Help With Reel Choice

[Mr.Bassmaster29]

Hey guys, I have fished with a spinning reel all my life and I really like them. I am buying a new reel soon and I am having a hard time deciding between a baitcaster or another spinning reel. I know I have seen several pros using baitcasters and was just wondering why they don't use spinning reels. Can anyone help me out with pros and cons of each?

Thanks!

[BigBassin144]

I think most people find baitcasters to be more versatile. If you've only used spinning reels, I'd highly suggest trying out a baitcaster. They can handle much heavier lines and lures than spinning reels. They can be tricky to get the hang of though. You have to be willing to work at it.

A lot of people suggest buying a cheap baitcaster to start out with and upgrading later if you like it. However, I think someone learning to cast a baitcaster needs to buy the best one they can on their budget. Not only will it make learning easier than a cheap one, but if you decide baitcasting isn't for you, you can get most of your money back out of a good casting reel. Cheap ones aren't even worth reselling after paying paypal fees, shipping, etc. And if you do like it, now you don't have to upgrade.

$100 is least I'd spend on a casting reel. You will get a lot of opinions on which brand, or which model reel, but if you stick with the "Big Three" you should be fine. The Big Three brands are Daiwa, Shimano, and Abu Garcia.

Knowing what you're looking to spend on your first casting reel will help us out a lot in giving you recommendations.

In the $100 range (like I said, about the minimum I'd go), I'd take a look at the BPS Pro Qualifier or Shimano Citica. I've used both of these reels and they are both good performers. The BPS PQ might be an easier reel to learn on because of the Dual Braking System.

Moving up to the $150-$250 range. I haven't used many reels in this price range that are still available. The Abu Garcia Revo STX is one I've used and would recommend. Some that aren't available retail that I use on a regular basis are the Daiwa Fuego, Daiwa Sol, and Daiwa Viento (you can probably find the Viento for around $100 on eBay though).

$250+ I also haven't used many reels in this price range either. Of the couple I've used, the Daiwa Zillion is probably my favorite. The Abu Garcia Revo Premier would also be a good reel, or the Shimano Chronarch D.

BB

[Bassboss]

Pros:
You can generally fish faster with a bait caster, something very important in tournament fishing. You can cast more accurately (with practice), IMO they're more comfortable to fish with. They've more power (imo).

And as BigB pointed out, they're more versicle.

Cons:
They're tricky to learn to use well. Most don't handle light line as well as spinning reels (The lowest I would go on a baitcaster is 10 pound mono, or fluoro, or 30 pound braid). Most don't cast very light baits to well.

If you've only used spinning reels, I highly recommend you learn to use a baitcaster. The pros FAR out weight the cons once you get good at using them.

[nmanley]

I have Some Shimano Citca 200's 6.3:1 and Currado 200 E7's, Several Revo SX's and STX's and a couple of the new Lew's TP1SH in 7:1.
I'm very impressed with all of them but the new Lew's are SUPER light and cast a mile. Best $160 (discounted) reel on the market PERIOD!
I think the Revo SX and Lews are the best bang for the money when you find the discounted prices online.

[Mr.Bassmaster29]

Thanks for all the replys! On the baitcasters, do they birdnest more than spinning reels?

[Bassboss]

Originally Posted by Mr.Bassmaster29

Thanks for all the replys! On the baitcasters, do they birdnest more than spinning reels?

Yes they do. But after a while you'll learn how to prevent them. And IMO and bait caster birds nest (all be it, a more frequent one), are easier to get out. But you'll have a few that will take a big 10 mins of picking.

Also look on the home page for tips on getting backlashes out.

[Bubba_Bruiser]

Mr BM, you don't have to have them to be a true bass fisherman, but I think, and most would hopefully agree with me, you will find more rewards than regrets of learning the baitcaster. As some of the others said too, try a mid level reel (Like a Citica, Revo and the others around the $75-100 range) to start out on with some descent line. I recommend tying a 1/4-1/2 oz egg sinker or a bait without hooks and get out in the yard and practice away. You can usually throw these with the tension batted down and lower the chance of a cut out bird nest. You can get the feel and the motion for it and move to lower tension adjustments and lighter baits from there.

[nmanley]

Also, if you use braid on a spinning reel you'll just about NEVER have a birds nest from line twist.

