What to buy, What to buy

LittleBigBass · 12-25-11, 08:53 PM

I am getting a new baitcaster tomorrow, but i want to find out what the deal is with gear ratio and bearings first. What does the amount of bearings affect? Does the gear ratio matter? If so why. with such a large selecion of poles, and reels, i dont know what to look for! Also, does anyone know of any good baitcaster reels for around 80-110$? I dont know much when it comes to buying new rods and reels, any help on the subject would be appreciated!

bassinbob · 12-25-11, 09:58 PM

There could be many answers to your questions. First what method do you want a new set up for? Worms, jigs, topwater, cranks? If you're looking for a all purpose set up maybe go with a 7ft mh rod and a Shimano Citica 200E from Dicks ($79.00).They have a gear ratio of 6.3:1 which is a pretty much all around ratio. Lower ratios for cranks, higher for buzzbaits, and so on. Let us know what your need is.

bamabassman · 12-25-11, 11:28 PM

shoot a pm to PRO REEL, NOFEAR, BIGBASSING. these guys can give oyu the skinny on what oyu need to know pal.

FIRST REEL that comes to my mind is the ABU GARCIA PROMAX. $80.00 at wally world. most likely it'll have a 6:2.1 ratio. good general all around ratio.

LittleBigBass · 12-25-11, 11:36 PM

Thanks bassinbob and Bamabassman for your help, I am going to use this reel/rod for crankbaits so i would go with a lower ratio right? And for crankbaits a stiffer pole would be better. How about the length of the pole....For crankbaits with a baitcaster, what length/action pole should i get?

bamabassman · 12-26-11, 12:49 AM

in MY opion only now, rod length depends on whether you fish mainly for mt eh boat or bank. boat, 6'6" or 7'. bank, 5'6" UP TO 6'6". CRANKBAITS, I LIKE A MED HEAVY WITH A FAST TIP. but others will tell you different. i jsut like a heavy action rod with a fast tip for a LOT of my baits. but i have been told it is wrong. so you'd be better to wait for someone who is more into rod actions.

Tavery5 · 12-26-11, 01:17 AM

A good place to start with a baitcasting setup for crankbaits would be a reel with a lower gear ratio, and a rod with medium heavy power'and a moderate to moderate fast action. Look at rods between 6'6" and 7', what ever feels most comfortable to you.

Some of the reels to look at would be the Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier and Carbonlite, Shimano makes a good reel in your price range called the Citica. Lew's makes a nice reel called the Speed Spool in this price range also.

As for rods you may want to take a look at the Falcon Bucoo, or the St. Croix Mojo. Both have a good build quality and won't break the bank.

Don't get yourself to hung up on gear ratio's and bearing count at this point.

bassboogieman · 12-26-11, 02:10 AM

Three responses (including mine) and three different answers, so it goes with personal preference. In most instances I prefer a medium power, moderate or moderate/fast action rod for treble baits. I do move to a MH/mod rod for deep cranks or when ripping traps out of grass (not my favorite way to fish, either). Length for me is 6'9" or longer, again depending on which presentation. Reels, I like a lower ratio (5.3:1 approx) for cranks, except lipless cranks, then I want a faster ratio (6.3:1).

keithdog · 12-26-11, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassboogieman

Three responses (including mine) and three different answers, so it goes with personal preference. In most instances I prefer a medium power, moderate or moderate/fast action rod for treble baits. I do move to a MH/mod rod for deep cranks or when ripping traps out of grass (not my favorite way to fish, either). Length for me is 6'9" or longer, again depending on which presentation. Reels, I like a lower ratio (5.3:1 approx) for cranks, except lipless cranks, then I want a faster ratio (6.3:1).

I couldn't have said it better. One reel to check out would be the BPS Pro Qualifier with the 5.4:1 ratio which is a good all around crankbait ratio. It sells for $99.00 and is of a very good quality. For a rod I would go with the StCroix Premier Crankbait specific rod. The 7'Medium power/moderate action will handle most of your crankbait needs with ease. It sells for $120.00 Like bassboogieman said, a MH power rod is good for large cranks and lipless cranks.

