Baitcasting Upgrade Help 2025
HazeRVA reply :
Hey guys! Been lurking for a little while, reading and learning. I have recently gotten back into fishing. Have always used spinning gear, but used my cousin's Lews Mach 2 combo and really liked baitcasting. Went out and bought myself the DSG Exclusive Abu Garcia UltraMax combo. Looks to be a rebranded BlackMax with a 6'9" Vengeance Rod. Really been enjoying it so far, especially considering I only paid $35 after coupons and rebate.
Well now I want another rod/reel setup. Still want something for all around use, not ready to specialize yet (I don't think), still trying to learn the different techniques. I am eyeballing the Daiwa Fuego CT I have read good things about on here. First question is, is 8.1:1 too fast for general use? Thats the only left hand version on sale currently. After the coupon it'll be $54 which is right in my wheelhouse. Second question is, which rod at the same price point would you recommend? Have been looking at the Daiwa Aird X, not sure if I want the 7' H, 7' MH, or 7'3 MH though. Also, is 2 piece an issue? A little leery about it at the moment after casting the top half of my son's Lews American Hero Spinning rod into the lake (got it back though).
Anyway, think that is all for now. Thanks for the help and being such a great source of info!
NYWayfarer reply :
First question: The 8.1:1 is fine as you can always reel slower. Personally I would go with something in a 6.1:1 or 7.1:1 as I have a problem with not being able to slow my retrieve unless I am actively thinking about it.
Second question: I recommend the Kastking Perigee II rod for $59.99. If you buy the 2 piece rod it is actually 3 pieces as they give you 2 tips. You can buy the one that has a Medium tip and a Medium heavy tip and it will cover all your bases.
2 piece rods are not a problem if you remember to check the connection from time to time to ensure they are not loose.
new2BC4bass reply :
to the forum. Seems you have been paying attention. 
Me, I would go with one of the MH rods. I like faster reels, so am probably a little prejudice. You can always slow down on the retrieve. Cranking fast could get old quickly. I recently purchased two 2-piece rods to keep in my trunk. They haven't seen much use yet, but the consensus seems to be that it is hard to tell the difference between one and two piece rods these days.
Personally I am a fan of Daiwa. Nuff said. 
ignign0kt reply :
Check out the “sportsmansoutfitters” eBay store. They have good prices on rods reels and combos and also currently have a 20% off coupon code on a lot or the stuff.
Recently picked up a HyperMag reel for $160 from them... Couldn’t pass that up.
HazeRVA reply :
Thanks guys! I really appreciate all the input! Now I see the Fuego 100 in 7.3:1 for $10 more...would that be a better buy vs. the Fuego CT 8.1:1?
I have looked at KastKing Perigee II, in the past so that is another option. Won't be ordering the rod until next week so still looking for recommendations.
Chance_Taker4 reply :
you will be fine with the 8:1 reel. Majority of my reels are 7 and 8:1. I would agree with NYW on Kast King however I would also look into their reels. The stealth will fit your needs nicely and be a little cheaper.
HazeRVA reply :
See, I have really been looking at the Assassin for a while now, but am a little scared to pull the trigger, which is why I looked at the Fuego (since a lot of the threads here point to the Fuego instead). I am not sure about the longevity of the KastKing stuff, so felt like the Fuego was a safer bet, might not be as nice from the getgo but a little more security in the longevity. I haven't looked too much at the Stealth as the Assassin is only a few bucks more and have read about the Stealth being a bit larger.
MisterDeadeye reply :
On 7/19/2018 at 2:05 AM, HazeRVA said:See, I have really been looking at the Assassin for a while now, but am a little scared to pull the trigger, which is why I looked at the Fuego (since a lot of the threads here point to the Fuego instead). I am not sure about the longevity of the KastKing stuff, so felt like the Fuego was a safer bet, might not be as nice from the getgo but a little more security in the longevity. I haven't looked too much at the Stealth as the Assassin is only a few bucks more and have read about the Stealth being a bit larger.
I was in the same boat, eyeing the Assassin for weeks, then I realized that you can get most Daiwa and Lew's(and some of the others) on eBay for a lot cheaper than MSRP. I was able to get a Fuego CT for just under $54 which is cheaper than the Assassin, and I'm very happy with my decision. There are several reviews on here and on YouTube of KastKing reels, but there are also dozens of posts about how something broke, or something arrived with a serious defect, and I'd rather not take the chance. By all accounts, a perfect sample of the Assassin would probably be a good reel.
