Need Help Choosing baitcast combo

[luvs2fish]

I have been looking for a good baitcast combo that will last me a long time. I fish everyday if I can. Mainly on the river or a couple of ponds nearby or even creeks. I need something that I can use my box of lures with. Small to medium

crankbaits, small spinners, poppers, chatterbaits things like that. I’ve been using all of my sons equipment I like his Shimano bantam Curado 200b but he doesn’t let me use it too much lol and it is quite big in my hands.  He bought a quantum pulse and I hate it. My husband did buy me a insight for her multipurpose casting rod. I do like it. I’ve been looking at the Lews Mach 1 combo. Would this be a good choice with what I’m fishing with? 

[new2BC4bass]

First to the forum.

 

I am not familiar with any of the Lew's combos.  How much are you willing to spend?  Looks like you need a rod with a softer tip (more along the lines of a crankbait rod).  What is your preference for rod length?

 

I really, really like my Tatula rods.  I have the 7' MLR, but you may prefer the 6'9" MLR'.  I have come to enjoy their Regular actions since getting my first one.  Although listed as a ML I would consider their ratings to be more in line with a Medium power rod (1/4-5/8 oz.).  How light a lure do you plan on casting?

[luvs2fish]

Thank you!!!                                 I believe the lightest lure I have is 1/8oz and my heaviest is probably about 3/8oz. Rod length my current rod is 6’3” if I measured correctly. My sons with the Shimano reel is 7’3”. And it’s too long but I could stand a little longer rod maybe a 6’10”. Hubby said my budget is around $200 I could go $250. And that’s quite a bit of money so I really want and need something that will possibly outlast me lol. I’ve read about the Daiwa tatula ct. but it doesn’t come in a combo so then what rod would I buy for it?  

[kenmitch]

BPS and Cabelas have the Carbonlite 2.0 rod and reels on sale fir $79.97 each with free shipping. Might be worth a look to see if they'd work out for you.

[Joshua van Wyk]

The daiwa Tatula ct is an awesome reel! You will be very happy with it.  If you buy it from eBay you can get it $80 new. I recommend a dobyns fury 703 to pair with it. 

[luvs2fish]

And this set up will work with my crankbaits, poppers, small spinners?  Also I looked at Cabela's but I don't know much about the baitcaster I have only been fishing it just this summer. I have always used spincast and spinning reels. So I have read where many people say the Tatula once set you really don't have to adjust even when you change your lure. Do you have same experience with it too?

also could I use a jig/worm casting rod with the types of lures I use or would have to buy a crankbait rod? 

[Russ E]

 My 2 favorite reels are abu garcia gen4 revo's and Diawa tatula's.

the tatula is a little better at casting light lures. The revo is a little more comfortable in my hand.

They are both good reels.

 

 

the lews mach 1 is an ok reel, but it takes a lot of thumb control to prevent backlashes.

In my opinion there are a lot better reels for the price.

 

The best thing to do is go to a sporting goods store and handle the reels. See what feels better in your hand.

[LionHeart]

Wouldn't get to hung up on trying to find a combo.   In my experience it's best to buy seperately.   I would have to agree about the Diawa Tatula CT.  Excellent reel. 

 

A rod is a little tougher.   If you know for absolute certainty you will always be fishing those super light lures,  I'd say go with a medium light but a decent medium power rod may serve you better.   A medium fast rod can do a lot. 

 

Take a look at the Dobyns Fury 734, or even a 3 power.   Dobyns rods run a little on the soft side but it seems like that's what you may be looking for.   

 

On second thought,  check out Falcon Bucoo SR rods,  they have a softer to than most and are well made rods.

[Calibassassin]

14 hours ago, kenmitch said:

BPS and Cabelas have the Carbonlite 2.0 rod and reels on sale fir $79.97 each with free shipping. Might be worth a look to see if they'd work out for you.

X2, I have a few of these setups and I love them. For this sale price it would be hard to beat this combo, imo. Trying to fight the monkey myself on a few more for this price. 

[luvs2fish]

That would probably be best to go to a sporting goods store and get the feel of the reels before i buy one. But they have so many options for one reel like 5.5:1 etc etc. With what I'm using for lures which would be better a 5, 6, 7 or what?  This is for all the lady anglers out there, Have any of ya'll tried the new Trait Zaldain pink rods? They say they made to better fit a woman's hands and easier to hook set

[LionHeart]

Most people tend to prefer a 6 or 7 speed reel for the lures you are planning to use.  I think something 28-30 inch per turn (IPT) would be just right

[burrows]

Welcome to the forums!!!

Duckett ghost 6’10 is a great rod, also a diawa fuego or a shimano slx best 100 reels on the market rite now. 

