Is this good for my first baitcaster setup?

[Manchineel]

So I have been doing some research for the past few days for a good baitcaster and casting rod. This will be my first time using a baitcaster and the first time I am not just buying a combo rod/reel so I am a little nervous. I am looking for a baitcaster because I plan on getting a kayak next year and it seems that it would be so much easier to lift my fish out of the water without worrying about my line breaking like I do with my spinning gear, as opposed to trying to thumb a bass in the water, leaning over my kayak. Also I have been I have been thinking about buying one for years but never had a good excuse to.

 

The reel I think I am going to buy is the lew's tournament pro lfs. (I don't know why a reel that takes 12lb test would need 20lb of drag)

 

The rod was a bit strange to shop for but I took the advice I found on this forum and decided to go with a 7ft MM rod since I mostly fish with treble hook hard baits. For That I am looking at either the Daiwa Tatula Glass Casting Rod 7' Medium Crankbait, which is a medium 'regular' rod (I assume regular = medium, correct me if I am wrong) or going with something a bit cheaper and on brand with the Lew's Speed Stick Casting Rod 7' Medium. But that is jsut from searching on websites for rods that match those loose specs and that I think look good, so please if you have any others I would be thrilled to take a look.

 

I have zero brand loyalty to anyone, also looked at some curado, tantula and fishing 13 reels. I am just trying to find a not so entry level, good money per dollar setup.

 

 

[MN Fisher]

23 minutes ago, Manchineel said:

The reel I think I am going to buy is the lew's tournament pro lfs. (I don't know why a reel that takes 12lb test would need 20lb of drag)

The line 'specified' is just for capacity comparison. You can put 25# Mono/FC or even 65# braid on that reel - or any other BC other than a small-spool BFS for that matter.

 

[Dirtyeggroll]

Sounds like the Daiwa rod you are looking at is specifically designed for crankbaits. While it will do that very well, you will likely find it not to do a very good job with bottom contact baits.

 

If I were restricted to one setup to do multiple tasks, I would not choose a glass rod.

[NOC 1]

4 hours ago, Manchineel said:

So I have been doing some research for the past few days for a good baitcaster and casting rod. This will be my first time using a baitcaster and the first time I am not just buying a combo rod/reel so I am a little nervous. I am looking for a baitcaster because I plan on getting a kayak next year and it seems that it would be so much easier to lift my fish out of the water without worrying about my line breaking like I do with my spinning gear, as opposed to trying to thumb a bass in the water, leaning over my kayak. Also I have been I have been thinking about buying one for years but never had a good excuse to.

 

The reel I think I am going to buy is the lew's tournament pro lfs. (I don't know why a reel that takes 12lb test would need 20lb of drag)

 

The rod was a bit strange to shop for but I took the advice I found on this forum and decided to go with a 7ft MM rod since I mostly fish with treble hook hard baits. For That I am looking at either the Daiwa Tatula Glass Casting Rod 7' Medium Crankbait, which is a medium 'regular' rod (I assume regular = medium, correct me if I am wrong) or going with something a bit cheaper and on brand with the Lew's Speed Stick Casting Rod 7' Medium. But that is jsut from searching on websites for rods that match those loose specs and that I think look good, so please if you have any others I would be thrilled to take a look.

 

I have zero brand loyalty to anyone, also looked at some curado, tantula and fishing 13 reels. I am just trying to find a not so entry level, good money per dollar setup.

 

 

If it were I, and I were going to have only one rod, I think I would go for a 6'8" to 7' M/ with a MF action. That is a rod that can do a lot of things pretty well. A lot of guys will tell you that a MH/F is better for an all around rod, and it might be depending on how you fish, but I tend to like to fish lighter more than heavier and most MH don't work that well with baits under 3/8-oz .....in my opinion.

 

But either would be a better all around choice than a glass cranking rod which is going to be pretty much a one trick pony.

[Manchineel]

40 minutes ago, NOC 1 said:

If it were I, and I were going to have only one rod, I think I would go for a 6'8" to 7' M/ with a MF action. That is a rod that can do a lot of things pretty well. A lot of guys will tell you that a MH/F is better for an all around rod, and it might be depending on how you fish, but I tend to like to fish lighter more than heavier and most MH don't work that well with baits under 3/8-oz .....in my opinion.

 

But either would be a better all around choice than a glass cranking rod which is going to be pretty much a one trick pony.

 

Okay so then instead something like the Okuma EVX Crankbait Casting Rod 7' medium or a Fenwick HMG Casting Rod 7'2" Medium. What I throw is usually 5/8oz so it is pretty light as well.

