New Baitcast Combo 2024
FibWi reply :
Hi everyone,
I'm still relatively new to Bass fishing, but recent events have led me to begin searching for a new and low price set up (as I'm a College student). Since I had to buy a new rod anyway, I thought to myself, why not buy a baitcaster while I'm at it (since I enjoyed using my friend's)? This would be my first baitcaster.
I've created my preferred set up that would fit my budget, and this left me with a couple of questions.
I am planning to get:
A Berkley Lightning Trigger Rod
A BPS Pro Qualifier
I fish mostly senkos, lizards, brush hogs, flukes, etc. However, I am planning to begin using Spinners, Buzzbaits, and Jitterbugs.
Since I fish the shore primarily, I was wondering which rod I should get? The 6'6 MH or 7' MH?
I also wanted to ask which gear ratio on the reel should I go for? 6:4:1 or 7:1:1?
If you have any other set up suggestions other than the one I listed, please do tell.
Thank you!
Oh, and by recent events, I meant my crappy Walmart Abu Garcia rod broke right as I lifted a huge bass out of the water.
Packard reply :
Looks like a nice combo. I'd go with the 7'MH with a 6.4:1
northern basser reply :
If your fishing from an open shore, I would agree on the 7 footer. However, if there are any trees, brush, obsticles etc.... you might want to opt for the shorter rod. As for the reel, I would get the faster one. You can always slow down your retrieve if you need to.
LgMouthGambler reply :
I own a Pro Qualifier on a Berkley Lightning Shock rod. I use 65# Spiderwire, so I need the Shock series. They are a little more, but I think they are a bettr quality. I would get the 6.4:1, due to is versatility, especially if you plan to use different baits with it.
FibWi reply :
On 1/9/2012 at 8:47 PM, northern basser said:If your fishing from an open shore, I would agree on the 7 footer. However, if there are any trees, brush, obsticles etc.... you might want to opt for the shorter rod. As for the reel, I would get the faster one. You can always slow down your retrieve if you need to.
Generally, it is an open shore. I do occasionally deal with trees that are right above my head, but I could always just alter the way I cast temporarily right?
On 1/9/2012 at 11:50 PM, LgMouthGambler said:I own a Pro Qualifier on a Berkley Lightning Shock rod. I use 65# Spiderwire, so I need the Shock series. They are a little more, but I think they are a bettr quality. I would get the 6.4:1, due to is versatility, especially if you plan to use different baits with it.
Is this what you meant?
http://www.basspro.c...ct/104157/86975
LgMouthGambler reply :
Yes, very good rod. Also, I use 6'6 rods since I do alot of shore fishing as well. Your not gonna lose any castability, dont worry.
deep reply :
On 1/9/2012 at 11:54 PM, FibWi said:Generally, it is an open shore. I do occasionally deal with trees that are right above my head, but I could always just alter the way I cast temporarily right?
Get the longer rod. You'll learn how to do side-arm, underarm, lob casts; as well as casting from the wrong shoulder if you feel the need. I frequently use a 8 foot rod from the shore with little or no problems.
On 1/9/2012 at 11:54 PM, FibWi said:Is this what you meant?
http://www.basspro.c...ct/104157/86975
No idea about the rod, but the pro qualifier is a pretty good bang for the buck.
youngbassman reply :
Go for quality get an Abu Garcia veritas. They will last you a while
tomustang reply :
On 1/9/2012 at 2:24 PM, FibWi said:Oh, and by recent events, I meant my crappy Walmart Abu Garcia rod broke right as I lifted a huge bass out of the water.
Hoisting up fish isn't what any rod was meant for.
FibWi reply :
On 1/10/2012 at 10:48 PM, deep said:Get the longer rod. You'll learn how to do side-arm, underarm, lob casts; as well as casting from the wrong shoulder if you feel the need. I frequently use a 8 foot rod from the shore with little or no problems.
No idea about the rod, but the pro qualifier is a pretty good bang for the buck.
Which reel do you think I should get? Thanks again.
deep reply :
On 1/11/2012 at 1:17 AM, FibWi said:Which reel do you think I should get? Thanks again.
The PQ is good, but IMO Citica E is better. I sold my PQ long ago, still have the Citica that was my first baitcaster. If you don't mind buying used, Curado B, and Citica D's are great deals. All can be had for $70 or less...
EDIT: I'm looking at my setups as I type this.. I see a curado B, a curado E, a citica E, a citica D, a cardiff and a revo toro winch...
new2BC4bass reply :
On 1/11/2012 at 12:00 AM, Tom D. said:Hoisting up fish isn't what any rod was meant for.
