birdy Posted January 15, 2012 Posted January 15, 2012 Want to buy a bait caster. If I were going to purchase one that was under 100 dollars new, which would you buy and why? Or should I save my money and purchase a more expensive one when I can save up the cash? [secondly what rod would go with the bait caster? I’m on a limited budget until my kids are out of the house, say 4 years or so. I normally fish from shore 75-85% of the time. Kayak/canoe the other 15-25%. Quote
Ima Bass Ninja Posted January 15, 2012 Posted January 15, 2012 Bps pro qualifier is 99.99 regular price and frequently on sale for 79.99. The bps carbon lite was on sale for 89.99 and a great reel for that price. I've been want to try academy's H2O line if reels also. I've heard great things about them and all are under 100. If you need a name brand it would be hard to beat t a pfluger trion in that price range. As far as Rods go I'm on academys H2O ethos xpress train. Just got 2 of these rods and they perform awesomely Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted January 15, 2012 Super User Posted January 15, 2012 Citica matched up with an Avid AVC70MF makes a great "all around" rig. If you are not in a hurry, both the rod and reel come up on our Flea Market occasionally. This combination should run (gently used) +/- $175. Quote
birdy Posted January 15, 2012 Author Posted January 15, 2012 Citica matched up with an Avid AVC70MF makes a great "all around" rig. If you are not in a hurry, both the rod and reel come up on our Flea Market occasionally. This combination should run (gently used) +/- $175. Forgot to add gear ratio. Thanks for the tips. Like the advice. Will keep my eyes out for a nice combo on the flea market. Quote
Super User Hi Salenity Posted January 15, 2012 Super User Posted January 15, 2012 Lew's speed spool is a good one to look at if you need it new . or look for a used Curado Btw I have a couple Excellent condition reels for sale in the $110-130 range in the flea market or I'd bet you could find a Curado there. Quote
Super User LgMouthGambler Posted January 15, 2012 Super User Posted January 15, 2012 Bass Pro has a Big Bass reel on sale for under 100. Pro Qualifier, Abu Garcia has one for 100. As for ratio, go with a 6.4:1, good all around. Rods, Berkley Lightning, or even the Shock version if you use braided. I use them, they are good priced for a great rod. Quote
Super User SoFlaBassAddict Posted January 15, 2012 Super User Posted January 15, 2012 Find a used Citica 200e for sale. You'll use it forever unless you run over it with a car. As far as a rod goes, that all depends on what your wallet is capable of handling. There are TONS of options in the 100 dollar market right now. Quote
Brand0n Posted January 16, 2012 Posted January 16, 2012 academy's h2o express mettle for $49 all day long 6:3:1 ratio 10 bb. i picked up 4 used ones off ebay for $60 shipped Quote
JIGFISHERMAN. Posted January 16, 2012 Posted January 16, 2012 If buying new-BPS Pro Qualifier, or others in your price range. Used however, opens up many options, and 100bucks should be able to buy you a pretty nice reel. Quote
birdy Posted January 16, 2012 Author Posted January 16, 2012 I am certainly not ruling out a used one on this site. I'm keeping my eyes open. Thanks for all the advice. Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted January 16, 2012 Super User Posted January 16, 2012 Many trees and/or bushes where you fish? If so a short rod would be better. Otherwise the longer the rod the greater the casting distance...all other things being equal. The rod to get depends on what technique(s) you fish the most, lure weights, and the type of cover. Answer those questions, and there are many on here who would be more than willing to offer their opinions on the rod you should be using. I personally like a 7' or longer rod, but have several 6'6" rods as well that get used on a regular basis. As far as brands go, I've read good reviews on all those mentioned. The Ethos in particular seems like an excellent buy for the price. Especially if you get one during their 'Rod Riot'. They just had one...$25 for the casting models. I wanted a spinning rod, but that model wasn't included in the sale. Falcon Originals are a good choice, and can sometimes be found for less than $50. I'd like to try one of the Academy model reels. They get good reviews. I bought a couple Trions after some research. Here is one place to read a few reviews. http://reviews.bassp...ews/reviews.htm Got mine too late in the season to try out. Well, I could have, but had also gotten a Curado 51E and Patriarch XT, so they got used first. Cabela's Prodigy is a $100 reel. It is made by Daiwa. I got the previous model for $60. I feel it is another excellent choice. They go on sale occasionally. When funds allow, get it cleaned, Carbontex drag and upgrade the bearings. You will have a reel that feels like a $180 reel. Smooth and solid. Please use a larger text. My old eyes almost needed a magnifying glass. EDIT: Clarified that I was referring to Academy reels in the one paragraph. Sorry. Quote
birdy Posted January 16, 2012 Author Posted January 16, 2012 Sorry about the font size, I composed the message in Word first and was not paying attention. Good advice on the rods. There are so many choices and I've always used spinning reels so I am trying to do a little background check prior to buying. I usually bank fish with almost no cover or interferences. When I hit the river it is in a kayak and there is quite a bit of branches etc. So I'm leaning towards nothing over 7 feet. Quote