When I read the description of the tantula it mentioned carbon fiber so I thought the glass meant fiber class and that it would be a composite fishing rod

[Grim_Reaver]

5 hours ago, Manchineel said:

So I have been doing some research for the past few days for a good baitcaster and casting rod. This will be my first time using a baitcaster and the first time I am not just buying a combo rod/reel so I am a little nervous. I am looking for a baitcaster because I plan on getting a kayak next year and it seems that it would be so much easier to lift my fish out of the water without worrying about my line breaking like I do with my spinning gear, as opposed to trying to thumb a bass in the water, leaning over my kayak. Also I have been I have been thinking about buying one for years but never had a good excuse to.

 

The reel I think I am going to buy is the lew's tournament pro lfs. (I don't know why a reel that takes 12lb test would need 20lb of drag)

 

The rod was a bit strange to shop for but I took the advice I found on this forum and decided to go with a 7ft MM rod since I mostly fish with treble hook hard baits. For That I am looking at either the Daiwa Tatula Glass Casting Rod 7' Medium Crankbait, which is a medium 'regular' rod (I assume regular = medium, correct me if I am wrong) or going with something a bit cheaper and on brand with the Lew's Speed Stick Casting Rod 7' Medium. But that is jsut from searching on websites for rods that match those loose specs and that I think look good, so please if you have any others I would be thrilled to take a look.

 

I have zero brand loyalty to anyone, also looked at some curado, tantula and fishing 13 reels. I am just trying to find a not so entry level, good money per dollar setup.

 

 

12lb line and Medium power rod (6'6) is what I started with and it worked really good all around. 5/8oz is MH power territory but it could work on the right M power rod. Check out the Falcon HD series. My Mach II/Falcon HD (6'6 MH) combination is very light and easy to fish. I'm planning on getting a kayak myself soon so I've been getting rods under 7' (due to recommendation) and honestly haven't noticed a difference from my longer rods. My next rod purchase will be the 6'8 M Falcon HD whenever they are back in stock (specs should be perfect for you too).

[NOC 1]

42 minutes ago, Manchineel said:

 

Okay so then instead something like the Okuma EVX Crankbait Casting Rod 7' medium or a Fenwick HMG Casting Rod 7'2" Medium. What I throw is usually 5/8oz so it is pretty light as well.

When I read the description of the tantula it mentioned carbon fiber so I thought the glass meant fiber class and that it would be a composite fishing rod

It does mean fiber glass and it may be a composite of glass and fiber, but there will not be enough carbon fiber to keep it from behaving like a fiberglass rod. The 2 materials behave quite differently one from the other.Look at the chart below. It shows the relative actions of carbon fiber rods. You see that even the bendiest action (slow) hits the backbone of the rod 1/2 of the way down. If this were a glass rod that bend would start all the way down the rod near the handle.

 

This works great for a crank bait rod because it isn't too important for the rod to be sensitive (and a glass rod isn't) but it is important for you to maintain a constant pull on those treble hooks so they don't come loose. Now a Moderate or Moderate/Fast action CF rod will still be bendy enough to pin that treble hook to the fish, but yet stiff enough to have some sensitivity when you have to feel very faint tics on the line that means a fish is biting with other techniques.

 

The thing is that a glass rod is too bendy for many techniques and not sensitive enough for the others.

 

Now that said, You say that yo mostly throw 5/8-oz baits, so for you a MH would be a better choice. it seems like most rods perform best when the weight of the bait is around the middle of thier weighted range and maybe a little above the middle. 5/7 would be at the very top of the range for a typical M power rod.

 

Hope this helps some.

 

27 minutes ago, Grim_Reaver said:

12lb line and Medium power rod (6'6) is what I started with and it worked really good all around. 5/8oz is MH power territory but it could work on the right M power rod. Check out the Falcon HD series. My Mach II/Falcon HD (6'6 MH) combination is very light and easy to fish. I'm planning on getting a kayak myself soon so I've been getting rods under 7' (due to recommendation) and honestly haven't noticed a difference from my longer rods. My next rod purchase will be the 6'8 M Falcon HD whenever they are back in stock (specs should be perfect for you too).

Falcon rods are some of my favorites. Even the lower priced rods fish like they cost a whole lot more. But if choosing a Falcon I would definitely go to the MH if you always throw in the 5/8 range as they fish a little lighter than their ratings.

Some rods are prone to snapping in two if you overdo the power with a lure heavier than it's rated for.