Watching too many tournament fishing shows maybe? 
FibWi reply :
On 1/11/2012 at 1:22 AM, deep said:The PQ is good, but IMO Citica E is better. I sold my PQ long ago, still have the Citica that was my first baitcaster. If you don't mind buying used, Curado B, and Citica D's are great deals. All can be had for $70 or less...
EDIT: I'm looking at my setups as I type this.. I see a curado B, a curado E, a citica E, a citica D, a cardiff and a revo toro winch...
I see. I'll start looking into that. But in the case that I do buy the PQ, which gear ratio would you recommend? I'm fishing soft plastics, spinners/buzzbaits, perhaps frogs later on.
deep reply :
On 1/11/2012 at 1:38 AM, FibWi said:I see. I'll start looking into that. But in the case that I do buy the PQ, which gear ratio would you recommend? I'm fishing soft plastics, spinners/buzzbaits, perhaps frogs later on.
6.X : 1 should be fine; you can always reel slower or speed up..
FibWi reply :
On 1/11/2012 at 1:40 AM, deep said:6.X : 1 should be fine; you can always reel slower or speed up..
Sounds good, looks like I'm going with 6:4:1. Just so I know, what are the advantages of 7:x:1 compared to 6:x:1? Disadvantages?
deep reply :
On 1/11/2012 at 2:47 AM, FibWi said:Sounds good, looks like I'm going with 6:4:1. Just so I know, what are the advantages of 7:x:1 compared to 6:x:1? Disadvantages?
I have a 7:1 on my dedicated jig rod since I feel I need to pick up line real fast before setting the hook. I also fish jigs on a (semi)slack line. So usually I need to do a little catching up.
I have a 4.6:1, and a 5.0:1. Both reels are on setups almost always used for soft swimbaits (weedless hudds and 8" hudds respectively), and I want to crawl those baits along the bottom, slow as I can.
I personally find it easier to reel faster than slower. Others might find the opposite easier. It all boils down to "your" personal preferences,
A 6.x:1 is usually thought to be a good all-around ratio I believe.
FibWi reply :
I just purchased the reel and decided to go with the 6:4:1. The 7' MH was conveniently in stock at Walmart for $40, which is about $30 less than BPS.
I also have been using braid/fireline for a while. I was wondering what line strength (braid) I should get for these lures? Would I need a fluoro/mono leader for the spinners?
Thanks again!
boonhogganbeck reply :
I think you will enjoy that setup. I have that setup and it's versatile. I have used it primarily with plastics and spinner baits, and I think it going to be my dedicated spinnerbait rig.
FibWi reply :
On 1/12/2012 at 11:25 AM, boonhogganbeck said:I think you will enjoy that setup. I have that setup and it's versatile. I have used it primarily with plastics and spinner baits, and I think it going to be my dedicated spinnerbait rig.
Thanks for the input! Do you use braid?
deep reply :
Good deal. Just don't go about boat-flipping big bass again
eyedabassman reply :
On 1/11/2012 at 2:47 AM, FibWi said:Sounds good, looks like I'm going with 6:4:1. Just so I know, what are the advantages of 7:x:1 compared to 6:x:1? Disadvantages?
It is alot more easy to slow down than to speed up with any reel.I would go with a high speed in case to want to burn buzzbaits, frog fishing,cranks,spinnerbaits ect. ! There is nothing wrong with 6;4 reel but I can do more with a high speed reel and, if I need to I can slow down!
FibWi reply :
I hate making choices! Now I'm starting to have second thoughts about that gear ratio... since I've been making a transition from primarily finesse to other lures.
ChiCityBasser reply :
The 6.4:1 reel is a good choice if u are getting away from jigs and plastics
FibWi reply :
On 1/12/2012 at 1:28 PM, ChiCityBasser said:The 6.4:1 reel is a good choice if u are getting away from jigs and plastics
I'm not necessarily getting away from plastics, I'm just expanding my lures. Thanks for the help!
ChiCityBasser reply :
On 1/12/2012 at 1:44 PM, FibWi said:I'm not necessarily getting away from plastics, I'm just expanding my lures. Thanks for the help!
Ok I understand and I have 7 casting combos right now with 2 7.X reels and the rest being 6.3:1 reels.
