Beginner Baitcasting Reel?

[D4u2s0t]

So I thing i'm ready to move on to the world of baitcasters.  I have never used one, and am looking for advice as to which to buy for an absolute first time user.  I'm looking for something cheap at first to get my feet wet, and after some practice if I like it I will have no problem spending money to get a more quality setup for next spring.  I will be using this reel like I said only for a short time, so durability is not very important.  My biggest concern is just learning to cast, and using a reel that will be fairly easy to use for someone with no experience.

Thanks!

[roadwarrior]

You don't need the top of the line, but something above entry

level will make baitcasting easier and more enjoyable. I would

recommend the Shimano Citica. Be patient and pick one up on

our Flea Market, they pop up often.

8-)

[D4u2s0t]

cool, thanks i'll look into it.

I should have been more specific, I'm not looking for a piece of garbage reel that i'll get for $15 at walmart lol.  I just don't want to break the bank because I want to make sure I like it and will actually use it first.

[roadwarrior]

Last year's model (CI 200D) will probably cost $50-$60 NIB, delivered.

8-)

[fishfordollars]

I hate to see you make a decision with "Cheap" baitcasters. Get the best you can afford and remember there is nothing wrong with buying a high end reel second hand. Plenty of good ones out there. Cheap reels are just that. You may decide you do not like a baitcaster when the real problem was the reel and not your ability. If you have to, try to borrow a good one from a buddy. It's well worth the effort to get comfortable with one.

Good luck.

[KYntucky Warmouth]

I would suggest something with centrifugal brakes.  The Citica is gonna be a good choice, might also add Revo S, BPS Extreme or Pro Qualifier

[ghost_207]

just buy the curado e ftw.

[steezy]

For a beginner its hard to beat a reel with dual brakes, the centrifugal and magnetic combination is very easy to learn on.  You can set all the brakes to near max and its hard to backlash.

BPS pro qualifer comes to mind, there $99 retail but I bet if you check around you can find one for less.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

If you have a Gander Mountain around you, look for the Citica 201D (last year).

I was at my local store yesterday and saw two 201D's for $50 each.

[central.PA.bass]

my first baitcaster was a Revo STX..  they have them on sale right now at *** and susquehanna fishing tackle have them and the revo S on sale too..

[D4u2s0t]

thanks for the advice guys.

[iceintheveins]

Pro Qualifier or the Citica from Shimano.

[The Rooster]

I would suggest something with centrifugal brakes. The Citica is gonna be a good choice, might also add Revo S, BPS Extreme or Pro Qualifier

Not sure if you just suggested those other reels besides the Citica as just reels to look into, or that they also might have centrifugal brakes, but either way I just want to say that this year's BPS Extreme has magnetic brakes only now. Last year's had the ITB system, which was magnetic and centrifugal together, though not the traditional pinned centrifugal brakes.

If you're interested in the Extreme, I highly recommend it.  I've got 5 of them I love them so much.  You can get them on ebay now too, last year's models brand new in box for about $50 or so and they have the dual braking, some even have free shipping.  If you get one, watch out for the models with the 05 in the model number.  They are the finesse sized ones, meaning less line capacity and a smaller than normal frame too.  The ones with the 10 in the model number are the common sized ones.  Such as ETX10HD, that's a good all around one, has a 6.4:1 gear ratio.  Not pushing you in that direction but if you have questions about any Extreme reel, PM me or post it here and I'll be glad to answer them for you.  I know a good bit about those, inside and out.  

[Big Bait Fishing]

get a REVO S , with the centrifugal brakes you can't go wrong plus they are built like tanks and have all the qualities of reels that cost twice as much !!!!!  

[supreme]

Dude I was in the same boat as you two weeks ago. I just wanted a bait caster to learn how too fish next fall. I chose a Daiwa Accurist it has both brakes & it retailed for over $110.00. I got it for $52.00 on ebay brand new. After two weeks of practicing I finally got. Good luck

[Shimmer]

Citica ftw.

It is probably easier to learn on a "set it and forget it" Shimano, then on other baitcasters where if you forget to adjust the spool speed...uh ohz.

[Micro]

I'm looking for something cheap at first to get my feet wet, and after some practice if I like it I will have no problem spending money to get a more quality setup for next spring.

Wrong move, IMO. If you are going to bass fish seriously, you are going to get into baitcasting. And you are going to like it.

DO NOT buy a cheap reel "just to see if you like it." You will never like a "cheap" reel, and it will never show you how well a good baitcaster will perform.

I recommend that if you want to get into baitcasting (and you obviously do), get yourself a good reel right-off-the-bat, learn to use it, and it will be the beginning of a collection you can remain proud of down the road.

Stick with a major manufacturer - Daiwa, Abu Garcia, Shimano, Quantum or Pflueger. Don't buy their low end reel to save a buck. They all make good reels, and they all make crap. IMO, budget $120-$170 to get into class of reels that will serve you well for many years.

[RoLo]

Though I'm far from a casting pundit, I agree with Roadwarrior's recommendation.

The Shimano Citica E would not be a mistake.

Hot on its heels is the ABU Revo SX, but the Citica E is about $50 less and about 1oz lighter.

Roger