Baitcaster recommendations

[Chrishogs]

I am looking to make the transition into the world of baitcasting. I currently own an ultra light 6' rod with a light weight Pfleuger reel and then a 6'6" Fenwick HMG paired with a Pfleuger Supreme XT spinning reel. I love both and they both have their place out on the water, but at times I need/want something else haha. I am looking to spend $300 on a new rod and reel, but I am willing to spend a little more if it is worth it haha. Looking for a 7 footer all around rod and reel. I have been looking at a bunch of different rods including the St. Croix Mojo Bass, Dobyn's Fury and the Lew's Custom Speed. Not particularly attached to any of them at this point, but never realized how specific these rods get, no wonder guys have ten.......wish I could afford. I mainly do my fishing from the shoreline and I like to hit cranks, jigs, plastics, pretty much a little of everything. Not sure where this leaves me, but more than happy to hear your guys' suggestions, as I am a little overwhelmed with the selection right now. Thanks in advance!

[rippin-lips]

Take a look at the Daiwa tatula sv and a 1st gen tatula rod. 

[Chrishogs]

1 minute ago, rippin-lips said:

Take a look at the Daiwa tatula sv and a 1st gen tatula rod. 

Any suggestion for a reel to pair with it?

[frosty]

I've got a 7' Fenwick HMG in medium heavy with a Lews LFS. Since you're already familiar with the HMG line it won't be a big switch, and I can cast a weightless senko with ease. The LFS has been a solid reel, it's not fancy, but it works every time I go out. Now you can spend the extra $100 on tackle!

[new2BC4bass]

50 minutes ago, Chrishogs said:

Any suggestion for a reel to pair with it?

Daiwa Tatula SV = Reel

 

[Chrishogs]

21 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Daiwa Tatula SV = Reel

 

I suck haha thanks!

[new2BC4bass]

Lew's Custom Speed rods seldom get mentioned around here.  I've read a couple articles on them and it seems they are a pretty decent rod for the money.  The other 2 rods you listed get a lot of recommendations.   I have several of the original Tatula rods rippin-lips suggested and like them a lot.  $110 at Sportsman's outfitters.

 

The SV spool in the Tatula...or any Daiwa reel....is suppose to give much better control than a standard spool.  It is currently the hot fad.  Enough fodder here and other websites to keep you reading for a few hours.  You can get a lemon tho, and I had to send my SV 105 to a pro for some work.  Very nice reel now.

 

I can guarantee the Sierra and iRod will also be mentioned.  As will the Tatula CT.  Maybe even a Shimano.  

 

Look at a 7' MF or 7' MHF for a decent all-around rod.  I like my Okuma Helios 7' MF.  A rod not mentioned often.  Like it enough that I may wind up with a MH as well.  Very light.  TT gave it a "Great" rating.  It is rated 1/4-5/8 oz., but TT was able to cast lures up to about 1 oz. with the Medium.  I haven't tried over the listed rating yet.

 

A favorite reel of mine...that will stretch your budget a bit...is the Pinnacle Primuus Xi HS.  Bought 2 of mine for less than 50% of what they are now selling for.  Best money I ever spent.  Light, cast like a dream, very forgiving and good looking to boot.  It is another item that you won't find mentioned here...or anywhere else...very often.  A shame.

[fishnkamp]

I suggest starting with a versatile setup.  

Look at a Dobyns Fury FR 734C that is a 7'3". The market it as a heavy power rod, but Dobyns fish a little lighter than other brands  It fishes more like a MH/H.  That rod can fish tons of baits

It can handle spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, Sencos, jigs up to about 3/4 of an ounce and trailer, but it is perfect for a 1/2 ounce jig and trailer.  I would easily throw a frog like a MR Ribbitt.  I am talking "horny toad" style frogs not a typical hollow bodied frog.  I would also fish a topwater bait if it is like a Pop R, Sammy, Spook etc, not one of the big topwater baits like a Whopper Plopper.  You can easily throw small swimbaits like the paddletail plastic swimbaits like a Reaction Innovation Skinny Dipper or Keitech  This rod runs $110.

