Baitcasters

[hoytguy]

Im thinking of getting a bait caster I dont own one and have never used one but want to try one. what do I need to know and comments will help and also what is is a good one to get for not too much cost

[doc]

ABU Garcia baby. ambassadeur for budjet, revo for stylin and low profilin.

[Jim80]

Originally Posted by doc

ABU Garcia baby. ambassadeur for budjet, revo for stylin and low profilin.

agree completely , got an ambassaduer myself and love it , also got a pinnacle lp100 and love that too . both were under 60 bucks , and i just ordered a revo should have it tomorrow , can't wait to give it a sling .

[Nitro911]

I have a Revo and I really like it. Just be sure that the screw that holds the left side plate is tight. First cast on tournament day last month I felt the reel fall apart, side plate, bearings, whole left side fell into about 25 feet of water. #@&* screw....

[hoytguy]

what about ABU garcia MAX seriers are they any good also what line should I put on

[Jim80]

Originally Posted by Nitro911

I have a Revo and I really like it. Just be sure that the screw that holds the left side plate is tight. First cast on tournament day last month I felt the reel fall apart, side plate, bearings, whole left side fell into about 25 feet of water. #@&* screw....

thanks for the advice ...

hoytguy i have 30lb power pro on 1 and 12lb trilene on the other .

[islandbass]

http://pages.infinit.net/fishing/page7.html

[rrw4258]

I would recommend the Black Max from Abu Garcia. Smooth, long distacne casting, super smooth and a good drag system. Plus you get a $10 back from Abu Garcia by mail in rebate. It makes the reel $39.99 or so... I have had awesome success with mine I own two and love them both...

Ryan

[BERKLEY83]

Black Maxx Great Reel Have Three Very Light Too. Can Chunk A Wieghtless Worm A Mile For 50.00 Bucks A Great Buy At Tacklewarehouse Shipping Is Free

[skeeterman]

Originally Posted by rrw4258

I would recommend the Black Max from Abu Garcia. Smooth, long distacne casting, super smooth and a good drag system. Plus you get a $10 back from Abu Garcia by mail in rebate. It makes the reel $39.99 or so... I have had awesome success with mine I own two and love them both...

Ryan

You guys beat me to the punch.I have one and absolutely love it.Its very smooth.

[BigBassin144]

Just remember, when it comes ot fishing gear (especially reels) you get what you pay for. As for a reel, The Abu Garcia Revo's are great reels. My favorite reels are Daiwa.

As for learning to use one. Some advice from me: don't start with Fluorocarbon line. I find Braid the easiest to use on a BC, but many say use for mono for beginners. Here's just some of the basics.

Spool Tension: The little knob behind the handle and drag. Here's how I set it. Tie on your bait (and remember heavier baits are easier to learn with.). Reel the bait to about 2-4" from the tip of the rod. Hold your rod up at a 45* angle. engage the reel and let the bait fall (make sure you stop it just before it hits the ground). The bait should take about 4-5 seconds to get to the ground. If it is less, tighten the spool tension, and if it is more, loosen it. With the spool tension, a little turn of the knob is all you need. Remember to change this every time the weight of the bait you are uing changes significantly.

Brakes: First off, I'd recomend getting a reel with magnetic brakes dues to ease of use for a beginner (Daiwa reels, upper end Abu's, etc.) The magnetic brakes have dial (on the opposite side as the handle) which usually ranges from 10 to OFF (sometimes it says MAX to MIN or off). With centrifugal brakes (some high end reels have dial, but not many) you have to take the side plate off and there are a normally 6 little pins. When they are pushed in, that brake is off, when they are out, it is on. Just remember that when you set these, they have to symmetrical. so if you set one, the one across from it has to be set also.

To start out, I'd use all six pins on a centrifugal brake reel, and turn the brakes up to 9-10 on a magnetic brake reel. Start there and when you can cast without backlash, turn it down a bit. Do this until youi are comfortable or have them off (I started using baitcasters last year and have my brakes at about 3-5) When fishing windy conditions as a newbie to BC reels, ALWAYS, and I really mean ALWAYS, turn your brakes up.

As for a rod, a good all around rod is 6'6" MH. you can do quite a bit with this rod so I'd suggest it for a beginner with one BC rod/reel.

BB

P.S. I forgot the most important thing about baitcasters: the THUMB. always use your thumb to slow the baitdown and keep back lash to a minimum. Some of the guys can get you a link to help you more, but these are the basics, so I hope they help.

[bamabassman]

abu garcia pro max with a ligthing rod med action. oh yea get some BRAIDED LINE, lol. cost right at 100 bucks at wally world. rod length...6'6".

[mariner]

I Really Like My Pfluger Abu Is Too Expensive For Me

[bamabassman]

mariner, go to wally world and try out the pro max or silver max. pro max is only 80 bucks, and silver max is only 60 bucks.

[BigBassin144]

Yeah, I casted bama's Pro Max, and it's pretty nice for that price. My favorite reels are still Daiwa. I love my Viento.

BB

[mariner]

i like the twitchin bar on the veinto but $200 is way to much i also like my bps extreme that thing is on a lightninrod and is got braid on it and is used for frogs it takes the abuse

bigbassin114 were u at the goosepond gatherin

[BigBassin144]

I got my Viento for Christmas. I would really love ot have one of the Zillions, they are an amazing reel, and they look friggin sweet too!

BB

[Bender]

While I realize Shimano's prices have gotten a little out of hand, you can still get a Citica for $100 and it is a good reel, I have a 100 and a 200 DSV. Almost all of mine are Shimanos, but I do have one Diawa Exceler and it is a great spinning reel for the price. I was going to get a baitcaster last time I went to the store but they were sold out. Great reels for the price, less than $70 bucks.

[stevomac59]

Abu Garcia! Got it on sunday for my B-day. Ambassadeur REVO SX-HS! Awesome reel!


-stevo

[PowerBass]

Abu Garcia Revo, Quantum EnergyPT, Quantum Accurist PT

my favorite casters