First Baitcaster

[TheBassKid5]

Decided it's time to not just carry spinning rods. I am looking for suggestions on what would be the best baitcast reel/combo to start with.

[bennettkolls]

What is your price range for the total combo?  Also what techniques do you want to use it for?

[S. Sass]

What kind of a budget if any are you on? For about $200 you can get brand new or shop around and pick a reel up off the web for $50 to $60 bucks. I still dont think you can beat the Mojo rod for the money though. 

The Lews reels with a St Croix Mojo rod are great for the money or a Bass Pro Qualifier reel on a St Croix Mojo rod work very good for me. 

MOJO BASS CASTING RODS $90 for a nice rod is hard to beat. Also  SPECIAL OFFER: FREE SHIPPING (USA ONLY) AND FREE MOJO HAT

Lews SSG1SH or SSG1S either one are excellent for the $100.00 

 

[TheBassKid5]

First of all, I appreciate the advice in advance. My price range would probably be around $100 for the combo.

Right now I've been throwing a lot of jigs and crank baits. But i'd like to find a combo that would pretty much be good for throwing anything..

[TheBassKid5]

Maybe $100 total for the combo is a little unrealistic. I run into problems with my current spinning rod/reel when trying to throw heavier jigs. Or anything fairly heavy for that matter. So i'd really like to find a combo that would accommodate pretty much any lure.

[S. Sass]

Yes it will be tough at $100 without a deal. Ill send ya this reel I have for sale below. Its not a high dollar reel but its a d**n near new 7:1 ratio for $20 plus you pay shipping. And you pick up a rod like I showed ya and you will have a starter. You can upgrade the reel later of you want a higher dollar one.    Contact St Croix and explain what you want and they will tell you what rod they recommend out of those on sale. I did that on my first rod from them and they were very helpful. 

 

[fisherrw]

I'd try and get a shimano reel and a decent possibly on sale rod..

[TheBassKid5]

Once again thanks for all the advice everyone. $59 for the HMG IS a good deal and I've also heard quite a few good things about those rods before tonight. So that may be what I do because its cheaper than the St. Croix.

 

[TheBassKid5]

to S. Sass If someone has cash on the spot for the Lews reel, obviously sell it! but I'd definitely be willing to pay the $20 for that reel if you still have it in a few days. looks like a really nice reel and I appreciate the price so like I said if you have it in a few days then we'll talk payment.

[S. Sass]

3 minutes ago, TheBassKid5 said:

to S. Sass If someone has cash on the spot for the Lews reel, obviously sell it! but I'd definitely be willing to pay the $20 for that reel if you still have it in a few days. looks like a really nice reel and I appreciate the price so like I said if you have it in a few days then we'll talk payment.

No problem just trying to help a guy out. I paid like $59.00 +tax new and barely used it. It definitely is not hurt. 

[TheBassKid5]

1 minute ago, S. Sass said:

No problem just trying to help a guy out. I paid like $59.00 +tax new and barely used it. It definitely is not hurt. 

I appreciate it and will let you know within the next few days.

[Fentawn]

I am of the same mindset as BassKid and would like to know what are some of the main qualities you are looking for in a rod and reel for a first baitcaster? 

I've used one a couple of times but never felt comfortable with it.

[TheBassKid5]

The couple times I've used a bait caster, it has felt weird to me because essentially youre changing "sides" or hands as far as holding the rod and of course reeling. with most spinning reels you reel with the left hand whether or not youre right handed. where as with a bait caster, if youre right handed then you most of the time REEL with the right hand and hold the rod in your left. Aside from the actual cast, that is the biggest adjustment I know I'll have to get used to.

I know it's time to start with a bait caster though. I'm looking forward to being able to put the lure exactly where I want it. accuracy is crazy. often times I also wish I had more control over how "hard" or "soft" the lure enters the water with a spinning reel I don't feel like you have as much control as you do with a caster. and of course speed.

[MIbassyaker]

15 minutes ago, TheBassKid5 said:

 if youre right handed then you most of the time REEL with the right hand and hold the rod in your left. Aside from the actual cast, that is the biggest adjustment I know I'll have to get used to.

I got my first baitcaster this fall after a few decades of life fishing only with spinning reels. The one thing I knew going in was that, despite being right-handed, I would use lefty baitcasters -- cast, work a bait, set hook, fight fish, all with my dominant hand, and reeling with the left, just as I do with a spinning rod. No changing hands, no awkward adjustment.  I have three lefty casters now, with a little research on how to dial in a reel, and some practice figuring out what to do with my thumb, it now feels like I've been doing it all my life...and in a way, I have, since I didn't need to learn how to do it all over again with a different hand and a switch.

[new2BC4bass]

8 hours ago, TheBassKid5 said:

Decided it's time to not just carry spinning rods. I am looking for suggestions on what would be the best baitcast reel/combo to start with.

Welcome to the forum.  Given you want to throw heavier lures, I would go with a MHF rod.  These are very versatile rods.  I am also a fan of Fenwick rods.  $59 for an HMG is a good deel.  Gave one to my son-in-law year ago last Christmas.  He is very happy with it....but it is also the best rod he has ever owned.  I've got a new model and an older model HMG.  Both are nice rods.

 

 

7 hours ago, Fentawn said:

I am of the same mindset as BassKid and would like to know what are some of the main qualities you are looking for in a rod and reel for a first baitcaster? 

I've used one a couple of times but never felt comfortable with it.

 

Welcome to another newbie to the forum.

Rod:  I prefer 7' or a bit longer although I have a few rods as short as 6'8" that I like a lot.  A Medium or MH Fast is a good all-around rod.

Reel:  Something easy to use.  A Steez 103 would not be my first choice for a beginner.    As far as brand and model is concerned, there are a ton of reels both old and new that would work.  I've got a 1600C Black Max round reel that would be the cat's meow for a beginner.  Cheap, throws light lures and handles wind well, simple to use...cast control only for adjustments.   One of the Daiwa MagForce 3D reels would make an excellent reel for a beginner.  From what I've read I'd say one of the DC reels by Shimano would also make an excellent reel for a beginner.  All 3 of these reels are hard to backlash.  Other possible selections would make for a very long list. 

The trick is to use a weight in the middle or above for the rod...but not at the upper limit.  Don't try to cast far.  Be smooth.  Realize that it is going to take time to become accurate after using spinning reels your whole life.  Be aware of your thumb.

[cottny27]

Black Max BMAX3 are on Ebay for just over $40.  I wouldn't buy a store combo because they always seem to put a cheap rod on the combo.  I'd go with the Black Max on an Abu Vengeance rod.  

[roadwarrior]

[RangerDanger]

10 hours ago, S. Sass said:

Yes it will be tough at $100 without a deal. Ill send ya this reel I have for sale below. Its not a high dollar reel but its a d**n near new 7:1 ratio for $20 plus you pay shipping. And you pick up a rod like I showed ya and you will have a starter. You can upgrade the reel later of you want a higher dollar one.    Contact St Croix and explain what you want and they will tell you what rod they recommend out of those on sale. I did that on my first rod from them and they were very helpful. 

 

buy this reel. Then go into the St Croix bargain room and get the MBC70MF, Mojo Bass 7'0" Medium Fast.  Eventually you'll want a MH but for starting out this rod would be perfect and last you for years.