First Baitcaster

[Bass & Boilermakers]

Long time lurker on the forums here, and finally decided to officially join the community! With that said, I'm looking to purchase my first baitcasting combo after spending 4+ years on cheap spinning gear. The majority of fishing I do is weighted Texas rigs, jigs, Carolina rigs, Spinnerbaits, Buzzbaits, and the occasional jerk bait or shallow crankbait. I fish in primarily clear water, and would say I tend to fish large quantities of smaller bass rather than reeling in big hogs. Being a teenager and all, I'm looking for one rod and reel to satisfy all my fishing needs without breaking the bank. Given that the money will come out of my (shallow) pockets, my max budget is around $200.  I think I'm looking for a 6'-8" or 7' MH or M Fast rod and a 7.1:1 GR left handed reel. However, others expertise is welcomed. A couple of rods and reels around my price range I have been looking are:

Rods

Fenwick Aetos (earlier generation) 7' Med Hvy Extra Fast Action- $100

Falcon BuCoo SR 7' Med Hvy Moderate Fast Action-$100

Lew's TP1 Speed Stick Med Hvy Fast Action-$85

Duckett Ghost 7' Med Hvy Fast Action-$100

Dobyn's Fury Med Hvy Fast Action-$110

Daiwa Tatula 7'-1" Med Hvy Extra Fast Action-$100

ohman blak too 7'1" Med Fast Action-$110

Abu Garica 7' Med Fast Action-$70

 

Reels

Daiwa Tatula CT-$100

Lew's Speed Spool LFS-$80

Lew's Tournament MB-$110

Used konkept A-$???

 

Any reviews on the equipment above are welcomed! Also, would love to know about favorites of yours in this price range that I may have skipped over. Currently thinking I'm gonna end up going with the Aetos and LFS, but I am unsure about the extra fast action and the Tatula is enticing for only $20 more. With so much stuff on the market, I'm having a hard time on grasping exactly what is best for me. Thanks in advance for your response.

[Turkey sandwich]

Welcome to the forum!

 

My .02.  there is no single all around rod and reel, but given that you fish a lot of bottom contact baits, I would very strongly suggest a Med heavy Fast or X fast rod. 

The Aetos rods are fantastic rods, and possibly the best value rod under $200.  I would have zero hesitation picking one up for $100. I paid 90 or so on clearance last year and absolutely love mine. 

 

For a reel, I strongly advise you to choose a quality reel that is very user friendly, and while I don't own one, most members on this forum would likely suggest the Tatula out of that group.  I do own Lew's reels that cast a mile, but are far more tempermental than my Shimanos, and since a Curado or Chronarch is out of your price range, the Tatula is probably your best option. 

 

I also advise you to buy something you'll be using for a long time as your collection grows.  The Aetos and Tatula are likely that. 

[Damn Yankee]

I have the older Aetos 7'mhf paired with the Lews tmb.This setup is very versatile and comfortable. I would not hesitate to recommend it.

Good luck and enjoy your new setup!

[fishnkamp]

I have been fishing for over 40 years and have developed my own preference for equipment. About 3 years ago a friend and mentor put a Daiwa Exceler reel in my hand while fishing on my boat with me.  Since that time i purchased one of those reels and fell in love with the Daiwa line of reels. I have sold off all of my Shimanos and some of my BPS reels. I own 1 Exceller, 4 Taula type rs and 3 Tatula CTs.  I have no trouble suggesting a Tatula CT in 6.3 or 7.3 to 1 ratio.   They are terrific reels.

 

You have a nice selection of rods you are considering.  I am a big fan of Dobyns, Powells, and Irods.  I fish with 3 spinning and 12 baitcasters, so obviously I have had many rods to play with.  Out of all of the rods I own the most versatile would be my Powell Max 683 CEF.  They now make a Max3D series and an Inferno series with that rod in them.  I have actually talked to Powells owner about them. He says the Inferno plays almost the same as my older Max rod.  Go read the Tackletour  review of my rod.   http://www.tackletour.com/reviewpowell683cxfast.html.  I think a TatulaCT and an Inferno would make a nice combo.