If you wish, you could jump up into the Sierra series SA 734C. This is an almost identical rod but is built with a higher quality rod blank and components. It will be more sensitive and runs $$180.

 

For a reel I would recommend a Daiwa Tatula CT in a 7.3-1 ratio.  I fish a  lot of 6.3-1 and like them but I have 12 baitcasters so I have some 6.3-1, 7.3-1 and 8-1 reels.  This reel usually cost $129 but can often be found online for around $100.

If you choose the Fury rod you could bump up to the Tatula SV TWS wich runs almost $200, but handles lighter baits a bit better.

The choice here is yours but none of the combos you could puttogether using these rods and reels will be a mistake.

[primetime]

If you fish Saltwater, just make sure the reel you choose can handle salt water. I am pretty sure the Daiwa casting reels mentioned have saltwater bearings or are sealed, I use alot of Okuma casting reels which are almost all made for saltwater or fresh, for $300 you have a ton of options, you can get a great casting reel for $100 right now of almost any brand.

 

Lew's LFS is great for weight, just make sure it is not TOO light for the rod you choose. Almost every brand has a strong line up of reels once you get in the $100 Plus range, for rods, kind of all preference.

 

I like to pair them up in the store or bring a reel to make sure it balances the way I like, but $300 you WILL get an awesome set up for sure.

 

You may want to find a deal on a reel on a site that is normally $130 for $70, then stretch the money into a rod more expensive than you planned. The Rods seem to make the most difference for price as far as I can tell.

 

A 7' Medium heavy rod with a fast tip is probably the rod I use most. When I take 1 casting rod fishing with me I bring a Medium Heavy that can throw 1/4-1 oz or similar, I seem to keep buying MH rods when on sale. Some straight Mediums can handle up to 17lbs which is actually plenty and makes casting weightless worms a breeze. From shore you probably use 3/16-3/8 the most, some mediums I have are 1/16-5/8 and I can throw most jigs and frogs if needed.

[PAbasser927]

2 hours ago, rippin-lips said:

Take a look at the Daiwa tatula sv and a 1st gen tatula rod. 

+1 on this.  I put a Tatula SV on a first gen tatula rod as my "all purpose" setup at the beginning of the season.  I have really been enjoying it!  Spool tension is "set it and forget it" and if you set the brakes right you don't even have to thumb it... Even when skipping.  Perfect for a starter setup IMO.

[offsidewing]

Get a St Croix Avid X - 7' Medium Heavy / Fast rod and a Shimano Curado 70 reel, either HG or XG ratio.  Rod is $200 sticker price.  You can pick up the reel new from a reputable seller on a popular auction site for about $150.

[Boomstick]

I have a Tatula SV with a 6'10" Tatula fast action rod myself. The insert fell out of the tip on it's first full day of use and I can't seem to find a tip small enough for it anywhere - Daija is actually sending me one bit it still hasn't arrived. Other than that, it seems like a great rod and with the SV reel it casts very easily.

[lmbfisherman]

I'd get the Curado I the 6 gear ratio for all around, especially since you can get them on clearance now.  Then I'd pair that with a E6X 843C MBR, it is an awesome versatile rod.  Use one for tournaments and I can fish every technique with ease.  Don't feel under or over powered.

[Brett_22]

Quantums are always good reels 

[david in va]

you want go wrong with a Tatula or a Curado , either or

[CTBassin860]

You wont go wrong with the Mojo or the Daiwa Tatula rod.Throw a 7.3:1 Tatula CT on either one and you're golden. Both setups will run you 270-300$ depending on what you spool the reel with

[LxVE Bassin]

Get a Daiwa Tatula Type R or SV for a baitcast reel. 

[Mark888]

Shimano Casitas reel with a Shimano exage 7'2 MH F rod, $220 combo. I have a couple and they are  great for the price! The curado 70 is also a great reel. 

[Pro Logcatcher]

I dunno... I've caught 4 pounders on my Lew's Speed Stick Combo. That only cost $100