What is a good Combo to get started on

[GirlsHuntToo]

Hey guys, 

 

  I have only ever fished with a spinning rod and reel. I'm wanting to get my first Bait casting Rod and reel for Bass.  I'm not really wanting to spend over 200 bucks right now. I want to know if I like it yet or not.  Can anyone please Recommend a good Combo set?  Thanks

 

Chas

[rippin-lips]

You're going to get 50 different suggestions. It's tough to beat the Daiwa tatula ct for a reel in the $100 range. For rods it's a toss up. I'd have no problem pairing it with Dobyns fury 704. Wait for sales and deals and you could put that combo together for just about $200 or a bit more. Take a look at the top of this forum for the sticky thread on $100 rods. 

[kcdinkerz]

I'd say get the best setup you can afford. Daiwa,shimano,Abu,lews they all make great reels. Rod is kinda iffy because not one rod will excell at every technique. But a good 7mh xf or f is an all arounder. Bought a cheap baitcaster for my first time and I honestly hated it. Wasn't till I tried out some mid range setup that I enjoyed baitcasting.

[d-camarena]

Abu pro max is not a bad start

[fishnkamp]

Personally I always suggest to start with a 6'6" to 7' medium power fast action spinning rod, that is the best combo to start with.  It sounds like you may have that rod covered, great. That rod will throw most of your light weight baits.

To add to that, my next suggestion would be a mid level priced baitcasting reel like the Daiwa Tatula CT as already mentioned. I am not a fan of "beginner gear" as I truly believe that will deter or frustrate you and maybe turn you away from using baitcasting reels.  So when I say mid lever I mean around $100 give or take $20.  A Tatula CT can be purchased from online retailers for that amount of money. I would spool it with either a good quality mono like Stren or Trilene Big game in say 12 pound test for an all around combo. Some may suggest braid but that makes throwing any surface or surface floater/ diver bait like topwaters, Rapala minnows, or wakebaits (crankbaits that do not dive much below the surface) etc. more difficult.

For a rod the Dobyns Fury 704C is a really nice choice.   Another good rod is a Falcon Bucoo Micro rod in a 7 ft medium heavy 1/4 to 3/4 rod. It is called a Trap Caster. 

 

 

 

[JayKumar]

Any rod of your preferred action (feel them) and the best reel you can afford.

[ww2farmer]

A 7' MH power, fast action casting rod is a great starter, and "all purpose" casting rig, paired with a decent 6.something :1 metal framed casting reel, spooled up with 30 lbbraid, or 15lb fluorocarbon.

 

Pure fishing offers a lot of great "bang for the buck" casting rods in the $80-$100 range, such as the Abu Vendetta's and Veritas, Berkley E-motion, or the Fenwick HMX. The Falcon Bucoo rods are also very good in that price range.

 

And quality metal framed casting reels in the $100 range can be had in the form of the Daiwa Exceler, Lew's LFS speed spool, or the Abu Orra SX and Revo S

[new2BC4bass]

Personally I would be pairing a Tatula CT 7.3:1 with a Fenwick HMG 7' MHF since you have spinning rods for the lighter stuff.  Reel off ebay with the rod would put you just under the $200 if you get free shipping with the rod or find one on sale.

 

Rod $79.99 with free shipping from Glen's Army Navy.

 

Reel $89.95 with free shipping on fleabay.

 

$169.94 total.

[Nscheele]

On 1/20/2017 at 2:22 PM, d-camarena said:

Abu pro max is not a bad start

This is what I started out with. 7' med fast and 7.2:1 reel. It's been a great combo that I still enjoy using it  compared to some of the upgraded combos I have now. 

[BigGame0892]

I'd go with a Daiwa or Shimano casting reel that fits your pricing criteria and then a 7 ft medium or medium heavy rod.  I prefer a longer rod that loads easily when I am teaching someone to use a baitcaster.

[kbeeb374]

I would definitely go with a daiwa tatula reel.  Any of them will work (original, type R, ct or ct type R) I guess the orig and type R are a bit larger than your average caster but I like the size to be honest.   You can get an abu Garcia veritas rod (I would suggest a 6'6'' or 7 foot medium as they run a little strong) for under $100 or a Fenwick HMG.  I would personally try to get the best 7' medium or medium heavy fast rod I could get a deal on.  Stick to the major brands and find a deal for around the $80 to $100 spent mark and you will be happy.

[BrianSnat]

A Lew's Tournament MB  with a Fenwick HMG or Shimano Clarus should come in at about $200 if you shop around, and you have yourself a pretty nice outfit. You should come in at about $170 or $180 with a Berkley Lightning Rod Shock and still have a darn god rod. The Diawa Tatula is good reel too. I have the Tatula and the Lew's and prefer the Lew's but they are both really good for the money.

I think a 6' 6" to 7 ft , fast M or MH would be the most versatile rod.  I usually use 6' 6" for spinning rods but find I like them a little longer for baitcasting, so I go  7' and a little longer.

One consideration since you started with spinning reels, is that you are used to working the rod with your dominant hand and cranking with your non dominant hand.  With baitcasters its the opposite.  I've found I prefer to stick with the spinning configuration so I bought lefty baitcasting reels even though I'm a righty.  Something to consider. 

[IndianaFinesse]

Lew's LFS roughly 6.4:1 ratio bait casting reel (can be easily found for $75-$80) paired with a 7' medium heavy fast action St. Croix mojo bass casting rod (usually runs about $120-$130).

[Robert Riley]

If you wanna stick talk a combo, those Lew's Mach 1 and 2 are flying of the shelves. Very popular. The mach 2 is good for jigs and plastics, and the Mach 1 for moving baits.