[new2BC4bass]

Too bad Fenwick doesn't still make the Elite Tech Smallmouth series.  I have the 6'10" MF.  It is rated 1/8 -5/8 oz. and is absolutely one of my favorite rods (if not the favorite rod) at this power.  It would be the cat's meow (bee's knees?) for you.  They sold for $129 (list), but would have been about $200 with a different name on them.  Fantastic rods for the money.  You could try a WTB ad on a few forums.  Obviously I won't part with mine. 

 

Dobyns list 1/4 oz. on the low end.  Everyone says they fish lighter than listed.  Maybe someone else can comment on their ability to cast 1/8 oz.  I only own one Dobyns and it is the 703 CB Glass.  Wouldn't mind owning more.    Phenix is another company whose rods are said to fish lighter than their listing.  As mentioned, the Falcon Bucoo is another option for rods fishing lighter than listed.

 

Speaking of 1/8 oz., can you cast that weight with your son's Curado 200B?  I ask because 1/8 oz. is pretty light for a casting rod.  I have no problem with #5 Shad Raps (3/16 oz.) on a few of my combos, but 1/8 oz. is very tough for me.  I need more practice.  For me the rod becomes very important at 3/16 oz. and less lure weights.  You are now in the "finesse" range.

 

A few rods for you to research....in no special order.

 

Major Craft Dan Iovino 6'10" ML-EF 3/16-1/2 oz.

iRod Genisis II Harold's Lone Star 6'9" MLF 1/8-1/2 oz.

Hammer 6'9" Medium Moderate 1/8-1/2 oz.

Falcon BuCoo SR 6'6" Med-Mod  1/4-1/2 oz.

 

One that you would have to find on sale to meet your budget is the Villain 2.0 6'10" ML-EF....a $200 rod  Got mine around $155 shipped from jet.  Glen's Army Navy has them for $156, but I have no experience with that store.  Tackletour has been impressed with the new Villain 2.0 line.  Originals weren't all that great.  My ML spinning rod is ok., baitcast rod a disappointment.  New models are another animal entirely.

 

Reels are something I'm not sure I can help you with.  Depends on your ability.  Some guys/gals cast 1/8 oz. on reels I doubt I could, but then I am not all that great a caster.  Most of my reels are older models, so may not be what you are looking for.   A used Pixy would be my first choice.  TD-Z 105H and Carbonlite (gold ones) are reels I have used to cast 3/16 oz. (and 1/8 oz. spinnerbait) with.  I imagine I could do it with a Curado 51E, Scorpion 4x4 SVS or Alphas/Sol.  For sure with a Tatula SV even though I haven't tried it yet with mine.  (Got to rely on other opinions occasionally.  )

 

I've read of others casting 1/8 oz. (or maybe even less) with reels such as the Tatula CT, Curado 70, various models of Lew's and the unmentionable company.  Wow.  You are right.  Way too many choices.  Tough to narrow the field down to one or two choices.

 

EDIT:  If interested in the 6'10" Villain 2.0, keep an eye on Amazon.  I have seen the price down to $130 on some models.  Beautiful looking rods.

 

EDIT2:  FFO is having a buy one get second one 50% off sale.  Pflueger Patriarch $105 ($200 reel), Supreme XT $80 ($150 reel).  I personally feel they are underrated.  Ask smalljaw67 about his Supreme XTs.  One of our Moderators fishes Pflueger reels.  I really like my older Patriarch XT.  Use it all the time with unweighted 10" ribbontail worms and 3/0 hooks.

[Matt_3479]

I also don’t know much about lews so I’m going recommend either a daiwa tatula 100 (smaller in size as you mentioned his reel felt a touch big) or Shimano Curado 70 as it’s also smaller in size. As far as rods go, I think it’s pretty tough to beat a dobyns fury 734c

[new2BC4bass]

9 hours ago, Matt_3479 said:

I also don’t know much about lews so I’m going recommend either a daiwa tatula 100 (smaller in size as you mentioned his reel felt a touch big) or Shimano Curado 70 as it’s also smaller in size. As far as rods go, I think it’s pretty tough to beat a dobyns fury 734c

But I highly doubt a 734C would work very well for what the OP wants to throw.  No doubt it is an excellent all-around rod....for a bit heavier weights.

[kschultz76]

Take some time to read New2BC4Bass’s long post above, then do some research on the lower weight limits of the baitcasting rods and reels you’re looking at.  I completely agree with his input, for the range of weights and lures you’re talking about you really need two different rods. I’d recommend going with spinning gear for the lighter lures up to 1/4 of an oz or so total weight. Then casting for anything over 1/4 oz. total weight. Yes you can throw lighter lures with BC gear, but anything below a 1/4oz tw is going to require more specialized rod and reel built for that purpose, not general purpose beginner or budget gear. Even 1/4 oz without the right rod and technique can be challenging. 

