Suggestions for a Baitcaster Beginner?

[Ralph Nicholas Vito]

I was looking to get a good baitcaster reel for beginners like one that is easier to use for someone whos never used a baitcaster.

 

My cousin has a Quantum Nitrous on his rod and i was testing that one out and about every other cast i was having backlash issues ? maybe i should just stick to spinning reels ?

 

If anyone has any tips or maybe a reel suggestion for beginners ?  I watched a few youtube videos to get myself more informed with baitcasters but i feel like i still don't know everything or i'm just not getting it

[TylerT123]

Get a Daiwa Tatula CT or Fuego CT, they have a braking system that’s very user friendly, they run about $70-$130. Use thick mono like 17# Berkeley Big Game. It’s better to start the brakes higher and work your way down than to work your brakes up. Also don’t try to cast as hard as you do with a spinning reel. 

[Happybeerbuzz]

Fuego CT + eBay discount code which you might have to wait a few days for eBay to release.  They seem to have an active code about 40% oh the time lately. I just bought another one for $53 with a 20% code.

[Ralph Nicholas Vito]

1 hour ago, TylerT123 said:

Get a Daiwa Tatula CT or Fuego CT, they have a braking system that’s very user friendly, they run about $70-$130. Use thick mono like 17# Berkeley Big Game. It’s better to start the brakes higher and work your way down than to work your brakes up. Also don’t try to cast as hard as you do with a spinning reel. 

Gonna check those out also i have seen a few guys on youtube cast it just as hard as a spinning and i know that's probably not the way to do it lol so i have not been casting hard at all just very smooth

[J Francho]

Are you gonna stick with it?  What's your budget?  Typically, a bit middle/high end reel in the $200 - $250 range offers a more sophisticated braking system, which is nice to learn on.

[J.Vincent]

The Shimano Casitas is very precise and well controlled; it has a very accurate dual braking system and works great for Bass fishing. This is one of the easiest casting sub $100 dollar Baitcasters on the market. As a bonus, it's also rated for light inshore saltwater fishing and is a perfect solution for anglers on a budget.

[CroakHunter]

Tatula sv. Had my 10 year old daughter making 45' casts within 3 minutes of picking it up yesterday

[Joshua van Wyk]

Daiwa Fuego CT, phenomenal reel for what you're paying.  I got mine for $45 With an eBay code. Would buy again 10/10!

[new2BC4bass]

I am pretty near a Pro at backlashing reels.  However, I can suggest 3 types that are nearly impossible to backlash without needing time to dial them in correctly.  Any Daiwa with an SV spool....set loose spool tension and brakes at 10.  Any Daiwa with the Magforce 3D braking system....set loose spool tension, Max Brake and brakes at 10 or higher.  No need for a thumb.  These will be some flavor of T3....Ballistic, 1016, MX.  A Shimano with DC.  I've experience with only one, an Exsence DC.  There is only one setting where I can backlash it.  With brakes set below Max.  At Max or any of the other settings there is no need for a thumb.

 

There are other reels that are hard to backlash.....once set up properly.  The trick is to get them set up properly.  I was talking to a gentleman while practicing at a local boat ramp.  He told me he had a baitcaster, but hardly ever used it because he'd make 3 or 4 good casts and then backlash.  I handed him my Zillion 50th Anniversary...spooled with 12# Elite, mounted on a 7' MHF, and with a 1/2 oz. spinnerbait tied on.  He came back about 15 minutes later and asked me, "How do you backlash this reel?"

[TBAG]

1 hour ago, Joshua van Wyk said:

Daiwa Fuego CT, phenomenal reel for what you're paying.  I got mine for $45 With an eBay code. Would buy again 10/10!

I'm going to keep an eye out and buy one the next time a code comes available. I'm a Shimano fanboi but really want to try a CT.

[WRB]

There is lots of videos on "how to cast a bait casting reel" for a reason, it takes practice no instant panacea unfortunitly.

You can't backlash a bait casting reel if the spool tension know is set tight enough to prevent the lure from pulling line off the spool on it's own weight. The issue with too much spool tension is short casting distance. My suggestion is set the spool tension knob so the lure weight pulls line slowly off the spool to start with and use a 5/8 oz practice casting plug, not a lure. Slowly reduce the spool tension knob, after making several successful casts, so the plug falls on it's own weight and the spool stops turning when the plug hits the ground. Now you may get a few backlashes until you train your thumb to keep the spooled line smooth during the cast. In time a trained thumb will automatically prevent loose line.

