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Old 07-21-09, 06:31 PM   #1
JerseyFisher
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Default Starting to use a baitcaster

Hey guys

So I wanna learn to use a baitcaster so I can start throwing more crankbaits and spinnerbaits, and maybe some jigs. I know its gonna take some practice to get use to casting and I'm willing to do that. I've used spinning tackle all my life because most of the fishing I do is for smallmouth mainly throwing drop shots, tubes, small jigs. Now I want to become more well rounded and throw more baits and target some more largemouth too.

So what I am asking I what would be a good beginning rod/reel setup for cranks, spinnerbaits, and jigs? I was thinking maybe 6'6'' to 7' rod MH, not sure what action on the tip though. What would be a good reel ratio for cranks and spinnerbaits? I'm looking to keep the combo in the $100-150 range. Any advice or suggestions would be great.

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Old 07-21-09, 09:11 PM   #2
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Hmmmm.... it that price range for a combo you wont get much. I would get a Abu Pro Max, seems like a great reel for the price! You could also get a Daiwa Exceller Combo for 120 I think at gander mt. I would get a fish eagle 2 cabelas rod to go with it. I have the XML and it's great, I'm sure the fish eagle 2 is fine!

I think you should stay under 150 with thoes combos.... I'm to lazy to check.

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Old 07-21-09, 09:33 PM   #3
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Look at a local Dick's Sporting Goods for any remaining Silver MAx/ Lightning Rod combos. They can be had for crazy low prices. Someone even got one for $30. I got two for $40 each after the rebates.
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Old 07-21-09, 09:44 PM   #4
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Crankbaits - like to throw them on a 7' or longer rod. I normally use a M power and Moderate action rod. the moderate action helps a ton in keeping fish hooked on cranks. For a reel, I prefer a slower gear ration (around 5.4:1 or less), but that's not the only important thing, line retrieve is more important. I normal low speed reel reels in around 20-22" of line while a standard (6.3:1) reel in around 28". But there are exception, like the Abu Garcia Skeet Reese Revo (6.4:1) only reels 24", closer to a low speed. But it's still better to stick with a low speed.

Spinnerbaits - I like to throw these on a 6'3" - 6'6" M or MH rod (depending on how big the spinnerbait is), and I like a Moderate Fast to Fast action rod. For a reel, I prefer a normal 6.3:1 gear ratio reel.

Jigs - I like to throw jigs on a 7' or 7'6" rod. A 6'6" rod will work alright, but I think the 6-12" really helps in setting the hook. A MH or H rod will work, MH if you're not fishing really heavy cover, H if you will be. On a jig rod, I think a Fast or Extra Fast action is best. A 6.3:1 gear ratio reel will work, but I prefer a burner (7.1:1) for reeling in the bait fast to make another cast.

Here's an article I wrote on properly setting the reel when learning.
http://cflforum.forummotion.com/new-...r-reel-t12.htm

Sorry about the link, I'd copy, paste it, but the pictures won't copy, paste.

BB
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Old 07-21-09, 10:43 PM   #5
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ok, i am parcial to the garcias now. BUT the abu pro max is around 89 bucks at wally world. 6:3:1. good all around reel. pair it with a rod equal to this reel and you have yourself a set up under 150 bucks.
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Old 07-22-09, 10:17 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigBassin144 View Post
Crankbaits - like to throw them on a 7' or longer rod. I normally use a M power and Moderate action rod. the moderate action helps a ton in keeping fish hooked on cranks. For a reel, I prefer a slower gear ration (around 5.4:1 or less), but that's not the only important thing, line retrieve is more important. I normal low speed reel reels in around 20-22" of line while a standard (6.3:1) reel in around 28". But there are exception, like the Abu Garcia Skeet Reese Revo (6.4:1) only reels 24", closer to a low speed. But it's still better to stick with a low speed.

Spinnerbaits - I like to throw these on a 6'3" - 6'6" M or MH rod (depending on how big the spinnerbait is), and I like a Moderate Fast to Fast action rod. For a reel, I prefer a normal 6.3:1 gear ratio reel.

Jigs - I like to throw jigs on a 7' or 7'6" rod. A 6'6" rod will work alright, but I think the 6-12" really helps in setting the hook. A MH or H rod will work, MH if you're not fishing really heavy cover, H if you will be. On a jig rod, I think a Fast or Extra Fast action is best. A 6.3:1 gear ratio reel will work, but I prefer a burner (7.1:1) for reeling in the bait fast to make another cast.

Here's an article I wrote on properly setting the reel when learning.
http://cflforum.forummotion.com/new-...r-reel-t12.htm

Sorry about the link, I'd copy, paste it, but the pictures won't copy, paste.

BB
Dang BB! You got all those reels? Nice reels man!

