1st Baitcaster

[Pills]

I have been using spinning gear for the last 40 years because I have been mainly a saltwater fisherman.  At one point I picked up a Shimano Corvalus 401 and a shimano 6'6 MH casting rod.  I never really liked this set up and haven't used it a ton.  I am looking to pick up a multi-use set up that is fairly easy to learn on and can be used for a good variety of baits.  I usually go with braid to Flouro but am open to other suggestions.  The reading I have done has me seriously considering the Curado DC and either putting it on the rod that I have or getting a new rod if needed. I will still use my spin gear for light stuff. So I am looking for suggestions. No real budget, I will pay for quality but like to stay around 400+/- for both. 

[badfish79]

Is this for fishing in saltwater? What are you targeting?

[Pills]

1 minute ago, fish_burrito said:

Is this for fishing in saltwater? What are you targeting?

Sorry, This will be for freshwater Bass both LMB and SMB. 

[Bird]

If you'd like to start with a user friendly caster until you get the hang of it and likely the best $100 reel on the market.

Shimano SLX

 

[WRB]

Your reel is a left hand wide spool and round. Decent reel for heavier line and lures like 2 oz to 6 oz swimbaits.

Do you prefer round left hand reels?

My suggestion to learn to cast use 12 lbs Big Game, good all around mono line and inexpensive.

Also advise watching Glenn’s video how to cast with bait casting reels.

The DC type reels will eliminate over runs or back lashing.

We have members who promote Daiwa, Lews and Shimano reels and rods, you will more replies then you need within your budget.

what lures do you plan to use?

Tom

 

[Darth-Baiter]

2 hours ago, Pills said:

I have been using spinning gear for the last 40 years because I have been mainly a saltwater fisherman.  At one point I picked up a Shimano Corvalus 401 and a shimano 6'6 MH casting rod.  I never really liked this set up and haven't used it a ton.  I am looking to pick up a multi-use set up that is fairly easy to learn on and can be used for a good variety of baits.  I usually go with braid to Flouro but am open to other suggestions.  The reading I have done has me seriously considering the Curado DC and either putting it on the rod that I have or getting a new rod if needed. I will still use my spin gear for light stuff. So I am looking for suggestions. No real budget, I will pay for quality but like to stay around 400+/- for both. 

 Just me.

 

i wouldnt go with a DC reel coming out the gate.  you may as well start to learn right away.  despite all the horror stories, you can really set the brakes and stuff on a reel to make it super easy to cast.  and fairly backlash free.   as you get better and better you can dial back the settings and go lighter and less aerodyanamic on the baits.   heck you can peel off some line, tape the spool so the damage doesnt go further from there, and let a bait rip at the neighborhood park.  a practice plug is so easy to fling to begin with.  

 

you on the other side of the country, or i would let you "hail-mary" one of my reels.  i bet you will be surprised how NOT difficult it is.  it is something you can easily ease your way into.  

[Pills]

40 minutes ago, WRB said:

Your reel is a left hand wide spool and round. Decent reel for heavier line and lures like 2 oz to 6 oz swimbaits.

Do you prefer round left hand reels?

My suggestion to learn to cast use 12 lbs Big Game, good all around mono line and inexpensive.

Also advise watching Glenn’s video how to cast with bait casting reels.

The DC type reels will eliminate over runs or back lashing.

We have members who promote Daiwa, Lews and Shimano reels and rods, you will more replies then you need within your budget.

what lures do you plan to use?

Tom

 

 I do prefer the left hand reel because it is all I have ever done.  I will try and use my current reel with some swimbaits once I get a longer rod to throw them.  I wanted to start with an all around rod/reel so I can throw a bunch of different baits until I figure out what I like or what works best for me. 

[PBBrandon]

The Tatula SV is a really good reel to learn on and it is really versatile. I’d get either that or a Curado 150 MGL in a 7 speed and pair it with a 7’2” MHF Zodias or a 7’3” MHF Rebellion

[txchaser]

With a TatSV (regularly on sale for $150ish) you will have a single adjustment to make. No opening the reel, fiddling with tension, any of that. Less of an issue when you have rod locker full of rods specifically tuned for presentations, but if you are fishing on just a few, it's one less thing to learn or mess with. 

