Good All-around Baitcaster Setup 2025
FL_Sharpshooter reply :
So, I was watching an episode of The Bass Pros a couple weeks ago and mr. KVD said his #1 pick for the best all-around rod and reel was a 6'10 mh rod paired with a 6.6:1 gear ratio reel. Now obviously hes going to promote quantum because he's getting paid to. I'm not mad at him for that, or saying their products are subpar, but it got me thinking if that's really the best choice. I was thinking about something similar without breaking the bank. Possibly a shimano citica paired with like an abu garcia veritas? What are the thoughts or other opinions on this? Thanks.
BASSclary reply :
7' MH/F SHIMANO Compre + Daiwa Advantage HSTA. That'll run you about 250 bones.
That will probably be my next combo when I get the casheesh
lynyrdsky1 reply :
6:3:1 Extreme with a 7' MH carbonlite is a good all round set up. If you catch it on sale all this could be yours for around $150.
northern basser reply :
A veritas and a citica would be a excellent choice. The citica is a great reel and can be bought on e-bay for less than a $100. A fast act. rod would be ideal so the 6'6" or 7' mh veritas would be good. The 6'9" veritas is extra fast and probably not as versitile as the fast action.
Goose52 reply :
BPS Pro Qualifier reel in 6.4:1 ratio and the 7' m/f or mh/f rod (m or mh depending on where/how you fish) of your choice...
roadwarrior reply :
Citica 200E/ St. Croix Avid AVC68MXF is an
outstanding rig. With a little patience and
some shopping, you should be able to do
this for less than $250.
8-)
AbuGarcia-4-Life reply :
Personally if you are gonna go with a cheaper rod like the Veritas (not hating on it cause I have one on the way) I would save a Lil more a differnt reel. The Citica is an amazing pitchin reel due to it's Super Free spool system but go ahead and get an Abu Garcia SX, amazing reel I have 2 (had 3 but traded for Shimano Cumara) and they are so smooth! U can't go wrong with that combo!
Revo_Carrot Stix reply :
Revo STX or SX (American Bass Outlet - $169/139) paired with $99 7 MH Carrot Stix Wild.
South FLA reply :
My favorite all around combo is 7' MH fast action Shimano Cumara with a Shimano Chronarch B series reel.
On the cheap I like the Abu Garcia 6'9 MH Vendetta with a not so cheap Skeet Rees Revo.
FL_Sharpshooter reply :
It seems I'm pretty partial to Shimano reels, don't know why. My only concern is how well balanced would the setup be with my first selection, an Abu Garcia Veritas + a Shimano Citica 200e? Would the reel be better balanced with a shimano crucial? I don't really know...
The Rooster reply :
QuoteIt seems I'm pretty partial to Shimano reels, don't know why. My only concern is how well balanced would the setup be with my first selection, an Abu Garcia Veritas + a Shimano Citica 200e? Would the reel be better balanced with a shimano crucial? I don't really know...
I'm not sure either but I do know a Citica/Crucial feels great in the hand. Pair them up at a store and see. I did and was almost sorry I went with Compre rods instead. Not too sorry though. My Citica/Compre feels really good too.
GrundleLove reply :
BPS Johnny Morris Gold + Abu Garcia Veritas .
Around 200 clams but its well worth it. or save up and get the new Johnny Morris Edition 2011
FL_Sharpshooter reply :
QuoteQuoteIt seems I'm pretty partial to Shimano reels, don't know why. My only concern is how well balanced would the setup be with my first selection, an Abu Garcia Veritas + a Shimano Citica 200e? Would the reel be better balanced with a shimano crucial? I don't really know...I'm not sure either but I do know a Citica/Crucial feels great in the hand. Pair them up at a store and see. I did and was almost sorry I went with Compre rods instead. Not too sorry though. My Citica/Compre feels really good too.
Any type of store that carries both of those is too far away from where I live 
. I'll just have to trust my gut on this I suppose. Thanks for the boost of confidence 
.
JigMe reply :
Shimano Compre 7' M/F, with a Shimano Citcia. This set up should run you around 230 dollars.
northern basser reply :
As far as balance goes, the veritas is about as good as it gets.
FL_Sharpshooter reply :
QuoteShimano Compre 7' M/F, with a Shimano Citcia. This set up should run you around 230 dollars.
That rod actually looks really nice, I'm seriously going to consider that one. It looks like the lure weight is pretty flexible too, 1/4-3/8, which is what I'm throwing 99% of the time. Thanks for your awesome suggestion.
jeb2 reply :
QuoteSo, I was watching an episode of The Bass Pros a couple weeks ago and mr. KVD said his #1 pick for the best all-around rod and reel was a 6'10 mh rod paired with a 6.6:1 gear ratio reel. Now obviously hes going to promote quantum because he's getting paid to. I'm not mad at him for that, or saying their products are subpar, but it got me thinking if that's really the best choice. I was thinking about something similar without breaking the bank. Possibly a shimano citica paired with like an abu garcia veritas? What are the thoughts or other opinions on this? Thanks.
I agree with Kevin. A MH rod about 7' and a 6.4:1 to 6.6:1 reel is a very good all around combo. Obviously a lot depends on the exact rod and reel, but it's hard to go wrong if you stick with mid or better priced stuff in good name brands.
deep reply :
QuoteQuoteShimano Compre 7' M/F, with a Shimano Citcia. This set up should run you around 230 dollars.That rod actually looks really nice, I'm seriously going to consider that one. It looks like the lure weight is pretty flexible too, 1/4-3/8, which is what I'm throwing 99% of the time. Thanks for your awesome suggestion.
