Easiest BC reel setup to learn that is readily available retail?

[Marc Hufnagel]

Hi I'm thinking some of you have read about my issues with getting my new curado dc to work with my rod (MH/F) and lighter lures.  Mainly plastics /weighted plastics with a few light crankbaits/jerbaits and a hollow-body topwater frog.  Using trilene xl 8/10/12#

 

It's been mentioned that perhaps I have two issues going on - the DC being a heavier-spooled reel better suited to throwing crankbaints and the fact that I am using a (recommended at academy) a MH/F casting rod.

 

So, with that being said I'm going back this evening and getting a M/F rod (I believe) and another reel that I'm hoping will be easier to use with a lighter weight spool.

 

Can I get some suggestions on a readily available retail baitcaster and a rod action and weight to start over with?     I am determined to learn this BC reel tech but I feel I started out way too off-course and ambitious, getting the dc only because it was priced as a slx dc.

 

I did see a Piscifun Spark Pro which TA really liked on a website but it's not at retail of course.

[BrianMDTX]

You are probably going to get a lot of suggestions. I just got back in the bass fishing game in May after 30 years. My first and only baitcasting rig was a Daiwa Millionaire 3H. When I decided to buy some rigs, I did not want to buy a $$$ BC and find out it was not for me. So I bought a Garcia Black Max for less than $50.00. 

 

I can’t compare it to a better grade BC, as I haven’t used a better grade. But so far it has surprised me. It casts soft plastics and topwater baits well (I now have two)  The spool tension and magnetic brake is easy to adjust and the drag is relatively smooth. I plan to upgrade at some point, but so far (on MHF and MF Daiwa Aird X rods), I have no complaints. 

[jimmyjoe]

   You don't haul logs with a Corvette, and you don't race around corners with a Mack truck. You need to find out what the rod and reel that you have now does well for you. Then you need to tell us what you need to do, that this rig does not do well, and we can go from there.

   If all you do is buy another casting rig without a good, clear goal in mind, the new one will present as many problems as the one you have now. "Sounds like you need ....." won't do any good. Even the best of intentions have to focus on something.

   You NEED a reference point. Then you can go different places from that reference point. 

   Hope we can help you soon.  ?    jj

[Jermination]

1 hour ago, Marc Hufnagel said:

Hi I'm thinking some of you have read about my issues with getting my new curado dc to work with my rod (MH/F) and lighter lures.  Mainly plastics /weighted plastics with a few light crankbaits/jerbaits and a hollow-body topwater frog.  Using trilene xl 8/10/12#

 

It's been mentioned that perhaps I have two issues going on - the DC being a heavier-spooled reel better suited to throwing crankbaints and the fact that I am using a (recommended at academy) a MH/F casting rod.

 

So, with that being said I'm going back this evening and getting a M/F rod (I believe) and another reel that I'm hoping will be easier to use with a lighter weight spool.

 

Can I get some suggestions on a readily available retail baitcaster and a rod action and weight to start over with?     I am determined to learn this BC reel tech but I feel I started out way too off-course and ambitious, getting the dc only because it was priced as a slx dc.

 

I did see a Piscifun Spark Pro which TA really liked on a website but it's not at retail of course.

Spool size has nothing to do with backlashing or casting distance. Throw the weights that are listed on the rod and you should be fine. MH/F you really probably shouldnt throw any line LIGHTER than 12lb or 3/8 oz. Daiwa Tatula ct is a great reel and its nearly impossible to backlash with the t wing system implemented. Could probably find at a local Dicks sporting goods. MH/F should be just fine to flip or launch your soft plastics around. Medium/fast is setup better for niche fishing--depending where you are. I wouldnt recommend m/f if you are flipping in thick brush or thick milfoil

[garroyo130]

So you have a Curado DC which is an exceptional caster and you are considering a Piscifun Spark Pro? 

If you are not impressed by the Curado DCs casting, the Piscifun will likely be a let down.

 

The rod should not be the issue as I have that same rod and it casts well down to the advertised 1/4 oz.

 

Maybe someone can school me but a rage craw and 1/8 oz bullet weight casts well with a regular Curado K. Is the difference that much on a DC? For some reason I was under the impression DC reels were more forgiving in general and would give you optimal distance down to 1/4 oz. 

 

 

 

[dodgeguy]

Lews tournament pro.   Nothing is readily available these days.

[NHBull]

The rod has more to do with casting than the reel, but some reels help more than others. For lighter weights, keep the reel and put it on a medium/ F.  I have several MET DC’s on Med GLX MBR’s for my kids and they can throw 1/2 my baits......the used section of this board is your friend?

