Bait Casting Reel ?

[doug deike]

OK, I went to Walmart today to price some reels & was looking at some Baitcasters, my first question is..can you switch them to left handed?

2nd question is are they harder to use than an open faced reel?

I found one that I really liked, but I wanted to see what you guys thought, I took a pic with my phone, so let me know what you think.

[deaknh03]

No, you cannot switch dexterity on them. Yes, they are more difficult to use than spinning reels. If you really like that reel, check out Ebay, you can get them for half of that price, I sold 2 Templars for $32 each recently. If you are getting into the "hobby" we call Bass fishing, eventually, you will probably begin to use a baitcaster, it takes an adjustment period, depending on the user, but I use mine twice as much as my spinning reels now.

[tomustang]

I believe you found out what the consensus here thinks about Walmart gear, the Templar being a no exception.

I did the same thing when starting out taking fishing more seriously, went to walmart and figured I could get a cheap combo that would work. Didn't happen. Luckily I found some really good deals at cabelas and didn't waste a bunch of money that I couldve spent on better gear.

For reels, it's mostly you get what you pay for. For something to start out on with a good experence with baitcasting, cabelas has left handed Prodigys for $99, you can even find them in the bargain cave for less than $65 new without a box.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

For a budget baitcast reel hold out for a Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier or the Prodigy above. They come in serveral versions including Lefty models. They go on sale regularly for just slightly more than what you're lloking at there. Also you could look for a second hand Shimano Citica or Curado. This isn't about gear snobbery, a lower end baitcaster will be harder to learn on and compound frustration possibly leading you to throw in the towel.

[dodgeguy]

i am a pflueger lover and i will tell u don't buy any pflueger baitcaster below the trion at $99.don't buy any pflueger spinning reel below the supreme at $99.don't buy any reels that don't have aluminum or magnesium frames no matter who makes them.`

[flippin and pitchin]

For bass fishing, the ability to present a bait exactly where and how you want is

critical. Baitcasters are not looked at as line holders such as when trolling or mooching.

It's for that reason that purchasing the best quality reel you can afford, even pre-owned

will help you to be that succcessful caster. When you have good equipment the fishing

is so much more fun. The advice already shared is spot on. Good luck!

[JIGFISHERMAN.]

i am a pflueger lover and i will tell u don't buy any pflueger baitcaster below the trion at $99.don't buy any pflueger spinning reel below the supreme at $99.don't buy any reels that don't have aluminum or magnesium frames no matter who makes them.`

The president is below the supreme, and about the only other spinning reel I can think of with a long lasting reputation of reliability that even compares is probably a Diawa Tournament SS

[Diggy]

You can probably find a citica for a little more($75) as I did. Check in the market/ebay or get something from bps(lots of deals)

I bought a pinnacle from Walmart to start out. I spent more time clearing backlashes and birds nests than fishing some days. My advice, spend a little more and enjoy more time fishing. I thought Id start cheap and learn to fish one, spinning reel yes, baitcast reels maybe not(especially for lighter baits).

[K_Mac]

For a budget baitcast reel hold out for a Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier or the Prodigy above. They come in serveral versions including Lefty models. They go on sale regularly for just slightly more than what you're lloking at there. Also you could look for a second hand Shimano Citica or Curado. This isn't about gear snobbery, a lower end baitcaster will be harder to learn on and compound frustration possibly leading you to throw in the towel.

Excellent advice from a professional reel guy. For what it's worth I have a few of the PQs and they are fine reels for the money.

[doug deike]

I have the Bass Pro Mag before me, what are your recommendations for $100-150. I'm looking at Citica & Curado both look good, I want to do it right the first time. Possibly the Daiwa Aggrest?

[ChiCityBasser]

The Citica and Curado are both good reels as well as the Aggrest along with the PQ and the Prodigy. They are all have there pluses and just a matter of which features you want in your reel.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The Citica is a fine basic reel and will last. It and the Curado are very user friendly due to the brake design.

[deep]

Hey Doug, you seem to be a nice person. So here's an offer. I have an upgraded lefty Citica B sitting in my apartment doing nothing. It's a great beginner reel, and in very good condition.

PM me your address, and you can try it out. Use it, but don't abuse it. If you want to keep it, you will owe me 45 bucks, which is what I got it for. If you don't want it, simply ship it back to me. You can buy another reel, but you will know what a decent reel feels like. That knowledge should help you.