LittleBigBass · 12-26-11, 10:32 AM

Thanks guys, you really helped me out a lot

pro reel · 12-26-11, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleBigBass

Thanks guys, you really helped me out a lot

I would have thought you would be completly confused by now. LOL

The problem with the question is that there is no right or wrong answer.
As you can see from the responses, it depends on lots of factors and personal preference.

KVD recomends a 5.2:1 ratio reel for all crankbaits. Thats because he fish's like a demon on crack. He cranks his reels the same speed for crankbaits as he does for burning spinnerbaits. He doesn't like to try to slow down, so he uses a slower reel. Other pro's recomend a 6.4: 1 reel for small and medium cranks because you can be more versatile with speeds without much adjustment to the cranking speed of your hand. I found that what works best for me is to use a 5.1:1 reel for the biggest cranks such as DD 22's and then to use a 6.4:1 reel for most all other crankbaits. What works for me though may be quite different than what you or anyone else would like.

woody · 12-26-11, 11:17 AM

The reason I like using a moderate(softer) action crankbait rod is the higher hook-up percentages.

The softer rod will absorb the energy of a thrashing bass, rather than allowing the bass to shake free from the small treble hooks.

-Mark

bamabassman · 12-26-11, 11:18 AM

KEVIN BRINGS UP AN IMPORTANT POINT. i can see where KVD changes reels with different gear ratios. it makes sense. see, by changing to a different gear ratio, you DON'T change the way YOU retrieve the bait. the REEL makes the change FOR YOU. this is what i want to do my self. takes out the thinking in my mind. want to slow down....switch to a lower gear ratio and retrieve the same way.
i wasn't recomending a specific gear ratio,if i did i am sorry. i was jsut saying what I personally use as of right now.
in the (hopefully) near future, i am going to have different reels for such this reason. 1 for worms, lissies and so forth, 1 for shallow cranks and spinners, etc,etc. this way when i pick up a rod, cast and mis (as usual,lol), i can go right back with a DIFFERNT rod, cast and use the SAME speed retrieveing and miss it again. hahaha.

does this make sense? if not please correct me. lol. i jsut got up and still groggy form all the CHRISTMAS fun. no, no booze imvolved either. hahaha.

LittleBigBass · 12-26-11, 10:10 PM

I went to Bass Pro shops today, and decided to get the johnny morris carbon black pole and baitcaster reel. Thanks again for all the advice and info on the gear ratios, gave me some idea of what to look for in the store.

12-25-11, 08:53 PM	#1
LittleBigBass BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 70	What to buy, What to buy I am getting a new baitcaster tomorrow, but i want to find out what the deal is with gear ratio and bearings first. What does the amount of bearings affect? Does the gear ratio matter? If so why. with such a large selecion of poles, and reels, i dont know what to look for! Also, does anyone know of any good baitcaster reels for around 80-110$? I dont know much when it comes to buying new rods and reels, any help on the subject would be appreciated!

12-25-11, 09:58 PM	#2
bassinbob BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Pitts. Pa. Posts: 3,801	There could be many answers to your questions. First what method do you want a new set up for? Worms, jigs, topwater, cranks? If you're looking for a all purpose set up maybe go with a 7ft mh rod and a Shimano Citica 200E from Dicks ($79.00).They have a gear ratio of 6.3:1 which is a pretty much all around ratio. Lower ratios for cranks, higher for buzzbaits, and so on. Let us know what your need is. __________________ you can have my fishin rod when ya take it from my cold dead hands

12-25-11, 11:28 PM	#3
bamabassman BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: cedar bluff, alabama Posts: 15,292	shoot a pm to PRO REEL, NOFEAR, BIGBASSING. these guys can give oyu the skinny on what oyu need to know pal. FIRST REEL that comes to my mind is the ABU GARCIA PROMAX. $80.00 at wally world. most likely it'll have a 6:2.1 ratio. good general all around ratio. __________________ so many lures, so little time.