catchnm Posted January 16, 2012 Posted January 16, 2012 I'll offer you a rod choice first. From what you posted it seems a 6'10" rod would be your best best bet for an all around rod for the type fishing you mentiioned. MH action with a slightly limber tip. Check the tip actions before you buy as there are many variations even in the MH ratings. There are quite a few that are under $100 and are powerful and sensitive. Abu garcia Vendetta (6'9"), Shimano Sellus, Team All Star, just to name a few. As far as a reel goes the H20 Xpress reels are great and would fit right into your budget. Or a used Citica 200E like someone else said. Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted January 16, 2012 Super User Posted January 16, 2012 I grew up on spinning gear. When I got back into fishing a couple years ago, I went to baitcasting gear. Haven't looked back since. You may find yourself feeling the same way. I fished UL with spinning gear. Now I find myself preferring MH rods. I picked up 2 Falcon Originals (1 MH, 1 M) and a custom rod built on an All Star blank (I think) when I visited Florida last year. The three rods cost me $100 plus tax at a small mom-and-pop store. I like buying from this type of store when I can. Left them there because it is too expensive to ship rods back and forth. The custom will be used for moving baits only. The Falcons are much more sensitive. Buying used can save you a fair chunk of change. Or if you can find an item on close out. TW sold out the Falcon Clark Wendlandl rods at $100, a $190 rod. I just bought a 6'6" Medium Daiwa V.I.P. Smallmouth rod from them for $50. This is a $125 rod. Previously I bought some Falcon Elites at $115 (including shipping) from a seller on ebay. These were $279 or $289 rods depending on length. Also got a $300 Cielo spinning rod for $75 shipped. That is my prettiest rod. As you can see, some pretty good deals can be had if you aren't in a hurry, and keep an eye on the classifieds. There is a Cumara 7'2" MH XF that I want for my primary jig rod if I can find the money before it is sold. Asking price is about $100 less than what it goes for new. Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted January 16, 2012 Posted January 16, 2012 Dale, I don't mean to nit-pick but want to distinguish between "custom" and "hand crafted" rods. A prebuilt one-off rod is hand crafted, a rod special built to your precise specs is "Custom". A lot of thought, planning and design goes into a truly custom rod and I didn't want to see anyone get confused. To the OP, the Citica and PQ are good suggestions as are Revo S and Daiwa Exceler. As for a rod, a MH/F of the highest quality you can budget makes a good all around bass rod. Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted January 17, 2012 Super User Posted January 17, 2012 Mike, I don't think I've heard the term "hand crafted" in relation to rod building since the last time I read about guys who built their own flyrods out of bamboo......many, many years ago. I don't read any forums pertaining to rod building. I'm sure rod building requires more talent than I have. It definitely would require time that I don't have. I have no idea which of your definitions fits the "custom" rod I bought since I bought it used. I didn't notice anything special about it so maybe it was a "hand crafted" rod. Quote
Super User Crestliner2008 Posted January 17, 2012 Super User Posted January 17, 2012 Hard to beat an Abu 5500 series reel. Quote
Super User QUAKEnSHAKE Posted January 17, 2012 Super User Posted January 17, 2012 Do you have a Dicks Sporting Goods near? I just got back and they have Curado 200E clearance $129.97 and 25% off that price. Same goes for rods that end with .93 or .97 Quote
thetank86 Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 I no its a little more then $100 but for $133 you can get the Shimano curado 50e or 200e. I just purchesed the the 50e and itsa sick reel. Its on ohya.com $133 shipped! Quote
Jim3h Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 Right now at dicks sporting goods they're having a 25% off reels and the citica 200e was already on sale for 90 plus 25% off! It's a great reel for the price and if it's the floor model they take more off! Quote
ChiCityBasser Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 "Cabela's Prodigy is a $100 reel. It is made by Daiwa. I got the previous model for $60. I feel it is another excellent choice. They go on sale occasionally. When funds allow, get it cleaned, Carbontex drag and upgrade the bearings. You will have a reel that feels like a $180 reel. Smooth and solid." I have a couple of the previous models as well that I purchased at the $60 price and they are great reels. Quote
birdy Posted January 17, 2012 Author Posted January 17, 2012 All great advice and tips on who has sales. Thanks. Quote
alienfishermen Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 The new lews lazer Mg is 79.99 and it blow me away, I fish a lot of high end reels and this beat them all in casting, but the steez even then it was only 1 foot back, and smooth for a reel under $100,, thought it might be a fulk so bought one in the 5.4 to 1 and the same thang, for a $100 rod I'd say Falcon BooCoo 6.9 MH its a little bit light for a mh but very sensitive,,, That a very fine combo for less than $200 As always YMMV Quote
The Guy Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 The Pflueger Asaro is onsale on dick's website for 69.88 down from 129.99 Quote
Super User iceintheveins Posted January 28, 2012 Super User Posted January 28, 2012 The pro qualifier is bar none the very best for under $100, and its better than many reels costing twice as much. Quote
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