Best Left Handed Bait Caster

[Dat_Bass]

I'm looking to get a bait caster for my birthday. I have never owned one and I'm looking for a beginner's reel. Price isn't really an issue but I would like to keep it a bit lower.  It would also help if you can recommend a rod too. Anything to look for and to stay away from help. Thanks.

[Long Mike]

The best reel is the one that you like, regardless of the cost.  The same applies for the rod.  Go to the Fishing Articles section on this site.  There is a ton of information there.

[Dat_Bass]

Thanks

[bassbassontherange]

You'll find a lot of differing opinions here, but in my own mind, if you really want to get the most bang for your buck from a baitcaster you'll be in the 100-200 dollar price range and there are a ton of very good options there. 

 

You really can't go wrong (in this price range) with:

Shimano

Diawa

Lew's 

Okuma

Abu Garcia

 

There are many solid options in this range, like I said, but there are some standouts as well that seem to really have followings. 

 

Shimano has the Curado I and Citica I (as well as used reels from previous generations)

Daiwa has the Tatula and the Tatula R

Lew's has the BB1 and BB1 pro

Abu Garcia has the Revo line with a few options in this range

 

You can fish bass with any technique with any of those reels above, and have a blast doing it. Try them out at the store, see what feels right to you on a rod.

 

For my money, I'd pick up a Curado 200I online for around 130. Great reel that does everything exceptionally well and should last you a lifetime, but like I said, to each their own. You really can't go wrong.

[Dat_Bass]

thanks man you're reply was a lot better than the last and I will definitely consider this

[Poolshark]

The above post hit the nail on the head. All of those reels will do well for you. I'm personally partial to the curados and citicas for that price and they should last you a long long while.

[new2BC4bass]

Right hand or left hand?  Not all brand/model reels come in both hands.

 

Specifics...reels:

 

Have both Tatula and Tatula R.  Can't tell any differences in casting ability.  I like the 8.1:1 ratio of my Type R.  Personally I like the finish of the Type R better.  Finish on both models appears to be tougher than many previous Daiwa models.  Some are bothered by its slightly heavier weight.  I'm not.   Like them a lot.  I do not have an Alphas SV, but will before much longer.  Slightly less than $200 if ordered from Japan.  Great reviews on this reel.

 

Lots of love here for Lews.  My only experience with Lews is with one of the original Tournament Pros.  It is a very nice reel.  Light.  Nice looking.  Dual brakes.

 

Shimano has a huge fan base on this site.  Love my Curado 51E's but if I am going to be throwing light lures, I would rather grab my TD-Z 105H or an Alphas.  Others will be just the opposite.  My other Curado is a 201E7.  Love this reel.    My Chronarchs are the older models,,,101A and 100B.  The last 3 models are about as foolproof casting as you can get.  Easy to see why so many love Shimano reels.  Last 3 are all on MH rods while the 51Es are on Medium rods.

 

I've got a couple of the older Pflueger Trions and the blue Patriarch XTs.  Pflueger seems to be the Rodney Dangerfields of reels.  Don't get the respect they deserve.  Based on my experience with these reels, I wouldn't be afraid to recommend a President or Supreme.

 

Fishing 13 *** gets great reviews.  No experience, but it is one of 4 reels I would like to have before slaying the Bait Monkey.

 

The Okuma Helios Air is another of the 4 I want.  Reviews suggests it handles light lures quite well along with the standard weights for bass.

 

My Abus are also older models so I can't comment on the new ones, but my Gen 1 STX is a really good reel.  Actually like it better than my Gen 1 Premier.

 

Finally I want to put another plug in for Pinnacle reels.  You can read a few reviews on this site about the new models.  My experience is with the Primmus.  These are hand tuned at the factory.  It is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.  TW sells for $225, Walmart currently has them for $179.08, but I got mine for just under $157.  A steal.  Very light.  Very nice looking (to me).  Very smooth.  Casts as good or better than any reel I have.

 

Specifics..rods.  Here is where you have to be specific in what you want to use the rod for.  There are a lot of good low priced rods today.  I can only make general recommendations.  Most people will suggest a MF or MHF as the best for an all-around rod.  I belong to that group.  Most of my rods have a Fast action as I feel it is the most versatile.  If I had to pick one rod it would be a 7' to 7'4" MHF.

 

Berkley Lightning or Lightning Shock.  Personally I can't get by the yellow on the Shock.  Both are very good rods on the low price scale.  My Lightning is a 6' MHF dedicated to spinnerbaits.

 

I read good things about the Ethos H2O rods, but have zero experience with them.

 

Fenwick.  I am a fan.  If you can still find a new Elite Tech Smallmouth...grab it even if you have to pay the full $129 retail price.  I like my HMG 7'2" Med-ModFast a lot.  If you are willing to spend a bit more, the Aetos is a fine rod.

