My first baitcasting combo

[smljaw]

For getting started you might want to invest in a spinning outfit. Maybe a Shimano Spirex 200 with a 6' or 6'6" medium rod. I use this set up for creek fishing and bass fishing in lakes. It's good for throw lighter lures and up to 12 lb line. I use this rig for light jigs, small crankbaits, jerkbaits, flukes/senkos, etc... Also, I agree with one of the previous comments. Get on EBAY and buy a used Shimano Corado to learn baitcasting. Match up the reel with a $30 rod that feels good to you and fits the reel well.

You certainly have all kinds of options. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[BardstownFish]

not sure if anyone else on here uses them, but you might want to look into some practice plugs to cast with when you can't make it to the water. I play around in the backyard with these all the time when I can't make it to the lake.

[Tadpole]

looks like a pretty good outfit,for that price id get two one for wormin and one for crankin.i guess retieing would be cheaper, anyway looks like a good start. happy fishin,The Tadpole

[BardstownFish]

don't get that reel! I was at Bass Pro Saturday night and was checkin that reel out, it came apart in my hand. The guy behind the counter didn't see too surprised. I have one of the older Bass pro reels and it has worked flawlessly, but this one stunk. That lock/unlock on the side of that reel didn't work well at all.
I would suggest getting this one, a little bit more expensive but I have checked them out and in the price range it is pretty tough to beat.

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catal...rTarget=browse

[know1]

Honest question here: What are the advantages of a baitcaster over a spinning rig in general. I've always favored spinning and have never really seen the need to use a baitcaster. It seems to me that the only time it really makes more sense is when you're doing some live bait bottom fishing - like for catfish.

[Danny]

I think this is a great point of discussion. I know I don't know it all, but I'll start out...

With a baitcaster, it seems to me you have a little more control as to spool speed because you can thumb the spool. This allows a little better accuracy.

A baitcaster has more power. With a spincaster, you usually have to pump the rod to play a fish with any power, as opposed to use the reel to bring the fish in.

A baitcaster, as above, has better power for fishing deep diving crankbaits.

A baitcaster is much better for heavier baits.

A spincaster is much, much better for very light weight lures.


As you can see, I am a baitcaster man. I learned to cast an open face reel before I was 5. That was all we used when I was growing up, and we fished the river all the time.

Next.....

Danny

[know1]

Good replies.

Has anyone else other than me adopted the technique of grabbing or slowing down the line with your non casting hand on a spinning outfit. I've found that makes a big difference in accuracy and probably negates that advantage for the baitcasters.

Also, the points about more power confuse me. Isn't that more attributable to the rod and wouldn't a bigger spinning outfit just make up the difference?

I do see that if you're doing some short range flipping that a bait caster would be better....although I think it can still be accomplished with a spinning outfit.

(People get real defensive when I make posts, but I'm trying to honestly learn some viewpoints here and not trying to harass anyone)

[scaly1]

You are absolutely right that you can do virtually everything with a spinning reel. I used to use Daiwa 3500 series reels for years before I got into baitcasters. Weight becomes more of a factor as the day wears on. The 3500 weighs approx. 13 oz. compared to a Curado (05 and earlier) at 8.5 oz. That really starts to make a difference after 7-8 hours of pitchin' into the brush. For me, the wrist position when holding a BC is less fatiguing than when holding a spinner. You are also correct about the rod being the primary "power" used to move a fish while the reel simply retrieves the line. However, there are those instances when it is really to an anglers benefit to be able to crank hard on the reel while pulling the fish with the rod. I learned this while fishing for Yellowtail around kelp patties. Yellowtail are nitro-charged torpedos that make a bee-line for whatever cover they can find when hooked. If you hook a decent 'tail near a kelp patty you either hunker down the drag and crank/pull the beast away from the patty or watch your line go zigging into the mess...from where no hook returns. Perhaps this is a bit much for most bass fishing situations but I have personally lost fish that I feel I could have landed had I been using a BC instead of a lighter spinning reel.

I'm not trying to sound like a know-it-all here, I just really think that it is advantageous to use baitcasters in certain situations.

[plowboy]

Looks like a good outfit to learn on. The rod is a medium heavy. I think a medium would be a better all around choice starting out but thats just my opinion. The medium heavy is made for baits 3/8 and up. This may limit you to using only heavier baits (large jigs, spinner baits, worms). So make sure the rod matches the size baits you will use. They charge alot for shipping a rod from bass pro (extra $6 I think). It might be better to go to your local bait shop and put one in your hand to make sure you like the feel. The c handle is kind of long also. Make sure you like the longer handle. In other words put one in your hand and make sure it feels right for you. If you don't like the rod you can send it back but you will loose shipping both ways probably. Good luck!!!!

[KYHorseflys]

Luckily, the Bass Pro Shop in Clarksville IN is only a fifteen minute drive from my house, so that's the good part... won't have to pay shipping (I always hate that) and will get the opportunity to play around with it before buying.

Most of the bait I have (from just buying at the shops and at the Jim Strader Expo) are crankbaits, and that's what I plan on playing with first (even though, I've got plenty of other options - jigs, plastic worms & shad, and whatever else I'll probably buy while I'm there!!!). So do you think I'd be better off looking at the medium action rod instead of the medium heavy? And yeah, I'm pretty much gonna be learnin' - and with temps supposed to be close to 70 on Wednesday, I'm hoping to run down to the Ohio River and practice casting off a dock I know of down there...

[scaly1]

I personally feel that when it comes to baitcasters, you have to spend a little more than you would to get a comparable spinning outfit (quality, function). I'm not even tallking durability here, just simple hassle-free operation. Many of the cheaper baitcasters will give you fits from overruns. You may become frustrated and find yourself feeling its not worth the hassle to use a baitcaster. This would be a shame because BC's are really the only way to go when throwing bigger baits (3/4 oz+) or even moderate size (3/8 oz+). You seem to get better cranking power due to the line going directly onto the spool rather than having to make a 90 degree angle at the bail arm. If you ever plan on flippin/pitchin big jigs and creature baits into thick cover, a BC will give you these advantages: better power in a smaller, lighter package for moving the fish out of the sticks in a hurry, more accurate casting ability when you educate your thumb to apply just the right ammount of pressure at the right time, and the fact that casting rods are typically heavier action than spinners means better leverage when dealing with brutes.
I also find that I have less problems using heavier line with BC's than with spinners. I still love spinning reels for lighter applications like drop/split-shotting small plastics, 1/8-1/4 oz. spinnerbaits and small Rapalas (#3-5). Hopefully, this also answers a few questions for Fishergirl as well.
I started off with a cheap Shimano (since gotten rid of) and quickly moved to a Citica which really got me hooked. I have since bought better BCs but still use the citica at times because I like the way it handles.
Again, opinions will vary and this is just my take on things. We all operate within the confines of what we can afford and I really hope that you have a good experience with your first outfit. They are addictive though as you will want one for this application and another for a different one. Now that shimano has come out with these blazin' 7:1 curados and citicas, I may need to add yet another for buzzbaits! Yikes...it never ends.
Best of luck and keep at it.

[plowboy]

If you use crankbaits definately go with a lighter action rod. Some of the pro's even use fiberglass (for its flex). A stiff rod will tear the hooks out of the fishes mouth with a crankbait. A medium would be a good all around rod but if you use crankbaits alot one day you can add a crankbait rod to your collection. Definately a medium action for your first rod, much more versitile. And it will cast lighter baits further. Anyone want to correct me here feel free. I'd like to see him get off on the right foot.