$350.00 to spend on Baitcaster

[Steve Beer]

I'm trying to decide what baitcaster for my $350.00 budget.

What are everyone's thoughts?

[Happybeerbuzz]

Are you willing to buy over seas (Digitaka, Asian Portal)? 

[Steve Beer]

I don't think so. Probably Bass pro, or local shop

[J._Bricker]

Hey, welcome to Bass Resource @Steve Beer! And I’m gonna join the line started by @Happybeerbuzz and say JDM for your new reel purchase

[FishTank]

I'd say the same. If you are ordering online, go JDM. 

 

I would get either the Daiwa Zillion or the Shimano Metanium. I would use the left over cash for line and baits.

[Darth-Baiter]

4 minutes ago, Steve Beer said:

I don't think so. Probably Bass pro, or local shop

if you want to stay with domestic shopping.  the Hookup Tackle has a Daiwa Alpha Air for sale for $300.  

 

Me, i would go overseas and try the Bantam.  but that is just me. 

[Tatulatard]

Usdm zillion.  I'm assuming these are still near $350 with daily inflation.

[Wildbillb]

Well I would say let's start with what you want to do with it?

[Choporoz]

Combo?

 

[Drawdown]

For a MH/F or M/F combo clocking in at $350, I have to say I love the feel of the Johnny Morris Signature. That’s what I would get in your situation. But others are more knowledgeable than me.

[Cbump]

Easy. JDM Metanium, Bantam, or Zillion. Take your pick for about $270 max. Then spend the rest on baits and line. 

[1984isNOW]

35 dollar ugly stick and 315 left for beer, this way if you don't catch anything instead of feeling like you wasted money you just feel good!

[Jar11591]

If I was buying a new reel and that was my budget, I’d be going with the Lews Custom Lite SS that I’ve been eyeballing for a while. 

[Choporoz]

Firm budget?  Non-sale prices?

Maybe St Croix Victory rod with Daiwa Tatula CT reel.

[bulldog1935]

At the current exchange rate, all of Japan is still 25% off.  

 

[Steve Beer]

4 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

if you want to stay with domestic shopping.  the Hookup Tackle has a Daiwa Alpha Air for sale for $300.  

 

Me, i would go overseas and try the Bantam.  but that is just me. 

I've been spinning for 50 + years , but I'm intrigued by the instant hook set of the 

I've been a spin fishing guy for over 50 years and I can do pretty much any type of lure placement with my static.

  I'm interested in the faster hook set of the baitcaster for the most part.

  The backlash is what always turned me off with the baitcaster, so with that being said, I I 'm looking for a skipper, Texas rig. set up.

 

1 hour ago, Choporoz said:

Firm budget?  Non-sale prices?

Maybe St Croix Victory rod with Daiwa Tatula CT reel.

 That's a starting point.

[DaveT63]

New Daiwa Zillion SV.

[Steve Beer]

4 hours ago, Wildbillb said:

Well I would say let's start with what you want to do with it?

Skipping, frogging and Texas rigging

4 hours ago, Choporoz said:

Combo?

 

No combo. I support my local rod builder here in Florida. Bull Bay rods

4 hours ago, Drawdown said:

For a MH/F or M/F combo clocking in at $350, I have to say I love the feel of the Johnny Morris Signature. That’s what I would get in your situation. But others are more knowledgeable than me.

I only need the reel. I support my local rod builder here in Florida. Bull Bay rods 

[Choporoz]

12 minutes ago, Steve Beer said:

Skipping, frogging and Texas rigging

No combo. I support my local rod builder here in Florida. Bull Bay rods

I only need the reel. I support my local rod builder here in Florida. Bull Bay rods 

In that case, I cannot recommend JDM Zillion high enough.  I used AsianPortal with great success. 

[Darth-Baiter]

Skipping is the final frontier of a bait caster.  Pump the brakes OP

[Wprich]

25 minutes ago, DaveT63 said:

New Daiwa Zillion SV.

Gets my vote as well can get US model with some promo codes so it's under your $350 price 

[LonnieP]

JDM Zillion SV

[michaelsrex]

2 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

At the current exchange rate, all of Japan is still 25% off.  

 

Like the silver wolf over the zillion ?

[webertime]

JDM Zillion or Bantam by miles.

[ironbjorn]

We're in a different league my friend. If I have $350 to spend I'm explaining to the old lady why $400 is a better deal for an Expride and SLX XT combo.