Baitcasting Setups For Beginners?

[MindofZalla]

 I am 17 years old and am really starting to get into bass fishing. I have been a bass fisherman for a few years now but only recently have I begun to take it more seriously. By doing so I have begun purchasing more and more baits/lures, terminal tackle, and just overall better supplies for fishing. I like majority of the anglers in the world have started fishing with spinning gear. But recently I was hanging out with a buddy of mine who fishes local tourneys and what not and he strictly uses only Baitcasters. And after a nice long day on the water I began to see why. I tried it out and as you could imagine I enjoyed his Abu Garcia Veritas setup he had going. I am again extremely interested and excited to further my bass fishing, and to start off on the right track I am looking for a very solid setup rod/reel wise. I know for a fact I want the Abu Garcia Veritas 2.0 rod, simply because I loved my friends original one, and I have only heard better things with the 2.0. However  As far as reels go, I am not exactly sure what brand s are good, which are bad, or which are overpriced, etc. So my question for the Bass Resource community is: "What would you suggest as far as a reel goes for a beginner baitcaster-er. I am looking for something that good but at the same time newb friendly. By that I mean I want it to last a while, not put me in debt, and can take a fair amount of abuse while I go through the learning process of getting better with it." And all help is greatly appreciated.

[new2BC4bass]

I'd suggest starting with a centrifugal brake or dual brake reel.  Most suggest them as the best brakes to learn on, although I'm not one who learned with one.  How much can you afford to spend?  Which hand do you want?  I don't own one....yet....but the Daiwa Alphas SV is said to be an extremely easy baitcast reel to use.  I know from experience the Daiwa T3 1016 reels are terrific.  Very hard to backlash.  Neither use centrifugal brakes.  There is a LH T3 MX on another site for $150.  I'd already have it, but have to replace my car instead. 

 

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your fishing.  Someone will be along shortly to recommend which Shimano or Lews to buy. 

[John G]

Get yourself a low profile 50 size Shimano and have fun.

[Allen Der]

I think a Revo S is a good reel to start with and matches up with the Veritas rod.  left or right hand is your call.  I'd start with 40 or 50lb braid

[iceintheveins]

I'd go with a Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier as my first baitcast reel. I have four of them and they are still all going strong five years later.

[deep]

Someone will be along shortly to recommend which Shimano or Lews to buy. 

 

He needs a Shimano Citica, or a Curado, whichever is in his price range.

 

You're welcome.

[new2BC4bass]

He needs a Shimano Citica, or a Curado, whichever is in his price range.

 

You're welcome.

 

No experience with a Citica, but I can highly recommend the Curado 201E7 (or 200E7 if you are a righty).  Simply a pleasure to use these reels.

[BASSPATROL247]

Im with the guy that said go with dual brakes, i didnt learn with one but can tell you as a beginner you will have less frustration and learn faster with dual brakes.. with most reel brands you get what you pay for in most cases but if i had to suggest a reel or a brand you can not go wrong with abu's or lews..thats what i own most of and both have multiple price ranges and lots of choices and for the money (say under 100 bucks or a lil over) you will get the best bang for your buck imo...all mine work flawlessly..

[HoosierHawgs]

Daiwa Tatula $89 at American Legacy Fishing. I would put 12# Trilene XL on it

[AdamsEye]

Sorry but in my humble opinion you need to learn how to control the reel, before you worry about anything else. That spool tension knob is far more important then the brakes!!!

 

The brakes do the work that your thumb is suppose to do, putting them on stops you from learning it's that simple.

[masterbass]

Sorry but in my humble opinion you need to learn how to control the reel, before you worry about anything else. That spool tension knob is far more important then the brakes!!!

 

The brakes do the work that your thumb is suppose to do, putting them on stops you from learning it's that simple.

 

Learning on brakes, are you serious? To me that is a fishing conundrum.

 

Nothing worth learning is EASY.

IMO the brakes and spool tension are there for a reason.  Set up the reel properly and then learn how to cast and use the thumb.  If I was teaching a new person how to use a bc I wouldn't cut his legs off by shutting off the brakes.  I don't set up my reels like this so why would I handicap a new bc user?  If you don't use brakes, more power to you.  Me on the other hand, I must not be that good.

[AdamsEye]

IMO the brakes and spool tension are there for a reason.  Set up the reel properly and then learn how to cast and use the thumb.  If I was teaching a new person how to use a bc I wouldn't cut his legs off by shutting off the brakes.  I don't set up my reels like this so why would I handicap a new bc user?  If you don't use brakes, more power to you.  Me on the other hand, I must not be that good.