Actually the lure rating is 1/4 to 3/4 oz for that one. I have the Compre MH/F (3/8 to 1 oz); it's a decent rod for the money. Any bait over 1/2 oz that's not a deep-diver or a swimbait goes on this one.
I'd suggest getting the MH/F as opposed to the M/F. The Citica 201E that I have on this rod doesn't throw 1/4 oz lures very well; but then it's probably the rod, and I never really bother with baitcasters unless the lure is over 1/2 oz - I love my spinning set-ups too much
The pro-qualifier is another good reel for the money, usually you can find it for less than what you'd get a Citica for. I like my Citica over my PQ though.
FL_Sharpshooter reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteShimano Compre 7' M/F, with a Shimano Citcia. This set up should run you around 230 dollars.That rod actually looks really nice, I'm seriously going to consider that one. It looks like the lure weight is pretty flexible too, 1/4-3/8, which is what I'm throwing 99% of the time. Thanks for your awesome suggestion.
Actually the lure rating is 1/4 to 3/4 oz for that one. I have the Compre MH/F (3/8 to 1 oz); it's a decent rod for the money. Any bait over 1/2 oz that's not a deep-diver or a swimbait goes on this one.
I'd suggest getting the MH/F as opposed to the M/F. The Citica 201E that I have on this rod doesn't throw 1/4 oz lures very well; but then I never really bother with baitcasters unless the lure is over 1/2 oz - I love my spinning set-ups too much
Yeah, looks like I mis-read it, lol. I was also leaning more towards the 6'10 Med Hvy X-Fast rod. It's rated for 1/4oz - 1oz, looks pretty good to me. I also saw on TW that Shimano is offering a 20$ rebate off the Compre, and a 10$ rebate off of the Clarus from February 1, 2011 May 31, 2011 8-).
deep reply :
I don't have ANY MH/XF baitcast rod, so I'm probably not the best person to offer this advice; but idk if an XF rod would make an all-around rod.
FL_Sharpshooter reply :
QuoteI don't have ANY MH/XF baitcast rod, so I'm probably not the best person to offer this advice; but idk if an XF rod would make an all-around rod.
What's the big difference between the XF tip and the F tip? Is it really that big of a difference?
Grey Wolf reply :
QuoteI don't have ANY MH/XF baitcast rod, so I'm probably not the best person to offer this advice; but idk if an XF rod would make an all-around rod.
You're right , it wouldn't.
steezy reply :
I hate to say it but I think some of of the best combos for the money would be either the BPS carbonlite reel and carbonlite rod for ~$250 OR a shimano core 50 reel and shimano cumara rod for ~$550.
If the budget is a lot higher then it would be a Steez combo.
FL_Sharpshooter reply :
I can spend around 300$, I just don't want to make the wrong choice. With so many different ones on the market it makes for a really difficult decision.
zero limit reply :
QuoteI can spend around 300$, I just don't want to make the wrong choice. With so many different ones on the market it makes for a really difficult decision.
Avid/Citica
deep reply :
QuoteI can spend around 300$, I just don't want to make the wrong choice. With so many different ones on the market it makes for a really difficult decision.
Rod:
You can't go wrong with Shimano, BPS, Powell Max, Pinnacle Perfecta (the lure ratings on the one Pinnacle I have are grossly under-rated). I hear good things about St Croix, Dobyns and Falcon as well, but never used any one of these.
Figure out the length/ power/ action, go onto TW (the suggested uses they put up are pretty spot on) and choose.
Reel:
Shimano Citica and BPS PQ are both great reels.
I don't own a Daiwa baitcaster, but I think most of us have a high opinion of those.
Curados can be had for around $150 new, and supposedly Carbonlites are good reels.
I never liked the one Revo I ever owned, and will never buy another one, but figure out for yourself.
EDIT:
**With so many different ones on the market it makes for a really difficult decision**
Yes; but options are good. I'll give you an example. When I was looking around for a soft plastics spinning rod, I narrowed down the choices to a 7'2" Med Xfast Shimano Crucial and a 7'3" Med Xfast Powell Max. I went with the Powell in the end just because it didn't have a fore-grip, and was an inch longer.
I don't know how good the Crucial would have been, but I'm very very pleased with my Powell Max.
EDIT 2:
I'm assuming this is your first baitcasting set-up? What spinning rods do you own? Is there any one you particularly love? Start looking from the baitcasting line for that manufacturer. If they make a rod in the specs that you want, buy it. You'll almost certainly love it.
dh88hms reply :
BPS Pro Q $99 reg, have seen as low as $69.99
Powell 703C $139.99
I absolutely love this combo.
Quitlimpin reply :
Lamiglas xc704 or xc705 with a citica or e7. Both rods are extremely versatile and if you shop around can be found in the $150 range
central.PA.bass reply :
QuoteBPS Pro Q $99 reg, have seen as low as $69.99Powell 703C $139.99
I absolutely love this combo.
Great suggestion! Powell rods are great... I have 703c paired with a Revo STX ... I got them both when TW had a sale.. I believe I spent under 250 on that one.. when the 09 STX's were getting replaced with the 2010 models..
deep reply :
QuoteQuoteI don't have ANY MH/XF baitcast rod, so I'm probably not the best person to offer this advice; but idk if an XF rod would make an all-around rod.What's the big difference between the XF tip and the F tip? Is it really that big of a difference?
Here ya go:
http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1296662575
Fat-G reply :
Quote7' MH/F SHIMANO Compre + Daiwa Advantage HSTA. That'll run you about 250 bones.That will probably be my next combo when I get the casheesh
Save $10 more and get a Curado. I have both, the Curado wins hands down. It's a much smaller, lighter, more versitile reel.
I love my HSTA, but it's on a dedicated frog rod for a reason.
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