Baitcasting Rod and Reel

[WallStreetAmigo]

Christmas is coming and my wife has asked what I want.......I have decided that I need a good baitcasting rod and reel. Winters are long up here and I will have plenty of time to practice and hopefully get good at it by next spring.

All I use right now are spinning reels, but I'm looking to expand my horizons. I have been asking around and was recommended a Quantum Tour Edition PT Casting Rod paired with a Quantum Accurist PT reel. In reading up on them, they look to be pretty good (although I admit I am not an expert on the subject). I am thinking that a longer MH baitcasting rod would probably cover many different applications, but please correct me if I'm wrong. I tend to like longer rods because I'm very tall and I tend to favor 20lb powerpro because it works well for me.

What are the most important features to look for in a baitcasting setup? I would prefer a setup that can handle many different types of tackle and presentations.

BTW, I was looking through the Cabelas site at baitcast reels and I saw one that was $650 bucks (Calais DC). I told my wife that I wanted that reel for christmas (just to see her have a spaz when she saw the price...lol). She didn't even bat an eye and told me she would get it for me if I really wanted it..... talk about temptation.

[skeeter944]

The Bass Pro Shops Extreme Baitcast combo in 6'6'' MH is a great starter combo, but if you have the money definitly get something thats higher quality.

[airskank]

BPS 6' or 6'6'' M is what i have with a BPS extreme reel. It was my first set up and I loved it so much i just picked up another on ebay used. BPS has great prices for the quality. I also have a BPS bionic spinning rod with a shimano Sahara spinning reel MH for my soft plastics.

[lunker-lander]

My first BC rod was a St.Croix 7' MH Crankbait series matched w/ a Shimano Citica 201D. I ABSOLUTLEY LOVE THIS ROD/REEL!!! I highly reccommend this set-up, you can chose if you want the crnkbait version or not though. Another good set up is a St.Crox AVC70MHF, this is my latest rod and I love it. Rod runs about 120 for the first and 170 for the latter, but the latter is definitely a great rod. Match either up with a Shimano or Pflueger and you got a mighty fine set-up!!!

-ll

[BigBassin144]

You will have an easier time learning on a good reel like that, but I started on a Daiwa Procaster SE on a Cabelas Fish Eagle II. It is a nice reel for 80 bucks.
It wasn't hard to learn on that reel. The tihng I like about Daiwa is that you can change the magnetic brake by using the dial on the side of the reel. Other reels you have to open up to change.

[Raul]

Chronarch 50 Mg + GLoomis CR723 or MBR783 = match made in heaven.

[carolina-rig-01]

i strongly recommend a falcon rod. the cara is a sweet rod! for a little less money you can get a falcon origional and you won't regret either one. you really ought to get your hands on the rod and reel in the store before buying to make sure they feel comfortable to you. i really like the abu-garcia revo on my falcon's but everyone is different.

[adamgambill]

Originally Posted by Raul

Chronarch 50 Mg + GLoomis CR723 or MBR783 = match made in heaven.

X2 gotta go with the shimano.

[bassinbob]

Revo STX and a 7ft med heavy Kistler rod. My new favorite. But I am now looking to buy a new reel around 6 ozs.

[bassinbob]

Revo STX and a 7ft med heavy Kistler rod. My new favorite. But I am now looking to buy a new reel around 6 ozs.

[pig n jig]

Originally Posted by Raul

Chronarch 50 Mg + GLoomis CR723 or MBR783 = match made in heaven.

Ditto. I have the Japanese Shimano Metanium XT on a G Loomis MBR783C rod.The Metanium XT is exactly the same as the American Shimano Chronach versions sold here in the USA. The 783 is a 6'6" Medium heavy rod that does everything I have asked it to . It is extremely lightweight and very sensitive. P N J

[zooker]

Originally Posted by WallStreetAmigo

I have been asking around and was recommended a Quantum Tour Edition PT Casting Rod paired with a Quantum Accurist PT reel. In reading up on them, they look to be pretty good (although I admit I am not an expert on the subject). I am thinking that a longer MH baitcasting rod would probably cover many different applications, but please correct me if I'm wrong. I tend to like longer rods because I'm very tall and I tend to favor 20lb powerpro because it works well for me.

i dislike the quatum rod as it is a bit on the fat handled side...
this is going to sound real weird coming from me but take note.if your going to get a 7.1 reel you WILL be happier with an bps extreme reel..i have had a tour edition -been in the repair shop more than i have used it-

but if you want the accurast-which is a good reel no question-op up to the energy series. the differance is night and day.

i recently -sunday- caught a 30 pound red drum on mine worked like a dream. i would not advise you try that at home, but i was doin a lil r&d with a lil somethin, somthin...

team diawa advantage reel also would get the thumbs up from me..

zooker

[Rebbasser]

team diawa advantage reel also would get the thumbs up from me

Same here-good reel. WSA, if you don't want to part with a lot of $$ and still get a good combo take a look at the Bass Pro Shops Extreme. I don't like the hump handle the rods have-just personal preference, but they are quality rods-but the Extreme reel is a lot of reel for the $. I have several, and have been real happy with them.