Their rods are the same way. Glowing reviews, but there are a large amount of people claiming that their rods snapped, tips broke off, there was the guy whose rod arrived with guide issues(and then had to fight with customer service over several e-mails for them to take care of it). As far as I'm concerned, get the Fuego CT in whatever gear ratio you like or can find, grab a 7' MH Aird-X, and go to town your local pond/lake.
HazeRVA reply :
On 7/19/2018 at 2:53 AM, MisterDeadeye said:I was in the same boat, eyeing the Assassin for weeks, then I realized that you can get most Daiwa and Lew's(and some of the others) on eBay for a lot cheaper than MSRP. I was able to get a Fuego CT for just under $54 which is cheaper than the Assassin, and I'm very happy with my decision. There are several reviews on here and on YouTube of KastKing reels, but there are also dozens of posts about how something broke, or something arrived with a serious defect, and I'd rather not take the chance. By all accounts, a perfect sample of the Assassin would probably be a good reel.
Their rods are the same way. Glowing reviews, but there are a large amount of people claiming that their rods snapped, tips broke off, there was the guy whose rod arrived with guide issues(and then had to fight with customer service over several e-mails for them to take care of it). As far as I'm concerned, get the Fuego CT in whatever gear ratio you like or can find, grab a 7' MH Aird-X, and go to
townyour local pond/lake.
Exactly! Gonna go grab that Fuego and keep looking at rods.
Edit: Fuego CT purchased!
BaitFinesse reply :
On 7/19/2018 at 2:05 AM, HazeRVA said:See, I have really been looking at the Assassin for a while now, but am a little scared to pull the trigger, which is why I looked at the Fuego (since a lot of the threads here point to the Fuego instead). I am not sure about the longevity of the KastKing stuff, so felt like the Fuego was a safer bet, might not be as nice from the getgo but a little more security in the longevity. I haven't looked too much at the Stealth as the Assassin is only a few bucks more and have read about the Stealth being a bit larger.
The Fuego is way nicer than the Assassin and a better caster. I have used both platoforms. The Arid X is also a fantastic rod.
HazeRVA reply :
Thanks! Yeah I think the Aird X is where I'm leaning if I can get over the mental block about it being 2 piece. If not, I like my Vengeance so may go with the 7' version.
MisterDeadeye reply :
On 7/19/2018 at 3:32 AM, HazeRVA said:Thanks! Yeah I think the Aird X is where I'm leaning if I can get over the mental block about it being 2 piece. If not, I like my Vengeance so may go with the 7' version.
All of the casting Aird X rods are 1 piece according to Daiwa's website: http://www.daiwa.com/us/contents/rods/aird_x/index.html
If you see pictures on a retail site showing two "pieces", it's probably an edited photo made so you can see how the rod looks more easily.
HazeRVA reply :
Thank you for posting that! Cannot for the life of me find where I saw the Aird X was 2 piece. I know about the pictures but I swear I read it somewhere. Anyway...that's the lead dog I think so far.
HazeRVA reply :
Anyone know about the Lew's Carbon Fire DSG exclusive rod? On sale for $50 and I can get another $20 off that. Anything else I should be looking at in the $50-$60 range?
NYWayfarer reply :
On 7/19/2018 at 9:41 PM, HazeRVA said:Anyone know about the Lew's Carbon Fire DSG exclusive rod? On sale for $50 and I can get another $20 off that. Anything else I should be looking at in the $50-$60 range?
I own a medium light spinning version. It's a fantastic rod, especially when it's on sale for half off. I bought mine for $40 on sale during one of those sales.
On 7/19/2018 at 2:53 AM, MisterDeadeye said:then I realized that you can get most Daiwa and Lew's(and some of the others) on eBay for a lot cheaper than MSRP.
This is the way I shop now. No more full priced reels for me.
HazeRVA reply :
Thanks again man! I suck at making decisions haha
HazeRVA reply :
Just to bring some closure, I picked up the 7' MHF Abu Garcia Vendetta today to go with the Fuego CT. Got it for $54 at DSG. Came down to that and the Lew's Carbon fire. Really liked the Winn grip on the Lew's but the reel seat lock nut felt really loose, much preferred the lock nut on the Vendetta. Sweet looking combo too! Thanks for the help everyone. Now to get her on the water!
