Baitcast Combo?

[fishfearme]

I have been looking for a baitcast combo. I have found some I like but would like any input, suggestions, recommendations before I buy. I'm trying to keep it in the $60 dollar range.

The 3 I have found

Abu Garcia® Black Max/Cabela's Pro Guide® Casting Combo $60

Shimano® Callisto®/Cabela's Pro Guide Casting Combos $60

Shakespeare Dimension Plus/Cabela's Tourney Trail® Casting Combo $60

[GitRDoneIke23]

I'd go with the Shimano/Cabela's.

[Sam]

Bass Pro Shop's sale is on the way.

Check out their combos when you get your flyer.

Also, check out the combos in the catalogs to get ideas.

Anything Shimano is good.

[fishfearme]

I am no expert on reels.....the shimano only has one ball bearing i know that more ball bearings generally means smoother...i am just not sure if that matters enough to get one of the other combos

[Sam]

Check out the catalogs on-line and read about the different reel options.

Yes, the more ball bearings the smoother the reel, but what do you want for a $60 combo.

Be glad you can get a real combo and not be stuck with a Zebco.

[Pencil Pusher]

I would recommend the Black Max combo. That Shimano reel is the cheapest they make and is two grades below the Coriolis which even Roadwarrior doesn't like.

[fishfearme]

the abu garcia has 5 bearings and the shakespearr has 9. Does that effect the performance that much?

[Jake.]

the abu garcia has 5 bearings and the shakespearr has 9. Does that effect the performance that much?

It's not necissarily the quanity of the the bearings, but the quality. Reel manufacturers will often put alot of low end bearings in lower priced reels to make it seem like their reel is better than their competitor's.

[Ballpark Frank]

I would recommend the Black Max combo. That Shimano reel is the cheapest they make and is two grades below the Coriolis which even Roadwarrior doesn't like.

I agree with Pencil Pusher. Shimano make good stuff, but every company has bad. The Coriolis is it. I would get the Black Max combo. I have a Silver Max combo that I like alot, and there is very little difference between the Black and Silver. Besides the RED spool looks really cool.

[kms399]

I am speaking for the bait monkey here,

get yourself a shimano citica and then get yourself a decent rod to match what ever you fish the most. granted this will be a bit above your budget but i think you will be happier in the long run. it never hurts to save especially with the equipment that will determine your day on the lake. do you want to deal with backlashes? it has been my experience that vbs (variable brake system) works better than magnets. though i am sure some will contest that. how smooth does your reel need to be? I dont need 20 bearing in my reels. quality bearings is more important than number. in short i see so many people buy cheap equipment and regret it. they spend $60 on a combo and a year later they spend $150 on a combo. I worked for five years at gander mountain and saw this year after year.

get yourself quality gear. if you cant afford it, SAVE! you will thank me later.

[NBR]

Bass Pro Shop has a Daiwa Graphite Procaster reel and rod at a combo price of $68.98. I have a Daiwa Procaster that has served me well for 15 or more years. I prefer metal frames but then the price starts up.

Bearings up to 3 and an instant anti reverse roller bearing pretty much take care of the fishing needs. Beyond that they might make the reel seem smoother. None of the catalog literature spells out the bearing quality so I suspect all reel manufacturers use pretty much the same level. I can't remember all of the letters but it is some thing like A****7( I can't remember all the letters), with the seven being the highest level of precision. I say precision because the tolerances on the components are tighter and they possibly select fit components.

I think you are wise in buying a lower priced combo. You will be able to learn without spending a bunch. I have a fishing pal who first bought a moderately priced set up, Quantum reel/uglystick didn't practice and backlashed a bunch so he used his spinning gear. He couldn't figure out why myself and another fishing pal used baitcasters most of the time so he bought a Curado and a St. Croix rod didn't practice and still backlashed a bunch. He and I have fished together for 4 full weeks since he bought the Curado/St. Croix combo and I'll bet he hasn't used it a total of 4 hours more likely under 2 hours.

The operative word in starting out bait casting is practice. Preferably in the yard and driveway; don't waste fishing time until you are reasonably skilled with the baitcaster.

[Guest muddy]

Stay away from that Shakespeare/Cabelas combo; Decent Rod, the reel is so bad you get it for free. A co worker bought one it lasted less than the first trip out!