Bait Caster Reels

[fishingfourfun]

What is the best bait casting reel for a beginner?  I have been using spinning reels exclusively.  

[dman]

when I made the switch i knew nothing about them (and still dont!) but went into a Walmart or something and picked out a cheaper model Quantum,  mighta been like $35.  I backlashed like crazy at first but then all of a sudden I started whizzing my spinnerbait a mile.  Havnt looked back since and have only recently started to really upgrade my gear.   That Cheapo lasted a lot of years and still goes strong,  Its now my "Drive-by"  reel (stays in the truck at all times in case I Drive by a nice lookin pond or lake.

I think thats a good way to start,  try out the cheaper models and get the one that feels best to you.  Try it out and learn on it.

[Jake.]

I would start out with one of the BPS extreme combos. They are good rods and reels for the money.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_98422_100003001_100000000_100003000_100-3-1

[lubina]

What is the best bait casting reel for a beginner?  

The best you can afford. Spare you for a lot of headaches and frustration.

[JigNBig]

Shimano Citica 100D.

[Sam]

Any name brand baitcaster should suffice.

Just learn how to use it and then when you master it add to your collection.

[dale]

What ever reel you decide on learn to flip with it first. This will help you learn how to thumb the spool before oyu go for distance.

Dale

[Jake P]

The best baitcaster is one that you can afford and one you like. You dont have to spend tons of money on one to be happy. I started with an Abu Garcia Revo S and i recommend it personally. If your looking to spend a little less i dont know personally but i have heard nothing but good talk about the Abu Garcia Promax and if im not mistaken it runs 79.99$. Another good route would be a Shimano Citica. It all depends on how much your willing to spend and how well you like the reel. If i was you i would go to a basspro or cabelas or a local fishing store so you can hold them and see which one you like best. Good luck with whatever you choose

[Branuss04]

Shimano Citica 100D.

I started with the 200 and love it.  I still use it to this day!!!

[FishTank]

For the money, I like the Shimano Curado 100.  It is simple, easy to use, and a proven winner.  They also have a $50 rebate on it.

My second choice would be the Daiwa Zillion.

And I will also second what Lubina said.  Three years ago I purchased my first low profile baitcaster and I went through 3 or 4 different reels before I found the right one.  It seemed the cheaper priced ones where harder to use (do to my inexperience) than lets say the Curado.  As my casting experience grew, I found that I could use the orginal ones I had purchased better.  So I guess, I would have gone all out on the first one I bought, just to save a lot of time and frustration.

[burleytog]

Do not go cheap.

[islandbass]

Any reel in the Cruxis class or higher up will take off your learning curve with quality, focused practice. Guaranteed. Wish I could teach you as one who came from a spinning background. If you have your handles on your spinning reels on the left side, I am willing to bet you a floating rapala minnow that you will prefer the handles on your bc reels on the EXACT same side. Once again, as someone coming from a spinning background.

Here is the bottom line thing you must do assuming the reel is porperly set for the lure. No matter what happens after you cast you must stop the spool from spinning BEFORE your lure hits ANYTHING, be it the water's surface or a shrub or the ground in front of you because your thumb's release from the spool was just a bit too late.

Do this and barring major headwinds, you will learn as quickly as my daughter when she was 6. Out of her first 10 cast, only 2 had minor overruns and that was the only thing I taught her to keep in mind.

Also, the release time of the thumb off of the spool is slightly earlier than your forefinger's release of the line with a spinning reel. If your cast (overhand) are slamming into the ground in front of you or flailing to your right (Assuming you're casting with your right arm with a sidearm cast), this is a clear sign of letting go of the spool too late.

You are also going to ask yourself why you took so long to add such reels to your arsenal.  8-)

-ib

[NBR]

Since I have aged to nearly or in the geezer class and got my first bait caster in about 1947 I find any of the moderate and upward priced reels are very good. I like the external spool adjustment a bit more handy than internal but at the same time I think inertial control is a bit better than magnetic but the difference is not a show stopper.

I own Shimanos, Daiwas, Pfluegers, Quantums and BPS reels and frankly I don't have a preference in terms of function or life. Some are smoother than others but that makes little difference in terms of casting distance and accuracy.

The rod may not be as pricey (although it can be even more) but it is as important as the reel. Think about where you fish; is accuracy more important than distance? Longer rods basically cast farther shorter rods are more accurate.

When you get you rod and reel spool it up with a resonable quality mono in 12# to 17# test, read Reelmechanic's tutorial on baitcaster set up and go to the back yard and practice. You are going to get some backlashes you have to cut out. That is just a part of the learning curve.

[fishingfourfun]

Thanks for all the great advice.I went to BPS and purchased a Rick Clunn 7 ft rod and a Rick Clunn RCX10HLB reel.  It has 8 bearings, Inertial transfer bracking system(not sure what this means) and a 6:3:1 gear ratio.  I do have an xtra $200.oo to spend if this does not suit me.  I hope this is a good intial reel to learn on.