Need help choosing a baitcaster

[MChapman]

My girlfriend and I are both looking to try baitcasters this year. Infact, thats what she wants for her birthday is a new rod/reel combo:) We both currently use spincast type reels and know little to nothing about what to look for in a baitcaster. We went to Gander Mountain lastnight to do some looking and they have them from 59.99 on up to 300 or better. Before I spend that kind of money I told her that we need to do some research first. I figured what better place to get some pointers that here.

I dont want something that Im gonna "out grow" after a few months, as I would rather spend more money to buy the best ones for us the first time. Any advice on what kind/size/brand line to use would be great too. Like I said, neither of us know much about this.

Thanks in advance,
Matt

[coldfront]

I'd suggest either Shimano or Ambassador (Abu/Garcia)...

the better/smoother the reel (more bearings in most cases) the easier to cast/learn to cast.

That said, I learned on an old Abu Garcia 5500 I bought from Walmart for about $50...they have some C4600's that are a smaller reel and might be easier for a woman, unless she has freakishly large hands...

the Shimano Curado are an industry standard and the Ambassador Revo's sure look like they're doing well too...

You might be able to find some old Greenie Curados (200B's, 200BSF's) for very good prices on ebay...if they're in good shape, they'd be excellent reels...

[SWMIBASSER]

I learned with 5500's also.....That's one of the best places to start....

If you start out with something with tons of adjustments you just complicate things....

I've got a 4600 C3 in excellent condition that has been supertuned I would sell if your interested.

[NateG]

I think the Revo S that I have is the easiest casting baitcaster I've ever had in a starting level price range. it would be a good place to start for a beginner.

[coldfront]

I actually started my son out on the C4600 to learn baitcasting...didn't want to have him use my Curados as I keep them pretty 'loose'...but those Ambassadors are pretty good reels...fact, I use an upgraded version (Ambassador Records R51) for my swimbait/C-rig/Frog rods...can throw baits a mile...good, solid, hard working reels.

when you get your reels, it might be a bit easier starting out learning on 6 foot or 6.6 foot rods with medium action.  A rod with some bend helps load and might be easier way to learn...

when you get them, do a search on here for instructions on how to learn to set up the reel,cast, etc...and ask questions if you run into snags...

[MChapman]

Thanks for the replies guys. My post above was made on my lunch break at work, so I didnt have much time to do a good searh. It looks like there are tons of posts simialar to mine now that I have gotten to spend a few minutes looking. Sorry about that. 

Anywho....looks like the Shiamano Curado gets nothing but good things said about it, so I may just order us a pair to try out. Ive found a couple of very good threads on how to adjust them, so I feel pretty confident we can get them lined out.

Thanks again!

Matt

[islandbass]

You will not regret buying a curado. You will probably learn very quickly. I certainly did and if I can, anyone can.

Better, higher, quality reels are easier to learn with. Don't skimp on the reel.

One last thing. Buy a baitcast reel with the handle on the same side as those on your spinning reels.  Don't get a right-handed casting reel just because you're right handed. I am willing to be you a floating rapala minnow that you will find using a casting reel whose handle is on the same side that you are accustomed to retrieving more comfortable. Far more comfortable. You'll thank me later. 

[beast96z]

The new Curados are sweet. You can't go wrong with them. For setting them up, I recommend turning all 6 brakes on and then set the tension knob to were the bait falls slowly and the spool stops when the bait hits the floor. As you get better with it, you can loosen it up a bit.

[Dug]

It' really hard to answer this one without understand how much your willing to spend.  I have a daiwa Capricorn baitcaster I got from Dicks sporting goods for 69.00 bucks that is awesome,  I have several used Shimano Curado bantams that I bought used, and I have a Pinnacle inertia I bought from walmart for 59.00 that I really like.  I think of all these the shimano's are going to last me the longest, found them all on ebay or right here in the classified section.   The pinnacle inertia is a very easy reel to toss, but I don't think it's going to last very long, it's not a great construction.  The daiwa, loved it so much I am looking at the higher end Daiwas. In fact just picked up the Team Daiwa Advantage 153HSTA and a SOL.  Haven't gotten either one in hand yet, but I am looking forward to them.  Also the Abu Garcia Revo is a pretty nice reel for the money and though I don't have 1, I have heard many good things.  These are some good choices in my opinion for under 100 bucks.  (cept the HSTA and SOL)

Curados would be my first choice. Let us know if that's how you decided to go.


Dug

[MChapman]

Im pulling the trigger on a couple Curados today. Ebay looks like the best place to buy them price-wise so far.

Thanks again for the replies guys!

[islandbass]

Congrats. Don't forget to choose the type with the handle on the side you are already accustomed to. In Shimano nomeclature, Right handed reels end with a zero and Left handed reels end with a one.

So if your spinning reel has its crank on the left side, you will most likely be comfortable with a Shimano Curado 201E and NOT a Curado 200E. The latter has the crank handle on the right side.

[NateG]

Congrats. Don't forget to choose the type with the handle on the side you are already accustomed to. In Shimano nomeclature, Right handed reels end with a zero and Left handed reels end with a one.

So if your spinning reel has its crank on the left side, you will most likely be comfortable with a Shimano Curado 201E and NOT a Curado 200E. The latter has the crank handle on the right side.

yeah, thats kinda funny. My dad got us started with right hand retrieve baitcasters, and we use left hand retrieve spinning reels.  I bought a left hand retrieve baitcaster, and no way can I use it. It feels terribly awkward. So listen to islandbass, or you'll just have to learn to use your other hand. Once you get started its hard to change.

