Need a baitcaster!

[Matt_3479]

Picked up a couple new spinning rods and looking to get my first bait caster. Got to play with one most of last week and really enjoyed it. I am no expert fisherman, but have been told baitcaster are strong reels, more accurate, faster, and all around more enjoyable once you get use to it. 

 

Fish a lot of bass, walleye and smaller pike. Mostly bass and 1-3lbs walleye. No idea on rods or reels. Love my st. croix and g. Loomis spinning rods though. Any suggestions would be great! Don't mind spending some money

[Take the bait]

I would recommend looking at the Abu Garcia line of reels. They cover all prices and are amazing quality.

[fishnkamp]

First i see you are a new member. Congratulations. You will find lots of members happy to help you here.

I am a 40 year addict to this hobby and so is my wife. Our favorite spinning rods are G Loomis too. We both own G Loomis classic series SJR 721 and 722 rods in GL3 and IMX graphite. We also own some 2 piece 7 footers that handle smallie bait terrific.

 

For a very dependable and easy to use baitcasting reel look at a Daiwa Tatula CT. For an all around gear ratio try either a 6.3-1 or 7.3-1 in either left or right hand retrieve. I happen to fish with some of each.

 

For rods take a good look at rods from Dobyns, Irod, and Powell.

I know you said you do not mind spending some money.  Here is where I could use some help. What rod and reel did you get to fish with?  If you know what brand, model or length and specs. Was it a medium action, medium heavy or heavy?  What lures did you fish with and what lures are you looking forward to fishing with?

Next is budget.  I recommended a Daiwa Tatula CT, that reel runs between $100 and $130 depending on where you purchase it.

As for a rod, are you looking for a rod under $125, between $125 and $200 or more in the $200 to $400 range?  With these answers I can make more specific suggestions.

 

[Matt_3479]

22 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

First i see you are a new member. Congratulations. You will find lots of members happy to help you here.

I am a 40 year addict to this hobby and so is my wife. Our favorite spinning rods are G Loomis too. We both own G Loomis classic series SJR 721 and 722 rods in GL3 and IMX graphite. We also own some 2 piece 7 footers that handle smallie bait terrific.

 

For a very dependable and easy to use baitcasting reel look at a Daiwa Tatula CT. For an all around gear ratio try either a 6.3-1 or 7.3-1 in either left or right hand retrieve. I happen to fish with some of each.

 

For rods take a good look at rods from Dobyns, Irod, and Powell.

I know you said you do not mind spending some money.  Here is where I could use some help. What rod and reel did you get to fish with?  If you know what brand, model or length and specs. Was it a medium action, medium heavy or heavy?  What lures did you fish with and what lures are you looking forward to fishing with?

Next is budget.  I recommended a Daiwa Tatula CT, that reel runs between $100 and $130 depending on where you purchase it.

As for a rod, are you looking for a rod under $125, between $125 and $200 or more in the $200 to $400 range?  With these answers I can make more specific suggestions.

 

 

Thank you very much! I'm excited to have joined this forum! 

 

I love the st. croix but that loomis is just something else! It's incredible and look forward to trying a few more from each company! Both reels are shimano CI4+ and nisca.

 

as for the rod and reel I was trying, was an older shimano crucial, and shimano c... forget the name, both with shimano reels. They were my bosses rods. As far as I know they were medium and a medium heavy. I was throwing senko's, spinners, twister tails as that's what was on the rods. 

 

As for budget i really don't care. Living in Canada, rods and reels are a little more expensive. I'm the kind of person that prefers to do it once and do it right. I'm not interested in spending a 700-800 on a reel or a rod but together is a different story! 

 

I use a lot of twister tails, just started throwing senko's as of this past weekend! Spinners, meps, top water frogs/jitterbugs, small/mid size rapala's. 

 

Matt 

 

[fishnkamp]

Ordering into Canada can be a hassle. I have helped another member here get a Powell rod. Found out that Tackle Warehouse can be helpful as they regularly ship into Canada.  He lived in Toronto. Where are you located.  Mu only fishing experience came way back in 1988 when my then girlfriend/new wife and I spent 10 days in Calgary. Two of those days Linda and I fly fished the Bow River for big rainbows and browns.  That sunshine till almost midnight took some getting used to. LOL.  We were there during the summer after the Olympics were held there. So cool to walk around and watch the Canadian team work out on the facilities.

 

Anyway with a budget like that I would consider a Daiwa Tatula CT, or a Daiwa Tatula SV TWS. I prefer these reels to Shimano, but if you were content with the Shimanos then look at a reel like a Chronarch MGL, or a Curado 200K. That is their new model. The old model is on sale so that might be an option.

You will have to get some advice on the Shimano reels from a Shimano guy as I sold off all my Shimanos within the last 4 years, I did just cast one of the MGLs and that was nice. It belonged to another member here that was having trouble adjusting it in order to get to stop backlashing. It only took me about 5 minuted to properly set it up and explain to him what i did. It took a few castsd till he was almost hitting the house behind mine.

 

For a rod I would look at a Dobyns Champion XP model DC 734 as an all around rod,

You could also look at another G Loomis too. 

 

 

[new2BC4bass]

"Don't mind spending some money."  Boy did you just open yourself up to a ton of suggestions.  

 

I had my new Daiwa Tatula SV TWS out for the first time today.  I think it would make a great first reel for a newbie.  Any of the Daiwas with the SV spool would make a good reel for a beginner.  You could start with the Zillion SV or jump right into a Steez SV.

