Trying to assemble a good baitcasting setup...

[nralover]

Guys, I am ready to jump into baitcasters. I bought a new Shimano Citica, which I was told is a quality reel. Now I need a good general purpose rod to throw it on, and I was hoping you all would point me in the right direction. What do I need, and how much should I spend? Thanks,           Jay

[roadwarrior]

You might still find the St. Croix Avids on sale. (One of our members picked up three last week for $89). If you and find an AC68MXF or AC70MF for around $100 ($160 MSRP), that would be a nice rod to complete you combo!

[fathom]

have always thought of the mbr 783 as good, basic equipment.

if you shop, you can get the imx model for $160/$180.

nothing wrong with the avids, either.

[roadwarrior]

have always thought of the mbr 783 as good, basic equipment.

if you shop, you can get the imx model for $160/$180.

nothing wrong with the avids, either.

You bet!

Since the price was not specified, I was trying to target something comparable to the reel. However, the G. Loomis MBR series would DEFINITELY be my #1 choice. I prefer a little longer rod, but that's just personal preference. If I only had one rod, it would be the MBR844C.

If you decide to go with G. Loomis, get the IMX series. This is the line of rods that established the G. Loomis company and made them the leader in high quality fishing equipment. This is the "G. Loomis Experience" and these rods are worth the price!

The 783 or 843 might be a better "all-around" rod. The tip is softer than the 844 and might be favored for a number of techniques. My MBR844C is my jig rod.

[nralover]

have always thought of the mbr 783 as good, basic equipment.

if you shop, you can get the imx model for $160/$180.

nothing wrong with the avids, either.

You bet!

Since the price was not specified, I was trying to target something comparable to the reel. However, the G. Loomis MBR series would DEFINITELY be my #1 choice. I prefer a little longer rod, but that's just personal preference. If I only had one rod, it would be the MBR844C.

If you decide to go with G. Loomis, get the IMX series. This is the line of rods that established the G. Loomis company and made them the leader in high quality fishing equipment. This is the "G. Loomis Experience" and these rods are worth the price!

The 783 or 843 might be a better "all-around" rod. The tip is softer than the 844 and might be favored for a number of techniques. My MBR844C is my jig rod.

Is that a nice way of saying the reel isn't worth a hoot? Everyone told me to spend at least 80.00 on my first BC reel, so I thought the Citica at 120.00 or so would be a quality item. Was I way off?

[roadwarrior]

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

The Citia is an excellent reel. What do you want to spend on a rod?

You will receive several suggestions and we can be VERY specific.

[FishTank]

What's your price point and what do you plan to fish the most?

Here are a few suggestions........

~$100>>> BPS Extreme 6'6'' MH

$100-$200>> St. Croix Avid AC66MHF

$200+>> G.Loomis MBR 783 IMX

[nralover]

I will spend up tp 200 or so. I have really only been bass fishing since last spring, but I have come a long way:) I went from hardly ever catching anything and using a Zebco spincast, to using a St Croix Premier with a Shimano Symetre and paying attention to what other guys around me were doing in terms of technique, baits, etc. By late summer I was a much more accurate caster, and I could usually always go out and catch a few bass even if they were only 1-2 pounds. I caught my first nice fish in September- a 20 inch largemouth with a potgut that weighed about 5 pounds. Man was I excited:) I have a good selection of lures, and I use cranks and topwaters some, but I always can bring in some fish on hula grubs and senko type lures. I fish them T rigged weightless or with a small bullet weight if I am fishing deeper. My fave color is a black and gray laminate senko type stick- it almost never fails.

Anyway- enough of my rambling. I guess what I am looking for is a versatile BC rod that will allow me to do most things reasonably well. My spinning stuff is medium with fast actions, so maybe a medium- heavy rig for heavier lines and bigger baits would be good?

[roadwarrior]

St. Croix Avid AC66MHF

G.Loomis MBR 783 IMX

I would go with these or the same in the 7' versions:

AVC70MHF

IMX MBR843

[Raul]

It 's not a matter of how much will you spend, it 's a matter of how much are you willing to spend. Why ? because you can get a Callisto and pair it to a BPS Graphite Plus, spend less than a 100 and there you have a baitcasting setup.

So the way to go is:

1.- Trying to make a BC setup on your own which may exceed your budget sacrificing the quality of either rod or reel or

2.- Get a pre-prepared baitcasting setup ( combo ) with a good rod and a good reel, for that BPS is hard to beat, they practically give you the rod for free.

BPS rods starting by the Bionic Blade and up are very good. So for example the BPS Bionic Blade/Daiwa Procaster 6+1 combo is a really good choice for little money, want something better ? Citica/ BPS Extreme rod and so on.

[Jig Man]

If I were buying a new baitcaster it would be a citica.

The most important part of your setup is the rod.  Without exception every rod I own has cost more than the reel which is on it.

I have both the IMX 843 and 844.  For a general purpose rod I'd pick the 843.  I use it for spinnerbaits up to 3/8, buzz up to 3/8 and jigs up to 1/2.  The 844 is what I use for 1/2 spinnerbaits and jigs over 1/2.  I also have a 783 and find it to be good for tubes and medium spinnerbaits.  I don't like it for jigs at all.

[bowtech_182]

http://www.reedssports.com/Product/product.taf?_function=detail&_ID=669

$136 for an AVID is a good deal.  I picked up the same rod when they were $102 and I absolutely love it.  If I had to pay retail I would probably go with a 7ft MHF crucial or avid.

[Guest muddy]

The Avid is a Great deal

two other rods that I have used are also good, but under that pricing range

Fenwick HMX 6'6" or &' Med/Fast

All Star Classic med/fast, same lengths,