 

What total weights are are you able to cast with your son’s Shimano Curado effectively?

[luvs2fish]

No I only use my son's rod and reel with the heavier lures like buzzbaits, bigger spinner baits etc etc. He has a Binns Bros easy touch 7'9" heavy casting rod with the Shimano 200b.  I went back and looked and all the lures that I have range from 1/16 to 3/4 oz. But I have a spinning rod and reel I use with the 1/16 and 1/8 oz I mainly use those to kinda jig fish around the dock. But when I fish my crankbaits and top waters I'm usually bank fishing and trying to throw against trees or rip rap things like that. I really appreciate New2BC4Bass's post I've wrote down the suggestions I've gotten from everyone on here and I will take the list with me when we go to Little Rock thursday. Basspro or Cabela's would have some of the rods and reels mentioned here? 

 

My son is only 16 but he was thankful enough to have an older gentleman at church give him that rod and reel. Thats partly why he doesn't want me to "mess it up" lol.

 

So I guess I need a rod and reel to cast lets say from about a 5/16 up to my heaviest 3/4 oz lures. And just use my spinning gear for my smallies. Right? 

[Joshua van Wyk]

16 minutes ago, luvs2fish said:

No I only use my son's rod and reel with the heavier lures like buzzbaits, bigger spinner baits etc etc. He has a Binns Bros easy touch 7'9" heavy casting rod with the Shimano 200b.  I went back and looked and all the lures that I have range from 1/16 to 3/4 oz. But I have a spinning rod and reel I use with the 1/16 and 1/8 oz I mainly use those to kinda jig fish around the dock. But when I fish my crankbaits and top waters I'm usually bank fishing and trying to throw against trees or rip rap things like that. I really appreciate New2BC4Bass's post I've wrote down the suggestions I've gotten from everyone on here and I will take the list with me when we go to Little Rock thursday. Basspro or Cabela's would have some of the rods and reels mentioned here? 

 

My son is only 16 but he was thankful enough to have an older gentleman at church give him that rod and reel. Thats partly why he doesn't want me to "mess it up" lol.

 

So I guess I need a rod and reel to cast lets say from about a 5/16 up to my heaviest 3/4 oz lures. And just use my spinning gear for my smallies. Right? 

A dobyns Fury 733 would work nicely for those techniques.  I can throw a 3/16 oz swimbait on mine pretty easily. Daiwa Tatula is gonna be one if the best reels for the money. Also you can save a ton of money if you purchase on eBay.  I got my Ct type r $100 off brand new.

[bagofdonuts]

if you come to little rock. go by sports academy, they often have good deals on rods, and their H2O series rods are really good for the money.

I also think you'll like the diawa tatula reel that has been recommended above.

[new2BC4bass]

Well, a lower weight of 5/16 oz. changes the whole ball game. 

[kschultz76]

Are you only looking at options you can buy in person at BPS or Cabelas? Or are you interested in options you can purchase online as well?

[Matt_3479]

10 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

But I highly doubt a 734C would work very well for what the OP wants to throw.  No doubt it is an excellent all-around rod....for a bit heavier weights.

I misread the 2nd post by the op, but after what she just mentioned I guess the 734c is back in play lol. As long as you have a spinning rod to cover the lighter stuff my most versatile setups are the 734c with a daiwa tatula sv and a 7 kistler helium medium-heavy rated 1/8-3/4oz with a chronarch mgl!

[WRB]

Welcome to BR!

The ideal bait casting rod for your lures is Don Iovino Major Craft 6'8" Splash-It rod, see Tackle Warehouse for details. I own this rod and it's well made and I use for lures between 3/16 to 5/8 oz. Tackle Warehouse has Black Friday sale comming up and Christmas sales in Dec.

Reel is something you may need to pick up and feel. Shimano reels are a little narrower then Daiwa T wing reels for example. I use the original Daiwa TD Fuego baitcasting reel with the Splash-it rod, the reel is no longer in production.

Good luck,

Tom

[the reel ess]

I don't think you'll find a baitcast combo for 1/8 oz spinners. But don't despair. You can buy 1/4 oz. spinners that they will cast. If you really need something for an 1/8 o.z lure, you'll have to go to a lighter spinning combo. That's in the light range. I have a cheap spinning combo that I use for those. 

[thinkingredneck]

Check out Pfluger reels, St Croix rods.  Med   The rods made for women might be a good choice as they are smaller in diameter.  Buying without holding it is a risk to me.