First Baitcaster: Bps Pro Qualifier, Lews Speed Spool, H20 Mettle, Or Pflueger Summit 2025
noob150 reply :
I was looking to get my first baitcaster. I have briefly fished with them in the past but not for a significant amount of time. I wanted to get something that was good to learn on but decent enough where I won't want to buy another reel for some time (I know eventually I will upgrade). I plan to buy a lower end rod to start out with but I don't know what reel to purchase.
Here are my options. Please let me know what you think or if you have any other suggestions. I want to buy new.
1) BPS Pro Qualifier.$100 Seems to be one of the most popular reels to start out with. Has Centrifugal and magnetic brakes. Only problem is that it isn't on sale at the moment and I read that in time, they aren't as smooth as they were when new. Can't return for warranty work.
2) Lew Speed Spool.$90 I always here good things but doesn't seem as popular as BPS pro qualifier. I think it only has magnetic brakes
3) H2o Mettle: $60. In expensive and popular but I am not sure Academy sports has the customer service that Cabelas but I could be wrong. Return policy states only in new conditinon and within 14 days. I read that these reels have a lifetime warranty.
4) Pflueger Summit $90. It looks to be a Cabelas Exclusive. Has Centrifugal brakes. It would appear to be a great buy but I don't hear much about this model so that is a bit concerning.
My upper limit on a reel is $110 or maybe $120 at most. Thanks.
ksboy reply :
Don't downplay the importance of the rod: The flex and weight handling ability of the rod are equally important as the reel you buy.
I usually buy reels that feel good in my hand and aren't too heavy or too big. Price is an important consideration for me. I've been looking at the Pinnacle reel that just came out a while back (don't remember the model #). It's a $100 reel but is less than six ounces. You might consider that one.
I don't have any experience with the reels you mentioned except the BPS. I've had several and usually get them for about $80. Some of them have been great and others not so good. I haven't bought one lately so I don't know about the current quality. Abu makes a good reel (imo) and you can get them for as little as $50. Granted, they won't be the quality of the $150-300 reels but they work good and are reliable.
Good luck. I hope you enjoy whichever one you choose to buy.
ABW reply :
Tatulas can be found for around 100 dollars, I would look into those reels.
If you want to go with one that you listed, I would get the Speed Spool. I have one, and it is a solid workhorse reel.
CarolinaBoy4Life reply :
I have multiple Pro Qualifiers and I love them. A member on here did a 5 year test on his Pro Qualifier and he fished more than you and I combined ever would in that span and it got a great review.
noob150 reply :
I went with the H20 xtreme. It gets great reviews, was priced right, and has a lifetime warranty. Plus I read that Academy will take care of me if anything happens. I paired it with a 7ft mh rod $50 rod that was on sale for $35.
Raul reply :
I would shell out 120 and get me a Citica G, it´s going to last forever, or a Tatula, it seems that Daiwa made a home run with that reel.
kikstand454 reply :
If you have a budgeted amount of around $100.. then a Lews or Tatula would probably be your best bet. Maybe a citica.
However..... if you want to spend less ( sometimes much less) than that, then I too will vouch for the pro qual and the mettle. Great great reels. FOR THE PRICE.
I got my mettle on sale around Xmas last year for 26 bucks. Easily worth 3times that.
Heron reply :
Lews Speed Spool - Excellent value.
Heron reply :
On 10/16/2014 at 4:46 AM, kikstand454 said:If you have a budgeted amount of around $100.. then a Lews or Tatula would probably be your best bet. Maybe a critical.
However..... if you want to spend less ( sometimes much less) than that then other too will vouch for the pro qual and the mettle. Great great reels. FOR THE PRICE.
I got my mettle on sale around Xmas last year for 26 bucks. Easily worth 3times that.
+2 definitely
The BPS Nitro Tournament Z, is also worth a look.
But my vote is firmly for the Lews Speed Spool.
Heron reply :
On 10/16/2014 at 3:18 AM, noob150 said:I went with the H20 xtreme. It gets great reviews, was priced right, and has a lifetime warranty. Plus I read that Academy will take care of me if anything happens. I paired it with a 7ft mh rod $50 rod that was on sale for $35.
Excellent Choice - Let us know how it goes with it.
bstephenson1225 reply :
I just started using a bait caster. A member on here pointed me towards a Lew's LFS. Best advice ever. been out about 10 trips and have only had one over run, and that was my fault because I didn't stop the spool as it hit water. Great reel, feels great in hand and the price is only 99.99 at tackle warehouse. They done a price match for me at 89.99. Like mine so much I plan on ordering another 7.5:1
200racing reply :
warranty on pro qualifier is one year. had a older one mess up and they wouldn't do squat.
the mettle are good reels for the money and academy has been flawless for replacements. last week the lure on one of my ethos rod caught on my boat cover as i pulled it of. snapped 4'' or so off. walked into academy, handed it to a employ and went and got my new one of the shelf for trade, no questions asked.
