First Baitcaster - Trying to decide

[Jake the Cake]

Finally at 30 years old, I decided it's about time to learn baitcasters (pretty excited about it).  After doing my research, I'm looking at 4 rod and reel combos that are all within the same price range ($60 for rod and reel) and would like some opinion on quality and ease of use.  Thanks in advance.

Daiwa Laguna 100HS

Lew's American Hero (Laser AH)

Ardent Denny Brauer Champion

Abu Garcia Black Max 3

 

[EricTheAngler]

I absolutely love my promax. So if i were you I would shop around on the flea market and buy used or wait for a sale like I got my promax combo for 50 dollars off of abu garcia. Once I got good with it I upgraded to a revo s and nicer rod. But if your set on starting out I would go with the black max 3 for starters, you can put that thing through a lot and it still run fine. Happy fishing

[Jake the Cake]

Amazon has a promax rod and reel combo for $65.99 (and that was just a quick search) so if it's worth it I'm not too worried about paying the extra $15.

[bassinhole]

I'd stay away from the Lew's American Hero. I picked one up from a local tackle shop just to help them pay the bills and used it a couple of times. My impression is that it's garbage. The frame of the reel is Plastic and bends when you set the hook. It feels like it's going to pop out of the reel seat and puts an uncomfortable torque on the rod. Horrible combo especially for the marked up tackle shop price I paid. 

Unfortunately that is the only combo I have experiance with in this price range. I have heard good things about the Diawa, and Abu offerings though. 

[EricTheAngler]

14 minutes ago, Jake the Cake said:

Amazon has a promax rod and reel combo for $65.99 (and that was just a quick search) so if it's worth it I'm not too worried about paying the extra $15.

The sale was over thanksgiving, but yea I really like my promax and its very backlash fool proof. But it will get some getting used to and you will have to pay attention to weights of lures more.

[georgeyew]

Which ever baitcaster reel you decide to get, practice casting with a lure or weight that is more than 1/2oz. That will help you learn easier.

[SchlottyD]

I have an Abu Black Maxx 2 on a Gander Vortex medium heavy rod that I'm pretty happy with. So out of those I would choose the Abu combo, step up to a promax if you can swing it though.

[Fishinthefish]

Go lews all the way,lews always has great products for the price point. Secon pick wouod be black max 3. Best low cost reel on the market, the rod that comew with it is eh

[badhatharry]

I was in the same situation 20 years ago. I found the transition was much easier by going with left handed casting reels.

[collinfiske_RFC]

The worst thing to do is buy a low quality baitcaster. Not very familiar with the price range. Make sure before you buy it you hold it in your hands. I know during the summer classic BPS sells a BPS qualifier combo for 70$ which is pretty solid. 

[Cheetahsneverprosper]

I have two of the Black Max reels that I've been using for a couple years and I've been really happy with them.

Price: They always seem to cost just about the same wherever you look, like $55 -$60.  With the exception of Wal-Mart's website.  http://www.walmart.com/ip/Abu-Garcia-Black-Max-Reel/19716431

Their in-store price for the reel doesn't change much, but if you bookmark the reel and watch its online price, it'll fluctuate almost randomly from $65 all the way down to $32, which is when I bought mine.  Last week the price was $65 dollars, but right now it's $55.  Seemingly no reason for it (not an actual sale price) it just changes from one week to the next.

Anyway, for a low price reel, the Black Max is tough to beat, with the possible exception of the Pro Max.  I just bought two of those during Abu Garcia's Christmas sale but haven't been able to try them out yet.  Stupid winter.

[Sheepdog]

What will you be using this setup for? I have four casting rods I was just about to list for sale on here. I don't have any more reels, they all sold quick locally. I'm not sure what shipping would cost from here(Utah) to MO, but you'd be getting quite a bit more rod for the money buying used. I'll list the rods I have, and you can let me know if you're interested. If not, they'll probably be listed here soon. I'm happy to send photos as well. Prices will be before shipping, only because I have no idea what shipping would be.(If anyone has a clue, please chime in.) I have several rod shipping tubes from ordering rods from TW.