The rod should be a moderate action because it's easier to cast with and your casting motion should be mostly wrist without a lit upper arm swing. 

Good luck and practice a lot.

Tom

[Joshua van Wyk]

30 minutes ago, TBAG said:

I'm going to keep an eye out and buy one the next time a code comes available. I'm a Shimano fanboi but really want to try a CT.

Lol I doubt you'll be going back to shimano after you start using Daiwa!

[deep]

2 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

I am pretty near a Pro at backlashing reels.  However, I can suggest 3 types that are nearly impossible to backlash without needing time to dial them in correctly.  Any Daiwa with an SV spool....set loose spool tension and brakes at 10.  Any Daiwa with the Magforce 3D braking system....set loose spool tension, Max Brake and brakes at 10 or higher.  No need for a thumb.  These will be some flavor of T3....Ballistic, 1016, MX.  A Shimano with DC.  I've experience with only one, an Exsence DC.  There is only one setting where I can backlash it.  With brakes set below Max.  At Max or any of the other settings there is no need for a thumb.

 

There are other reels that are hard to backlash.....once set up properly.  The trick is to get them set up properly.  I was talking to a gentleman while practicing at a local boat ramp.  He told me he had a baitcaster, but hardly ever used it because he'd make 3 or 4 good casts and then backlash.  I handed him my Zillion 50th Anniversary...spooled with 12# Elite, mounted on a 7' MHF, and with a 1/2 oz. spinnerbait tied on.  He came back about 15 minutes later and asked me, "How do you backlash this reel?"

 

Idk; I fish my Shimanos wide open, and they're pretty hard to backlash. The VBS was good, the SVS is better.

 

I bought an exsence dc only because I wanted to skip with it while sitting down. Skipping while standing up is not a problem with other reels (for me). Normally (when I'm not skipping) I fish it with the spool tension set to remove side to side play and no tighter than that, brakes at 2 or 3, thumbs as required. There are the 4 settings for braid, plus the F, SP and BB. The BB has been very good to me for throwing crankbaits though.

 

I feel a lot of backlashing happens not because of the reel but due to (not-so-good) casting technique(s). Sure you can tighten up almost any reel enough to stop backlashes, but that cuts down on casting distance too. Not my preference.

[new2BC4bass]

1 hour ago, deep said:

 

Idk; I fish my Shimanos wide open, and they're pretty hard to backlash. The VBS was good, the SVS is better.

 

I bought an exsence dc only because I wanted to skip with it while sitting down. Skipping while standing up is not a problem with other reels (for me). Normally (when I'm not skipping) I fish it with the spool tension set to remove side to side play and no tighter than that, brakes at 2 or 3, thumbs as required. There are the 4 settings for braid, plus the F, SP and BB. The BB has been very good to me for throwing crankbaits though.

 

I feel a lot of backlashing happens not because of the reel but due to (not-so-good) casting technique(s). Sure you can tighten up almost any reel enough to stop backlashes, but that cuts down on casting distance too. Not my preference.

If you are skipping, then you definitely aren't a beginner!  Not only do you have your reels dialed in good for you, but you also have excellent thumb control.  I was merely pointing out reels that in my experience a beginner could pick up and use without having to know how to get dialed in or have an educated thumb.  And he wouldn't be backlashing all the time.

 

All 3 reel types I mentioned can be run with just enough spool tension to remove side-to-side play (or have just a tiny bit) and still be backlash free by increasing the brakes.  Then lower the brakes as ability increases.

 

A smooth cast is a must.  Especially with a beginner.  I know I was running spool tension too high when I learned.  It not only hurt distance, but kept me from being able to use lighter lures.  I had to almost learn how to cast again once I backed way off on the spool tension, but it was worth the trouble.

 

I find I can run my Shimanos with 2 brakes on, but I have to be careful.  Which is why they normally have 3 turned on.

[WRB]

You all realize the OP's budget hasn't been established. The Quantum Nitrous reel referenced is a $30 reel.

Tom

[Chris at Tech]

Put a small piece of electrical tape ~30-40 yards deep into the spool.  Even if you backlash it won’t get below the tape.  As you get more comfortable you can move the tape deeper into the spool and eventually get rid of it

[J.Vincent]

25 minutes ago, Chris at Tech said:

Put a small piece of electrical tape ~30-40 yards deep into the spool.  Even if you backlash it won’t get below the tape.  As you get more comfortable you can move the tape deeper into the spool and eventually get rid of it

Yes do this, it's good advice. You may also want to go up in line size during the learning process; it's easier to pick out a backlash on heavier line.