[WallStreetAmigo]

Thanks for the replies everyone. The world of baitcasting rods and reels is a confusing one, that's for sure. Of course, the fact that there are no stores around here where I can go and actually hold them in my hand and get a feel for them doesn't make it any easier. I heard that Cabelas is opening a store in Post Falls Idaho next month (which is reasonably close to here), so maybe I will head down there and just try to get a feel for what I like and don't like. Its a bonus that the Canadian dollar is doing so well....it beats a few years ago when I had to pay 1 and a half times the prices in canadian dollars. I always find that when I can try it myself I can then translate that to other similiar gear online and get a better understanding of what I'm looking for. I truly appreciate the input. There are some great suggestions on here and from the research that I've done from your suggestions, there is a lot of quality equipment to choose from.

[Raul]

If you are going to do that leave the Chronarch 50/51 Mg / GLoomis IMX for the last because if you hold those first all the rest you can hold is going to feel like a brick and you won´t like anything else ..... and then the BaitMonkey will have you for good.

[WallStreetAmigo]

Originally Posted by Raul

If you are going to do that leave the Chronarch 50/51 Mg / GLoomis IMX for the last because if you hold those first all the rest you can hold is going to feel like a brick and you won´t like anything else ..... and then the BaitMonkey will have you for good.

...... I wonder if I can guess what your favorite combo is.........

[Lancer6]

Downside to the Chronarch 50MG...
If oyu decide you want to fish any mono, fluoro, or cofilament any heavier than, say, 12 lb test you will find the reel limited in performance in that heavier line will have more memory problems on a small spool AND line level will decrease more rapidly on the cast which MIGHT affect distance and control.
If you select any rod heavier than Medium I'd recommend you opt for a REVO or any other slightly higher capacity reel that weighs LESS than 9 ounces. Or, try to find an older Curado, such as a 200BSF (light green, Super Free, not the dark green 200B). The newer ones are OBESE (and overpriced.) Also, a current model Castaic would be a great choice and you get a flipping switch! (Yay! or something.)
Speaking from experience, I am.

[Raul]

Originally Posted by WallStreetAmigo

...... I wonder if I can guess what your favorite combo is.........

Actually it´s not my all favorite, is one of my favorites I can recommend to somebody without thinking I´m nuts ( which is true to a certain degree ), reason why I recommend it is that it´s an excellent choice without going bankrupt in the process, my two favorite bc combos are:

GLoomis IMX CR721/ Daiwa Liberto Pixy
GLoomis GLX MBR783C / Team Daiwa TDZ 105H

But at 300+ per reel and 250+ per rod they turn out to be quite expensive.

Another reel you could want is the Curado 100D, same size as the Chronarch Mg, casts pretty much like the Chronarch Mg and even though it weights more it still feels pretty light. If you plan to purchase a right handed Delo´s Custom Tackle has it at a killer price of $165 plus free shipping. So do the math $230 ( rod, get it at Tacklewarehouse and you also get free shipping ) + $165 Curado 100D = $390, not bad for an excellent bc combo.

[pig n jig]

Raul, I thought of you ,while I was fishing on Canandaigua lake yesterday.Oh, I forgot to mention the fact that it was snowing yesterday afternoon here when I was fishing. P N J

[zooker]

please pnj i get disturbing vizuals where you say you were thinkin of us while fishing..

none of the are good either..

zooker

[Bender]

For a first one I would suggest a Citica, with a 7' MH rod. The rods are up to you, there are lots of good ones.
My favorite reel so far is my Chronarch 50Mg, but it is $250 so maybe not the best as a first. On the same step don't buy a really cheap one. I started with a crappy Wal-Mart Quantum and could never cast it without backlashes. A year after I swore that reel off and learned to use one I tried it again and found that the spool tension kno did not work, at all.
I really prefer centrifugal braking, hence my love of Shimanos.

[Raul]

Originally Posted by pig n jig

Raul, I thought of you ,while I was fishing on Canandaigua lake yesterday.Oh, I forgot to mention the fact that it was snowing yesterday afternoon here when I was fishing. P N J

Move south . The weather was "good" this weekend, clear blue skies, sunny, 80° air temp but couldn´t go to wet a line from the boat, it was too danged windy , so I instead of going to the lake I went to the ponds, caught a few .

[WallStreetAmigo]

Originally Posted by Raul

Move south . The weather was "good" this weekend, clear blue skies, sunny, 80° air temp but couldn´t go to wet a line from the boat, it was too danged windy , so I instead of going to the lake I went to the ponds, caught a few .

34 degree air temp here today........ Maybe I should move south...

[rrw4258]

i would suggest the Cabela's Prodigy BC Reel, on a 6'6" MH Torison Rod. I bought the prodigy over the summer, and have used it over 75 times already, and is still going as smoothly as the day i got it. It is very smooth, and is capapble of casting amazing distances. The price for the reel is $100, if you watch for it in cabela's or online it sometimes runs for 69.99.
Thanks

Ryan

[pbruessow@msn.com]

A lot of guys here with lots of money! I started tournament fishing about 24 years ago in Florida and started out with Shimanos and Daiwas. Nice reels, but I switched to Ambassedeurs about 8 years ago. I use the C series with magnetics for those windy days. They are tough reels with lots of winching power and cast pretty good. I imagine they won't cast as far as the high end 300-500 jobs, but since your a beginner, you will be turning up that friction knob to prevent backlashes and that will limit your casting for the 1st year or more anyhow.

I've used Lightning rods many years ago, Lews speed sticks, Fenwicks, but it's very hard to beat Allstar rods for the money. Try a 6-6 or 6-8 MH Allstar paired with the Ambassedeur, and you got a tough, sensitive and reasonably priced outfit for a beginner.

I'd spend the money I saved on sharp hooks like Gammies, quality lures like Zoom, Rapala, and quality line!