[djbird420]

Abu Garcia Revo S or Shimano Citca would be my suggestion if you don't want to spend too much.
Both are between $100 - $120 are well built and should last a good while.
If you are serious go with the Revo SX or STX or a Shimano Curado.
These range from $150 - $200 are a lot smoother due to more and better bearings and with regular
proper maintenance will last a lifetime.

[ejrobin]

abu garcia stx the best reel on the maket period.

[Dug]

abu garcia stx the best reel on the maket period.

That may or may not be, but have you tried them all?   If not the most you can say is it is the best you have ever used "period".

Personally the best I have ever used is the Shimano Curado Bantam 200 BFS  however I think that will change this year when I get to hit the water with the Daiwa Sol or the 153HSTA.

Dug

[BlaineFred]

I may be posting this a little late to influence the buying decision, but the new CiticaE has gotten a lot of very positive comments on various websites.

On the new CuradoE's, please note that the 200E7 version has a 7.0:1 gear ratio, making for a very fast retrieve that is okay if you're casting a buzzbait, but no so good for a crankbait.  Maybe not so good for a novice baitcast anglers. 

The 200version is 5.0:1, and that's slow, but still very useable, you just need to reel faster when using certain lures.  Again, maybe not the best for novices.

Then there's the 300E version, and it's a comparatively large and heavy reel.  The gearing is "average" at 6.2:1, applicable for most baitcasting, BUT the capacity is 190 yds of 14 lb test line.  The reel weighs 10.5 ozs. a little on the heavy side.  I just think that it's too large and heavy for most bass fishing.

I talked with a Shimano rep at a show, and I asked "where is the 200E version with a 6.2:1 gear ratio?"  He jokingly said, please give us something to come out with next year. 

The CiticaE has a 6.3:1 gear ratio, good for most baitcasting applications.   The capacity is 155 yds of 10 lb test, and it weighs 7.8 oz.   In other words, an excellent general purpose reel.

ALSO, the Citica is $60 less than the Curado.

[WRBass]

abu garcia stx the best reel on the maket period.

Fished the Garcia Swedish made ABU reels for over 40 years, today you could give me their new reels. Made in China with poor quality metals. The legacy reels are wonderful and durable reels..
One of the best reels on the market today is the Ardent series of baitcasting reels and made in the USA.
Shimano and Daiwa are the leaders in todays bass fishing reels.
For $99 the Cabela's Prodigy reel is the Daiwa Advantage private labeled. The Daiwa super tuned Advantage for $160 is one of the better buys available. I would go with the Ardent if the $220 price range reel is what you are looking for and life time performance. The Ardent is the best casting reel at any price, IMO.
What rod are the new reels going to be used on? The rod needs to match the lures and type of bass fishing you plan to do. The next question will be line.
WRB

[imashooter]

The Pflueger Patriarch is BAAAAD..

The good BAAAAD, that is.

[djbird420]

abu garcia stx the best reel on the maket period.

Try the Revo Premier. I bought 2 at Academy for $199 each, the same as I paid for my STX-HS.
The STX is equally as smooth and even cast further but the Premier is almost 2 ounces lighter
and it makes a huge difference in sensitivity and all day fishing.

[skeeter90]

Get a shimano citica and get used to adjusting the brakes and stuff. And another tip for your first few times using it put very little line on it so you can get used to taking out backlash without the worry of wasting money.

[B rad]

curadoE7

[WRBass]

Get a shimano citica and get used to adjusting the brakes and stuff. And another tip for your first few times using it put very little line on it so you can get used to taking out backlash without the worry of wasting money.

Fill the spool to within 1/8 of full, then pull off about 100 feet and wrap the spool with one wrap of masking tape. Reel the 100 feet of line back on and practice until you can hit the masking tape without backlashing, then remove tape. The tape holds the line underneath tight and it will not backlash.
WRB

[LonewolfZ]

I see alot of people recommending the Citica. Is the Daiwa Tierra basically in the same ballpark? Your opinions

[v1per]

I have 2 Diawa Tierras, 2 Abu-Garcia Revo-s's and 2 Diawa TD-Pro's(based on the 153H base) and love them all. For learning to baitcast I think a reel with a magnetic cast control on the side is really helpful in setting it up and in my opinion for a beginner reel you can't go wrong with any of these choices and I'm even looking to purchasing a curado myself because of all the good things I have heard about them on here! Just take your time to fully get used to a baitcaster as it will frustrate  the heck outta you but in the long run it will be worth it.

[goodrat79]

You could go with Shimano or Abu garcia.  Although you're gonna have to turn around and have them super tuned to keep your casting distance at there maximum ability.  I've heard that while abus have an awesome drag, they lack seriously on castability.  I've heard the complete opposite about Daiwas they cast great, but have a paper wieght drag.  Shimanos are okay.  But for that kind of money they better be more than okay.  you have to remove the side plate on the curados to adjust the brake, and you only get 11 pounds of drag.  I grew out of an 11 pound drag the moment I accidently hooked a 40 inch musky when I was smallie fishing on the river. 
    Its all in personal choice.  what you are looking for.  I have a Quantum energy.  and it does everything I want it to.  I cast a 1/2 oz weight 110+ feet right out of the box. combine that with a 17 lb drag and I have no worries.
   what ever you do go with a mid speed gear ratio.  6:1 or so.  and you will get better casts with a centrifugal brake, but it was easier to teach my fiancee to use a mag brake.  either way train your thumb and practice with thick line and you"ll be OKAY.