[scbassin]

My guess is you don't have your DC reel set up right.  A DC reel is really useful on a windy day. You have to adjust the spool tension on each different bait weight bait change. then adjust your brakes for the conditions. I have a couple of Scorpion DC's (same as your Curado DC)  that are on MH/F 7' 3" rods. There is no problem casting a 3/16 oz. weight or a 1/8 oz. weight & a sweet beaver. That set up will work with a frog in light cover. I would change my line to copolymer for better abrasion strength.  I use Gamma 12# on the one set up & Gamma 17# for the frogs in light cover. I think the medium rod would not be a good for frogs for I don't think it will have the power to set those double hooks on a frog. I would also check the recommended line weight your rod calls for. My MH/F rods all recommend 12 to 20 line strength.

[garroyo130]

2 minutes ago, scbassin said:

My guess is you don't have your DC reel set up right. 

I agree ^ . Either not set up right or broken somehow since I believe it was a floor model.

[JustJames]

I’m confused, first off you don’t have any experience on baitcaster whatsoever. You know or you think you know you have problem. Instead of fixing the problem with might be super easy, and learn from there, you think buying a new reel would help you. 
There were a lot of recommendations to help you there but have you ever follow those suggestion? 
Adding more weight to your Texas’s rig, change to heavier and more aerodynamic lure like chatterbait or jig. Change plastic type instead of rage craw, try Senko.

There are plenty of reels that you can buy but none come with idiots proof backlash and casting performances guaranteed. It is your first baitcaster reel and first time using it. You might set it wrong or cast it the wrong way to only get 30-45’.

[Derek1]

I have the Dc you should be able to cast 1/8 with a 3/0 hook and a rage craw just fine. I agree something is just not right. Mono I believe is setting 3 (check the manual). Spool tension so the bait falls real slow, I mean real slow. Did they spool it up with line for you. You need to make sure the line is nice and tight. The reel is not backlash proof but it’s very user friendly. The settings on the side are for line types. Put a Texas rigged  weightless senco on and try that. It’s very aerodynamic and should go quite a ways. or a 1/2 inch nut, and go in a field and play with it for a while. Good luck and remember to have some fun. 

[jimmyjoe]

1 hour ago, Derek1 said:

and remember to have some fun.

 

   Yup. I forgot that. Without enjoyment, there's no reason to do this fishing thing.

   Don't give up; I bet we'll get you in the groove somehow. Just give us a little time.   ??    jj

[Hewhospeaksmuchbull]

Marc, which exact rod do you have? I ask because there is no industry standard, I had a ABU vendetta MH and it was like a broom stick.

 

If I were to teach someone new to bait casting, of the sticks I have, I would start them with my Dobyns SA703 (a lighter MH) paired with Tat SV loaded with 50lb braid. 

[FishTank]

I have the Shimano DC and have had no issues with it.  I have used it on a M. Mod rod, a MH Fast, and a Heavy fast rod.  I have also used both FC and braid on this reel.  I have found that I prefer FC over braid and it didn't really matter which rod I used.  I have casted lures down to 1/4oz and as heavy as 1.5 oz.  Is this reel backlash proof?> Nope but it does perform outstandingly well in windy conditions and can cast a 3/8oz crankbait a mile.   Also, when set up properly, the breaking system out performs pretty much everything.  

 

The key is to setup the reel correctly.  I would start with a 1/2oz lure>use FC (either 10, 12, or 15lb), set the tension knob so the lure falls slowly, set the reel to setting 2 and you should be good for anything between 3/8oz and 5/8oz.   If its windy, use setting number 4.   I would leave 1 and 3 alone until you get the hang of it.  1 will cast a lure a long way with a trained thumb and 3 works better for braid but can be unpredictable (at least for me it is). 

 

I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. 

[new2BC4bass]

I am also curious as to what rod you have.  There are no set standards and one company's MH may fish a lot different than another company's MH.

[LCG]

I was just out throwing a zoom trick worm with a 1/8oz weight on a MH-XF rod rated 3/8-1oz with a Shimano Curado K spooled with 30lb braid to a 14lb mono leader and no issues. Total weight around .30oz.

 

Your DC reel just needs to be dialed in by adjusting the spool tension with no side to side play and the appropriate brake settings for the Lure your throwing. Also cast smoothly and avoid whipping the rod. The cast should be a smooth, consistent motion and your thumb ready to react to stop the spool when the Lure enters the water. 

 

As for brands of reels, I would stick with Shimano or Daiwa personally. Lots of solid choices with those two brands. 

