Easy To Use Bait Casters 2025
zallen4 reply :
Okay so last summer I got my girlfriend hooked on fishing which awesome, only now she insists on learning how to use a bait caster. So I'm looking for suggestions on the easiest ones to use, without completely breaking the bank because she most likely will get frustrated and go back to using spinning tackle lol I own a bps pro qualifier and thats very easy to use so I'm leaning toward getting her on of those. Any other suggestions? Thanks!
ABW reply :
I would also suggest a Lew's Speed Spool.
cottny27 reply :
Daiwa Laguna is a good starter reel and small in the hand. Not the smoothest cranking, but I have seen them for $29. Last year's silver/gray model.
Alonerankin2 reply :
Well, buy what you like then if she caves in.. You have a BC you like!
zallen4 reply :
On 2/17/2015 at 6:19 AM, Alonerankin2 said:Well, buy what you like then if she caves in.. You have a BC you like!
Lol, I had this in mind also!
ABW reply :
On 2/17/2015 at 6:22 AM, zallen4 said:Lol, I had this in mind also!
Or just let her use yours before you buy it and see if she likes it or not
HookdUP reply :
Curado 200e7 is one of the easiest baitcasters I even used
Ozark_Basser reply :
I don't think they make any of them necessarily hard to use, but I find mag breaks more convenient than centrifugal brakes. Also if the spool is "whiffled" its easier to tie line to.
Sonik reply :
I learned on a Pro Qualifier and gold Carbonlite. I tried a Lew's Tournament and it became second nature. Ditched all my BPS reels. The PQ is on sale for $80 online and Cabela's has Lew'd Tournamemt reels on sale/clearance for $120.
FishTank reply :
The Shimano Citica. It's an easy to use, get the job done reel.
jbrew73 reply :
something with dual brakes. basspro pro qualifier or lews lfs tournament mb speed spool. you can really tune these where backlash is nearly impossible.
drew4779 reply :
X3 on the Citica...but if you're going very inexpensive, look for a daiwa strike force. These are simple to use but I'd be suprised if it lasted more than a season.
Or you just upgrade your reel and hand her down yours.
Angry John reply :
Daiwa advantage htsa or l. This is the baitcaster I learned on and I still use it for frogs.
BaitMonkey1984 reply :
Lets speed spool or abu garcia orra winch are what I am learning on and very user friendly. Stay away from Quantum Escalade HD- nothing but backlashes for me with that reel.
Darren. reply :
Welcome to the forums!
A PQ is a solid reel, easy to start with.
TorqueConverter reply :
Get her something cheap and centrifugal. Try a pfluger Templar with 4 or all the brakes on or Nitro Tournament Z with the brakes at "II" or "III". Both reels are around $60. A PQ for $20 more is also a good choice.
pbizzle reply :
H2O Xpress Mettle all the way. That way it's cheap so you're not out much if she doesn't like it, but it's a quality reel and will last if she does.
WdyCrankbait reply :
Yeah, I am teaching my wife to use a baitcaster right now as well. So, I would look for a smaller reel, say 50E size. But, my suggestions are one of the new Lew's LFS series reel. Just turn the dial on the side to make changes, no opening up the side plate, piece of cake! Or, a Curado series Shimano for their fore giving nature. Good luck and post what happens.
roadwarrior reply :
On 2/17/2015 at 6:19 AM, Alonerankin2 said:Well, buy what you like then if she caves in.. You have a BC you like!
The Citica and Curado are VERY user friendly.
This looks like a great value: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/151491-for-sale-shimano-citica-200e/
new2BC4bass reply :
Another welcome to the forum. As you can see suggestions are all over the place. A lot depends on what the person has used. I learned on a Fuego. Love it, but wouldn't suggest it for a first reel. I think it would be easier to learn on a centrifugal or dual brake reel. Obviously you can only learn once so that is speculation on my part. I did get a Chronarch 101A for my daughter. See does quite well with it.
However, I have to suggest picking up a used Daiwa with the Magforce 3D braking system. Set on Maxbrake and start with the dial up around 10. (I've never had over about 5 so this is a guess.) This braking system is the only one I have ever been able to cast with zero brakes on and not backlash so bad it would take a 1/2 hour to remove, or have to cut the line off.
lmbfisherman reply :
All are good suggestions. I would add my hat with the citica RW posted or the PQ. Further I found it easier to learn with braided line, it is also easier to pick a backlash out. I would avoid learning on floro first. Very hard to learn with right off the bat. Mono or copoly would be my next choice but not all lines are made equal. Big Game or XL is what i would use for mono. For copoly Yo Zuri. Remember to start with a 12 lb diameter too.
Fishes in trees reply :
All bait casters are easy to use - once you learn how to use them. Catch 22. No company sets out to make a bait caster that is difficult to use. Some are easier to use than others. There is a learning curve to using any bait caster.
The notion of getting a reel that you like, mentioned by a prior poster, isn't a bad idea, if she does't like it, at least you've got one you can use. I would avoid getting any "starter" reel, any reel that has fewer features that the one you've got. That would cause more problems than it would solve. My advice is to be a nice guy, bite the fiscal bullet and get her a nice one. I'd recommend the Chronarch 50. The smaller size would fit her hand better, it is a little cheaper to spool up. I think I spend around $180 for the last Chronarch 50 I got.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 2/17/2015 at 9:26 PM, Fishes in trees said:All bait casters are easy to use - once you learn how to use them. Catch 22. No company sets out to make a bait caster that is difficult to use. Some are easier to use than others. There is a learning curve to using any bait caster.
The notion of getting a reel that you like, mentioned by a prior poster, isn't a bad idea, if she does't like it, at least you've got one you can use. I would avoid getting any "starter" reel, any reel that has fewer features that the one you've got. That would cause more problems than it would solve. My advice is to be a nice guy, bite the fiscal bullet and get her a nice one. I'd recommend the Chronarch 50. The smaller size would fit her hand better, it is a little cheaper to spool up. I think I spend around $180 for the last Chronarch 50 I got.
Or a used Curado 50/51E. Great little reels. I bought my oldest grandson a Daiwa Procaster 100HN on closeout for $30 after reading Tackletour's review. Had it professionally cleaned first thing. He wouldn't even try it. Prefers a spinning reel. It is now on my short dedicated spinnerbait rod. Nice reel although it wouldn't make it today with everyone's concern that a b/c reel weigh less than 6 oz. and disappear in your hand.
Angry John reply :
If were talking smaller is better the alphas or core would fit in small hands well and if there not into it you still have a great reel.
jignfule reply :
A $600 Antares.... SHE"S WORTH IT.............
A-Jay reply :
How about the kind that have that Big Push Button on the back and say Zebco on the front ?
A-Jay
Blues19 reply :
Dont get something cheap. That will be a waste of your money. Like others have said, if she doesnt like it, you have another reel. If she does, then you are gonna earn some good points! But a cheap reel will not last, just gonna be throwing the money out the door. Put a little money into it. It will last longer and should be built better and easier to use. I would probably get the $99 Lews speed spool or a Revo S. They are small comfortable reels that she should not have too much trouble using.
Angry John reply :
Spend more and if she likes it you may get....... More time on the water!
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