[carolina-rig-01]

You already have a lot of good advice here but I will throw my hat in the ring. I don't know if you are planning on ordering a reel or picking one up local, and if local I don't know what stores you have available to you. But I will say that the Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier reels are probably the easiest bait casting reels for a less experienced angler I have ever personally seen. I am an Abu-Garcia man, I love my Revos and that is all I own. But my wife started fishing tournaments with me this year and rather than keep sharing my Revos with her we went and bought her some reels of her own. She picked the Pro Qualifiers and I was very suprised when I seen how smooth and effortless they casted. While she isn't new to baitcasters, she isn't what I would call experienced either. She can handle my Revos just fine but the Pro Qualifiers made it much easier on her. They are in the $79 neighborhood and seem to hold up really well. As much as I love Revos I will say that the newer ones seem to be a little more crazy to cast than the older ones, so for a beginer I would probably hold off and picking one of them up. I am speaking about the Revo SX though because that is what all my Revos are other than my cranking reels which are Revo Winch's so I can't say how easy or difficult the Revo S is to throw but I know a few members here have them so hopefully they will chime in soon.

For line I would shy away from braid personally. I agree that cutting a backlash out is less likely with braid because they are easier to pick out than with other lines, but in my opinion braid is a little more tricky to cast without getting loops. I would probably pick up some 10lb Sufix Elite or Sufix Seige. Sufix is the easiest casting line I have ever used and it's about as reliable as they come, or every spool I have ever bought has been anyways. Here is a tip that might help save you some line. When you get all spooled up and are ready to go to the yard to cast have someone grab your weight and walk while you feed them line off your reel. Feed them about 50 yards or so and then put a piece of electrical tape across the spool, then reel your line back up over the tape. Now if you get a backlash it will not get any deeper in the spool than the tape which will make picking out the backlash easier and if you have to cut one out you won't lose as much line. Be sure and start with your brakes pretty tight and your tension knob pretty tight and learn the mechanics of when to lift your thumb off the spool and when to use your thumb to slow down the spool, also remember that when you release your thumb in relation to the angle of your rod when it's coming foward will determine how high your cast will be. Once you get good at controlling your thumb and aren't throwing any lollipop rainbow cast then you can start backing off your brakes and tension a little at a time as you get more comfortable.

I have been fishing with baitcasters for 23 years now. I learned when I was 5 years old on one of my dads Abu-Garcia round reels out in the yard and believe me if I can learn it at 5 years old then you can pick it up very quick with just a little bit of practice so do yourself a favor and take the next step as an angler and join the baitcaster brotherhood........you won't regret it.

[Mr.Bassmaster29]

While I would love to get a cheaper baitcaster and try it out and learn to use it, I am also on a budget. I can pretty much afford to buy only one reel (around $200) and I'll just have to use it to learn with. I'm looking at the Abu Garcia Revo Stx and pair it with a 6'6" Vendetta rod. Ideas?

[carolina-rig-01]

My personal opinion is that the Revo SX beats the Revo STX as far as bang for the buck is concerned. Both are great reels no doubt, but I own several Revo Sx's and love them dearly and have used a buddies STX numerous times and I just can't see any reason for the price difference, that's why I have stuck to my SX's. As far as I know there is very little difference between the reels, with one of the differences being that the STX is actually a little bit heavier and it isn't any easier to cast in my opinion. And the Vendetta is actually designed around the SX so it would make an awesome combo.

That's just my $.02 worth anyways.

[Tavery5]

There are a few differences between the SX and the STX, I don't know that any or all of them combined make it worth an additional 30 dollars, that's for you to decide. The primary differences are that the STX has dual breaking, both centrifugal and magnetic, the other major feature that the STX offers is the eversilk coated pinion shaft and a titanium nitride coated worm gear shaft. I think the dual brakeing would be a good thing for someone new to baitcasters, but you need to make your own decision about it.

Abu Garcia has a 25 dollar rebate on both these reels right now, that might help the wallet some.

[BigBassin144]

I have an STX that is a good reel. I paid no where near retail for it, but do think it's a good reel for the price. There are a couple SMALL things I don't care for on the Revos, but it wouldn't be enough to keep me from buying another at a decent price. My main gripe is the handles are a bit short on most of them. Again, not a big deal and it doesn't affect the performance of the reel.

If you wouldn't mind the colors, you might want to try looking for a Skeet Reese signature Revo on eBay. IMO, it's a better reel than the STX (it's lighter, handles a wider range of lures, has a longer handle (although not swept like the STX's), and I personally love the color combo).

The Vendetta is a good rod for the price. I'd probably go with a 7' M F or 7' MH F rod. Both are good all around rods that can throw a variety of lures.

For a line, I suggest using mono. When learning baitcasting, you WILL get some backlashes. If you happen to get a really bad one that needs cutting out, mono is inexpensive to replace. Sufix Siege or Elite are my lines of choice when it comes to mono. Having a limp and manageable line really helps when learning.

