75]

Thank you for the info the videos were very informative I'm heading to Bps next weakend to make my first and hopefully not my last purchase of a bait caster any and all tips are welcome and apecated

[Bill in VA]

I am new to this web site. I do agree with Smokinal, not to get the bargain basement baitcaster. I have two, a Shimano Chronarch and a Shimano Curado, both on Shimano Compre 7 foot rods. The Chronarch was my first and I have owned it for probably close to 15 years. I spent a lot of time in the driveway practicing back then.

 

I think they are a lot more fun casting than my other reels. But, I still birdnest them on pretty much every trip, especially when fishing from a canoe or kayak.

[Ratherbefishing75]

What is the best line to use thinking braided

[Bill Poch]

Im fairly new to baitcasters. I would recommend cheap floro line before braid until you get the hang of it. No use burning through expensive line until you can keep the birdsnest down

[a1712]

Line for a start, Walmart for 12lb. Berkley Big Game or Stren High Impact. Brian.

[Bill in VA]

I like the Stren low vis green line, about 8lb or so, just my preference....

[yugrac]

I use P-LINE c21 Copolymer on everything, superlines are stiff and more prone to birdsnest, braid is very difficult to cut off the spool after a mega-birdsnest.  P-line is tough but soft as long as you stay 10 lb or below.  Cheap baitcasters dont have the better brakes or backlash controls that  the better reels do, you would be better off with the cheapies after you mastered them, and can thumb the spool to control your cast. settings and line type are the 2 things that I found important when I first started using them, I still fish with spinning reels and bait casters depending on what I am throwing.

[Ratherbefishing75]

True I have some good line Frome last year I can put on it to practice with eather way I'm going on Sunday to bps to make my first baitcastet purchase

[PatrickJr84]

I am new to this site but not fishing at all. But I don't claim to be a pro either lol I won't sit here and tell you what I think is the best or the worst, but I do love fishing with baitcasters and regular spinning rods. I first started using a baitcaster at 14 and fell in love. All though I did experience many headaches along the way and threw quite a few across the yard. I don't read into a ton about certain name brands and all that. I usually just read the specs and make sure they match what I'm fishing. I was always told, if you see anything with shielded bearings... that is good! But there are a lot of good quality reels out there. I have the BPS Pro qualifier and I LOVE it!! I got mine at this years spring classic show for I believe $49.99 which is amazing. I know they go for $99.99 but go on sale at times for $79.99 which is not bad at all for a good quality reel. It's a great reel to learn on. I just have mine spooled up with 12-15 pound mono. I really like how the Stren works on it and the Trilene big game. I also use that KVD line and lure conditioner which really helps. I am no expert but I fish a lot and love anything fishing related. Oh yeah, almost forgot.. I have mine matched up with a 7 foot med/heavy abu veritas 2.0 and it's a beast! covers what I need it for. Hope you find what your looking for and have fun fishing brother!

[RedskinsFisher]

I got a BPS pro qualifier last year as my first baitcasting reel, its been great. I would highly recommend it, i rarely birdsnested it even when learning to cast it. I kept the magnetic brakes up near the max for a while, that helped me not get massive knots haha

[Greeneye8181]

Dont go cheap but dont go for the top of the line just yet. Great advice above. I'd say a Shimano Curado... then when you TRULY get the hang of it upgrade to a Chronarch or Core to start mastering it.

Rod go 7' medium fast. Nice all around rod.

[PatrickJr84]

Same here. They are great reels. I haven't had any issues. And when I did get a birdsnest it was my own fault or casted into some crazy wind lol

[Ratherbefishing75]

Thank you everyone for your advice and I will definitely will have fun lol I have 200 saved up just to drop at bps so thinking the new baitcaster and a bunch of new bait lol think I'm going to need a bigger box lol after I get my new rod I'll keep everyone I formed on my bloopers Lola's im shure there will be some

[bass_masster]

When you start casting and learning, get a good cast in, really chuck it. Then, strip some more line off, maybe another ~10 yards.

 

Next, take a piece of electrical tape, and put it over the line on the spool. Reel it back it, re-cast.

 

This way, if you overrun/birdsnest (at all, it's almost impossible this way) there is SIGNIFICANTLY less line to get tangled up.

 

Worked great for me when I was learning as a kid, just a nice handicap to help you out while learning!

[Ratherbefishing75]

Good tip

[Ratherbefishing75]

Well I did it 70$ bait faster and a lot of bird nests but I think I figured it out right now I'm only trying short casts but I'll build up to the long ones

[CRANKENSTIEN]

Line is very important when you first start casting. Berkley xl cast easy. 10 to 14 lb. I don't use it anymore but it t is reasonable and cast great.

[Ratherbefishing75]

I put 10 lb stern line on it going to try to practice a little more tonight

[Ratherbefishing75]

Correction on the line I'm using suffix siege 10 lb smoked green I've had some good luck with that line and on a side note im sold on the bait casters practiced this morning and I'm in love

[TDarp]

I know how you feel.  I just purchased my first bait caster as well.  Lew's speed caster rod/reel combo w/ Trilene XT 14lb line..  And this thing can launch!  I have the week off from work next week and hoping to pull in my first catch on it.