Going to grab this setup weds, what do you think?

[NavyVet1204]

This reel, rod, and braid. This is my first baitcaster setup here. I know I could get by with cheaper stuff, but I plan on having this setup for awhile and want to do it right the first time so to speak especially while I have the money to do so. All in...just a bit over $250.

This all fits in my budget and the reviews are pretty darn good on all three. What do y’all think?

 

Texas rigs, jigs and buzz baits for primary use. 
 

edit: oh and the rod will be MH and Fast Action at 7’.

[jimmyjoe]

   I think you're good to go. I personally wouldn't use braid, but that's because I'm an old fart stuck in the last century. But for t-rigs and jigs, this is about perfect.

   However ..... I'd be real careful combining a fast action and braid on a buzzbait. Don't pull the lure away from the fish. Give them a half second to envelope it. It's not really a big problem, it's just something you need to focus on.

   Good luck!

   jj

[NYWayfarer]

5 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

   I think you're good to go. I personally wouldn't use braid, but that's because I'm an old fart stuck in the last century. But for t-rigs and jigs, this is about perfect.

   However ..... I'd be real careful combining a fast action and braid on a buzzbait. Don't pull the lure away from the fish. Give them a half second to envelope it. It's not really a big problem, it's just something you need to focus on.

   Good luck!

   jj

I agree. I also would not use braid. Try some 12# Berkley Big Game mono instead.

 

I recommend that reel to all folks that are new to baitcasters as it is very forgiving. It will also hold a place in your lineup long after you have come to love baitcasters and buy a dozen more. My first caster, a Abu Black Max, sits in a box somewhere long forgotten.

 

The rod is basically a Lew’s TP1 in a different color, a Academy exclusive rod. I have one of these and it’s been great. They are light rods that won’t fatigue you casting them all day.

[DomQ]

Love the feel of the reel, super great choice for a first casting reel, you cannot go wrong. Plus Lew's customer service is TOP!

[Teal]

Hard to beat a lews reel.  Good set up.  I agree with the others on the buzz bait and line choice.  But if you are mainly looking for a contact rig for jigs, t rigs, carolinarigs, and skipping/pitching.  That will do.  You may be able to get PowerPro braid a little cheaper, it's pretty much the standard and it proven many times over.  Enjoy your new set up

[NavyVet1204]

Thanks guys! I had a good gut feeling about this setup as I was looking at everything and I’m sure it will hold up for the long run. If not braid, would a fluoro work? Or just mono? 
 

im buying the braid anyway and I will also pick up a spool of filament just to be on the safe side.

[NJBasstard]

1 hour ago, NavyVet1204 said:

Thanks guys! I had a good gut feeling about this setup as I was looking at everything and I’m sure it will hold up for the long run. If not braid, would a fluoro work? Or just mono? 
 

im buying the braid anyway and I will also pick up a spool of filament just to be on the safe side.

 

Since this is your first baitcaster I'd get a spool of something like Berkley Big Game Mono (<$10) to start with. Your bound to have the same issues others have at first and it's cheaper to replace a spool of mono then it is with braid or flouro. Once your past that learning curve then put on whatever line you want.

[OnthePotomac]

Congratulations on your choice.  You will have many happy days on the water with that set up.  I am not a braid fan either.

[Pogues2300]

I would use suffix 832 30lb, 40 lb also fine. For chatterbaits id tie a 12lb mono leader for just a little shock absorption which might give the fish a better opportunity to grab the bait. Also i learned baitcasting a couple years ago and tried big game which people on here seem to love but it's just too stiff for anything other than a leader in my opinion. For a decent price and handling id suggest trilene xl 12lb. This is my personal opinion I'm certainly not saying what others suggest won't work well.

[J Francho]

If it's your first time using braid, I would not go below 50#.  Otherwise, it looks like a decent set up. 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Braid and buzzbaits go great together get it dont look back.

 

[JediAmoeba]

I started using braid when I first got a baitcaster, when I was 15.  The original spiderwire braid in 30 pound test.  I never had a problem and was able to dig out backlashes.  The first time I tried mono on a baitcaster was a total nightmare and I never went back...

