mauve Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 Hi Guys I want to buy a bait-casting reel. I want it to be not very expensive and yet good enough not to get disappointed What would you recommend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeeter Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 The Shimano Caenan is apparently a good baitcaster for starting off. Heard good reviews. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickingfrog Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 Oh my, lots of options and I'm sure many opinions. Things to consider: Do you have a brand that you prefer for spinning reels? You don't need to stay in the same family but some prefer to stay loyal and it might simplify your choices. What type of fish are you planning on targeting? How do you plan on fishing for them? Do you need/want large line capacity? Low, medium or high gear ratio. Price range? Cheaper ones can work but are more likely to cause you so much frustration that you will give up and never see the benefits of having another option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lookinforwalleye Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 This question has been asked 1 or 2 thousand times in the last few years Not sure what your definition of not very expensive is but I would keep an eye on the OFC ads some good deal pop up every oncee in the while, barring that if you can wait BPS has some good deals when the big spring sale is on i.e last year a picked up a JM signature reel for under 90 bucks and imho it is every bit as good as a Curado. Oh and by the way a good reel will not turn a bad caster into a good caster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bucktail Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 This question has been asked 1 or 2 thousand times in the last few years Not sure what your definition of not very expensive is but I would keep an eye on the OFC ads some good deal pop up every oncee in the while, barring that if you can wait BPS has some good deals when the big spring sale is on i.e last year a picked up a JM signature reel for under 90 bucks and imho it is every bit as good as a Curado. Oh and by the way a good reel will not turn a bad caster into a good caster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henricus Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 The Curado E is great bang for the buck considering most retailers are blowing them out making room for the new models. Look through some of the old posts on learning to use one. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mauve Posted October 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 (edited) I've been going for bass mostly. A pike would be nice, but so far ain't got any. So a fairly universal reel would do. $50? or is it too low? something like this?: My linkBass Pro Shops Tourney Special Edited October 19, 2011 by mauve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scugpg Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 Is that scorpion still for sale in the classifieds? That was a good deal for an awesome reel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercman Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 Citica E Bullet Proof. $119.95 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallyboss Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 I agree with the Citica. I have a few of those along with Curados and I love them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickingfrog Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 Save your pennies. See what comes up in the classifieds durning the winter and watch for the spring reels sales from the tackle stores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhioFisherman Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 You could get a quality bait caster for around 50 bucks... in 1979. On a tight budget a Citica will do to learn on, just my preference now for Shimano reels though. I would definitely stay away from off or store brand reels, they limit your options for repairs or parts if needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 Citica E Bullet Proof. $119.95 Great reel. My first.. Curado is also a good choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBW Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 I wasted a LOT of $ on low cost reels because I thought it was a good deal and that it would perform well. Saddly, I was mistaken... I spent enough on low cost reels to buy 2 or 3 curado's and now I do have a curado and it casts very, very well. save you cash and buy a good one used or wait for a sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattp33 Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 you get what you pay for in these reels, save and buy the best shimano you can afford! Curados are great pricey tho. Citica's are great for the $$$ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steverowbotham Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 I would say don't cheap out on a baitcast reel. You get what you pay for, and if you dont pay, it will only leave you frustrated. I would recommend the Shimano Curado, it's about $229 but it is a great investment. It is a very reliable reel, easy to get the hang of and Shimano offers great warranty service. If that is beyond your budget, the Johnny Morris signature series reel is a great option in the 100 dollar range. It is smooth and efficient. It will not last as long as a curado, and the braking and drag systems will not be of the same quality, but I own a few and have fished them hard for 3 years with very few issues. My 2 cents Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NBR Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 Regardless of the reel you buy using a bait caster well is the result of setting up the reel properly and practice. Failure to do both will result in frustration. There are many places on-line to get set up advice and most reels have instructions with them. Once you get the reel set up practice at home; nothing worse than having the frustration of backlashes spoil a days fishing. When you are learning you will most likely get some snarls that you just can't untangle so you will need to cut the line off the reel and respool. So don't start with fluorocarbon or braid line unless you don't mind the cost. I would suggest a mono line in 10 to 17# that is soft. I use Berkley XS but there are many brands. Going to the light side of the pound test is better but I don't know where you fish or for what. Start by working on accuracy and as you develop skill ease up on the cast control and add distance. I think that centrifugal systems are a bit better but I like the flexibility of external adjustment. I have reels with either and one or two with combinations and they all work well. Having said that I have never met a reel I couldn't backlash but baitcasters are my preference except for 1/8 ounce and lighter lures and drop shotting. You will hear from many about the virtues of one brand or another this boils down to personal preference. I have reels from Daiwa, Shimano, Pflueger, Quantum, BPS and a few others; they all work well. They are also getting some age and I've not had a problem with any. A little cleaning every year or two, a drop of oil for the bearings, grease for the gears and little else. Practice, practice, practice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbuck Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 I know you've heard it but I'll say it again, save up and buy a good reel, generally, you will need to spend $125 and up for a nice reel being blown out to make room for the new versions. If you get an inexpensive reel, you will only frustrate yourself with it having casting issues, drag issues, reeling issues, etc... The internals will be made of plastic and won't be durable. Buy a good reel ONCE, if you buy an inexpensive one, you'll be replacing it soon enough with a good reel. You can't go wrong with Abu Garcia, Quantum, Shimano and the like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike rousseau Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 curados are on sale at cabelas right now for 139.88 http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shimano174-Curado174-E-Baitcast-Reel/1148885.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dcurado%26x%3D0%26y%3D0%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=curado&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products amazing reels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mauve Posted October 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 Cool, thank you fellas I appreciate your unanimous input! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmer Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 I have had very good luck with the Pfleugers. Don't cheap out or you will kick yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassMan11 Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 Actually bought a rapala volt for 50 from lebaron. Not the worst reel I have used but defiantly not the best. A little noisy but worth the money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCTFisher9120 Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 Shimano Citica Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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