 

However, there are plenty of other good reels to learn on.  I've been amazed by how forgiving my Pinnacle Primmus Xi HS has been.  Not a popular reel, but I bought two more after using the first one.  Nice looking, light, properly lubed from the factory (what they call hand tuned) and cast exceptionally well.  Another reel I really like that is seldom mentioned is the Okuma Helios Air.  Very nice reel, but not quite as forgiving as the Primmus.

 

The Tatula/Tatula CT are often mentioned.  The Lew's Tournament MB is another fine reel...has dual brakes which are nice.  Or you could get their Hyper Mag Speed Spool SLP.  The Shimano Curado 70 is well liked or you could start right out with an Antares...or Calcuta Conquest if you like round reels.

 

The above reels run from $100 to $580.  You could spend more if you'd like.    Same for rods.  The Berkley Lightning Shock for about $50 is a versatile rod.  Or you could pop over to TT and find a rod or two for over $1k.  I'm sure a couple on here could also recommend rods in that price range as most of us often belong to several fishing forums.

 

Buy once, cry once is a good motto.  Since you have a couple spinning rods, I'd suggest a MHF baitcast rod for a first one.  It will be versatile enough to let you try many techniques.  I personally like 7' or longer for a baitcast rod, but shorter for spinning rods.  I've no experience with the St. Croix or GLoomis rods.  A rod I can recommend that will cost less, but still be an excellent rod is the Hammer.  Sensitivity is very good.

 

The original Tatula rods are an excellent buy.  Sportsman's Outfitters is selling them at $110, but options are growing slim.  The only MHF they have left is the 6'10" model.  These are excellent rods at full price AFAIC.

[Matt_3479]

20 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

Ordering into Canada can be a hassle. I have helped another member here get a Powell rod. Found out that Tackle Warehouse can be helpful as they regularly ship into Canada.  He lived in Toronto. Where are you located.  Mu only fishing experience came way back in 1988 when my then girlfriend/new wife and I spent 10 days in Calgary. Two of those days Linda and I fly fished the Bow River for big rainbows and browns.  That sunshine till almost midnight took some getting used to. LOL.  We were there during the summer after the Olympics were held there. So cool to walk around and watch the Canadian team work out on the facilities.

 

Anyway with a budget like that I would consider a Daiwa Tatula CT, or a Daiwa Tatula SV TWS. I prefer these reels to Shimano, but if you were content with the Shimanos then look at a reel like a Chronarch MGL, or a Curado 200K. That is their new model. The old model is on sale so that might be an option.

You will have to get some advice on the Shimano reels from a Shimano guy as I sold off all my Shimanos within the last 4 years, I did just cast one of the MGLs and that was nice. It belonged to another member here that was having trouble adjusting it in order to get to stop backlashing. It only took me about 5 minuted to properly set it up and explain to him what i did. It took a few castsd till he was almost hitting the house behind mine.

 

For a rod I would look at a Dobyns Champion XP model DC 734 as an all around rod,

You could also look at another G Loomis too. 

 

 

Sounds like a hell of a trip!! 

 

Ive been told to stick with shimano or Daiwa reels! I'm not partial to either its just where I purchased my rods and reels they carried way more shimano then daiwa. 

 

Ill look into those daiwa reels tomorrow! As for rods are any of the st. croix casting rods good? I know a local store has some of the legend tournament bass rods on sale. What would you recommend when I go in for a rod. MH, H, M? Fast, x-fast, mod?  I'll also take a good look for those dobyn rods? Why dobyns over say st. croix or loomis?

 

Matt

19 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

"Don't mind spending some money."  Boy did you just open yourself up to a ton of suggestions.  

 

I had my new Daiwa Tatula SV TWS out for the first time today.  I think it would make a great first reel for a newbie.  Any of the Daiwas with the SV spool would make a good reel for a beginner.  You could start with the Zillion SV or jump right into a Steez SV.

 

However, there are plenty of other good reels to learn on.  I've been amazed by how forgiving my Pinnacle Primmus Xi HS has been.  Not a popular reel, but I bought two more after using the first one.  Nice looking, light, properly lubed from the factory (what they call hand tuned) and cast exceptionally well.  Another reel I really like that is seldom mentioned is the Okuma Helios Air.  Very nice reel, but not quite as forgiving as the Primmus.

 

The Tatula/Tatula CT are often mentioned.  The Lew's Tournament MB is another fine reel...has dual brakes which are nice.  Or you could get their Hyper Mag Speed Spool SLP.  The Shimano Curado 70 is well liked or you could start right out with an Antares...or Calcuta Conquest if you like round reels.

 

The above reels run from $100 to $580.  You could spend more if you'd like.    Same for rods.  The Berkley Lightning Shock for about $50 is a versatile rod.  Or you could pop over to TT and find a rod or two for over $1k.  I'm sure a couple on here could also recommend rods in that price range as most of us often belong to several fishing forums.

 

Buy once, cry once is a good motto.  Since you have a couple spinning rods, I'd suggest a MHF baitcast rod for a first one.  It will be versatile enough to let you try many techniques.  I personally like 7' or longer for a baitcast rod, but shorter for spinning rods.  I've no experience with the St. Croix or GLoomis rods.  A rod I can recommend that will cost less, but still be an excellent rod is the Hammer.  Sensitivity is very good.

 

The original Tatula rods are an excellent buy.  Sportsman's Outfitters is selling them at $110, but options are growing slim.  The only MHF they have left is the 6'10" model.  These are excellent rods at full price AFAIC.

I appreciate the great advice! 

 

Ill look for something around 7' med-MH. I'll ask the local shop as well and see what rods they recommend! 

 

As for reels ill take a look at the daiwa' you guys recommended!