My First bait caster 2025
trwoh reply :
Ok BR, i have about 200-250$ to grab my first bait caster reel and rod as a beginner. I used a wealth of information here, including some of y'alls tips, to buy my first spinning rig and am extremely happy with it (even if i went a little above my price point - Dobyns Sierra rod/pfluger supreme xt reel). I know these questions are posted through the site, but as a newbie getting direct and precise tips for particular set ups really hits home harder than reading general information - if that makes sense. I plan on getting this set up this weekend and giving bait casting a go. I know typically at minimum three rods is ideal, but i have spent so much just getting started i can't get a strictly hog rod and reel for thick cover after this second rig.
Main source of fishing:
Ponds, ponds, and ponds (until i can befriend a guy with a boat ha!)
Main intended uses:
Froggin, Jigs, Jerks, spooks and really anything else other than plastics and small lures (not sure if ill crank because i have even less idea on that than i do jigs and I'm fishing smaller ponds).
Size:
7' MH? This seems to be the best all around from what i have read - although i have just seen some other threads that mention MM (this confuses me).
Line:
I have seen everything from 17# mono to 50 pound braid.
As always i appreciate those who take the time to offer advice to us beginners, has to get taxing at some point!
Todd
To piggy back on my own novel, i have read a lot about fuegos and tatulas - they are definitely on my radar. I also really like the Dobyns i purchased, it feels great in my hand and really balanced - the mojo bass and st. croix premier didn't feel good to me with the pflueger but that was for my spinning set up.
TylerT123 reply :
Get a Dobyns 734 or 735 and Fuego CT or Tatula CT. Ha! Beat you to it! @CroakHunter
trwoh reply :
Why the HF and not a MH? Whats the biggest difference/what do you sacrifice in noob terms out of curiosity. I have read a lot of good things about that rod and as i mentioned earlier i like my spinning dobyns.
TylerT123 reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 7:15 AM, trwoh said:Why the HF and not a MH? Whats the biggest difference/what do you sacrifice in noob terms out of curiosity. I have read a lot of good things about that rod and as i mentioned earlier i like my spinning dobyns.
Dobyns 734 is considered their most versatile rod. HF vs MHF, heavy can through heavier baits, MH can throw lighter lures better. The H is more “powerful” and probably shouldn’t be used for treble hook lures. Plus Dobyns Rods are overrated (power wise).
trwoh reply :
ahh ok, thanks. Speaking of trebles, i am using my spinning setup - MF - to throw treble top waters staying within the rod limit. Is that acceptable for treble lures until i can furnish a third set up?
islandbass reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 7:34 AM, trwoh said:ahh ok, thanks. Speaking of trebles, i am using my spinning setup - MF - to throw treble top waters staying within the rod limit. Is that acceptable for treble lures until i can furnish a third set up?
Since a rod's power can vary between manufacturers, generally speaking, mediums should be fine for treble hook lures (cranks, topwaters, jerks) and even lighter wire single hook lures. I think you're alright that spinning set up serving that role.
I think MH power rod and whatever reel you want to use will be a decent first setup. You might suffer in the frog department, but one rod can't do everything and still be a good rod. Besides, it's all the bait monkey needs to coax you to eventually fill in the H powered rod in your arsenal.
I don't have an H rod in my arsenal because my situation doesn't have need for one yet, but I'd still want one, and that's messed up, lol.
trwoh reply :
What is a good all-round line? I read 40# test is safe because of the strength and the thicker diameter to reduce "cut-ins", whatever that is ????
Boomstick reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 7:01 AM, TylerT123 said:Get a Dobyns 734 or 735 and Fuego CT or Tatula CT. Ha! Beat you to it! @CroakHunter
I second that if you go Dobyns, the 734C is the way to go. It's called a heavy/fast action rod but dobyns runs a power higher, so it's really more of a stiffer MH/F.
I have a Daiwa 6'10" MH/F rod and a Tatula SV reel that would also be a good choice.
islandbass reply :
If you don't want to know what line dig is, stick with 40# braid and up. Line dig is real on a reel, lol.
Boomstick reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 7:55 AM, trwoh said:What is a good all-round line? I read 40# test is safe because of the strength and the thicker diameter to reduce "cut-ins", whatever that is ????
