Beginner Baitcaster

[Fisherman03]

I'm kinda new to baitcasters but am looking to purchase my first one. I've fished with them before. I wanna get a combo both rod and reel. I want a new medium heavy fast action anywhere from 6'6 to 7'0. And I need it to come with a left hand reel. My question is what's the best Baitcaster combo I can get for about $100 or less? I can go a little higher but preferably not.

[Darren.]

I've bought cheap combos before, in the $75-95 range.

 

They didn't work well for me at all. So let me suggest to

you - from my experience - to spend your money on a

Daiwa Lexa or Exceler EXE and an inexpensive rod.

 

You could actually find these reels for under $100 on 

eBay. The Exceller EXE can be had for almost $70

from reputable sellers. Then buy a rod for $30-50 like

the Berkeley Lightning Rod Shock and you're good

to go.

 

Just some thoughts. I bought my Lexa on eBay.

 

The better the reel - again, in my experience - the 

better the casting experience.

[new2BC4bass]

Check Academy Sports for the H2O Mettle and Ethos rod.  Both get good reviews.  Rod is $10 off.  $49.99.  My computer won't show me the reels right now.  Might be a problem on the site.  Normally they run close to $80 if I remember correctly, but Academy has a Reel Riot sale once or twice a year when you can get them for a lot less.  Also have a Rod Riot sale.  Or pick up a new rod, and a used reel.

[CRANKENSTIEN]

I've bought cheap combos before, in the $75-95 range.

 

They didn't work well for me at all. So let me suggest to

you - from my experience - to spend your money on a

Daiwa Lexa or Exceler EXE and an inexpensive rod.

 

You could actually find these reels for under $100 on 

eBay. The Exceller EXE can be had for almost $70

from reputable sellers. Then buy a rod for $30-50 like

the Berkeley Lightning Rod Shock and you're good

to go.

 

Just some thoughts. I bought my Lexa on eBay.

 

The better the reel - again, in my experience - the 

better the casting experience.

Sounds good to me.

[*Hank]

Get a Daiwa Lexa! Their $140- on sale for $70-!    It`s a great reel $70-

[aprilbass101]

Abu Garcia has 3 baitcaster combos all under $100....Pro Max, Silver Max, Black Max. I don't own 1 personally but have read good reveiws from other anglers on them! I think Lews makes a couple of combos for under a $100 as well Good Luck!

[bhoff]

I would probably go with either the Lews American Hero Combo or get the Daiwa Lexa from TW for $70 and pick up a rod somewhere else. I know Shimano has some entry level casting rods ( Sellus, Convergence) for around $50 and $60 respectively, although I haven't used either of them.

[hzzhangc]

I know my answer may out your budget but I'd say go and get a better reel like curado or tatula. The problem for cheaper combos is if you want sell them later they almost worth nothing. If you get a curado even after been used for couple years you can still sell it for $80-90. That's pretty good deal to me.

[Jtrout]

My first baitcaster was a Abu Garcia silver max on a ugly stix gx2 for like 110 bucks and I still use it today

[papajoe222]

I just did a review on the Pinnacle Producer LTE. Check it out. You can pick up one for $70 shipped to your door on that auction site.  Add it to an existing rod, or pick up a a rod in the $40 range and you're in the game with good equipment.