Good beginner baitcaster?

[UnityLover]

I already have a spinning rod with some jigs (never used em yet, bought em few days ago)

I see how many people who fish bass use baitcasting rods. I am interested in getting one of them, as they are apparently accurate casters. Are any of these good? Sorted by price, high to low.

 

Tailored tackle baitcaster

Abu Garcia black max

Quantum invade

Zebco roam

Shakesphere alpha

 

 

[12poundbass]

Black Max is a great reel! You won’t be disappointed.

[Mojo Bass]

Another vote for the black max 

[ironbjorn]

Black Max (now called the Max X), but just get a Shimano SLX for $100 honestly. I buy Black Max / Max X reels from time to time to slap on low to mid $ range rods without reels and they're great, but if I was just starting out, $100 for an SLX is where I'd go. It casts great and will last.

[Eric 26]

First off I’d avoid buying a rod off of Amazon as their packaging on rods is hit or miss. Secondly picking from that list I’d choose the Black Max and totally avoid the Tailored and Shakesphere reels. If you have a Walmart near you they usually have the Blackmax combo in store or Academy sports if you have one in your area.

[Jar11591]

Lews Speed Spool LFS. Easy choice. 

[UnityLover]

I can get a black max from walmart for 60 dollars, thanks! (now I just wait for my grades to come in...)

I already have tons of fluorocarbon line of varying lb test.(my dad loves saltwater) Already got some nice lures, just gonna practice with a sinker though.

[Mobasser]

As others have said, the ABU Black Max, or Lew's LFS are both good.

[Functional]

You can snag Lews Speed Spool LFS reels for like $80-90 if you search around. Probably my current favorite low cost reel. 

[Boomstick]

A Shimano SLX or Daiwa Fuego will overall be a much better experience than an Abu Garcia Black Max if you can swing the extra money. It's not even close.

 

However the Black Max might be a better learning  experience. It will teach you to use your thumb. I learned on one as well, and I'm better off for it.

[Skunkmaster-k]

I’ve got a few black max reels. They’re okay , but the drag is not very good. 

[UnityLover]

I have used a baitcaster for saltwater on a boat before. Also, this is for the future, because my spinner rod is good; just that it isnt that accurate of a caster. All I need is the extra casting accuracy, thats all I want from this rod.

[Tatulatard]

What sorta scam are they running these days?  That 1st reel is a bottom tier $20 aliexpress reel on a mystery meat rod.  $89 for that?  Get a hank parker lews rod from Walmart and a $50-$60 reel of your choice. I like the piscifun carbon xcs.

[optimator]

On 4/11/2023 at 7:29 PM, ironbjorn said:

Black Max (now called the Max X), but just get a Shimano SLX for $100 honestly. I buy Black Max / Max X reels from time to time to slap on low to mid $ range rods without reels and they're great, but if I was just starting out, $100 for an SLX is where I'd go. It casts great and will last.

I second this . The SLX is a great $99 reel. 

[JediAmoeba]

A black max is a good starting baitcasting combo. For the price you get a decent product.