And it is really forgiving in the wind. 

 

I expect you'll have a similar experience with the DC, but I don't hear of many people buying a bunch of DC reels, where lots have a locker full of SV-spooled reels (Tat/Zillion/Steez). On the upside, the DC noise is pretty cool, and if other people hear it they will want to check it out. I used one for a day with a guide, it did what it was supposed to do, but I didn't find myself wanting to go get one.

 

I was helping a guy fish one day, he had a shimano reel and was learning baitcasters. Having some overrun problems as he wasn't very experienced. I told my buddy (it was his rod/reel the guy was using) I couldn't figure out how to solve the problem. Imagine the look on my face when he started taking reel apart. 

 

I'm not going to say just get a JDM Zillion, because I've typed it too many times. 

[gulfcaptain]

Whatever reel you decide to choose since you're the one fishing it, make sure you find a good 7' med hvy rod. Plenty in the $100 to $200 price point that are great rods that will be a good all around set up.

[Pills]

14 hours ago, PBBrandon said:

The Tatula SV is a really good reel to learn on and it is really versatile. I’d get either that or a Curado 150 MGL in a 7 speed and pair it with a 7’2” MHF Zodias or a 7’3” MHF Rebellion

 

8 hours ago, txchaser said:

With a TatSV (regularly on sale for $150ish) you will have a single adjustment to make. No opening the reel, fiddling with tension, any of that. Less of an issue when you have rod locker full of rods specifically tuned for presentations, but if you are fishing on just a few, it's one less thing to learn or mess with. 

And it is really forgiving in the wind. 

 

I expect you'll have a similar experience with the DC, but I don't hear of many people buying a bunch of DC reels, where lots have a locker full of SV-spooled reels (Tat/Zillion/Steez). On the upside, the DC noise is pretty cool, and if other people hear it they will want to check it out. I used one for a day with a guide, it did what it was supposed to do, but I didn't find myself wanting to go get one.

 

I was helping a guy fish one day, he had a shimano reel and was learning baitcasters. Having some overrun problems as he wasn't very experienced. I told my buddy (it was his rod/reel the guy was using) I couldn't figure out how to solve the problem. Imagine the look on my face when he started taking reel apart. 

 

I'm not going to say just get a JDM Zillion, because I've typed it too many times. 

 

 

Thanks for all of the input. I like the idea of not having to open the real and make a bunch of adjustments. I see that Diawa has a Tatula SV and a Tatula SV TW, I read their descriptions but wasn't sure which one to go with or if it even makes much of a difference?

 

 

[dodgeguy]

lews tournament pro or bb1 pro on a dobyns sierra 7mh .

[PBBrandon]

8 hours ago, Pills said:

 

 

 

Thanks for all of the input. I like the idea of not having to open the real and make a bunch of adjustments. I see that Diawa has a Tatula SV and a Tatula SV TW, I read their descriptions but wasn't sure which one to go with or if it even makes much of a difference?

 

 

One is the 2017 version and one is the 2020 version. I have the 2017 and it’s an amazing reel. The 2020 model is lighter and has a different frame. From what I hear the performance differences are negligible but if you want the newer one, it’s the black colored one

[LCG]

Tatula SV or Curado DC if you want controlled breaking that's easy to learn.

 

Tatula 100 / 150 or Curado 150 MGL if you want to really learn baitcasters and increased distance.

 

Alphas SV or Curado 70 MGL if you want small profile, less line capacity.

 

Big fan of the Daiwa Rebellion line of rods. Carbonlite 2.0 from BPS is another great rod. Shimano Zodias gets a lot of love. St Croix also makes some great rods, the victory in the $200 range.

[suzuki2903]

For a newcomer, the daiwa tatula sv tw would be a perfect reel to learn on and you’ll still like it as you progress .  The shimano dc isn’t completely  trouble free in my opinion and you can still backlash it,it can be inconsistent at times and will require some thumbing even though it’s a dc…   But in windy conditions and distance it does better then the tatula. 
 

