Reasonable Baitcaster

[thediscochef]

So I finally was forced to use a baitcaster and now I have the gear monkey. I'm thinking about getting a Fuego CT100H. I'll primarily be using this for baits 3/8oz and up. My spinning tackle will remain for jigging and smaller baits, but one baitcaster for some jerkbaits, crankbaits, and 1/2oz Carolina rigs now seems like the longer casting solution. I have an OK baitcast rod and will eventually upgrade. I'm thinking I will eventually pair a fuego100 with a shimano SLX or a tac40. Maybe an AIRD-X. Thoughts?

[MN Fisher]

I'm still running an Aird-X MH/F as my moving bait rod (spinners/chatters/et) with a Patriarch 7.9 (got used for $80). I'm still see-sawing about upgrading it next year...it's a good rod and sensitive enough I can feel the blades moving during retrieve.

 

Personally - unless the new reel is primarily for cranks - go with the HS (7.3:1), it's much more versatile for things like jigs, soft-swimbaits, etc. I've got a CT-H on my crank rig, which I think is perfect for that, but jigs, T-Rigs, etc I like a bit faster so I have a Patriarch 7.1 (also got used) on my Fury 704 for those techniques.

[new2BC4bass]

For what you are looking to spend I think the Fuego is an excellent choice.  There are several good rod options at the $100 price.  Some might consider it a travesty to mount a Daiwa reel on a Shimano rod! 

 

No personal experience with them, but possible other rod options are Daiwa Tatula XT or Procyon, Ark Lancer Pro, Falcon BuCoo, Fenwick HMG (I have a few), Lew's TP1X (and others).  Plus Abu, 13 fishing, etc.  So many choices....so little money.  ?

[EWREX]

fuego is a fantastic option for the price point. you can also check out a lews speed spool LFS which is another great $100 option.

[thediscochef]

28 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

For what you are looking to spend I think the Fuego is an excellent choice.  There are several good rod options at the $100 price.  Some might consider it a travesty to mount a Daiwa reel on a Shimano rod! 

 

No personal experience with them, but possible other rod options are Daiwa Tatula XT or Procyon, Ark Lancer Pro, Falcon BuCoo, Fenwick HMG (I have a few), Lew's TP1X (and others).  Plus Abu, 13 fishing, etc.  So many choices....so little money.  ?

I have a couple daiwa spinning reels on shimano rods and I fish my chatterbaits skirtless. lol I'm a heathen ??

 

I have the fuego spinning reels and I absolutely love them, so I figured that it would be a decent baitcaster. But you never know; not all truck companies make good cars, and not all car companies make good trucks. If that makes sense. It will be primarily for crankbaits and heavy lures. Guess Imma have to pick one up here soon.

 

Yall got any tips on line for that reel? I usually use 20lb braid on my spinning gear but I've heard that copolymer like cxx may be preferable. I have concerns about a double uni knot for a leader causing a bird nest if the leader is long enough to be spooled past the reel's guide.

[Danika 327]

2 hours ago, thediscochef said:

So I finally was forced to use a baitcaster and now I have the gear monkey. I'm thinking about getting a Fuego CT100H. I'll primarily be using this for baits 3/8oz and up. My spinning tackle will remain for jigging and smaller baits, but one baitcaster for some jerkbaits, crankbaits, and 1/2oz Carolina rigs now seems like the longer casting solution. I have an OK baitcast rod and will eventually upgrade. I'm thinking I will eventually pair a fuego100 with a shimano SLX or a tac40. Maybe an AIRD-X. Thoughts?

Here is some good ones both combos and just reels on the cheaper side of things also they all have links. 

here is some good combos 

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/lews-custom-xp-baitcast-rod-and-reel-combo?hvarAID=shopping_googleproductextensions&ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Shop|BPS|LowPerformers|Fishing&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8KKi3NCq9gIVhwaICR12dgfyEAQYBSABEgJEbfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds 

160$

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/lews-mach-smash-baitcast-combo?hvarAID=shopping_googleproductextensions&ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Shop|BPS|LowPerformers|Fishing&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8KKi3NCq9gIVhwaICR12dgfyEAQYCSABEgKUfPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

140$

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/abu-garcia-mlf-baitcast-combo?hvarAID=shopping_googleproductextensions&ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Shop|BPS|LowPerformers|Fishing&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8KKi3NCq9gIVhwaICR12dgfyEAQYCyABEgLtAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

100$

just reels 

https://kastking.com/products/kastking-royale-legend-ii-200-baitcasting-fishing-reel?currency=USD&variant=37320659894422&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google Shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_oSD99Gq9gIVD7bICh0o6AplEAQYBiABEgKykfD_BwE

70$

https://www.amazon.com/Abu-Garcia-Profile-Baitcast-Fishing/dp/B08X1GMSJJ/ref=asc_df_B08X1GMSJJ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=525110357478&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=658690288870862688&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9010673&hvtargid=pla-1303339811665&psc=1

75$

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/shimano-slx-baitcast-reel?hvarAID=shopping_googleproductextensions&ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Shop|BPS|TopPerformers|Fishing&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_oSD99Gq9gIVD7bICh0o6AplEAQYCSABEgImTfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

100$

1 minute ago, Danika 327 said:

Here is some good ones both combos and just reels on the cheaper side of things also they all have links. 

if you need some cheaper i can help you out more just lmk what your price range is. 