[bman310]

Hey Doug, you seem to be a nice person. So here's an offer. I have an upgraded lefty Citica B sitting in my apartment doing nothing. It's a great beginner reel, and in very good condition.

PM me your address, and you can try it out. Use it, but don't abuse it. If you want to keep it, you will owe me 45 bucks, which is what I got it for. If you don't want it, simply ship it back to me. You can buy another reel, but you will know what a decent reel feels like. That knowledge should help you.

That's a super & generous offer! Hopefully Doug takes u up on it. If he does, I'm sure he'll be sending u the money in no time.

-b

[J Francho]

If you can find a Citica E on sale, grab it. Gander in Henrietta was blowing them out the door last week - call them and see if there's still more.

[Vinny Chase]

I would try and get a Citica instead...There is a guy on Texas fishing forum that is selling one for $60

[doug deike]

Hey Doug, you seem to be a nice person. So here's an offer. I have an upgraded lefty Citica B sitting in my apartment doing nothing. It's a great beginner reel, and in very good condition.

PM me your address, and you can try it out. Use it, but don't abuse it. If you want to keep it, you will owe me 45 bucks, which is what I got it for. If you don't want it, simply ship it back to me. You can buy another reel, but you will know what a decent reel feels like. That knowledge should help you.

That is very kind of you, my only question is i'm not sure if i need a lefty or right handed reel, I cast with my left hand & reel with my right does that mean i need a left handed or right handed reel?? I'm left handed, but do some things right handed.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

That is very kind of you, my only question is i'm not sure if i need a lefty or right handed reel, I cast with my left hand & reel with my right does that mean i need a left handed or right handed reel?? I'm left handed, but do some things right handed.

You would be better with a right handed reel (same as the one in you original picture) reason being that the baitcaster is controlled ultimately by thumb pressure on the spool. You will be able to better feel the amount of pressure you exert on the spool with your dominant hand. I'm in the same boat as you because i am a lefty and i cannot tell you how beneficial it its to be able to control the spool rpms with my left hand and reel in the line with my right.

[deep]

That is very kind of you, my only question is i'm not sure if i need a lefty or right handed reel, I cast with my left hand & reel with my right does that mean i need a left handed or right handed reel?? I'm left handed, but do some things right handed.

Doug, I think you want a right-handed reel then as pointed out above.

I saw your original post and the pic, and thought you wanted a lefty because you asked if the handle could be switched. My b.

But yeah, plenty of used curados and citicas floating around for $40 to $70 for the older models. I suggest you get one of them, unless you find a smoking deal on a new reel. There's nothing wrong with buying used stuff, especially from the fishing forums. Ebay, I like to be a little careful unless it's NIB.

[NBR]

Doug,

Regardless of the baitcaster you buy unless you practice you will backlash or have the reel snugged up so tight that you get very little distance. There are several items of information that will help you get started (the top heading on this forum is one) but nothing beats practice and I think learning on the water is very frustrating since you are wasting fishing time clearing backlashes. I've used baitcasters for over 60 years and still manage a backlash from time to time.

Look at a reel in the $100+/- range, fill it with 12 to 14# soft mono, add a 3/8 ounce practice plug, set the reel up according to the manufacturers instructions possibly modified by instructions on this forum and practice in the yard, driveway, parking lot or any where but the water. Start looking for accuracy and not distance. As your skill increases back off your cast control and your distance will improve. Recognize that you will backlash and some will be so extreme you'll need to cut the line off the reel, so don't spool up with expensive braid or fluoro.

Put a target out and work on accuracy and gradually increase your distance. Start now and you'll be skilled by spring.

[LgMouthGambler]

Welcome to the world of Baitcasters. Quality is going to be your best friend. The Pro Qualifier is going to be the best bang for the buck. As for the Shimano, you cant get better than that company. In my opinion, Shimano is like gold to a fisherman. Stay out of Walmart, your gonna hate life if you waste your money on that junk.

[LuckyHandsINC.]

That is very kind of you, my only question is i'm not sure if i need a lefty or right handed reel, I cast with my left hand & reel with my right does that mean i need a left handed or right handed reel?? I'm left handed, but do some things right handed.

The upgraded citica for $45 dollars is pretty much an unbearable offer. As far as what hand I am left handed and use right handed reels so you may want to go righty. I.would def check out the lefty upgraded citica though.