[PhishLI]

14 hours ago, Pills said:

Thanks for all of the input. I like the idea of not having to open the real and make a bunch of adjustments.

I have a Tatula SV, and I like it, but as an addition to a reel collection and not a primary reel, IMO. You may tire of it quickly without other options. Check out the Tatula 150 or the Lew's BB1 pro. Both are versatile reels with spool sizes that allow for or a range of line sizes, and they're less limited than the SV. Both are externally adjustable. The Lew's will be a skosh trickier to learn on compared to the 150, but its braking system is less touchy than its centrifugally braked contemporaries. You'll probably figure it out quickly.

[Alex from GA]

I have a couple of Tatula 100s and don't have any trouble with professional overrides.  I've been using baitcasters since there weren't drags and the newer ones are much better than a Pflueger Akron.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

To say opening a reel and making lots of adjustments is way overstated. Centrifugal brakes can be set at 50% and never touched again. Certainly not several times a trip. I find them more forgiving than mag only brakes ( excluding Daiwa’s)

[Mojo Bass]

I’ll throw two reels out there for ya 

Abu Garcia Revo SX a very good, solid, easy to use reel and well within your budget 

 

Quantum Smoke X another option well within your budget and very user friendly reel that will last a long time 

 

As for a rod I’d recommend looking into getting a St Croix rod and finding a series in your budget that suits the needs you’re looking to fill such as a 7ft medium heavy fast or even medium fast for just a general duty rod 

 

Tight lines 

[Eric 26]

12 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

To say opening a reel and making lots of adjustments is way overstated. Centrifugal brakes can be set at 50% and never touched again. Certainly not several times a trip. I find them more forgiving than mag only brakes ( excluding Daiwa’s)

I agree with this. I set my SLX brakes at 3 on 3 off and haven’t touched them since but even if I had to it’s convenient enough with the attached side plate especially. I’m not brand loyal so I’m not going to be helpful in that regard but in my humble opinion anything above the $100.00 price point you can’t go wrong.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Go with a DC or SV.  The DC will cast a little farther and the SV is better with lighter weights.  With a DC you just set the brake setting for the type of line you are using and you use the spool tension to fine tune.  

[badfish79]

i say get comfortable on something cheap like an abu black max. learn the basic ins and outs of casting and maintenance on that. once you are ready to graduate, you will know what you really want in a $150 - $200 reel that you will keep/use for years.

[txchaser]

On 3/24/2023 at 8:52 AM, Pills said:

I see that Diawa has a Tatula SV and a Tatula SV TW, I read their descriptions but wasn't sure which one to go with or if it even makes much of a difference?

 

On 3/24/2023 at 5:06 PM, PBBrandon said:

One is the 2017 version and one is the 2020 version. I have the 2017 and it’s an amazing reel. The 2020 model is lighter and has a different frame. From what I hear the performance differences are negligible but if you want the newer one, it’s the black colored one

PBBrandon's comment is spot on. I can't tell any difference in performance between the two. The black one (2020) is smaller, more understated. I think they kept the 2017 one around because some people prefer it. It might be a little more refined than the 2020, but it's also a little bigger. TBH unless you have really small or big hands, it's not going to matter, just get whichever one you can get cheaper. 

 

[Drew03cmc]

I have two Alphas CT SV 70, 1 JDM Zillion SV TW and a Fuego CT. The Alphas are the BEST casting reels I've used. They are light and cast lighter line incredibly. The Zillion is a banging chatterbait reel. I use the Fuego for jigs, 4.8 Keitechs and weightless Senkos.

[Pills]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. I ended up with The Tatula SV on a 6'8 MH Fast St Croix Mojo rod. Went to Bass Pro and was surprised at the limited rod selection, they had a ton of Bass Pro brand rods but not a huge selection of other stuff.  I wanted to compare similar Shimano, St Croix Avid and others IN 6'8 TO 7' but that didn't happen. I will start here and grab another rod if I need to.