Help Selecting a baitcaster

[topwater18]

I am new to this board, beeing lurking and learning here for a while and decided to join the fun.

i posted this to another board so if anyone here has seen this post before i apologize

Before anyone says Shimano Curato, i can't afford one right now, I have realized that the cheap Walmart baitcaster is just that, cheap, so I am replacing it. I have a pflueger purist, but was looking at some other options.

I only have about $80 to spend so these are the options I have narrowed it down to:

Shimano
-crestfire
-Callisto

Quantum
-Accurist AC500 CX
-VanDam Series Baitcaster (from Bass Pro)

Diawa
-Triforce 150
-Procaster Bi

[Carolina_Chip]

I had not fished in a really long time and could not see spending tons of money on a rod and reel. I figured around $40 to start to see if I would stay with it or not. I bought a Rhino combo RSC 3 at Wal-mart for like $30 and have been satified. I can catch fish just as easily as on $150 set up. Someday maybe I'll go for more, but not now.

[profishermenkid16]

TKO, It would help if we knew what lures you fished. P N J

[topwater18]

the Pflueger is on a MH rod and i usually use that for fishing soft plastics, senko, etc. The WalMart rod is a Medium that i use to fish spinnerbaits, cranks, lipless cranks, topwaters, etc. So i am looking for something that i can throw basically anything except soft plastics.

[Infisherman1]

BPS Extreme, on sale for $60 at BPS.

[madmarty]

An Ambassadeur 4600 is a good inexpensive reel. It is great for a beginner. It can be fished in most situations.

[Rich]

Welcome to the forum!

I agree with Hula on the Bass Pro Shops Extreme-they are all I use.

What I would suggest is to figure out how much you can spend, then go someplace that sells reels and see which one feels right to you in your price range. That takes all the guesswork out-you know what it feels like before you buy it.

[ryan7261]

I got the Quantum good reel and last's a long time, I have had one for 12 years now and just got the accurist
and happy as hell with it.

Robby.

[ryan7261]

Oh ya welcome to the site Were glad you became a member. Please let us know anything you might think we might not have covered before.

Robby.

[Kevin_T]

I just got a Shimano Crestfire and its very good, cast smooth, good power and price... One more thing, Shimano is very good making mechanism

[bronzebackguy]

I have fished both the diawa and the shimanos, they both are good reels for the price, its all up to brand preferance

[TheBassMan]

I have 3 Crestfire's and 4 Callisto's........To be honest with you, I think the Callistos are better and they are and 40 bucks......(30 on sale at Dick's sometimes)

I really like them, smooth casting, no backlashes, plenty of power.......Good workhorse reel

Catch em up
Brian

[macgyver]

[quote author=tko link=board=news;num=1116443615;start=0#0 date=05/18/05 at 15:13:35]I am new to this board, beeing lurking and learning here for a while and decided to join the fun.

i posted this to another board so if anyone here has seen this post before i apologize

Before anyone says Shimano Curato, i can't afford one right now, I have realized that the cheap Walmart baitcaster is just that, cheap, so I am replacing it. I have a pflueger purist, but was looking at some other options.

I only have about $80 to spend so these are the options I have narrowed it down to:

Shimano
-crestfire
-Callisto

Quantum
-Accurist AC500 CX
-VanDam Series Baitcaster (from Bass Pro)

Diawa
-Triforce 150
-Procaster Bi
[/quote]


I have not fished any of those reels. And have really only been using Baitcaster for about a year, but kinda got the handle of them now If you want to try to get a used reel, try posting what model you are looking for in the Classified section, you might find the one you want in your price range. Also might try out ebay, so far I've bought a used Curado 200B5 and a new Calais off of there, and have had no problems. There are others however who have had many problems buying from ebay as I've read. Just a thought.

Lizards

[bassmistress]

My suggestion would be to save up and buy a better reel. That is if you have a job and how much you are willing or able to put aside for a better reel. You have $80 dollars, that is very close to $120. If you $20 bucks this week then $20 bucks the following week there you go. I recently bought a Quantum Energy E600PT and am going to test it out tommorrow. Just from practice casting it feels DELICIOUS. It cost me $149 exactly no tax. I got it from a little tackle shop. Look for the ones owned by asians, for some reason they give very good discounts.

-BassinFreak#1-

[redneck13]

Quantum's a good choice but don't forget the Ambassaduer.It's as good as any named so far and will last forever.My #1 reel right now is a 15 yr old 5500.

[topwater18]

Thanks for all the input, i still am not sure, but since i live near Cabelas in Kansas City so I will probably buy from there since they have a decent return policy.

I do have a job and unfortunately it is not a matter of saving the money, it is more of a situation that my wife doesn't see the need to spend that much $$$$ on a reel, so i have to keep the amount i spend near to what i would spend on a round of golf. :-/

[Tightlinesdb]

Of my many rod & reels, I have 2 of the Procasters you were talking about.

Great Spinner-bait rod. Don't know about the cranks as most of mine are either lipless or run @ above 5-7'.

@ bass pro, they are running a sale right now...$50 for a decent rod and a procaster .

6:2:1 ratio

[profishermenkid16]

If you want a good used reel instant message me. I have alot of reels. P N J

[Bassin_Dude]

tell her that it is your money, and you can spend it as you choose, might spark a argument, but why let her control your life ??? my parents also feel the same about me, i just tell them, ''you want me to go spend this money on fishin stuff, or a dime bag'' sometimes it works, most of the time it does, so that is how i get my parents to let me spend my money the way i want to.

[topwater18]

I have used that argument for a long time, however,I am an avid golfer and spend three times the $$$$on golf as i do fishing and fishing is a relatively new hobby so i am voluntarily limiting my spending as much as possible. Besides we are trying to add to the family and saving a couple $$ here and there isn't that big of a thing

[macgyver]

[quote author=pig_n_jig link=board=news;num=1116443615;start=0#17 date=05/19/05 at 16:11:29]If you want a good used reel instant message me. I have alot of reels. P N J[/quote]

Send him a PM I can vouch for his sincerity and honesty. He'll take care of you

Lizards

[Bassin_Dude]

[quote author=lizardsrule link=board=news;num=1116443615;start=0#20 date=05/19/05 at 16:38:54]

Send him a PM I can vouch for his sincerity and honesty. Â*He'll take care of you

Lizards[/quote]
i second that. he is a great guy, and will take care of you.