Best all around baitcaster coming from spinning reel

[flbassn]

I've been fishing with spinning reels for the past 20 years and want to add a baitcaster to my arsenal. As I'll just have the one, I'd like a decent all round baitcaster for soft plastic, rattletraps, top water etc.

I saw dicks sporting goods had a Lew's 2021 Mach Crush SLP Combo for $160. Should I be spending that just one a reel only? If so I don't really want to go over the $250-300 range for reel/pole

Thanks

[MN Fisher]

4 minutes ago, flbassn said:

Should I be spending that just one a reel only? If so I don't really want to go over the $250-300 range for reel/pole

There's lots of good reels in the $100-$150 range.

There's also some very good rods in that same range.

 

I'm not personally familiar with Lews other than one spinning reel - but they have a good rep.

[12poundbass]

Welcome to Bassresource.

 

Take a minute to swing by the Introductions forum and introduce yourself. 
 

My son has a Mach Crush combo and really likes it. I’m an Abu and Daiwa guy myself. All three have affordable combos available. 

[Pills]

I asked the same question about 2 weeks ago, look for "1st bait caster " thread in here, I got a lot of good answers/ info. I ended up with the Diava tatula sv and I am extremely happy so far. Very smooth, I threw it for 3 hrs yesterday and only got 1 small backlash that took 30 seconds to fix. I think it would almost be hard to backlash this reel.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

If you're really concerned about back lashes, go with an SV or DC.  Don't forget to take into account that the rod is just as important.  You can have the nicest combo on the planet, but if you try to use baits that are too light, you wont have a good experience.  Try to zero in on a weight range weight of the baits you plan to throw and find a rod that can load with weight on the lower end of the scale.

[Bird]

Reels - Shimano

Rods - Dobyns

Is where I'd start with a modest budget.

[Mojo Bass]

I think if you went with a shimano, daiwa, or Abu garcia you can’t go wrong with any of their reels 

 

and as for a rod a st croix or dobyns will treat you nicely 

 

really going with anything from all those brands that’s within your budget will have you satisfied they all make quality gear 

 

 

[T-Billy]

Daiwa has the most user friendly braking system out there with the magforce IMO. No need for SV, even for a beginner. A Fuego would serve you well and leave more money for a quality rod. Lots of good rod choices within your budget. Ark Tharp or Invoker series, Daiwa Tatula, Falcon Lowrider are a few good choices that come to mind.

[MickD]

Save up for a Daiwa Tatula SV 103.  You'll be glad you did.  Easiest casting reel to use I've ever seen, and I've seen quite a few.  You might get better spending more $$, but it's hard for me to visualize anything better than the Tatula. 

 

Fuego is not bad advice; my teen age granddaughter mastered BC with one quite quickly.  They are good reels for about $100. 

[Catt]

My son has had that combo for 3 yrs now with zero issues. Lew's is just a dependable as Diawia or Shimano.

 

If you're really concerned about backlashes, set your reel up properly & educate your thumb. 

[Fishin Dad]

I do believe the Daiwa Tatula SV is the most versatile reel available.   It is the easiest to manage and dial in (not backlash), can cast moving baits well, and most importantly skip and flip without a trained thumb.  This reel can do everything.  I agree a lower level Daiwa or Lews are great reels that can be learned easily, but the SV offers everything you need to do as a beginner with one reel.  

[webertime]

Fuego reel (no need for SV)

40lb braid (helps with backlash if you get one)

Tatula rod (matchy matchy!)

[BrianMDTX]

19 hours ago, flbassn said:

As I'll just have the one,

Good luck with that! ? 

 

I bought one. Then two. Then three… They grow on ya!

 

I have two Davies Fuegos, a Daiwa Tatula, two Abu Garcia Black Max’s  and a H2OX Ethos. I really like the Tatula but I’d be happy with an arsenal of Fuegos. It’s a great reel for the price. 