 

As I have said I also love the Dobyns lines. I own several Sierra and Champion rods but I have a friend that sold off a bunch of his rods and now fishes 4 Dobyns Fury rods.  He intends to change over to them exclusively. If I had to choose one rod it would be a Fury FR734C.  That is the most versatile.  It is a 7'3 rod.  My second choice would be a FR704C. Dobyns run a little lighter than spec'd so both will function pretty nicely for you.  When you decide to get another rod I would make it a dedicated jerkbait, topwater, and crankin rod.  That and a good medium spinning setup will allow you to fish 50% of the bass tackle you would want to throw.

[Angry John]

Reels that may be of interest.  Best all around cheap reel is a daiwa advantage HTSL.  it is a workhorse of a reel and you can find them cheap on the used market.  they are easy to service and hold up for a long time.  I use two still and I own steez and other high end reels.

 

The second one I would look for in your budget is a used original fuego.  This reel is very lite and handles beautifully.

 

 

[Bass & Boilermakers]

Thanks for your responses guys! Also, I was wondering if anyone knew of some good sales coming up from various online retailers that I could possibly take advantage of. 

[S. Sass]

7 hours ago, d**n Yankee said:

I have the older Aetos 7'mhf paired with the Lews tmb.This setup is very versatile and comfortable. I would not hesitate to recommend it.

Good luck and enjoy your new setup!

I also have the same setup. It's a very nice light weight and sensitive enough for Bass fishing all day. I have a Lew's MB on a new M/F Aetos as well as one on the previous Aetos model MH/F.

The Lew's reels I have and I have several are far from temperamental. Mine actually perform as well as the Daiwa, BPQ, and the numerous Shimano and Abus I allow in my boat.  .I won't get into what ones are better as everyone has their motivation and reasons for what they like. 

 

As for sales this link might help.

 

 

 

[new2BC4bass]

18 hours ago, Angry John said:

Reels that may be of interest.  Best all around cheap reel is a daiwa advantage HTSL.  it is a workhorse of a reel and you can find them cheap on the used market.  they are easy to service and hold up for a long time.  I use two still and I own steez and other high end reels.

 

The second one I would look for in your budget is a used original fuego.  This reel is very lite and handles beautifully.

 

 

 

X2

 

EDIT: A reel similar to the Daiwa Advantage HTSL is the older grey Cabela's Prodigy...made by Diawa.  A nice solid reel that will run you very little...if you can find one. 

[Esoxfreak]

The lews speed spool is built really well, holds up to the abuse.

the aetos...I held one a few months ago and was blown away, ended up buying my wife the 3wt fly rod instead. That aetos line is really really neat. 

Honestly, your entire list looks pretty good...minus the Dobyns, I was sent one recently and really wasn't impressed.sorry dobyns guys.

[nameiztaken]

Dobyns Fury and the Tatula CT! Best $ to performance ratio combo right now!
I think you'll love that combo, its hard not to!
 

[Bass & Boilermakers]

Thought I would give everyone an update on what I decided to finally purchase. With Abu Garcia currently having a summer sale I decided to purchase:

7'6" MH Fast Action Veritas 2.0 Casting Rod- $32

Abu Garcia Reno STX Low Profile- $80

 

In total I spent $112 dollars on this entire setup, and figured it would be a great starter setup for the price. I was hesitant to purchase the rod so long, but 7'6" was all they had left. 

 

[Quarry Man]

Rod: St Croix Bass X 7' M

Reel: Daiwa Tatula CT 7.3:1 

Line: 30 lb suffix 832 and 15 lb fluorocarbon leader

 

I am only 16 and in a similar position. This setup will be about 200, the braid will make casting easy, leader will help in the clear water, Tatula CT is a great choice. If you buy the Bass X from Dick's, it will be 80. Hope this helps!