 

I think you will be fine if you take your time and dial it in correctly.  I feel braid is far more forgiving than any other lines.  

[garroyo130]

4 minutes ago, JediAmoeba said:

I think you will be fine if you take your time and dial it in correctly.  I feel braid is far more forgiving than any other lines.  

Agreed. Braid lets you just pull backlashes out without fear of breaking or causing wear. 

[Smokinal]

5 minutes ago, JediAmoeba said:

I started using braid when I first got a baitcaster, when I was 15.  The original spiderwire braid in 30 pound test.  I never had a problem and was able to dig out backlashes.  The first time I tried mono on a baitcaster was a total nightmare and I never went back...

 

I think you will be fine if you take your time and dial it in correctly.  I feel braid is far more forgiving than any other lines.  

Agree 100%

[Big Hands]

Lots of excellent equipment to choose from these days, but at some point, you need to make a choice. This looks to be an excellent all around rig and a great way to begin building a quiver of quality baitcasting gear. 

[new2BC4bass]

When I bought my first braid, it was suggested I not go below 40#.  I bought 40# Sufix Performance.  Loses color fairly quickly, but that does not affect performance.  Never a problem with it digging in, and it was on the reel that I took with me to Florida every year for awhile when going on vacation.  Was used for casting worms back into the lily pads.

 

The MP is the MG replacement.  The MG is a fine reel so I would expect nothing less of the MP.  I know nothing about that rod, but if it is as NYWayfarer says...a TP-1 made for Academy, then it should be a good rod as the TP-1 gets very good reviews.

 

I think you will enjoy that combo for a long time to come.

[NavyVet1204]

Thank you for your time guys! It is settled then I will move forward with this setup.

[Grim_Reaver]

Here's a tip: Turn the brakes all the way up and adjust the spool tension a little tighter than normal. It's what I do when I let a beginner use my baitcasters and there is rarely a problem with backlashing. Back the tension and brakes off slowly as you get better at thumbing the spool.

[Ogandrews]

Good setup but I would strongly recommend to go with suffix 832 or power pro maxcuatro instead of that braid. The two I recommend will cast better and be a smaller diameter than that other braid. I’m not a huge fan of lews rods but that is simply because of how they look and that’s all personal preference so who cares, if you like it go for it.

[jbsoonerfan]

Go with 832 instead of the Performance, you will end up buying it later if you don't now. The 832 is a much better line and yes, I have used both.

[Hower08]

If you are going to fish a buzzbait on that rod I highly suggest a leader for a shock absorber and or keep your drag loose. Im a buzzbait freak I tried fishing them on straight braid with a med heavy fast rod and I lost a couple giants by fishing straight braid. Never again 

[NavyVet1204]

7 minutes ago, Hower08 said:

If you are going to fish a buzzbait on that rod I highly suggest a leader for a shock absorber and or keep your drag loose. Im a buzzbait freak I tried fishing them on straight braid with a med heavy fast rod and I lost a couple giants by fishing straight braid. Never again 

My dad recommended the same thing earlier today for buzzbaits. He said 15lb+ leader which I do every time when I’m Catfishing anyway so I’m no stranger to that.

[NYWayfarer]

20 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

 

The MP is the MG replacement.  The MG is a fine reel so I would expect nothing less of the MP.  I know nothing about that rod, but if it is as NYWayfarer says...a TP-1 made for Academy, then it should be a good rod as the TP-1 gets very good reviews.

 

I think you will enjoy that combo for a long time to come.

The only difference I see from the TP1 is the Hack Attack doesn’t have the microwave guide. And the color of course.

[NavyVet1204]

Update: I was surfing bass pros website and noticed that they had the Abu Garcia Revo SX reel on sale for $119.00!! I went ahead and scooped it up especially with free two day shipping thrown in. Sorry guys, I couldn’t pass that deal up. The Revo SX was a contender to the Lews I posted in the pic so it’s a no brained that I can save the money on the reel and put it towards tackle or the rod. The Rod and braid are still on the table for purchase.

[jbsoonerfan]

Might as well get the Vendetta rod now to match it. I think it would look sweet.