12-26-11, 12:49 AM	#5
bamabassman BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: cedar bluff, alabama Posts: 15,292	in MY opion only now, rod length depends on whether you fish mainly for mt eh boat or bank. boat, 6'6" or 7'. bank, 5'6" UP TO 6'6". CRANKBAITS, I LIKE A MED HEAVY WITH A FAST TIP. but others will tell you different. i jsut like a heavy action rod with a fast tip for a LOT of my baits. but i have been told it is wrong. so you'd be better to wait for someone who is more into rod actions. __________________ so many lures, so little time.

12-26-11, 01:17 AM	#6
Tavery5 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 2,427	A good place to start with a baitcasting setup for crankbaits would be a reel with a lower gear ratio, and a rod with medium heavy power'and a moderate to moderate fast action. Look at rods between 6'6" and 7', what ever feels most comfortable to you. Some of the reels to look at would be the Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier and Carbonlite, Shimano makes a good reel in your price range called the Citica. Lew's makes a nice reel called the Speed Spool in this price range also. As for rods you may want to take a look at the Falcon Bucoo, or the St. Croix Mojo. Both have a good build quality and won't break the bank. Don't get yourself to hung up on gear ratio's and bearing count at this point. __________________ They call me Ishmael

12-25-11, 11:36 PM	#4
LittleBigBass BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 70	Thanks bassinbob and Bamabassman for your help, I am going to use this reel/rod for crankbaits so i would go with a lower ratio right? And for crankbaits a stiffer pole would be better. How about the length of the pole....For crankbaits with a baitcaster, what length/action pole should i get?

12-26-11, 02:10 AM	#7
bassboogieman BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Parkesburg, Pa. Posts: 3,762	Three responses (including mine) and three different answers, so it goes with personal preference. In most instances I prefer a medium power, moderate or moderate/fast action rod for treble baits. I do move to a MH/mod rod for deep cranks or when ripping traps out of grass (not my favorite way to fish, either). Length for me is 6'9" or longer, again depending on which presentation. Reels, I like a lower ratio (5.3:1 approx) for cranks, except lipless cranks, then I want a faster ratio (6.3:1).

12-26-11, 10:32 AM	#9
LittleBigBass BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 70	Thanks guys, you really helped me out a lot

12-26-11, 11:17 AM	#11
woody BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Jonesville, Indiana Posts: 3,597	The reason I like using a moderate(softer) action crankbait rod is the higher hook-up percentages. The softer rod will absorb the energy of a thrashing bass, rather than allowing the bass to shake free from the small treble hooks. -Mark

12-26-11, 11:18 AM	#12
bamabassman BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: cedar bluff, alabama Posts: 15,292	KEVIN BRINGS UP AN IMPORTANT POINT. i can see where KVD changes reels with different gear ratios. it makes sense. see, by changing to a different gear ratio, you DON'T change the way YOU retrieve the bait. the REEL makes the change FOR YOU. this is what i want to do my self. takes out the thinking in my mind. want to slow down....switch to a lower gear ratio and retrieve the same way. i wasn't recomending a specific gear ratio,if i did i am sorry. i was jsut saying what I personally use as of right now. in the (hopefully) near future, i am going to have different reels for such this reason. 1 for worms, lissies and so forth, 1 for shallow cranks and spinners, etc,etc. this way when i pick up a rod, cast and mis (as usual,lol), i can go right back with a DIFFERNT rod, cast and use the SAME speed retrieveing and miss it again. hahaha. does this make sense? if not please correct me. lol. i jsut got up and still groggy form all the CHRISTMAS fun. no, no booze imvolved either. hahaha. __________________ so many lures, so little time.

12-26-11, 10:10 PM	#13
LittleBigBass BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 70	I went to Bass Pro shops today, and decided to get the johnny morris carbon black pole and baitcaster reel. Thanks again for all the advice and info on the gear ratios, gave me some idea of what to look for in the store.

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