[iabass8]

The Daiwa Tatula SV (the 2017 version, not the newest 2020 version)will be the relatively easiest, most user friendly available retail in the sub 200$ price range due to the spool design. 

[Derek1]

57 minutes ago, FishTank said:

I have the Shimano DC and have had no issues with it.  I have used it on a M. Mod rod, a MH Fast, and a Heavy fast rod.  I have also used both FC and braid on this reel.  I have found that I prefer FC over braid and it didn't really matter which rod I used.  I have casted lures down to 1/4oz and as heavy as 1.5 oz.  Is this reel backlash proof?> Nope but it does perform outstandingly well in windy conditions and can cast a 3/8oz crankbait a mile.   Also, when set up properly, the breaking system out performs pretty much everything.  

 

The key is to setup the reel correctly.  I would start with a 1/2oz lure>use FC (either 10, 12, or 15lb), set the tension knob so the lure falls slowly, set the reel to setting 2 and you should be good for anything between 3/8oz and 5/8oz.   If its windy, use setting number 4.   I would leave 1 and 3 alone until you get the hang of it.  1 will cast a lure a long way with a trained thumb and 3 works better for braid but can be unpredictable (at least for me it is). 

 

I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. 

I thought setting 2 was for braid? You found 3 better? I thought 3 was for flouro, I’ll have try it. 

[garroyo130]

28 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

I am also curious as to what rod you have.  There are no set standards and one company's MH may fish a lot different than another company's MH.

 

1 hour ago, Hewhospeaksmuchbull said:

Marc, which exact rod do you have? I ask because there is no industry standard, I had a ABU vendetta MH and it was like a broom stick.

 

If I were to teach someone new to bait casting, of the sticks I have, I would start them with my Dobyns SA703 (a lighter MH) paired with Tat SV loaded with 50lb braid. 

 

In a previous post he said its an H2O Xpress Ethos HD MH/F. I have that exact same rod and it casts just fine down to a true 1/4 oz.

[Marc Hufnagel]

5 hours ago, NHBull said:

The rod has more to do with casting than the reel, but some reels help more than others. For lighter weights, keep the reel and put it on a medium/ F.  I have several MET DC’s on Med GLX MBR’s for my kids and they can throw 1/2 my baits......the used section of this board is your friend?

I may hold onto the DC and swap the mh/f for a m/f and try that.     On inventory of my stuff it is mostly lighter.  The heaviest I have is a 1/2oz topwater spinner.   Everything else hard or soft is below that.   I don't know the weight on the hollow body frog, it might be 1/2.

1 hour ago, garroyo130 said:

 

 

In a previous post he said its an H2O Xpress Ethos HD MH/F. I have that exact same rod and it casts just fine down to a true 1/4 oz.

I also have access to a BPS carbonlite 2.0 mh/f as well and have tried that with the same results.

1 hour ago, Derek1 said:

I thought setting 2 was for braid? You found 3 better? I thought 3 was for flouro, I’ll have try it. 

 

2 hours ago, FishTank said:

I have the Shimano DC and have had no issues with it.  I have used it on a M. Mod rod, a MH Fast, and a Heavy fast rod.  I have also used both FC and braid on this reel.  I have found that I prefer FC over braid and it didn't really matter which rod I used.  I have casted lures down to 1/4oz and as heavy as 1.5 oz.  Is this reel backlash proof?> Nope but it does perform outstandingly well in windy conditions and can cast a 3/8oz crankbait a mile.   Also, when set up properly, the breaking system out performs pretty much everything.  

 

The key is to setup the reel correctly.  I would start with a 1/2oz lure>use FC (either 10, 12, or 15lb), set the tension knob so the lure falls slowly, set the reel to setting 2 and you should be good for anything between 3/8oz and 5/8oz.   If its windy, use setting number 4.   I would leave 1 and 3 alone until you get the hang of it.  1 will cast a lure a long way with a trained thumb and 3 works better for braid but can be unpredictable (at least for me it is). 

 

I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. 

In that setup of the DC what type of rod would you be using?

4 hours ago, Derek1 said:

I have the Dc you should be able to cast 1/8 with a 3/0 hook and a rage craw just fine. I agree something is just not right. Mono I believe is setting 3 (check the manual). Spool tension so the bait falls real slow, I mean real slow. Did they spool it up with line for you. You need to make sure the line is nice and tight. The reel is not backlash proof but it’s very user friendly. The settings on the side are for line types. Put a Texas rigged  weightless senco on and try that. It’s very aerodynamic and should go quite a ways. or a 1/2 inch nut, and go in a field and play with it for a while. Good luck and remember to have some fun. 

They did not fill it up for me, I did it and it is tight enough that I can't get a fingernail into the line spool.   From what I read that's the recommended way.

