bill dance bait caster

[john nowell]

Is the Bill Dance Quantum special edition baitcaster any good? and is it worth buying?

[swhit140]

I don't understand what you are asking?

But I would not recommend a cheap combo of any kind to anybody that wants to enjoy fishing.

 

 

[Deleted account]

What's the difference between a Quantum reel and a paper weight?...

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Deleted account said:

What's the difference between a Quantum reel and a paper weight?...

A paper-weight is useful?

 

I bought one Quantum reel - after two outings didn't even return it, just tossed it.

[FrnkNsteen]

Personally,.. I have not had good luck with Quantum reels. I've heard of a few people who have recommended certain models, but I'm not one of them.

 

What do they cost? Lot's of good optuons in the $80 - $100 range. For cheaper, I think I would go entry level Abu Garcia (Black Max) or Lews Laser series. I would suggest an aluminum framed option like Daiwa CA80, Fuego, SLX, etc

[Jigfishn10]

I haven't used a Quantum reel since the early part of the ought-2000's which is weird b/c I like the 2 reels I do own. I've been on the Daiwa train for a few seasons.

[dodgeguy]

Get a Lew's LFS and be done with it 

[FishTank]

As a general rule of thumb, don't buy a reel with a pro fisherman's name on it. 

 

If you have to have a Quantum reel, check EBay (Simmons Sporting Goods auctions) for the Quantum Vapor or maybe the Accurist. Both can be had from around the same price as the Bill Dance reel. 

[GreenPig]

I purchased a Bill Dance Quantum combo many moons ago as a broke teenager and it was a bad choice. 

[jslacker]

Man, just picked this up for my entry into baitcasting and may regret it reading here. 

[coak]

Better off picking up one of the older energy or TE reels from the last part of the 2000’s

[KP Duty]

14 hours ago, jslacker said:

Man, just picked this up for my entry into baitcasting and may regret it reading here. 

One man's trash is another man's treasure.  Just fish the sun beach.  I will say...don't be discouraged if you have a hard time with backlashes...cheaper reels are generally  less user friendly.  Good luck...you'll get there.

[Captain Phil]

If you think today's cheap reels are bad, you should have fished with the expensive stuff we had 50 years ago!   ?

[jslacker]

So I have practiced in the backyard with this combo, and did ok for a beginner. I find that sidearm casting is easiest, and overhead is pretty difficult for me at this time. I have to turn the brakes on too high to get any distance overhand with this reel. However, I'm sure it's more me being new than the reels fault. 

 

I figure if I can manage on this cheapo combo when I upgrade to a nicer reel I'll be that much better. I did catch a silver max on a lightning pole in the pond a few years back that didn't look like it had been down for too long, but since I no very little about baitcasters I didn't want that to be my learning piece. Maybe I'll clean it up a bit and see what happens. 

 

[The Bassman]

Take a look at the baitcasters on the deck of one of our main contributers and you'll see somebody likes 'em. He makes some pretty good smallmouth videos.

[Eric 26]

26 minutes ago, jslacker said:

So I have practiced in the backyard with this combo, and did ok for a beginner. I find that sidearm casting is easiest, and overhead is pretty difficult for me at this time. I have to turn the brakes on too high to get any distance overhand with this reel. However, I'm sure it's more me being new than the reels fault. 

 

I figure if I can manage on this cheapo combo when I upgrade to a nicer reel I'll be that much better. I did catch a silver max on a lightning pole in the pond a few years back that didn't look like it had been down for too long, but since I no very little about baitcasters I didn't want that to be my learning piece. Maybe I'll clean it up a bit and see what happens. 

 

I personally wouldn’t “clean it up” myself. Unless you’re mechanically competent there are far too many pieces that can go flying (springs) or forgotten even with following a schematic drawing. You’re better off imho sending it to site sponsor “DVT” or a local shop that has good reviews for such a thing. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using lower end equipment as long as you temper your expectations of how long it will last and how well it will cast. In my experience lower end equipment which I do own is harder to tune/setup properly and falls out of adjustment quite frequently.

[jslacker]

Welp took a final practice cast before heading out tomorrow and the backlash dug so deep o had to cut off about 20 bucks worth of braid. So ticked. Guess I will be stopping for more braid before hitting the water tomorrow now.  Ugh!

[bulldog1935]

You should probably be fishing 12-lb mono until you get the hang of it. 

I always say don't try braid on a baitcaster until backlash is a distant memory. 

Plus, you can buy a bulk spool for a fraction of the cost for one braid charge, and fill your reel several times over.. 

Several of us here fished mono and fluoro for 40 years before we ever thought about braid. 

 

Mag brakes work best with lighter baits, and you have to get all the start-up jerk out of your cast.  Don't cast hard, cast smooth and accurate.  You'll get better distance with a smooth cast and less brake than with a hard cast and a lot of brake. 

[Eric 26]

19 minutes ago, jslacker said:

Welp took a final practice cast before heading out tomorrow and the backlash dug so deep o had to cut off about 20 bucks worth of braid. So ticked. Guess I will be stopping for more braid before hitting the water tomorrow now.  Ugh!

I’m sure I’m not going to be the only one to say this, but start with a cheaper monofilament until you become comfortable/proficient with the reel. Trilene big game or Trilene XL can be purchased relatively cheap. If you’re more of an internet/Amazon shopper I’m really happy with Kastking monofilament which can also be purchased cheaply. 

[PhishLI]

49 minutes ago, jslacker said:

Welp took a final practice cast before heading out tomorrow and the backlash dug so deep o had to cut off about 20 bucks worth of braid.

Don't sweat it. Without instruction from someone who's capable of instruction, the same thing would've happened with a $500 reel. Listen to the dudes and spool it up with cheap mono, and stick with it even if it feels like you're in hell. That'll pass. You'll "get it".

[KP Duty]

57 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

You should probably be fishing 12-lb mono until you get the hang of it. 

 

Took the words out of my mouth.

[Glenn]

This will help: