First Bait-caster Reel Recommendations

[PhishLI]

21 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

i like Delaware's advice.  at this point, he doesnt even know what he likes or dislikes.

 

Everyone is quick to jump on the JDM train.  but i kinda think a newbie needs a robust warranty.  just me.  i dont think casting a BC is all that difficult, and i started as a kid.  it was a Magforce.   it was easier than i thought and my younger brother actually explained and showed me the moves.  he was a natural.  he was maybe 12 or 13.  

He set the budget at $300, so he's getting $300-ish recs.

[Susky River Rat]

I love my tranx 150.  I had an Abu stx before that. Wasn’t bad but felt a lot more finicky than the tranx. 

[Darth-Baiter]

1 minute ago, PhishLI said:

He set the budget at $300, so he's getting $300-ish recs.

i know.

[ironbjorn]

13 hours ago, Phil77 said:

Ordered a 6.3 from asian portal this morning. I hate the looks of the zillion so I'm going to swap spools and see if it makes my steez usable. I'll throw the SV spool in the zillion and put it on Facebook. Lots of morons on there who won't know the difference and I'll hopefully get to enjoy my steez.

How to say you're a scammer without saying you're a scammer 

[Tatulatard]

13 hours ago, Phil77 said:

Ordered a 6.3 from asian portal this morning. I hate the looks of the zillion so I'm going to swap spools and see if it makes my steez usable. I'll throw the SV spool in the zillion and put it on Facebook. Lots of morons on there who won't know the difference and I'll hopefully get to enjoy my steez.

Some people prefer the steez spool.  More than one person has sold their zillion spool and put a steez sv spool in their zillion.  Just list it honestly for sale here.  A used (2nd hand is "used") like new zillion 1000 6.3 with steez sv tw spool.  Box and paperwork included.  You'll come out ahead of paying the $140 for the spool alone.  

[Chase Ford]

2 hours ago, PhishLI said:

He set the budget at $300, so he's getting $300-ish recs.

You are correct I did set the budget for up to $300. I also asked for what is best for someone first buying one if that means it’s $75 great if it’s $300 then okay also. 
 

I mean when I buy a car just because I might spend 50k doesn’t mean I have to if one for 35k will give me everything I need, better made, etc. 
 

 

[WRB]

The most important bait casting control is your trained thumb. Second is the rod you use to learn casting with. Third is the reel. 

You can’t buy training your thumb it takes practice.

The moderate action rod loads up slower and will have a more forgiving release point launching the lure easer.

You stated you want a 7’ MH fast action rod. That is ideal for all around bass fishing, except not that easy to learn to cast with. What is called a “crank bait” rod has a moderate action and ideal for learning to cast and casting diving lures.

The problem with a high end casting reel is only related to disposable income, only you know that.

Every bass angler ends up with multiple rods and reels for specific presentations. The 7’ MHF is a good bottom contact lure rod for 1/4 to 1 oz. and can be used for moving lures. The 7’ MHM is good for moving lures 3/8 to 3/4 and as mentioned easier to cast.

I learned to cast with a Langley Lure Cast reel without any breaks, what is called a knuckle buster. My thumb was used to release and control the spool speed and as a 12 year old could easily cast 50 yards with a backlash. This isn’t rocket science.

Todays anglers lack casting skills relying too much on centrifugal  and magnetic breaks to control spool speed. 

What is important is how the rod and reel combo feels to you, you are using it.

Being compact and lighter weight is good as long as it balancing well how you use it.

My recommendation was Shimano SLX 70 MGL reel $150 or Daiwa Tatula SV TW reel in similar price range. That leaves about $150 for a rod.

Tom

 

 

[PhishLI]

57 minutes ago, Chase Ford said:

You are correct I did set the budget for up to $300. I also asked for what is best for someone first buying one if that means it’s $75 great if it’s $300 then okay also. 

I'll quote @AlabamaSpothunter from earlier in your topic.

 

JDM 21 Zillion SV TW 1000  

 

Heavily biased but this is one of the greatest reels on the market at any price, and it's 50 below your budget, it's a no brainer imho.    A Zillion HD is right at your budget, epic reel as well, and I do mean epic.    

 

Zillion, Zillion, and oh yeah get a Zillion ?

 

edit... the Zillions are also the most user friendly, set and forget reels I've ever used.   You have to try to backlash them, seriously.  

 

There's always more than one school of thought when this subject comes up. Some will almost always point you to a solid budget choice, but others will recommend that you buy once-cry once. Who's right? Doesn't really matter. People will usually do what they thought they'd do before they ever asked the question. Because the Zillion is $50 below your max stated budget, it's a no brainer rec. The people who use it know that it competes with reels at twice its price. Nary a difference really. So, you can go solid budget if you wish, or take advantage of a weird and advantageous currency exchange situation and get an heirloom quality reel at a stupid low price.

[Darth-Baiter]

1 hour ago, Chase Ford said:

You are correct I did set the budget for up to $300. I also asked for what is best for someone first buying one if that means it’s $75 great if it’s $300 then okay also. 
 

I mean when I buy a car just because I might spend 50k doesn’t mean I have to if one for 35k will give me everything I need, better made, etc. 
 

 

i am fairly proficeint with a casting reel.   but the Daiwa 150 SV Tv...i cant keep the letters in a reel name straight.    out of the box, this is the easiest reel to cast.  for me.  by far.  

 

my Shimano 150 MGL, once you read the instructions and set it ups for yourself correctly, it is the same.  i would have to hook my face, mid cast and have a pelican come and run into the line as i fall out of my kayak to backlash epic-style.  now, everything is pretty easy to pick out when i do the rare flub.  

[Phil77]

11 hours ago, Tatulatard said:

Some people prefer the steez spool.  More than one person has sold their zillion spool and put a steez sv spool in their zillion.  Just list it honestly for sale here.  A used (2nd hand is "used") like new zillion 1000 6.3 with steez sv tw spool.  Box and paperwork included.  You'll come out ahead of paying the $140 for the spool alone.  

In all honesty if the spool doesn't improve my steez then I'm going to give both reels in their factory configuration to a couple of kids at the high school bass club. I got the Facebook idea when selling a met20 and a bantam a few months ago. The idiot who bought them thought they were both DC reels an I told him that there wasn't even a DC bantam he still bought both thinking he got two DC reels. Who knows maybe it's truely the second coming like the daiwa loyalist say but I just don't think it will palm any better or cast any differently than my lite. I hate the way it looks, looks like the product of a one night stand between a curado and a tatula. It should be here just in time for prespawn so I'll catch a hundred or so with it and see for myself.

[Phil77]

11 hours ago, ironbjorn said:

How to say you're a scammer without saying you're a scammer 

Hey if someone is stupid enough to not notice the wrong spool in the picture how would that be my fault? If someone noticed and asked I'd probably knock a hundred off. Jesus you ever buy a used car or boat, those people are scammers. Anyways it was meant to be a joke and if it doesn't improve my steez I'll give both reels in original condition to a couple of kids at my local high school bass club. The idiots I've had the displeasure of meeting on FB marketplace couldn't tell if you turned the lights off and on in a room.

[txchaser]

10 hours ago, Chase Ford said:

You are correct I did set the budget for up to $300. I also asked for what is best for someone first buying one if that means it’s $75 great if it’s $300 then okay also. 
 

I mean when I buy a car just because I might spend 50k doesn’t mean I have to if one for 35k will give me everything I need, better made, etc. 
 

 

I asked about what rod you are thinking about because unless you are buying a really nice rod too, you should take some of the money from the reel and put it into a rod. 

 

I have most of the current versions of daiwa reels, or did recently. The standouts are Fuego ($75-100) for price-performance, it does great, it's like a small japanese four door, will probably run forever, pretty simple, always starts. The Tat SV (2017 or 2020 model, $150-200) is amazing for windier conditions, lower skill casting, light baits. Zillion ($225-$349) has almost all of the control of the tat sv but a better spool that doesn't choke the end of the cast. And it is as or more smooth than their flagship reels. Zillion HD (JDM) is amazing too, but a bit specialized. 

 

TBH they will all work just fine. I have a bunch of zillions and still use the Tat SV's, Fuego retired to backup, most of the other models sold off (Tat 100s, Tat Elites). Two good arguments for Daiwas 1) the only thing to fiddle with is the external magnet control and 2) the spool really is easy to learn and cast on, especially on the Tat SV. 

 

But one of the pieces of advice you'll get here is to spend more money on the rod, and that's good advice. The difference between a $100 rod and a $200 rod is "omg" - the difference between a $100 reel and a $200 reel is "that's nice". For me that continues on up the chain, although you get less benefit for each next $100 you spend on either. JDM is breaking the equation because of the exchange rate, more so for reels than for rods. I think that is because of rod shipping, and japanese rods are built for different angler expectations. 

 

In both cases buying used can often score a great deal, probably even more so on the reel, or on rods when they are high end. 

 

 

[Catt]

If it doesn't say Diawia or Shimano it simply can't compete!

[DogBone_384]

I own Abu, Shimano, Diawa, and 13 baitcasters.  My Diawa and 13s are my choices for a beginner.  They're very forgiving and as 'set and forget' as possible.  Shimano and Diawa are the smoothest, most refined.  I own two Chronarch DC and wouldn't recommend them for a beginner.  I find they need more thumb control when the bait hits the water than a properly set baitcaster. 

 

A spool of 10-12 pound mono, 3/8 - 1/2 oz. jig, and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, will get you there in no time.

 

At your budget, you can't lose.

 

Best of luck.

[Fat Ika]

On 3/4/2023 at 11:45 AM, Chase Ford said:

Hello everyone,

 

I am really looking for help on what casting reel should be my first. I have spent many hours looking up reviews and looking online. I thought I was sold in the Shimano slx DC but the more I dig the more I am unsure. Looking for something under $300 preferably and something that will be easy on me when I make mistakes while learning. Thanks in advance! 

Under $300 and interested in something that is more mistake forgiving, yet don't need to max your $300 budget if unnecessary. I would start with an SLX DC or a Tatula SV TW. Non-DC Shimanos with MGL spools are not going to be the easiest on you for making mistakes while learning. Yes, Zillion SV TW will perform slightly better with more durability, but imo, the Tatula SV TW is a greater price/value. I'd try the Tatula or the SLX DC first. To have experience with both technologies, when you're ready for your 2nd baitcasting purchase, try the other. IMO.