LgMouthGambler reply :
Looks like you have a dilemma on your hands. I will tell you the best way to solve this: You will need to buy setups for each of your type of lure you fish, then you wont have any regrets. If you want to stick to this money issue thing, then I suggest you go with the versitile 6.4:1 ratio and fish your little heart out. 7:1 is gonna be too fast, I use that for my strictly lizard/worm rig. Its good to rip and drop. You need something more versitile though.
FibWi reply :
On 1/13/2012 at 1:02 AM, LgMouthGambler said:Looks like you have a dilemma on your hands. I will tell you the best way to solve this: You will need to buy setups for each of your type of lure you fish, then you wont have any regrets. If you want to stick to this money issue thing, then I suggest you go with the versitile 6.4:1 ratio and fish your little heart out. 7:1 is gonna be too fast, I use that for my strictly lizard/worm rig. Its good to rip and drop. You need something more versitile though.
Would it be enough for buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, and jitterbugs? The 6:4:1.
LgMouthGambler reply :
Absolutely.
FibWi reply :
Okay thanks a lot! I'd rather not make a new thread, so I'll ask here. I'm planning to use some Sufix 832, I understand it'd be ideal to spool on some mono backing. I wanted to ask, what # test I should get in braid and how much mono backing should I spool on? Also, would I need a fluoro/mono leader for the spinners? What about the buzzbait and jitterbugs? Thanks again!
new2BC4bass reply :
On 1/13/2012 at 1:15 AM, FibWi said:Would it be enough for buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, and jitterbugs? The 6:4:1.
I have no idea how people caught fish on these lures before the 7.?:1 reel came out. 
Seriously, tho, I just got started with baitcasters in 2010. I believe I'm up to 12 reels with only one being a 7.0:1. Maybe I need a couple more.
boonhogganbeck reply :
On 1/12/2012 at 12:33 PM, FibWi said:Thanks for the input! Do you use braid?
I typically just use monofilament, Braid works well, though.
lmoore reply :
The general difference between the reels is that the 6.4 will be stronger (more torque) and will get crankbaits deeper at similiar reel speeds, while the 7.0 will be faster and allow you to pick up slack/catch up to incoming fish easier.
The difference in those 2 isn't significant. I would personally go with the 6.4 since it will be your first one, and that's kind of an in the middle "do everything" reel.
eyedabassman reply :
On 1/13/2012 at 1:37 AM, FibWi said:Okay thanks a lot! I'd rather not make a new thread, so I'll ask here. I'm planning to use some Sufix 832, I understand it'd be ideal to spool on some mono backing. I wanted to ask, what # test I should get in braid and how much mono backing should I spool on? Also, would I need a fluoro/mono leader for the spinners? What about the buzzbait and jitterbugs? Thanks again!
Ok,first you have to use a mono backing with braid lines! And I would back fill the reel with a old mono about half or more depending on the braid's pound test you are going to use! Braid is not a cheap line ( $$$ ) and it is very thin so you can put alot on! What I do with my BC'ers is I put the backing more than half to 3/4, you have to just look and see what you think is good . Remember braid is very thin and it has No strech and is a very senative line. As for pound of test it all depends on what bait you will be fishing, With a frog I fish 65 lb.,a swimming jig I wlll fish 30lb. a C-rig I fish 50lb.If a T rig I could fish 20lb. to 30 lb.! If you have two spools fill one with one say 50lb. and the other with 30lb. and you can always change spool if you want. As for braid to a leader line,that is fine many people do that and I do too. A good knot is the uni knot. If I am fishing a very clear lake I will fish flou.carbon leader on my braid. I hope this did help!
FibWi reply :
On 1/14/2012 at 1:46 AM, eyedabassman said:Ok,first you have to use a mono backing with braid lines! And I would back fill the reel with a old mono about half or more depending on the braid's pound test you are going to use! Braid is not a cheap line ( $$$ ) and it is very thin so you can put alot on! What I do with my BC'ers is I put the backing more than half to 3/4, you have to just look and see what you think is good . Remember braid is very thin and it has No strech and is a very senative line. As for pound of test it all depends on what bait you will be fishing, With a frog I fish 65 lb.,a swimming jig I wlll fish 30lb. a C-rig I fish 50lb.If a T rig I could fish 20lb. to 30 lb.! If you have two spools fill one with one say 50lb. and the other with 30lb. and you can always change spool if you want. As for braid to a leader line,that is fine many people do that and I do too. A good knot is the uni knot. If I am fishing a very clear lake I will fish flou.carbon leader on my braid. I hope this did help!