[Grim_Reaver]

13 minutes ago, NOC 1 said:

it seems like most rods perform best when the weight of the bait is around the middle of thier weighted range and maybe a little above the middle.

x2

[new2BC4bass]

Regular does not mean Medium.  Regular is what Diawa calls their rods with actions slower than Fast.  I don't think I've ever seen an action referred to as 'Medium'.  If Medium is used when referring to an action, it will say Medium-Fast.  No idea what the difference is between Medium-Fast and Moderate-Fast. 

 

I used a MF (Medium power, Fast action...not Med.-Fast action) for treble lures for quite awhile before buying a dedicated crankbait rod.  I use mono or co-polymer lines on the vast majority of my rods.  It is an option for you....but you might want to look at rods with a Med-Fast or Mod-Fast action since trebles are what you mostly fish.  Such a rod should work fairly well for other type lures and very well for trebles.

 

See if you can handle a Tatula 7'2" MHR.  Will handle a 5/8 oz. crankbait great and yet have enough power for many single hook lures.  Should make an excellent spinnerbait rod.  Remember...drags are adjustable for a reason. 

 

BTW, the Tournament Pro LFS gets some very good reviews.  I have an original Tournament Pro.  I think you will be happy with it.  I know nothing about Fishbrain shop, but they have the right hand 7.5:1 for sale at $160.  Also check ebay.

 

EDIT:  The HMG 7'2" Medium-Moderate-Fast would definitely make a good crankbait rod.  (Not sure I would add 'Fast' to the Moderate.)  However, add in any other type of lure and the 7'2" MHR Tatula would be a better choice.

[Manchineel]

42 minutes ago, Grim_Reaver said:

My next rod purchase will be the 6'8 M Falcon HD whenever they are back in stock (specs should be perfect for you too).

 

 

21 minutes ago, NOC 1 said:

 

Falcon rods are some of my favorites. Even the lower priced rods fish like they cost a whole lot more. But if choosing a Falcon I would definitely go to the MH if you always throw in the 5/8 range as they fish a little lighter than their ratings.

Some rods are prone to snapping in two if you overdo the power with a lure heavier than it's rated for.

 

these are pushing me towards the Falcon HD Casting Rod 7' Medium Heavy, definitely don't want my rod snapping in half from casting too hard.

[new2BC4bass]

If you elect to get a Falcon, definitely opt for a MH at the very least.  Also check out the BuCoos.

[NOC 1]

6 minutes ago, Manchineel said:

 

 

 

these are pushing me towards the Falcon HD Casting Rod 7' Medium Heavy, definitely don't want my rod snapping in half from casting too hard.

If you go with Falcon, it seems like the Falcon Lowrider 7' MH/Mod-F would be perfect.

https://shop.falconrods.com/collections/falcon-lowrider-2019/products/falcon-lowrider-casting-rod-70-med-hvy-mf

It's a little more spendy than the HD rods, but at $129 it is worth the difference if you can swing it.

 

For $99 There is a Bucoo SR rod "The Herm" which is also a great choice.

https://shop.falconrods.com/collections/falcon-bucoo-sr-series/products/bucoo-sr-herm-brc-5-166

 

The HD rods are great for a $69 rod, but like I pointed out you can see definite improvement as you go up the ladder.

https://shop.falconrods.com/collections/falcon-hd-series/products/hd-series-casting-7-med-heavy-hdc-7mh\

 

I don't know your budget, but in case you want better, there is also the Expert series at $199 that fishes as well as many $300-$400 rods IMO.

https://shop.falconrods.com/collections/falcon-expert-series/products/expert-2

 

There is also a "Jason Christie Signature" model too and it's a good rod as well. $99. But the one I fished was set up a bit too specific for crank baits for my likeing, but you may differ.

https://shop.falconrods.com/collections/jason-christie-signature-series/products/jason-christie-signature-crankbait-buzzbait-jcc-7cb

[Manchineel]

Just now, NOC 1 said:

If you go with Falcon, it seems like the Falcon Lowrider 7' MH/Mod-F would be perfect.

https://shop.falconrods.com/collections/falcon-lowrider-2019/products/falcon-lowrider-casting-rod-70-med-hvy-mf

It's a little more spendy than the HD rods, but at $129 it is worth the difference if you can swing it.