Pat33 reply :
Diawa Fuego is a good solid reel for the price range. I use one on my flippin stick.
r83srock reply :
On 7/23/2018 at 6:16 AM, HazeRVA said:Just to bring some closure, I picked up the 7' MHF Abu Garcia Vendetta today to go with the Fuego CT. Got it for $54 at DSG. Came down to that and the Lew's Carbon fire. Really liked the Winn grip on the Lew's but the reel seat lock nut felt really loose, much preferred the lock nut on the Vendetta. Sweet looking combo too! Thanks for the help everyone. Now to get her on the water!
That rod balances really well, I enjoyed mine.
islandbass reply :
On 7/23/2018 at 6:16 AM, HazeRVA said:Just to bring some closure, I picked up the 7' MHF Abu Garcia Vendetta today to go with the Fuego CT. Got it for $54 at DSG. Came down to that and the Lew's Carbon fire. Really liked the Winn grip on the Lew's but the reel seat lock nut felt really loose, much preferred the lock nut on the Vendetta. Sweet looking combo too! Thanks for the help everyone. Now to get her on the water!
Nice! Glad you got the handle on the "correct" side, lol (I prefer LH reels but can fish both).
Time to go to town!
BaitFinesse reply :
On 7/23/2018 at 6:16 AM, HazeRVA said:Just to bring some closure, I picked up the 7' MHF Abu Garcia Vendetta today to go with the Fuego CT. Got it for $54 at DSG. Came down to that and the Lew's Carbon fire. Really liked the Winn grip on the Lew's but the reel seat lock nut felt really loose, much preferred the lock nut on the Vendetta. Sweet looking combo too! Thanks for the help everyone. Now to get her on the water!
Now you've done it. You're in trouble now. You color matched your rod and reel and liked it. Now all future combos will have to match or it will eat at you.
HazeRVA reply :
@BaitFinesse hahahaha, yep! Was actually just about to post in the Show your Stuff thread. Bought the Fuego CT because I didn't want to spend too much on a reel. Now ya'll have me ready to place an order with Hedgehog for red accent parts that cost more than the reel! And I may or may not have placed an order for that Vermillion Red PowerPro braid.....
BaitFinesse reply :
On 7/24/2018 at 3:52 AM, HazeRVA said:@BaitFinesse hahahaha, yep! Was actually just about to post in the Show your Stuff thread. Bought the Fuego CT because I didn't want to spend too much on a reel. Now ya'll have me ready to place an order with Hedgehog for red accent parts that cost more than the reel! And I may or may not have placed an order for that Vermillion Red PowerPro braid.....
Check out some of the color parts from Ray's Studio on Aliexpress or Ebay They have color parts even a few spools for the CT reels. Prices are way cheaper than Hedgehog although Hedgehog has great stuff.
MisterDeadeye reply :
On 7/24/2018 at 4:34 AM, BaitFinesse said:Check out some of the color parts from Ray's Studio on Aliexpress or Ebay They have color parts even a few spools for the CT reels. Prices are way cheaper than Hedgehog although Hedgehog has great stuff.
I don't want to hijack the thread, but do you know if there are any long cast spools for the Tat/Fuego CT? I haven't found any, but I want to get extra spools and I'm not sure if I should go with Daiwa replacements for ~$30, or go with the microcast spools on Ali.
I'm not necessarily looking to throw finesse, I just want to have a spool of braid and a spool of copoly so I can change them out quickly and easily.
HazeRVA reply :
Thanks @BaitFinesse I'll definitely check out Ray's!
BaitFinesse reply :
On 7/24/2018 at 4:45 AM, MisterDeadeye said:I don't want to hijack the thread, but do you know if there are any long cast spools for the Tat/Fuego CT? I haven't found any, but I want to get extra spools and I'm not sure if I should go with Daiwa replacements for ~$30, or go with the microcast spools on Ali.
I'm not necessarily looking to throw finesse, I just want to have a spool of braid and a spool of copoly so I can change them out quickly and easily.
Yeah they have a long cast version of the DIY spools for the CT reels but it looks like they are out of stock from sellers on aliexpress but I haven't checked ebay. If you wait a few weeks to a month they probably come back in stock.
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