 

You should not go out looking to do anything other then learn how to thumb the spool, if your goal is to learn how to use a bait caster. Turning the brakes up, replaces that thumb input but it isn't as good. So it reduces your casting distance, as well as prevents your thumb from learning how much pressure it really take to keep the peace with the spool.

 

I started using bait casters prior to the days of brakes, it's nice to have them, but they are not needed.

 

Even today, you should be able to go out on a calm day at least with all the brakes off for the most part. If you have been fishing with bait casters for a while, then you have taught yourself to rely on brakes, and not your thumb. Only making it harder to learn the right way.

 

Just think, fishing poles used to weight a lot more too. They just made stronger fisherman I guess?

[massrob]

I just started using baitcasters this year and the easiest I've used is the shimano citica the older one. I bought it off a guy from here and I can cast so much easier than anything else I have. Next would be a Tatula which is also pretty easy but definitely need to use your thumb. I'd start with mono first because you end up wasting alot of expensive braid. I started with mono and by the time I got down to enough to use as backing I put braid on. That sale at American legacy is something I'd definitely check out if I were you.

[Jon G]

I have no idea what your budget is but based on that you are getting a $100 rod I'm guessing you want a reel in the $100-$150 price range? Lots of guys love the Daiwa Alphas SV but I have never used it so I can't speak on it. However the Shimano Curado 200 I is a great reel. You can get them brand new on ebay from $130-$150 and they are worth every penny. They are dependable and will last a long time. Plus they are very user friendly.

[hatrix]

You def want dual brakes. I don't agree with you needing to lean how to cast using only thumb. Turn up your brakes so casting is easy then slowly back then off as you become more comfortable using it. You will spend more time casting and having fun in the water. That in turn will teach you faster as you are not spending your time getting frustrated or picking out backlashes.

[AdamsEye]

You def want dual brakes. I don't agree with you needing to lean how to cast using only thumb. Turn up your brakes so casting is easy then slowly back then off as you become more comfortable using it. You will spend more time casting and having fun in the water. That in turn will teach you faster as you are not spending your time getting frustrated or picking out backlashes.

 

To me it was not very challenging. I understood the fundamentals, and learned with no brakes when I was 11 years old, it's really not all that hard or frustrating.

 

I am sorry you feel that learning how to cast is such a headache, and wish you could of had a better teacher.

 

Trust me it is far easier to learn with out brakes, then put brakes on to start. Putting brakes on after you learn makes it easier, taking them back after you learn makes it harder. At the least every time you drop a brake off that person is going to loose more confidence, and have to work harder to continue good results.

 

I can see where you are coming from and the only real pro is getting to fish more from the start. I love to fish to, and no you don't have to start in your yard. I started at a lake and started the same way, small side are cast not trying to cast to anything really. Just getting used to the gear, and learning to thumb.

 

If you start with a heavy thumb, or heavy brakes you get the same result, short casts. But starting with a heavy thumb will at the least shorten the amount of time it takes you to learn, and I feel make you a better caster.

 

If you go out your first day and go thru 50 yards of line, and can't use one with out the brakes but still want to go ahead! I want you to fish too. 

[hatrix]

To each their own, to me it was not very challenging. I understood the fundamentals, and learned with no brakes in about 4 hours I was casting good enough to fish. I was also a mere 11 years old, it's really not all that hard or frustrating.

 

I am sorry you feel that learning how to cast is such a headache, and wish you could of had a better teacher.

 

Trust me it is far easier to learn with out brakes, then put brakes on to start. Putting brakes on after you learn makes it easier, taking them back after you learn makes it harder. At the least every time you drop a brake off that person is going to loose more confidence, and have to work harder to continue good results.

 

I can see where you are coming from and the only real pro is getting to fish more from the start. I love to fish to, and no you don't have to start in your yard. I started at a lake and started the same way, small side are cast not trying to cast to anything really. Just getting used to the gear, and learning to thumb.

 

If you start with a heavy thumb, or heavy brakes you get the same result, short casts. But starting with a heavy thumb will at the least shorten the amount of time it takes you to learn, and I feel make you a better caster.

 

If you go out your first day and go thru 50 yards of line, and can't use one with out the brakes but still want to go ahead! I want you to fish too. 

 

If you want to learn, that however is a different story, some do some don't.

 

I don't find it challenging at all to use a casting reel. I also did not have any kind of teacher and taught my self. I am only stating that from the perspective of most new users dual braking is beneficial. I my self personally use a very minimal amount of brakes on my reels and am a fan of having 0 spool tension. I am pretty much against using any spool tension on a reel that has braking but that is just how I fish. There are times when tension is somewhat of a must like when casting 6 oz baits and such but not everyone fishes that way any many use tension constantly. 

[K_Mac]

What type of braking you go with is a personal preference for most. I would also suggest going with a decent quality reel. There are many available for around $100.

