Bait caster for the beginner

I am in the market for a bait casting rod and reel set. I have only used an old shimono a handful of times and gave up because it would birds nest on every cast!!! After reading about some of the benefits of this type of rod/reel, I figure its time to try again and even invest in a new set up. Any recommendations? Think user friendly please, I'm kinda slow!!!

I haven't came across a user friendly bait casting reel yet I think you just have to keep practicing and practicing getting your thumb involved helps also.tuning and setting the brakes correctly will also help minimizing bird nest also

yep u cant just pick those up and cast it bait casters take a while to get used to and its harder to learn in a tube go to wally world and get the black max by abu garcia i just got that and its a nice reel for the money and if u dont like it u can always take it back thats the good thing about wally world

and get a good med hvy to hvy 7ft or longer i dont really like anything smaller then 7ft

Shimano canen. 6'8 med heavy Shimano convergence.

I started out with a bps rod n reel combo Bill Dance series for 60 bucks... For the money there pretty damn good and pretty easy to use. Some thin that might help is put the back lash dial to max setting and then tightin spool knob to max reel up your lure click bail over and slowly back off tension on spool knob till your lure free falls. You wont cast as far at first but deff helps stop back lash.

Tubinferbass wrote:I started out with a bps rod n reel combo Bill Dance series for 60 bucks... For the money there pretty damn good and pretty easy to use. Some thin that might help is put the back lash dial to max setting and then tightin spool knob to max reel up your lure click bail over and slowly back off tension on spool knob till your lure free falls. You wont cast as far at first but deff helps stop back lash.

x2, tighten the spool knob to the max and as you practice you can just loosen it up slowly. thats how i learn it somewhat.

Ya they take a lot of practice...just tune the brakes right and practice

Woke up this morning and guess what was waiting for me on the kitchen table! My wife was one step ahead of me as always and got me this for my b-day! I am so lucky to have a wife who supports my addiction. Wait a minute, I wonder if she cyber-hacked my account to find out what I wanted? scary thought,,,

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NICE!

Nice reel! Now put that bad boy on this rod...

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$120 takes it!

nice reel

I am interested Wiseguy!! That is one sick stick and from everything I hear your work is QUALITY! If I decide to get it, one of my issues is going to be that I live all the way out in Indio!!! I know what your thinking (what has to go wrong in a persons life to end up an 8th grade teacher in Indio?) ill tell you all about it over a beer sometime!!! Just kidding

A rod is not something I would never buy without holding between my fingers first!

With that said, I would love to tube saltwater sometime as I have never done this before. Maybe we could meet up at an event and i could tag along or even plan a trip! We could kill 2 birds with one stone that way.

Let me know what your thoughts

bigmouthbasshole wrote:Woke up this morning and guess what was waiting for me on the kitchen table! My wife was one step ahead of me as always and got me this for my b-day! I am so lucky to have a wife who supports my addiction. Wait a minute, I wonder if she cyber-hacked my account to find out what I wanted? scary thought,,,

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nice reel, good start!

bigmouthbasshole wrote:I am interested Wiseguy!! That is one sick stick and from everything I hear your work is QUALITY! If I decide to get it, one of my issues is going to be that I live all the way out in Indio!!! I know what your thinking (what has to go wrong in a persons life to end up an 8th grade teacher in Indio?) ill tell you all about it over a beer sometime!!! Just kidding

A rod is not something I would never buy without holding between my fingers first!

With that said, I would love to tube saltwater sometime as I have never done this before. Maybe we could meet up at an event and i could tag along or even plan a trip! We could kill 2 birds with one stone that way.

Let me know what your thoughts

Where do you work? Im in the OC (Santa Ana) monday thru friday and could possibly meet up? Otherwise if your singed up to fish the next gathering, I'll be there!

I'm in the market for a beginner baitcaster too. I saw an "Evercast Horizon 6.2:1" that goes for $99 on clearance for $50 at sport chalet. I would've picked it up but I can's seem to find any reviews on it. Haven't heard of Evercast as being a good reel company either. my 2c.

Dear bigmouth,

This is coming from a guy who learned to throw a baitcasting reel by starting with a Pflueger reel spooled with 15 # test dacron line and a South Bend steel rod. Trust me when I say this, if you want to learn to use a baitcaster you need to learn from the very beginning.

You can find a good usable baitcasting reel at a garage sale or flea market or even a pawn shop and you won't spend more than $ 15.00 to $ 25.00 on it. You might have a neighbor or friend that will give you one if you ask nice.

Take it home and sit down and slowly take it apart and clean it up really good. Don't worry about rebuilding drags or taking sub-assemblies apart. Just pull the cover plates and clean everything with denatured alcohol or WD-40. Get all the old grease and crud out first. Re-assemble it and lube it with Penn or Abu reel oil and you'll be fine.

Re-spool the reel with cheap 10 to 12 pound test mono and mount it on a rod. Get yourself a couple of those old rubber practice plugs, set up a trash can lid or some other sort of target in the yard and give it a try.

Yes you will get tangles and bird's nests, yes you will curse and stomp your feet, but if you stick with it in a couple of sessions you'll figure it all out and you'll be proud of yourself for accomplishing something.

Then all you have to do is put some quality line on the reel and go fishing.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Hombre_Jaguar,
The Shimano Citica 200 E Series is built upon the same platform as the Curado E Series which means a lower profile, reduced weight and compact size. There is a thrust bearing on the right side by the handle. You adjust that one first so whatever the weight of the lure, it will drop down slowly when the reel is disengaged. You can probably watch a video on you tube on how to do this. Then you open the side casing with the quick release and adjust the brakes. I usually start out with all of the brakes on and then take one off at a time until it casts with no backlash. A 7 foot 6 inch casting rod makes a nice compliment to this reel. I got my rod from Wiseguy and I am very happy with it. Read the reviews on this reel. You will not have to worry about birds nest anymore. I use the Citica and it is one tough little reel.

You will be happy you bought this one. It has a varialbe(adjustable)braking system to prevent birds nests.