Baitcasters?

[dabassking]

I'm gunna start using baitcasters alittle more so instead of using my dads the whole time, I think I'm gunna get one for myself. What kind should I get to start out with? I dont want to spend much either. Any input would be great

[DJD]

Not sure what your looking to spend but I would look at the Shimano line. I know just about any reel maker will do but I prefer Shimano. Good Luck

[Swift1]

I cant find anything better than Shimano products. You can get a good used curado for around 80.00 Hard to beat...Jarrod

[fishincreek]

If you are right-handed, get a left-handed reel. That way you won't have to switch hands with every cast. Best thing I ever did was to learn casting the left-handed reel. I tried one of those Abu Revo's($99 at Sportsman's Warehouse). Smoothest I have ever casted.

[bereabasser]

revo is the best 100 real out there for sure

[Trophyhunter8]

Can't beat the shimano curado's and until april 1st, I think you can get up to 50$ mail in rebate. I saw them on ebay once 150$ brand new with a 50$ rebate they had 20 of them i told my wife i would probably get two of them the next morning. when i looked they were all gone

[pointer]

For a good solid reel you can't beat the round Ambassaduers. They aren't the smoothest out there but will last for many, many years. I have treated mine like crap and they just keep on going.

[Col Forbin]

Shimano and quantum both have rebate deals going on now (you may have to go to their website to download the forms-they don't always advertise the rebates), and they are both great brands. Baitcasters are one thing you don't want to go cheap with - you really get what you pay for. BPS makes some pretty good reels - but I wouldn't buy those unless they were on sale (about 5 times per year). I have the extremes, pro qualifiers and the johnny morris signatures and elites. The extremes are hit or miss, the pro qualifiers are pretty good, but the johnny morris signature and elites are among my favorites - up there with curados and quantum TE.

I started off with cheaper baitcasters and they will give you headaches - backlash easy and just not as durable, but that doesn't mean you will not be able to use them proffeciently. However, I would suggest saving and buying a 1 better quality reel than a few lower quality reels, you will be glad you did in the long run. I wish I would have done this.

[RoadToad]

I was thinking of starting off with a Revo SX, myself, for the Linear Brake. Worth the extra $50?

[stockcars6]

well myself, i am a shimano fan, and they do have possibly the best value on the market with the citica for $119(reel only), but that may be a little pricey for a beginner... i bought my girl friend two package deals that i have thrown a few times and been impressed with, first was a quantum package from walmart for $70 (great for crank baits) and when she got into it a little more i got her a pflueger package from gander for $100 which had a more sensitive rod, both have seemed to be great for the price

yes the reel is important but my rule of thumb is to spend as much or more on the rod than the reel, so if you are on a budget, find a package with a good rod and hope the reel holds up

[Col Forbin]

I was thinking of starting off with a Revo SX, myself, for the Linear Brake. Worth the extra $50?

Personally, for the price, I would go for the Shimano curado over the SX. The SX is around $150, and you could probably find the curado cheaper than that with the $50 rebate. Now the STX or premeir revo and the Curado would be a toss up.

[fishincreek]

I coveted the Curado, until I bought one. It's a nice reel, but wasn't what I thought. I'd trade for the $99 Revo in a second. To me there was no comparion in how smooth the Revo casted, but maybe I got lucky. I will have a Revo as soon as I get back to SW.