Once you get your first casting reel, check out this article I wrote about properly setting it up. In my experience, people at retail stores don't always help much when someone is starting out with a casting reel.

BB

[WatterBoy]

Originally Posted by BigBassin144

I have an STX that is a good reel. I paid no where near retail for it, but do think it's a good reel for the price. There are a couple SMALL things I don't care for on the Revos, but it wouldn't be enough to keep me from buying another at a decent price. My main gripe is the handles are a bit short on most of them. Again, not a big deal and it doesn't affect the performance of the reel.

If you wouldn't mind the colors, you might want to try looking for a Skeet Reese signature Revo on eBay. IMO, it's a better reel than the STX (it's lighter, handles a wider range of lures, has a longer handle (although not swept like the STX's), and I personally love the color combo).

The Vendetta is a good rod for the price. I'd probably go with a 7' M F or 7' MH F rod. Both are good all around rods that can throw a variety of lures.

For a line, I suggest using mono. When learning baitcasting, you WILL get some backlashes. If you happen to get a really bad one that needs cutting out, mono is inexpensive to replace. Sufix Siege or Elite are my lines of choice when it comes to mono. Having a limp and manageable line really helps when learning.

Once you get your first casting reel, check out this article I wrote about properly setting it up. In my experience, people at retail stores don't always help much when someone is starting out with a casting reel.

BB

Is there supposed to be a link or something to go with your last paragraph, BB?

[BigBassin144]

Originally Posted by WatterBoy

Is there supposed to be a link or something to go with your last paragraph, BB?

What are you talking about, there is a link!

hahaha, thanks for catching that. I even told myself, "don't forget to add in the link when you're done typing!"

It was probably those people in that chat room distracting me!

BB

[Mr.Bassmaster29]

Thanks guys for all the help! I really appreciate it! I've definately decided to go with a baitcaster, now I just have to decide which one! Thanks for the article too! That will help a ton!

[Captmikestarrett]

Two more important items to consider.
1. The reel has to feel good in your palm.. Comfort is very important.
2. Butt handle length is very important. It should rest nicely under your lower arm muscle. This will offset rod tip weight and allow a clean hookset with little motion.

If your your right handed and pass the rod and reel to crank then a good fitting combo is needed.

Have you noticed how some people like to hold the rod behind the reel with the there index finger on the trigger?

They tend to set the hook and press the release bar at the same time..???

Capt Mike

[TicTicThump]

The Shimano Curado has been an awesome reel for me. I bought my first (b5) when I was 17 and just recently bought another (e7). For the price its one of the smoothest, most dependable reels on the market in my opinion. I have large hands and the new low profile design still fits like a glove, which was one of my main concerns in purchasing a new reel. Find something that fits your hand and the rest will follow. Both Shimano and Abu Garcia make great reels, well worth the asking price.

[Mr.Bassmaster29]

Well I bought a Abu Garcia Ambassadeur today...I really like the reel, but how is the proper way to cast one without birdnesting?

[bamabassman]

which one did you get? there is a magnetic dial on the left side going from 0-10 put it on 10. then trun the knob on the right side till the bait just barely falls. remember this, your thumb is oyur friend. keep oyur thumb on the spool as you cast it. practice,practice..and MORE practice.

[Mr.Bassmaster29]

I got the Ambassadeur Silver Max and put 30lb Spiderwire on it...I spent tonight adjusting it and getting the brake set and everything. Hopefully gonna try it out tomorrow...

[lilmule]

That is a good reel for lil money,have several.Place mono on the spool prior enough to cover it so the braid wont slip.

[Mr.Bassmaster29]

Well I just got back from the lake! I love this reel! I was out for about 3 hours and only had 2 backlashes, but that was because I forgot to adjust the brake after I had changed lures. I was just getting used to the reel, you know, just casting out and retreiving it, not seriously fishing at this point, when a fish (not sure what it was) came and hit my lure at the bank. But when I went to set the hook, my line snapped! 30lb braided line! I really wish I had got to see what it was....

[BigBassin144]

Glad to hear you're getting the hang of the casting reel. The better you get at it, the more you'll love it.

That's odd about your braided line. Out of curiosity, what brand is it? Did it seem to be frayed at all? When I got hung on my 30lb braid in Alabama this spring, it was all I could do to break it off. I even bent out a heavy wire hook on it.

BB

[Bassboss]

Glad you're getting a hold of casting! After some time you'll be able to loosen the breaks way up and and cast while relying on you're thumb more then you're breaks. If you've got pike in the water's you fish, that might have been what snapped you're line.