[FishTank]

1 hour ago, Derek1 said:

I thought setting 2 was for braid? You found 3 better? I thought 3 was for flouro, I’ll have try it. 

That is what has worked for me.  I usually set it to 2 and leave it there. 

 

I didn't care for braid on this reel.  It seemed like the more the line got soaked the more it had a hard time figuring out when to apply the proper braking.  It wasn't bad though, just something I didn't want to have to deal with. 

[Marc Hufnagel]

5 hours ago, garroyo130 said:

I agree ^ . Either not set up right or broken somehow since I believe it was a floor model.

It was in a display case, not one out where everyone could play with it like the floor demos.

3 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

 

   Yup. I forgot that. Without enjoyment, there's no reason to do this fishing thing.

   Don't give up; I bet we'll get you in the groove somehow. Just give us a little time.   ??    jj

I'm trying not to just give up and go back to my spinning setup only.

4 hours ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

I’m confused, first off you don’t have any experience on baitcaster whatsoever. You know or you think you know you have problem. Instead of fixing the problem with might be super easy, and learn from there, you think buying a new reel would help you. 
There were a lot of recommendations to help you there but have you ever follow those suggestion? 
Adding more weight to your Texas’s rig, change to heavier and more aerodynamic lure like chatterbait or jig. Change plastic type instead of rage craw, try Senko.

There are plenty of reels that you can buy but none come with idiots proof backlash and casting performances guaranteed. It is your first baitcaster reel and first time using it. You might set it wrong or cast it the wrong way to only get 30-45’.

Well because I don't have real experience I'm at a disadvantage to picking through the issues of course.     I'm trying the suggestions - setting it so it just drops very slowly, and trying both the setting 2,3 and 4.  I can try more weight on the t-rig, I have plenty of stick worms also.   I'm seeing some suggestions that are out there that maybe the reel is dodgy.    If they had another one I would do an exchange.   Unfortunately stock is shot right now.

[FishTank]

9 minutes ago, Marc Hufnagel said:

In that setup of the DC what type of rod would you be using?

Last year I fished it on a 7'2'' St. Croix Legend Glass Med Mod and really like how it felt but this year I have been using it on a 7'1'' MH X-fast  St. Croix Legend Elite.  I use this set up for heavier t-rigged soft plastic and some bigger spinner baits.   I have probably tried it on at least 6 rods but these two have been my favorite and really any of the rods I have put it on has worked well.   

 

Same rules apply for pretty much any rod and reel when it comes to setting them up.  The DC reel is more forgiving in that respect so getting it ball park close makes it easy to deal with as conditions change.

[Marc Hufnagel]

5 hours ago, scbassin said:

My guess is you don't have your DC reel set up right.  A DC reel is really useful on a windy day. You have to adjust the spool tension on each different bait weight bait change. then adjust your brakes for the conditions. I have a couple of Scorpion DC's (same as your Curado DC)  that are on MH/F 7' 3" rods. There is no problem casting a 3/16 oz. weight or a 1/8 oz. weight & a sweet beaver. That set up will work with a frog in light cover. I would change my line to copolymer for better abrasion strength.  I use Gamma 12# on the one set up & Gamma 17# for the frogs in light cover. I think the medium rod would not be a good for frogs for I don't think it will have the power to set those double hooks on a frog. I would also check the recommended line weight your rod calls for. My MH/F rods all recommend 12 to 20 line strength.

Out of curiosity what are your MH/F rods?

[PhishLI]

32 minutes ago, Marc Hufnagel said:

Well because I don't have real experience I'm at a disadvantage to picking through the issues of course.     I'm trying the suggestions - setting it so it just drops very slowly, and trying both the setting 2,3 and 4.  I can try more weight on the t-rig, I have plenty of stick worms also.   I'm seeing some suggestions that are out there that maybe the reel is dodgy.    If they had another one I would do an exchange.   Unfortunately stock is shot right now.

Socal gave you the best advice. Start with a heavier, aerodynamic lure and develop your casting mechanics. Settings on the reel are not going to save you, regardless of the reel. Advice about smooth casting and no whip casts are simply abstractions until you learn to "feel" what you're doing. That advice will make sense eventually, but in the meantime you need to develop your feel. Baitcasters aren't automatic like spinning reels, not a Tat SV or a DC reel. You need to learn to feel your rod load and unload and develop thumb control and timing. It takes some time and effort. Everyone's learning curve is different. Stick with it and it'll make sense. Watch some vids of pros simply fishing. Just observe the details. Do everything yourself at a lower velocity. It'll all click eventually