Sam reply :
Lew's Speed Spool although it may take you some time to get used to it.
noob150 reply :
Thanks everyone for your help. I practiced using the Mettle in my yard. It casts smoothly and is smooth reeling the line in. Much better than another reel I used briefly before. I am hoping to test it out in the next few days.
deep reply :
The correct answer starts with a C. Between the 4 you have on your list, I'll take the ProQualifier.
primetime reply :
I have not heard anything bad about any reel, rod, or lure from Academy...Just look how willing people are to pay $12-$15 for a $4 house lure, since the internet never works or people just think Academy is a brand and not a store...They have new models which look like the new Sebile Action series lures and still all the lucky craft styles like pistol and slush daddy, and the new floater went RC stick/Megabass 110....
I have used that pistol and it may not have the paint durability of a Sammy, it walks and produces on par imo, and the square bills are every bit as good as any others I have used, Jerkbaits need some work.
Great hooks at a great price, and their Frogs look like a $10 frog and hold up great. I want to try a Mettle and Ethos Rod as well.
ABW reply :
On 10/17/2014 at 7:11 AM, primetime said:I have not heard anything bad about any reel, rod, or lure from Academy...Just look how willing people are to pay $12-$15 for a $4 house lure, since the internet never works or people just think Academy is a brand and not a store...They have new models which look like the new Sebile Action series lures and still all the lucky craft styles like pistol and slush daddy, and the new floater went RC stick/Megabass 110....
I have used that pistol and it may not have the paint durability of a Sammy, it walks and produces on par imo, and the square bills are every bit as good as any others I have used, Jerkbaits need some work.
Great hooks at a great price, and their Frogs look like a $10 frog and hold up great. I want to try a Mettle and Ethos Rod as well.
Academy does make some awesome products. I tried their CRS crankbait today and that thing killed them.
*Hank reply :
I have a lews speed spool and it's a great reel for the money, light , great castabillity, very smooth! But if I were you I'd get a speed spool Lfs it's a much better reel for the same price!
pbizzle reply :
Those are great reels. I have 3 of them. Assuming it was the H2O Xpress Ethos that you bought, I believe it's an even better deal for the price. I also have 3 Ethos, and I like them more than my Vendettas.On 10/16/2014 at 3:18 AM, noob150 said:I went with the H20 xtreme. It gets great reviews, was priced right, and has a lifetime warranty. Plus I read that Academy will take care of me if anything happens. I paired it with a 7ft mh rod $50 rod that was on sale for $35.
Bluebasser86 reply :
I also bought a Mettle when they were on sale for $30, not really expecting much other than maybe a years service out of it. Well a year is just about up and that thing is one of the furthest casting reels I own and works just like new. I have it paired with a 6' 8" M/F Ethos casting rod (A whole combo that cost me $90) and it's become my favorite rod for jerkbaits and spooks. Biggest regret is not buying a few more of them.
bbodkin reply :
Speed spool hands down
new2BC4bass reply :
All I can say is that there were 3 other guys who actually took the time to read all the posts (well, at least all your posts), and realized you had already purchased the rod and reel. I have zero experience with the H2O, but feel I need to give one a try based on the excellent results others have posted. I have a feeling you will be pleased with the reel.
noob150 reply :
On 10/19/2014 at 11:08 PM, bbodkin said:Speed spool hands down
I already bought the H2o. I tried it out 2 times already and it works really well although don't really have many baitcasting reels to compare it to.
Why do you say Speed Spool?
I am curious if spending the extra $30+ will give me a smoother, easier casting, higher quality, less backlash reel.
It has magnetics brakes compared to the H20 centrifugal.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 10/22/2014 at 6:52 PM, noob150 said:I already bought the H2o. I tried it out 2 times already and it works really well although don't really have many baitcasting reels to compare it to.
Why do you say Speed Spool?
I am curious if spending the extra $30+ will give me a smoother, easier casting, higher quality, less backlash reel.
It has magnetics brakes compared to the H20 centrifugal.
I own both, I wish I could take the $100 I spent on the Speed Spool and go back when the Mettle was on sale for $30 and buy 3 more of those instead. Speed Spools are great reels don't get me wrong, but so is the Mettle, especially when they were $30.
bbodkin reply :
Speed spools are pretty dang smooth, also magnetic brakes are easier to deal with since its a first baitcaster IMO. i haven't tried the h20 reel but I've heard the h20 xpress line in academy puts out great baits/products. Now the PQ is in my opinion too bulky and too heavy its a great reel otherwise. I think speed spool but it's all your decision
CarolinaBoy4Life reply :
I was honestly looking to get a mettle setup with ethos rod. But there are no Academy's around here so I'd be going on a limb. From what everyone say's they appear to be darn good for the price point. May have to just take a chance and buy a couple setup's to try out.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 10/22/2014 at 8:57 PM, bbodkin said:Speed spools are pretty dang smooth, also magnetic brakes are easier to deal with since its a first baitcaster IMO. i haven't tried the h20 reel but I've heard the h20 xpress line in academy puts out great baits/products. Now the PQ is in my opinion too bulky and too heavy its a great reel otherwise. I think speed spool but it's all your decision
Easier in that the adjustment is on the outside. I think most would suggest a centrifugal brake reel to learn on. Don't get me wrong....I learned on a magnetic reel. Some are easier to cast well than others. My Zillion 50th Anniversary is a "set and forget" type of reel. My Zillion 100SHLA requires a bit more adjusting throughout the day. Maybe I just don't have it set right yet.
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