For a beginner to the baitcaster, I would NOT start with braid. I would go with a thicker mono that will birds nest less, and be easier to remove a birds nest. Something like Suffix Siege in 14lb or 17lb should be a good line to start with. Once you get to the point you are more comfortable with the baitcaster, then upgrade to braid or even flurocarbon depending what you want to throw.
TylerT123 reply :
Yeah, for line get like 17# Berkley Big Game, it’s less than $10 for 900 yards.
Hurricane reply :
For that price you can buy 2 Abu Garcia Black Max Combos... Never had a problem with them..
CroakHunter reply :
Love my 735's but if you plan to use spooks and jerkbaits it would be very far down on the list to use with those lures. I use one of my 735's for 3/8 up to 3/4 ounce flipping and swim jigs and the other for deep texas rigs, magnum shakey heads, football jigs, and carolina rigs. I think The 704 or 734 would suit you well. Depending on what you like length wise.
Another very versatile rod that I like is the lews tp-1 speed stick. 7Ft medium heavy. I have used this rod for Everything from senkos, frogs, jigs, flipping, Texas rigs, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, underspins, swimbaits, and buzzbaits.
As far as line goes, 40lb braid is a good starting point. Trilene xl, xt, or big game are good monofilament choices as well as seaguar senshi. I have 20lb senshi on a couple rods and although it sounds like big heavy line, it works very well and has very small diameter for 20lb line. Kastking super power or daiwa j-braid x4 Are my favorite braids. If you are thinking about using fluorocarbon at all (i wouldn't being that you are new to baitcasting) sunline assassin in 15lb test is a good line with decent manageability. P-line cx or cxx in 12-15lb sizes are solid choices as well. Good luck with your search and make sure to post up what you purchase.
trwoh reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 9:29 AM, CroakHunter said:
Another very versatile rod that I like is the lews tp-1 speed stick. 7Ft medium heavy. I have used this rod for Everything from senkos, frogs, jigs, flipping, Texas rigs, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, underspins, swimbaits, and buzzbaits.
I have read a lot about this combo for beginners. If you could start from scratch..is worth buying TP-1 combo or the 704 and a daiwa tutula or fuegos for the money/learning/quality/long term use aspect?
CroakHunter reply :
Honestly it's a toss up for me. I like both cork and winn grips and despise Eva foam so the grips for either wouldn't be a deciding factor. Of it were me I would put a fuego ct on the tp-1 And tatula ct on the fury. Just because those reels and rods match up very very well.
Matt_3479 reply :
I agree on the 734c being a great first rod, it was my first baitcaster. It’s labeled as a heavy but is very much so a medium heavy which is what your looking for. Great action for majority of baits. Light for frogs but would work in a pinch. I don’t own any other dobyns and prefer a few different companies rods over dobyns personally but the 734 is a tough all around rod to beat! I agree on the Fuego CT though. I am a shimano guy myself but if your budget is 200-250, the Sierra or champion on sale in 734c and take whatever’s left over for a fuego when they go on sale. A lot of reel for the money
fishnkamp reply :
Gary Dobyns has said quite a few time the 734 is his most versatile rod. It is nice in the Fury and Sierra lines. I am a Dobyns fan, but I fish his higher lines. My friend Kris had 5 Fury rods in his arsenal.
Qs for the MH vs Hvy confusion every rod builder rates their rods the way they want and there is no standard. As many have said a Dobyns fishes about a 1/2 power lighter than rated. Now the lure weights recommended is spot on.
Take a look at a few other rods too.. Irod makes a quality rod especially in the Genesis II series. they have two rods I love for your needs. Check out a IRG693C “Harold’s Lone Star Special. This is the definition of all purpose rod. You could also go for a IRG744C. take a look on the Irod site. These cost $150.00
Another rod I love to use as an all a rounder is my Powell Max 683CEF MH. That has been replaced by the Powell Max3D series. Look at their closeout deals on both the 683 and 723 CEF MH These normally run $150 and are on sale for $119
Match any of these rods up with a Diawa Tatula CT in 6.3 or 7.3-1 and you are ready for catching some nice fish.
trwoh reply :
Thanks guys for the advice guys. I’m gonna check all these out.
trwoh reply :
What is the difference between the Daiwa CT and Type-R? Discount tackle has a type R on sale for 143, and a CT on sale for 103. Although the type R is a 8:1 ration (not sure if thats really what i need).
