Good Cheap Baitcast Reel

[BadBass94]

Hi everyone, i have always used spincast reels and i am really into now trying a baitcast. Looks more challenging and fun. I just saw a really nice browning midas rod and reel combo at bass pro. It was on sale for 100 bucks. i know this is a pretty good 10 bearing reel and it got good reveiws. What do you think? Thanks ahead of time.

[jamarkwe]

Shimano Citica 201E(Lh) or 200E(Rh)....You can find them for around $90 shipped...Bass Pro wants $128 otd..

Bearing count is over rated...

[jamarkwe]

But if you are willing to spend a few more dollars Tackle warehouse has a Diawa Fuego on sale for 131.99 shipped($250 retail) and is hands down a better reel... I like the fact it is smaller profile than the Citica, but by no means is the Citica big..

[Simp]

I agree if you can get a Citica 200e get one. Otherwise many on here have generaly good things to say about the BPS Extreme. I've seen them on sale from time to time for 50$.

[roadwarrior]

Maybe someone that has a Midas will comment,

but I don't recall anyone touting this reel. The

Citica on the other hand is well know and highly

recommended.

8-)

[BadBass94]

That citica is a nice reel but im not spending 100 bucks for just a reel. Becuase then i have to spend another 50 bucks atleast for a rod.

[burleytog]

Just buy another Zebco 33.

[Hammer 4]

Unfortunatly...no one evere said bass fishing was cheap...

IMHO, you usually get what you pay for...

[Keri]

Hey everyone,

He is asking about a combo a browning midas rod and reel combo to be exact.  Does anyone have a comment on that?  A rod and reel combo for $100.00 is not bad IMO however I've never used this brand.

Keri

[BadBass94]

i havnt used a pushbutton in 10 years, dont plan to buy another haha

[burleytog]

i havnt used a pushbutton in 10 years, dont plan to buy another haha

Hi everyone, i have always used spincast reels

:-?

[BadBass94]

im prety sure everyone has used them when they were young....

[Glenn]

So if I'm understanding you correctly, you haven't been fishing for at least 10 years? Is that correct?  And you've never used a baitcaster before, only spincast?

I'm not judging you at all, just trying to understand your skill level and needs.  I think that will help everyone help you in your decision.

[BadBass94]

Well iv probably been fishing for about 12 years and i have never used a baitcast reel before. But, i do not want to buy a cheap reel for a beginner.

[rubba bubba]

What kind of brakes does the Browning have? Centrifugal, magnetic or both? I doubt any on here have actually used it but if it has centrifugal, it normally will perform well for a beginner. You should, however, be able to get an Extreme or ProQualifier combo in that price range which many here have used and are well thought of.

But keep in mind, the best baitcasters in the old days would be as easy to use for the beginner as some of the worst these days and yet people still fished with them. It's all a matter of how much time you want to put into it - even if the Browning isn't user friendly, mastering it will pay large dividends in your skills for the rest of your fishing days. The key will be whether you give up or not before mastering it.

[zero limit]

Well iv probably been fishing for about 12 years and i have never used a baitcast reel before. But, i do not want to buy a cheap reel for a beginner.

I am new to bc too, i bought a cheap combo bc about 10 yrs. ago. and could not get it right one birds nest after another ended up never taking it fishing, until this past summer when i wanted to try it again so i started using it in my back yard a couple hours a week got the hang of it. so i just recently order a fuego from tw picked up a st. croix premire and cant wait for spring. my budget was bigger than yours but i figure it is a quality setup that that will last a long time

[flippin and pitchin]

Take a look at the Abu Garcia Max line up.  My local tackle dealer had a special on them: $29.97 for the Black Max and $39.97 for the Silver Max.  That's one you could try and if you don't like BC reels you didn't break your bank.

[Grey Wolf]

So if I'm understanding you correctly, you haven't been fishing for at least 10 years? Is that correct? And you've never used a baitcaster before, only spincast?

I'm not judging you at all, just trying to understand your skill level and needs. I think that will help everyone help you in your decision.

He probably meant a spinning reel instead a spincast reel.

[Simp]

Pick up one of these Bass Pro Shops Extreme combo's on sale for 100$. A 6'6 MH is a good all around rod to use.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_103927_100003001_100000000_100003000_100-3-1

[Goose52]

Hi everyone, i have always used spincast reels and i am really into now trying a baitcast. Looks more challenging and fun. I just saw a really nice browning midas rod and reel combo at bass pro. It was on sale for 100 bucks. i know this is a pretty good 10 bearing reel and it got good reveiws. What do you think? Thanks ahead of time.

I don't have any personal experience with Browning gear either. However, I just checked out last year's BPS catalog and they were selling the Browning Midas combos for $219. The Midas reel alone was $149. So, if you were looking at the same combo for $100 - then it sounds like a great deal as far as the price markdown. The reel specs sound good as well and it has dual braking (both centrifugal and magentic) - a VERY nice feature. With that, of course, goes the risk of not having any idea of the quality/longivity of the gear. This could be a good starter package and the dual-braking feature of the reel will make learning to use a bait-caster easier.

Another option at BPS is the 2009 model Extreme combos for $99. The specs on the Extreme reel don't come up to the Midas reel but lots of people on this board have experience with the Extremes. The Extreme rod is a good value for the price and I own quite a few of them myself.

Good luck in your decision. ...

[RussBert]

BadBass94,

Is the reel in question?

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_91075_100001000_100000000_100001000_100-1-0

Is this the rod?

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_98373_100002006_100000000_100002000_100-2-6

Looks like a winner for $100   8-)

[Aluma-Bass]

abu garcia black or sliver max for under $75, shimano also makes a few lower end baitcasters under $75.

[BUCKEYEone]

I'd go with the bps extreme combo or as others stated the Abu Silver Max in a good combo

[hawgchaser]

That combo will work well. Buy it and enjoy catching fish. You may want to upgrade gear as you get mire serious or your budget increases. Until then, that combo will work great.

[SWMIBASSER]

I learned to fish with a Baitcaster using an Abu Garcia 5500 C3. Good real to learn with IMO. I was fishing with a baitcaster full time by the time I was 12 years old.

Back then all we did in my family was musky fish. For bass fishing I would start with a 4600 C3. Easy to setup and use, and last longer than any other reel made.