 

For $99 There is a Bucoo SR rod "The Herm" which is also a great choice.

https://shop.falconrods.com/collections/falcon-bucoo-sr-series/products/bucoo-sr-herm-brc-5-166

 

The HD rods are great for a $69 rod, but like I pointed out you can see definite improvement as you go up the ladder.

https://shop.falconrods.com/collections/falcon-hd-series/products/hd-series-casting-7-med-heavy-hdc-7mh\

 

I don't know your budget, but in case you want better, there is also the Expert series at $199 that fishes as well as many $300-$400 rods IMO.

https://shop.falconrods.com/collections/falcon-expert-series/products/expert-2

 

There is also a "Jason Christie Signature" model too and it's a good rod as well. $99. But the one I fished was set up a bit too specific for crank baits for my likeing, but you may differ.

https://shop.falconrods.com/collections/jason-christie-signature-series/products/jason-christie-signature-crankbait-buzzbait-jcc-7cb

I was trying to keep the rod under $150 with $200 being a hard limit.

[PhishLI]

Just a word on the 2020 TP LFS. You'll be thrown in the fire with this reel as your first baitcaster. The spool is very light and the ACB braking system tilts toward quite free. It's more of a seasoned user type reel. These qualities are all good stuff after you've gotten a grip on your casting mechanics, but as a newbie you should probably look elsewhere, IMO.

[Manchineel]

2 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Just a word on the 2020 TP LFS. You'll be thrown in the fire with this reel as your first baitcaster. The spool is very light and the ACB braking system tilts toward quite free. It's more of a seasoned user type reel. These qualities are all good stuff after you've gotten a grip on your casting mechanics, but as a newbie you should probably look elsewhere, IMO.

I plan to do a lot of lawn fishing over the winter to get used to it, for this season I am sticking with my spinner combo.

[new2BC4bass]

2 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Just a word on the 2020 TP LFS. You'll be thrown in the fire with this reel as your first baitcaster. The spool is very light and the ACB braking system tilts toward quite free. It's more of a seasoned user type reel. These qualities are all good stuff after you've gotten a grip on your casting mechanics, but as a newbie you should probably look elsewhere, IMO.

Good advice.  I've never used an LFS reel.  My few Lew's are older models, and purchased after I had been using baitcast reels for awhile.

1 minute ago, Manchineel said:

I plan to do a lot of lawn fishing over the winter to get used to it, for this season I am sticking with my spinner combo.

You can also practice thumb control while watching TV.  That is where I learned I had better 'feel' with my left thumb.  Right thumb was like a light switch....either On or Off.  Took a lot of practice to get as good feathering with my right thumb.  I am right handed.

[PhishLI]

26 minutes ago, Manchineel said:

I plan to do a lot of lawn fishing over the winter to get used to it, for this season I am sticking with my spinner combo.

Good. Mix in lots of pitching practice. Pitching is mostly about thumb control. This will shorten the learning curve greatly for casting control. You should be happy with the reel. It's very capable with light baits due to it's spool's weight, so it's very versatile. I'm very happy with mine.

[Manchineel]

1 hour ago, NOC 1 said:

I don't know your budget, but in case you want better, there is also the Expert series at $199 that fishes as well as many $300-$400 rods IMO.

https://shop.falconrods.com/collections/falcon-expert-series/products/expert-2

I like this recommendation a lot, bonus points for having a full cork handle.

[jimmyjoe]

9 hours ago, Manchineel said:

. (I don't know why a reel that takes 12lb test would need 20lb of drag)

 

   It doesn't need 20 lbs. of drag. The way most good reels are constructed, about 30% of the drag rating is smooth. Then they start to chatter, heat up and fade and other nasty stuff. Cheaper reels can have a lower percentage.

 

9 hours ago, Manchineel said:

I mostly fish with treble hook hard baits.

 

   Lots of people here are giving you advice based on multi-purpose usage. If you're going to branch out with your casting setup, then heed their advice. But if you're truly going to dedicate this to treble hooks, you made the right choice of action. You might want to move up to MH/M instead of M/M, but that's all.

  

9 hours ago, Manchineel said:

it seems that it would be so much easier to lift my fish out of the water without worrying about my line breaking like I do with my spinning gear

 

   It sounds like you have a spinning setup that is MUCH lighter in power than what you're expecting out of a baitcasting rig. If that's true, you may be tempted to use the casting rig for LOTS of different techniques after you get used to it. In other words, it would open up a whole new world of higher-power fishing compared to your spinning setup. That's another reason to pay close attention to the people here who are cautioning you to use a more flexible rod.

 

   In the end, of course, the decision is yours. It is probably best that you make it on the water and not in an armchair. Lots more fun that way, too.    ??                                                                                                                                                           

     jj