I am leaning hard on the Dobyns 734C with the Tatula, and now this throws a wrench in the Reel plan.
Side note, didn't know Daiwa made Acura's ????.
trwoh reply :
So for some that wanted to know what I went with, I got the Dobyns 734 and the Daiwa Tatula CT 7:3:1.
Havnt gotten line yet, I’m torn between letting cabelas do it or giving it a shot myself. But I’m gonna go with mono, so if(probably when) it backlashes I’ll only be out a few dollars until I really get the hang of it.
As always thanks for the advice BR.
Matt_3479 reply :
On 7/31/2018 at 9:26 AM, trwoh said:So for some that wanted to know what I went with, I got the Dobyns 734 and the Daiwa Tatula CT 7:3:1.
Havnt gotten line yet, I’m torn between letting cabelas do it or giving it a shot myself. But I’m gonna go with mono, so if(probably when) it backlashes I’ll only be out a few dollars until I really get the hang of it.
As always thanks for the advice BR.
Sounds perfect! Your going love that set up. Which 734c did you go with? Fury, Sierra, champion? Haven’t used the tatula ct but have the sv and it’s fantastic
trwoh reply :
The Sierra
islandbass reply :
Let them spool this time around so you can get right to fishing. ????
congrats! It was exciting for me and I wasn’t even the one buying, lol. Thanks for the ride.
trwoh reply :
I can’t wait! This weekend I will be tied to the water for sure hah!
Matt_3479 reply :
Well congrats then on the new rod! You’ll love it. Got a Chatterbait tied to mine currently and just love throwing that rod!
grub_man reply :
trwoh,
What part of OH are you in?
Welcome to the fun world of fishing and casting reels! There is no need to break the bank on a casting reel to start out. As mentioned something like the Abu Garcia Black Max can be very good starting point. They are much nicer than they were 20 years ago or so when I started into casting reels. $100 or so can get you a solid reel that will last you for years with a little maintenance. This spring I picked up a Revo X to be paired with a rod I built on a 7' 1/4-3/4oz. MH power Fast action rod. The Revo X fits the bill nicely for what I was looking for.
On my lakes over in the eastern part of OH, this (7' 1/4-3/4oz.) is about as powerful of a rod as I need for most applications. This type of rod is a general purpose bass rod designed to throw single hook lures (spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, weedless bass jigs, Texas rigged worms) with about 3/16-1/2oz. of lead. It is a very versatile type of rod, and pretty much every company makes one.
Fishing on foot means that you may be a bit more rough on your gear than fishing out of a boat (though gear can be abused in any setting). If you want something slightly more durable, look at standard modulus rods (typically ~$100 give or take). The rod will be sensitive enough to work with the lure weights mentioned above in most situations. If you want to stretch your budget a bit look for a mid-modulus rod (typically ~$150 give or take). These rods a bit lighter and a bit more sensitive. In my opinion the mid modulus stuff is the sweet spot in rod blanks, where you get a light sensitive blank that won't break the bank. Ignore the high end stuff for now. I use high modulus rods with 1/8 oz. or less of lead when it is tougher to feel what is going on down below.
You made mention of MM rods. The MM is short hand for Medium Power Moderate Action. These rods are designed so that the start to flex deeper into the rod blank and are designed for treble hook lures. As you start to flex the tip of a rod a fast action rod will generally start deflecting somewhere in the upper 1/3 of rod. A moderate action will start to flex in the upper 1/2 of the rod. A Slow action will start flexing all of the way back at the handle. All rods can be force to flex all of the way to the handle, action just refers to where they start to flex under light loads and gives the angler a bit of info about what to expect in how the rod will perform in certain tasks. The moderate action rod reacts and responds a bit slower which makes it tougher for a fish to throw slack into the line which can help them mover the lure around to dislodge the treble hooks. Starting out, you can get by fishing your treble hook lures on your spinning rod and try not to horse the fish in. As you start building up your rod collection and maybe spend more time in a boat, then it will be time to look at a dedicated treble hook rod. My preference is fiberglass in the right action and power here, a MH power Moderate to Moderate Fast action.
trwoh reply :
On 8/1/2018 at 3:33 AM, grub_man said:trwoh,
What part of OH are you in?
I live in Worthington. I mostly pond hop around that area but most of them are private so it makes it difficult.
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