Cheap baitcast combos

[Joshua Kang]

I wanna bite the bullet and get a baitcast combo. However, I only have enough dough to buy cheap baitcast combos. I narrowed it down to 2 baitcasters, the zebco rhino or the shakespeare alpha. Which one do you think will be the best?

[ABW]

How much do you have? I just bought an academy ethos rod, and with their mettle reel, this is an excellent combo under 100 dollars.

[Joshua Kang]

only enough for those two baitcasters mentioned above 

 

[Outdoor Zack]

Save your money and look for something nice on sale or used.

[Jrob78]

I would try to save up more money and get something decent.  Check out the Abu Garcia Black Max, it seems to be a decent budget reel.  Academy has some good reels cheap in their H20 line.  As for the 2 you listed, you might not find anyone here with experience on those reels.

[5fishlimit]

I think you will end up regretting your purchases. Like others have stated you should try to save up some more money to get a better quality reel. 

[Bluebasser86]

I agree with the suggestions to check out what Academy might have on sale if you're near one. I bought 2 Daiwa Arids from them last week for $26 apiece, no idea why they were priced like that since they're $90 reels. Then you can get their lower end Ethos on sale for $40 pretty often or they carry lots of lower end rods down to some that are $10 or $20 apiece. 

I doubt there's going to be many if any folks on here with any experience with those two you named.

[lecisnith]

You can get a black max reel for $30 at Cabela's online.  A silver max for $40, a Lew's Laser MG for $50.  I'd go with something like that and then go to Wal-mart and and get a decent rod for around $30-40.  You'd probably thank yourself later.  Also, wait a little bit.  There's going to be spring fishing sales at all the major stores in the coming month or two.  Great deals to be had.

[SPECIAL ENGINEER]

Have a friend that bought one of the Shakespeare alpha combos and asked me to see if I could cast with it since he couldn't. 

I tried using it and struggled to get it to cast even with a 1/2 oz weight. By no means am I an expert with a baitcaster but I have been fishing with baitcast reels almost exclusively for the past 2+ years.

If I had started with the alpha combo I would have probably gave up on using a casting reel.

I understand that money can be tight and $40-$50 may be all you can afford right now; but if that is the case, do yourself a favor and save more money for a better set up or spend it on something else.

If you can come up with $99 in the next 2 weeks the BPS Pro qualifier with a Carbonlite rod combo would be an amazing starting combo that would last you for years. 

 

[OnthePotomac]

I second that ProQualifier and Carbonlite rod combo at Bass Pro shops for $99.  That is a deal and a half for a nice reel and rod.  That ProQualifier is a very popular, reliable reel for the money and I am a big fan of the Carbonlites.  Great fishing tools without going broke.  The sale starts Friday.

[S. Sass]

Another vote for the BPS deal on a ProQualifier combo. Hands down for the money its a great real very tunable for a beginner that will help a lot especially if you take the time to study how to set it up. It will make the transition much smoother/less aggravating. 

And it's a reel you can use for just about any bass fishing being it has a aluminum frame flipping into the muck hanging a good one won't snap the reel off dragging him out. Also distance is not a issue, the reel is smooth as any Ive tried in its price range. 

I too think you will regret the cheap ones. Usually it will cost you in the end because your gona either hate it and want a better reel or you will throw it down in frustration and not use it. Either way its a loss. 

 

[Fishes in trees]

Be mindful that when you buy a cheap bait caster, you get what you pay for.   My advice would be to save your coin until you can get decent gear.