[detroit1]

One of my baitcasters is a Lews LFS and it works fine, but very sensitive to lure weight.  Going from 5/8 to 3/8 oz. baits you will need to make adjustments, or else the "overruns" will get you. Not a problem for my various Revos though.

[Eric 26]

Although all of the reels being mentioned are great options I’m going to suggest if you have a local tackle shop with a good reputation stop in and work with them. They can guide you on the various reels and various speeds for what you’re looking to use the combo for and an appropriate rod to match. It will allow you to handle multiple brands as they all feel slightly different in hand and what I may find comfortable in hand you may hate. Lastly I couldn’t agree more with @BrianMDTX good luck stopping at one?

[flbassn]

15 hours ago, Pills said:

I asked the same question about 2 weeks ago, look for "1st bait caster " thread in here, I got a lot of good answers/ info. I ended up with the Diava tatula sv and I am extremely happy so far. Very smooth, I threw it for 3 hrs yesterday and only got 1 small backlash that took 30 seconds to fix. I think it would almost be hard to backlash this reel.

Great, I'll look for the thread. Thanks

[flbassn]

2 hours ago, BrianMDTX said:

Good luck with that! ? 

 

I bought one. Then two. Then three… They grow on ya!

 

I have two Davies Fuegos, a Daiwa Tatula, two Abu Garcia Black Max’s  and a H2OX Ethos. I really like the Tatula but I’d be happy with an arsenal of Fuegos. It’s a great reel for the price. 

Thanks ,I'll check those out

[flbassn]

16 hours ago, Pills said:

I asked the same question about 2 weeks ago, look for "1st bait caster " thread in here, I got a lot of good answers/ info. I ended up with the Diava tatula sv and I am extremely happy so far. Very smooth, I threw it for 3 hrs yesterday and only got 1 small backlash that took 30 seconds to fix. I think it would almost be hard to backlash this reel.

What rod did you pair it with 

[NavyToad]

Consider a left handed reel if coming from spinning gear. The adjustment from cranking with your left hand to cranking with your right is a pretty big change. After 20 years exclusively using spinning gear  I hated cranking a baitcaster with my right hand. The solution for me was to get a left handed baitcaster. Just something to think about.

[Eric 26]

1 hour ago, NavyToad said:

Consider a left handed reel if coming from spinning gear. The adjustment from cranking with your left hand to cranking with your right is a pretty big change. After 20 years exclusively using spinning gear  I hated cranking a baitcaster with my right hand. The solution for me was to get a left handed baitcaster. Just something to think about.

⬆️ Totally agree ⬆️

[Pills]

3 hours ago, flbassn said:

What rod did you pair it with 

I got a St. Croix Mojo MH/F 6'8 as an all around set up for now. Like you, I had only fished fresh and saltwater spinning gear for 50 years. The transition was easy with this set up. As other have mentioned I went with a left hand baitcaster and very happy I did. After throwing the baitcaster for a few hours the other day I picked up a spinning rod and it actually felt like more work to cast.

[ska4fun]

Cost-wise: Daiwa Tatula or CT 100

 

Top-notch: Alphas CT SV

[KP Duty]

Tatula SV.  You can find brand new 2017 models off the auction site for a bargain.  

[MickD]

My 2022 Tatula is a better reel than my older one, not sure of the year of that one.  New one is quieter, more precise feeling both on cast and retrieve.  Not sure why, but there is a difference.   Not that the old one is bad.  It's very good, but not as good as the new one.

[flbassn]

8 hours ago, NavyToad said:

Consider a left handed reel if coming from spinning gear. The adjustment from cranking with your left hand to cranking with your right is a pretty big change. After 20 years exclusively using spinning gear  I hated cranking a baitcaster with my right hand. The solution for me was to get a left handed baitcaster. Just something to think about.

When I used my sons baitcaster a few days ago, this was the first thing I thought.  Didn't seem natural lol