Duckett Micro Magic 7' med. power, moderate(cranking rod) - $90

Cabela's Platinum ZX 7' med. power, fast action (2 piece) - $90

Fenwick Silverhawk 7' med. heavy power, mod. fast action - $45

Cabela's American TXS 7' med. heavy power, ex-fast action - $65

I know most of these are in a different price range, but the quality of all four of these rods is so far and away better than the ones you are looking at, I thought I'd give you something to consider. They've all been used very little, and are in excellent condition. Good luck in your search!

[Fishes in trees]

If it is your first bait caster - don't go cheap.   Remember that you get what you pay for.  Go to Paul's or one of the other quality tackle shops in the St Louis area and ask them what they think.   I'd recommend a mid-range Curado or Chronarch.  If you are starting out brand new, I'd recommend learning how to pitch first.   Again, take a tour of the tackle shops in your region, tell them your situation, see what they recommend.

[Jake the Cake]

So what I'm hearing a lot is don't go cheap, and the Promax seems like it might just be the best quality for my price range.  I'm not going to lie, I thought the Daiwa Laguna was going to be the popular choice.  Thanks for the opinions and tips everybody.  I'll definitely have to post my setup once I get everything together after searching local shops and the corners of the internet.

[roadwarrior]

 

[cottny27]

Go cheap just not $30 Shakespeare cheap.  Black Max BMAX3 pretty much same reel as the Pro Max minus a bearing or two.  $42 on Ebay.  

[cottny27]

Make sure you put good supple line on it and some line conditioner. Actually, with mono you don't need any conditioner, but it will help.

[Bass Turd]

You might want to look at buying a higher quality bait caster used on Ebay. You'll get twice the value for the price and if you ever want to sell it you will probably get what you paid for it. I learned to cast last year on a Currado 200B. It's about thirty years old and a little bulkier than current models but it is just about bullet proof. I like the centrifical breaks and have stuck with Shimano ever since. Rule of thumb is used price is about half of retail for somewhat current models. When you are ready there are lots of great threads here about casting success. Good luck. 

[je1946]

Find an older Shimano Citica I will very highly recommend a 200D you'll be very happy to start with that reel, they are readily available and are reasonably inexpensive.  I started my kids on those reels and they loved them.  One of my boys still says it was one of the best reels he ever owned.

[A fisher]

Sportsmanship warehouse had the pro max for around 60, check bass pro during the classic sale for rods in the 60 range

[Jake the Cake]

Don't know if I jumped the gun or not, but I feel pretty happy with the decision I made.  Pro Max 3 and a Fenwick Nighthawk should be at my door next week!!!  $94 for the whole setup including shipping.  Little more than the $75 I was looking to spend but definitely feel I have something that will last me for years.  Thanks again for everybody's help and I'm excited to get started.

[EricTheAngler]

Nice dude, I love my promax but upgraded my rod so you made a good decision!

[edfitzvb]

I think that will be fine. I am a huge Lew's fan, but like others have said, the Lazer reels are a step below what i want on my rods. The Promax is an excellent reel to start on.

[greywalls]

15 hours ago, Jake the Cake said:

Don't know if I jumped the gun or not, but I feel pretty happy with the decision I made.  Pro Max 3 and a Fenwick Nighthawk should be at my door next week!!!  $94 for the whole setup including shipping.  Little more than the $75 I was looking to spend but definitely feel I have something that will last me for years.  Thanks again for everybody's help and I'm excited to get started.

You did great, and I think you'll be very happy!  And, that Nighthawk is a very pretty rod, to boot (love the split cork and EVA aesthetic).

[Jake the Cake]

So, the new (and first) baitcast setup arrived today and I realize the only line I've got is #10 and #6 fluorocarbon (Berkley Vanish).  I've been doing some research and it looks like Mono is going to be my best choice for the way I fish, but then I came across what Berkley calls "super line".  It's a very strong small diameter braid and sounded pretty enticing.  How is this going to affect my baitcaster?  Should I just stick with my plan of getting some #12 mono?