[Finessegenics]

I have the Fuego in 8 speed, solid and robust reel. Haven't used it much as I hardly did any largemouth fishing last season (it's on my punching/grass setup which sometimes doubles as a frog rod). I don't think you can go wrong with it for any presentations. 

 

100$ rods, lots of options as others here have mentioned. I'd feel comfortable fishing any of them, but I'm partial to St Croix. I heard the updated Bass X feel a lot better than the older generation, but they are over your budget. 

[garroyo130]

A Fuego is extremely reasonable

[thediscochef]

So I wanted a fuego but I couldn't find one nearby and I didn't really feel like waiting. I went with a Daiwa Tatula 8.1 gear. It was a little more than I wanted to spend but that will be OK. As for a rod, I have a decent BPS casting rod I bought when I first started. It should do until after I pay the IRS. After that I will grab a better rod. Thanks everyone for your input, I really appreciate all the time and effort yall put into sharing knowledge. It makes a difference! ❤

[BrianMDTX]

Well, I going to talk about my Fuego, but…lol. No worries. I also have a Tatula 100H. It’s on a Dobyns Fury 705CB as my primary crankbait rig. But yours has a higher ratio like my Fuego, which is on a Falcon Lowrider MH/F as my primary set-up for Texas rigs. Both are great reels. 

[thediscochef]

2 hours ago, BrianMDTX said:

Well, I going to talk about my Fuego, but…lol. No worries. I also have a Tatula 100H. It’s on a Dobyns Fury 705CB as my primary crankbait rig. But yours has a higher ratio like my Fuego, which is on a Falcon Lowrider MH/F as my primary set-up for Texas rigs. Both are great reels. 

I would have preferred the fuego tbh, matching spinning and casting reels would be pretty sweet. Glad to know I wasn't off on my instinct; I see folks' catch photos and it's comforting to know I gravitate to a similar choice as a catcher once in a while.

 

It came down to availability and the desire to continue working on my baitcast skills as soon as possible; I went to the lake for an hour and a half and only took the baitcaster and a jerkbait. I'm gonna make myself figure out how to use both of those things. 

 

I backlashed a ton but finally found a good starting point where I can cast effectively. Managed to get all of my braid nests worked out quickly. The casting physics of how you use the rod flex and where you release the thumb from the spool are way different from my usual spinning gear so that will take some time. I'm determined to get proficient though. Even with the green-ness, my jerkbait still went noticeably further than it can with my spinning gear. Now I have to get a good casting rod.

[MN Fisher]

5 hours ago, thediscochef said:

I went with a Daiwa Tatula 8.1 gear.

 

1 minute ago, thediscochef said:

I would have preferred the fuego tbh, matching spinning and casting reels would be pretty sweet.

If the Tatula you got is the Tatula CT - don't feel so bad. Other than the T-Wing system replacing the standard aperture, and bearings in the handle knobs - the Tat CT and the Fuego CT are the same reel.

 

Frame, main gears, spool...all identical.

[BrianMDTX]

10 hours ago, thediscochef said:

I would have preferred the fuego tbh, matching spinning and casting reels would be pretty sweet. Glad to know I wasn't off on my instinct; I see folks' catch photos and it's comforting to know I gravitate to a similar choice as a catcher once in a while.

 

It came down to availability and the desire to continue working on my baitcast skills as soon as possible; I went to the lake for an hour and a half and only took the baitcaster and a jerkbait. I'm gonna make myself figure out how to use both of those things. 

 

I backlashed a ton but finally found a good starting point where I can cast effectively. Managed to get all of my braid nests worked out quickly. The casting physics of how you use the rod flex and where you release the thumb from the spool are way different from my usual spinning gear so that will take some time. I'm determined to get proficient though. Even with the green-ness, my jerkbait still went noticeably further than it can with my spinning gear. Now I have to get a good casting rod.

Did you set up the spool tension by loosening it, and then tightening it until the spool barely has any side-to-side play? That should help eliminate most backlashing. 
 

It is a different “feel” to casting a baitcaster vs a spinning rig for sure. Far casts rarely cause issues if the reel is adjusted properly (brake and spool tension). It’s short casts that aren’t smooth that get you when you’re learning. 

 

[thediscochef]

3 hours ago, BrianMDTX said:

Did you set up the spool tension by loosening it, and then tightening it until the spool barely has any side-to-side play? That should help eliminate most backlashing. 
 

It is a different “feel” to casting a baitcaster vs a spinning rig for sure. Far casts rarely cause issues if the reel is adjusted properly (brake and spool tension). It’s short casts that aren’t smooth that get you when you’re learning. 

 

I think I have it set right, but some dialing in will be necessary. It has alllllmost no side play on the spool. You have to really feel for the play.

 

I think my issue is more related to how I'm using the rod, and potentially the length of my leader as the knot goes onto the spool. May also be a mag brake setting, I have it at 5 I think. Using a 6th sense provoke 106 on it currently, casts well when I get the rod angles/release points right

[thediscochef]

Revelation time: I don't really want to use the rod flex on a long cast, use the lure weight. Opposite with spinning gear.

Short casts and flipping I use rod flex. Opposite with spinning gear.

 

No backlash today. No fish either, but that's OK.

[Deleted account]

On 3/3/2022 at 12:01 PM, thediscochef said:

I'm thinking I will eventually pair a fuego100 with a shimano SLX 

Yuck! Who would do that?...  

[thediscochef]

1 hour ago, Deleted account said:

Yuck! Who would do that?...  

You love to see it