Baitcasting Combo Question

[FishingThe573]

I have done my research on this topic on this forum but I wanted some fresh answers as all the posts I saw were a few years old. Im looking to get into using baitcasters I have grown up only using spinning setups and want to widen my fishing knowledge and techniques. Right now looking at a combo under $100 was thinking about either a Abu Silvermax combo or a Lews American Hero combo. If anyone could give me some input on those two setups or better ones to consider in that price range I would appreciate it. Looking for an all around combo for anything from crankbaits and spinnerbaits to texas rigging etc

[CroakHunter]

Daiwa fuego ct off of ebay-$65

Berkley lightning shock-$35

 

Neither of those combos will hold a candle to the one I just listed. Imo. 

[FishingThe573]

1 minute ago, CroakHunter said:

Daiwa fuego ct off of ebay-$65

Berkley lightning shock-$35

 

Neither of those combos will hold a candle to the one I just listed. Imo. 

Thanks I will check those out

[ratherbfishin1]

I would look used first. I have gotten $300 excellent condition combos for $75 on craigslist but I got really lucky.  Check craigslist because sometimes you can find really good deals.  Good luck!

[TylerT123]

6 hours ago, FishingThe573 said:

I have done my research on this topic on this forum but I wanted some fresh answers as all the posts I saw were a few years old. Im looking to get into using baitcasters I have grown up only using spinning setups and want to widen my fishing knowledge and techniques. Right now looking at a combo under $100 was thinking about either a Abu Silvermax combo or a Lews American Hero combo. If anyone could give me some input on those two setups or better ones to consider in that price range I would appreciate it. Looking for an all around combo for anything from crankbaits and spinnerbaits to texas rigging etc

Sounds like you want a M/MH Moderate Fast rod. I've heard good things from Berkley Lightning Shock as well. I like my Scheel's Outfitters Rod for $40, they said they would back the rod no matter what as long as you provide proof of purchase, it's a little bit on the stiff side though. I think the Fuego would work too, I'd wait until Spring Sales and look around too.

[Viper0463]

Powell rod off eBay and any daiwa ct casting reels also try eBay. I personally like the powell diesel and inferno in a 7'2" mhxf. If you can find a tatula ct in your price range get it and don't look back. Just my opinion though. Something I think I should add is I have the diesel still and have used it for everything. Senko, spinnerbait, spooks, frogs and more. It was a little workhorse rod for a while till I started buying more technique specific setups.

[FishingThe573]

Just found out when the bps spring sale was I’ll probably pick up a combo during that if they have some gold deals. And I will be following your advice and keep my eyes out on eBay and Craigslist. Any other suggestions let me know

[Viper0463]

Make sure you put a left and right retrieve combo in your hand before you buy and get what's more comfortable. I personally use nothing but left retrieve. Rights just feel very wrong to me but, my dad can't use anything but rights. 

[FishingThe573]

9 minutes ago, Viper0463 said:

Make sure you put a left and right retrieve combo in your hand before you buy and get what's more comfortable. I personally use nothing but left retrieve. Rights just feel very wrong to me but, my dad can't use anything but rights. 

I’m right handed but grew up fishing lefty (reel handle on right) from what I’ve seen most casting reels have the handle on the right so that should work in my favor

[Viper0463]

1 minute ago, FishingThe573 said:

I’m right handed but grew up fishing lefty (reel handle on right) from what I’ve seen most casting reels have the handle on the right so that should work in my favor

I was the opposite. I grew up using spinning gear when left retrieve was the only option. So when I got into casting reels I hated them because they just felt wrong. Once they started making them lefty I was a happy camper.

[ratherbfishin1]

 

7 hours ago, FishingThe573 said:

I’m right handed but grew up fishing lefty (reel handle on right) from what I’ve seen most casting reels have the handle on the right so that should work in my favor

I always fished with the handle on the left when using spinning reels but my first baitcaster i had the handle on the right and it felt completely normal to me. It might be because i didn't realize there were left handed options, but i still keep the handle on the left for spinning and the handle on the right for baitcasting.  I might just be weird but it felt as normal as possible when first using a baitcaster.  I think part of it was that on a baitcaster the hand that controls the line is more complicated than the hand that just reels and i am left handed so i like to control the line with my dominant hand where spinning you don't really control the line anywhere near as much as a baitcaster so i use my dominant hand for reeling.

[Koz]

I have a Lew's American Hero and I like it a lot. I had been fishing spinning reels for decades and this is my first baitcaster.

 

Dialing it in was easy and I've only had one bird's nest that I needed to cut out. It's predictable. If I get a slight bird's nest I know it's my fault and not something wrong with the reel.

 

I've had it less than a year but so far it's been durable, but obviously not as rugged as the more expensive reels out there. Although I know wish I had purchased a 7' rod instead of the 6'6" I have been impressed with its sensitivity. Then again, I was throwing an Ugly Stick before this one.

 

Conclusion - it's a very good, inexpensive purchase. I've enjoyed it a lot and handles the 5 pounders well. With that being said, in the next few years I'm looking forward to comparing it to more expensive rods and reels, but I'm sure it will continue to be in my arsenal.

[Steveo-1969]

14 hours ago, FishingThe573 said:

Just found out when the bps spring sale was I’ll probably pick up a combo during that if they have some gold deals. And I will be following your advice and keep my eyes out on eBay and Craigslist. Any other suggestions let me know

If you can spend another $20 I'd seriously look at a BPS Carbonlite combo. $120 for the combo during the spring sale. Great combo for that price!

[ratherbfishin1]

1 hour ago, Steveo-1969 said:

If you can spend another $20 I'd seriously look at a BPS Carbonlite combo. $120 for the combo during the spring sale. Great combo for that price!

Sold my bow today so i could buy it and have a little extra cash.  I've heard really good things on it so i'm gonna get a new 7' mh for an all around heavier rod for flipping pitching and frogs bc my old one was only 6'6" and wasn't great for out on the jon boat.

[Koz]

I should also mention I got a great deal on my Lew's American Hero combo, It was on sale for $79, I had $20 worth of DSP cash back, and the store was having some sort of flash sale that hour and I got another $10 off. Hard to pass up for $49.

[FishingThe573]

3 hours ago, Koz said:

I should also mention I got a great deal on my Lew's American Hero combo, It was on sale for $79, I had $20 worth of DSP cash back, and the store was having some sort of flash sale that hour and I got another $10 off. Hard to pass up for $49.

Thanks for all that info I definitely need to get one in my hands to see how it feels.