The idea of learning without brakes is just silly in my opinion. Yes, those of us who have used baitcasters for a while could do without brakes, and when pitching I don't use much braking if any. Being able to dial a reel in so I don't have to worry much about my thumb is a wonderful thing though. I can drive a car without power steering, antilock brakes, an automatic transmission, or air conditioning. That is the way I learned. I have no desire to do without these things, and would not advise anyone learn to drive without them either.

[thunderballs]

My first was a shimano zeles that came in a combo with a matching rod. It was very easy to use and hasn't any problems. I now have 4 lews reels and they are also user friendly.

[AdamsEye]

I don't find it challenging at all to use a casting reel. I also did not have any kind of teacher and taught my self. I am only stating that from the perspective of most new users dual braking is beneficial. I my self personally use a very minimal amount of brakes on my reels and am a fan of having 0 spool tension. I am pretty much against using any spool tension on a reel that has braking but that is just how I fish. There are times when tension is somewhat of a must like when casting 6 oz baits and such but not everyone fishes that way any many use tension constantly. 

 

Spool tension is found on all conventional reels, however brakes are not. This is counter intuitive to your statement, and proves that spool tension is a key factor, and brakes are not. Whether the reel has brakes or not, you still have to activate them. So saying you won't use tension on a reel that has braking means you are using the reel wrong. Unless you are just confusing the two...

 

 

What type of braking you go with is a personal preference for most. I would also suggest going with a decent quality reel. There are many available for around $100.

The idea of learning without brakes is just silly in my opinion. Yes, those of us who have used baitcasters for a while could do without brakes, and when pitching I don't use much braking if any. Being able to dial a reel in so I don't have to worry much about my thumb is a wonderful thing though. I can drive a car without power steering, antilock brakes, an automatic transmission, or air conditioning. That is the way I learned. I have no desire to do without these things, and would not advise anyone learn to drive without them either.

 

When you learn the value of a good thumb, you learn the difference. That is why you turn off brakes to pitch right, harder to generate leverage to cast with brakes then use your thumb with out them. So how can you say that it is silly to try and learn to do this right away when it is the whole point of using the reel?

[K_Mac]

AdamsEye using a good braking system for beginners makes the process of learning more enjoyable. Backing off on spool tension and brakes is a natural progression that happens as skill and confidence grows. I learned to swim by being tossed off the dock. It was effective, but I don't recommend it.

[masterbass]

Adamseye, what reels do you use now and do you use any brakes?

[AdamsEye]

AdamsEye using a good braking system for beginners makes the process of learning more enjoyable. Backing off on spool tension and brakes is a natural progression that happens as skill and confidence grows. I learned to swim by being tossed off the dock. It was effective, but I don't recommend it.

 

Spool tension is determined by the weight of the lure, not the confidence of the angler. Knowing how to set this knob will make all the difference in using that cool looking reel the pro's use. Brakes should be used with as little as needed, to aid your thumb. Not the other way around. Understanding the reel and how it works can make a big difference when it comes time to use it.

 

Adamseye, what reels do you use now and do you use any brakes?

I have a few diawa reels, and abu reels. From 20 plus years old to 5 years old. The only time I use brakes, is centrifugal brakes on my older Abu Eon. I will throw on two brakes, because you use them in pairs for balance. I find that these two brakes will aid me casting lighter baits, but won't stop you from getting a backlash either. It is not replacing the thumb, and without it it's gonna over run.

 

Look either you use brakes or you don't, and I am not judging for that, or saying it should not be done. When I am casting into 20mph gust, I will turn my brakes up if the reel has them. But not all my reels do, so I tend not to rely on them as much. To be honest I can cast further with out brakes in the wind, but I am not the type of guy to look for the easy way out. I want to earn it, it feels better inside.

 

All I am saying is that if I can do it, anyone can do it. It is not that hard at all. Unless you have nerve damage in your spool thumb, then I can see a problem. This isn't rocket science, and the internet has plenty of solid information. You guys make it sound like you had to learn everything the hard way, and that would explain your worries with casting with out brakes as being a bad bad thing. Maybe you read the bad information?

 

Turn up the brakes, don't use your thumb, and you will look like the pro's on tv. Turn off the brakes, and learn something, you will cast like the pro's on tv.

 

I guess it is all about what look you want to go for.

[K_Mac]

Spool tension is one of those things that can, in the hands of someone who knows what they are doing, be adjusted to suit the situation and the casting style of the user.

[Glenn]

AdamsEye - Some of the barbs and condescending remarks and asides are not necessary, nor part of the spirit of what makes these forums so great. Not only that, but it makes it much more difficult for people to see your point when they're getting insulted.

 

I've edited some of your remarks to help you out.