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Old 07-22-09, 10:22 AM   #7
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One is my dad's (The Zillion, my favorite of the bunch), and the handle's on the wrong side. lol. But like I've said before, I normally only buy one rod and reel a year.

BB
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Old 07-22-09, 10:24 AM   #8
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yeah he does..i even got to cast that ugly yeller reel on that ugly yeller rod....

btw thats only 4 diffarnt reels..some of us have that many collecting dust on top of a tv...wait that is just me -i only have 6 on the tv-


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Old 07-22-09, 10:25 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigBassin144 View Post
One is my dad's (The Zillion, my favorite of the bunch), and the handle's on the wrong side. lol. But like I've said before, I normally only buy one rod and reel a year.

BB
Awww, that sucks! I gotta try to use a right hand caster (gonna get a cheep one at wally), see if I can cope, this way if a reels only in right hand I can still get and not have it be a pain in the azz to use.... or more so than if I didn't get a cheep righty.

Which one's you dad?

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Old 07-22-09, 10:26 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zooker View Post
yeah he does..i even got to cast that ugly yeller reel on that ugly yeller rod....

btw thats only 4 diffarnt reels..some of us have that many collecting dust on top of a tv...wait that is just me -i only have 6 on the tv-


zooker
lol zooker, you got reels on your tv?

How'd that "ugly yeller one" cast?

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Old 07-22-09, 10:33 AM   #11
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not bad -not a first choice in a cranking stick -bit wiffly-

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Old 07-22-09, 10:45 AM   #12
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It doesn't cast bad, and that "ugly yeller stick" would have been bright yeller if the black thread wouldn't have bled onto the yeller.

I rarely ever crank deep and this reel, even though it's a 6.4:1 gear ratio reel, it only reels 24" of line per handle turn, 2" more than the Zillion cranking reel and 3" more than the Revo Winch. So it works goo for shallow cranking.

BB
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Old 07-22-09, 10:51 AM   #13
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i was wrong i have 8 reels collecting dust bunnies on my game tv..







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Old 07-22-09, 11:28 AM   #14
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I see a Daiwa megaforce and 7 other reels I can't recognize. And a Katana, it real?

BB
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Old 07-22-09, 12:53 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigBassin144 View Post
I see a Daiwa megaforce and 7 other reels I can't recognize. And a Katana, it real?

BB
No....optical illusion.....
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Old 07-22-09, 01:14 PM   #16
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Quote:
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I see a Daiwa megaforce and 7 other reels I can't recognize. And a Katana, it real?

BB
mostly quantum mag gears, a fpluger trion, a pos abu torno, and a spare quantum spinning reel...

yep it is very real and razor sharp.. just have not played with it in a while..


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Old 07-22-09, 03:05 PM   #17
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Quote:
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i was wrong i have 8 reels collecting dust bunnies on my game tv..







zooker
lol zooker! Nice! You don't like that spinning reel?

Is that a sword behind the TV??!?
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Old 07-22-09, 04:22 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigBassin144 View Post
I see a Daiwa megaforce and 7 other reels I can't recognize. And a Katana, it real?

BB
Quote:
Originally Posted by zooker View Post
mostly quantum mag gears, a fpluger trion, a pos abu torno, and a spare quantum spinning reel...

yep it is very real and razor sharp.. just have not played with it in a while..


zooker
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lol zooker! Nice! You don't like that spinning reel?

Is that a sword behind the TV??!?
Hello!! McFly!!!
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Old 07-22-09, 04:31 PM   #19
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Anyone consider perhaps Boss doesn't know what a katana is?
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Old 07-22-09, 04:46 PM   #20
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Anyone consider perhaps Boss doesn't know what a katana is?
Ok fine, a katana, what every you wanna call it!

What you got a katana fer zook?!?

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Old 07-22-09, 05:20 PM   #21
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dealing with annoying neighbors!

BB
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Old 07-22-09, 05:34 PM   #22
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Ok fine, a katana, what every you wanna call it!

What you got a katana fer zook?!?

Boss

you never know when you might wanna be a ninja..
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Old 07-22-09, 07:17 PM   #23
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zooker is well prepared for the next revolution my friend. i am in the process of getting ready.
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Old 07-22-09, 08:01 PM   #24
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you never know when you might wanna be a ninja..
lol!!!! We gotta get JB to photo shop Ninja Zooker!

Quote:
zooker is well prepared for the next revolution my friend. i am in the process of getting ready.
All right bama, what you got sitting 'hind you TV?
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Old 07-22-09, 09:02 PM   #25
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I just about threw out my baitcasters until I saw this video by Kevin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDI5kwR5zjc

I was cutting my line every time I would have a backlash. Talk about wasting money!
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