My first baitcasting combo

[smljaw]

I fully agree with the reel upgrade if you're willing to invest the $$$. A Shimano Citica would be a great choice. The investment will be worth it once you realize the reel held has up for 5+ years. I have a Citica that I purchased in 1998. I think I've had it cleaned twice and had one minor repair done to it.

IMO, Shimano reels are the way to go if you're willing to spend the $$$. Once you buy/use a higher dollar, quality reel you will be glad to paid the extra $$$ for it.

[ranimated]

Another consideration........ the better baitcaster you buy, the easier it will be to learn to use. I've been using them for 26 years and even I struggle with some of the cheap ones in some situations. If you dish out the money for, say, a Shimano Citica $119.00, it will make your life easier but I know that's a lot of money. Another way would be to buy a used Shimano Curado. Personally I'd rather pay $60 for a used Shimano baitcaster than pay the same for a new one of almost any other kind.

[KYHorseflys]

Yeah, livin' close to BPShop can be a good/bad thing!

Okay, so from what I'm taking here, looks like going with the medium action rod would be better than the medium heavy, right? And this combo is better than the orginal one I had picked out?

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

The thing is, I know that if I really get it going, I'll eventually step up and spend more $ on the higher quality stuff. Baitcasters are completely new to me and the reason I'm looking to go there first is to learn on it. The next setup I buy will probably be a spinner set. Though, from what I've been learning, I'd be better off in the cooler weather with a spinner for light tackle (float 'n fly, jigging)... but again, I want to learn a baitcaster before the weather warms up.

I know it's pretty much all trial and error and finding what suits you best... I guess I'm just trying to find the best "all-around" setup for gettin' it goin'! :)

I planned on getting the baitcaster and spending as much time as I can on a dock learning to cast and get it where I want it to land with different types of lures. I don't own or know anyone with a boat - so I won't have a chance at getting on boats much. :( Anyways, thanks to everyone for y'alls input. Probably head over there tomorrow and pick out what I'm getting and start playin' around with it.

Thanks again for the advice and keep it comin'!

[KYHorseflys]

Yeah, a buddy at work told me the more ball-bearings, the smoother the action and easier to learn on too. He uses spincasters and likes them the best... anyways, I might just take the hit on buying a higher quality setup - all depends on what happens and what I walk out with from the store! I wish I could afford the higher quality stuff, but... well... we'll see.

[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.

[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.

[buckdroppings]

Upgrade to the extreme combo. The Tourny special reel is a waste of your money. That rod is nice but you get a great deal on the extreme combo at $99.99

[KYHorseflys]

The Extreme Combo is listed at $120 online - there's another I've been looking at that is a little cheaper: Browning® Fishing Medallion® GT Baitcast Reel and Rod Combo.

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

Anyone got a take on that combo?

Of course, the problem is, I'm getting over budget here... maybe it's worth it to wait till I can afford more - but that means waiting to start practice casting and gettin' to fishin' too. Decisions, decisions! LOL!

[buckdroppings]

I'll check and see if they still have last years model extreme at the store. If so it sells for $99.99. I bought two a couple of weeks ago. This years model is $120.

[gettingonefishin]

You should buy 2 of whatever you buy exactly the same. Rig em up differnt like a worm on one and a jig on the other. If ya buy only 1 take extra line with ya, Cos ya may get a crows nest ya have to cut out. I done most of my learning with a Ambassadeur 5000 years ago. I stood in the boat while it was parked in the yard and experimented and practiced for awhile and that was with a 6 ft fiberglass rod like a baseball bat. Dont get frustrated with it cos it takes some getting used to. Good luck and hope ya make the right choice. But the Shimano is the easiest to learn on and I do think ya should go with a medium action rod. The tip action helps alot. Good Luck

[KYHorseflys]

Thanks for the advice - I have three sets of line to play around with (6lb - 8lb - 12 lb), and a few different size crank baits. Since I live so close to the Ohio River, I plan on practice casting there using the different lines and size lures. Unfortunately, I can only afford one setup for right now... but I have a feeling I'll be spending more money on fishing gear than I could imagine!