 

Fishing 13.  Great rods for the price.  Don't know about the handles on the new models, but it is the only complaint I have about my *** Black.  Casting one-handed with it is almost impossible for me as it feels like I am going to throw the rod along with the lure.  Luckily I seldom use just one hand to cast so it doesn't stop me from enjoying this fine rod.

 

Powells are another brand where you get good value for your money.  Mine is the discontinued Endurance....purchased used.  I can highly recommend one of these if you find a used one in good condition.

 

The Okuma 7' Medium Helios is on my wish list.  Some feel Okuma rods are very under-rated.

 

I have an older Quantum Smoke.  Don't care for the location of the hook keeper.  However, the rod is light, quite sensitive, and has the most comfortable reel seat/trigger of any rod I own.  Thanks to Dan's (smalljaw67) recommendations I also have a couple Tour Editions and Superlites.  Both highly under-rated...far as I am concerned.

 

Keep an eye open for Tatula rods.  Love mine.  Got lucky and paid less than $100 from Walmart for my 2 new ones.  Used one was an even $100...7'2" MHR.  Great value, and I for one like their looks.  Should have taken advantage of Walmart's price for the 7'4" HF, but kept hoping it would also drop below $100.  No such luck before they sold out.

 

Okay.  Time to let others make a few recommendations. 

[kcdinkerz]

Go play around with some reels at the store if you can, then come back home and research the ones you like, lots of reviews for almost any reel can be googled. I've had 3 low end reels crap out on me when I could of just spent a little more for better quality one, but it depends on how much you fish. Have fun with your new toy.

[Pinoy_Basser]

Go play around with some reels at the store if you can, then come back home and research the ones you like, lots of reviews for almost any reel can be googled. I've had 3 low end reels crap out on me when I could of just spent a little more for better quality one, but it depends on how much you fish. Have fun with your new toy.

 

THIS !!!

[blckshirt98]

Grab a used Citica E - won't break the bank and good enough where if you get proficient and start buying higher end low profile reels, it'll still have a spot in your arsenal.

[Bass newb]

Hard to go wrong with bass pro pro qualifier reel and carbonlite rod.

[Dat_Bass]

Thanks guys

[Angry John]

If your looking for a great medium to light weight reel i just got a left handed alphas SV from japan off the auction sight for a bout two hundered bucks.  Its a great little reel and reviews abound.  I am partial to st croix and the avid or avid x is a great choice.  Used versions can be had but i would get used rods localy unless you are getting it from a forum like this one or TT.  The auction site has to many suprises on used rods in my experence.  A little cheaper option is the fenwick bass and smallmouth.  Both rods are great.

[fisherrw]

The best reel is the one that you like, regardless of the cost. The same applies for the rod. Go to the Fishing Articles section on this site. There is a ton of information there.

x2

[UCChris]

I've done more hours of research than I can count on my fingers in the last couple days on my first baitcaster. From what I gathered:

 

In the $50 price range - Academy H2O Mettle

In the $100 price range - Lots of good options, but the BPS Pro Qualifier gets an overwhelming amount of suggestions and good reviews

In the $100+ price range - I didn't do any research in this range since it was out of my budget. But I did read a lot of suggestions towards the Abu Garcia Revo.

 

In the end, I went with a Shimano Citica from a member here on the Flea Market.

[Preytorien]

You'll find a lot of differing opinions here, but in my own mind, if you really want to get the most bang for your buck from a baitcaster you'll be in the 100-200 dollar price range and there are a ton of very good options there. 

 

You really can't go wrong (in this price range) with:

Shimano

Diawa

Lew's 

Okuma

Abu Garcia

 

There are many solid options in this range, like I said, but there are some standouts as well that seem to really have followings. 

 

Shimano has the Curado I and Citica I (as well as used reels from previous generations)

Daiwa has the Tatula and the Tatula R

Lew's has the BB1 and BB1 pro

Abu Garcia has the Revo line with a few options in this range

 

You can fish bass with any technique with any of those reels above, and have a blast doing it. Try them out at the store, see what feels right to you on a rod.

 

For my money, I'd pick up a Curado 200I online for around 130. Great reel that does everything exceptionally well and should last you a lifetime, but like I said, to each their own. You really can't go wrong.

 

I agree with the Curado I....the 201HG is the higher speed reel and the 201 is the medium speed. But either will do fine and they'll last you a good while. I've been using mine now over a year and it's as smooth now as the day I took it out of the box.....great reel

[BigBites1]

Curarado. That was my first baitcaster and don't regret it one bit.

[Bass newb]

Nvrmnd