Thanks for the information! Since I'm on the end of my budget, I can only afford one 300 yard spool. Which # test should I go for? For "all-around" use?
deep reply :
On 1/15/2012 at 1:37 AM, FibWi said:Thanks for the information! Since I'm on the end of my budget, I can only afford one 300 yard spool. Which # test should I go for? For "all-around" use?
300 yards of braid?
FibWi reply :
On 1/15/2012 at 1:52 AM, deep said:300 yards of braid?
Yes. Perhaps more.
deep reply :
On 1/15/2012 at 1:58 AM, FibWi said:Yes. Perhaps more.
Assuming you're spooling this braid on your PQ baitcaster, buy yourself a 150 yards of 55 lb test Daiwa Samurai. Should cost you less than $30.
Use backing and spool on half of that braid. That should last you one whole year. At the end of 2012, throw those 75 yards away, and spool on the remaining 75 yards. That would take you to the end of 2013. $30 for two years worth of line seems like a bargain to me, considering what we spend much more on lures and stuff.
eyedabassman reply :
On 1/15/2012 at 1:58 AM, FibWi said:Yes. Perhaps more.
If I where you I would fish 50 lb. and that would cover you for just about any set up! Braid does not brake down like mono and flou.! What I am saying is you don't have to change your braid for a few years. Mono and flou.line get brittle and will and brake down ! Braid will last much longer on a spool. I fish braid 2 or 3 years before I change it out.
FibWi reply :
What is the diameter for 50-55 # Briaid? On average? I think I would waste much more braid than usual, since this is my first baitcaster. Bound to have many backlashes.
deep reply :
Go on to the *** website and pull up your favorite mono on one tab, the braid you want to buy on another tab; and compare the line diameters.
55lb Samurai has thickness comparable to 12 lb Sufix mono.
FibWi reply :
Okay sounds good. So let me break down what I've picked up from this thread.
6:4:1 reel is good all around. 50-55 # Braid would do nicely all around. I should spool about 3/4 of the reel with mono backing and about 75 yards of Braid.
Sound good so far? I normally in clear water reservoirs, occasionally with some heavy weeding. Should I worry about the braid being visible to the bass? Should I attach an FC leader for spinner/chatter/buzzbaits? What about top waters such as poppers and jitterbugs?
I keep seeing mixed opinions regarding it, which led me to ask.
deep reply :
Sounds good so far.
Try first without the leader. Or with the leader. Doesn't matter one way or the other. You'll develop your own preferences after a while.
I moved from 6 lb fluoro leader with an uni-to-uni knot, to a 10 lb fluoro leader with the same knot, then started to use an albright knot, and then started using mono or copoly for the leader. This combination has been stable for the last 6 months or so.
eyedabassman reply :
On 1/15/2012 at 3:24 AM, FibWi said:What is the diameter for 50-55 # Briaid? On average? I think I would waste much more braid than usual, since this is my first baitcaster. Bound to have many backlashes.
What I would do before you put the braid on your BC. I would buy some cheap mono ( Big Game )and fill up the reel and practice with your reel. I would not put braid on untill you get pretty good at casting your reel because your going to waste much of the braid trying to learn and that will be $$$ down the drain. Get good at it and then put your braid on. The set up of the reel is VERY inportant. PM me and I will send you my phone number.I do seminars on this .
FibWi reply :
On 1/15/2012 at 5:51 AM, deep said:Sounds good so far.
Try first without the leader. Or with the leader. Doesn't matter one way or the other. You'll develop your own preferences after a while.
I moved from 6 lb fluoro leader with an uni-to-uni knot, to a 10 lb fluoro leader with the same knot, then started to use an albright knot, and then started using mono or copoly for the leader. This combination has been stable for the last 6 months or so.
Alright. Sounds good. So the leader diameter would ideally be around the braid's diameter?
On 1/15/2012 at 6:03 AM, eyedabassman said:What I would do before you put the braid on your BC. I would buy some cheap mono ( Big Game )and fill up the reel and practice with your reel. I would not put braid on untill you get pretty good at casting your reel because your going to waste much of the braid trying to learn and that will be $$$ down the drain. Get good at it and then put your braid on. The set up of the reel is VERY inportant. PM me and I will send you my phone number.I do seminars on this .
Will do. I just came back from Walmart and bought a $3 Zebco spool 20#.
What type of cast would go furthest with a baitcaster?
deep reply :
That's what I try to do; or thicker. I was talking about a spinning set-up there by the way. The mainline I have is 30 lb Samurai (6 lb diameter)
FibWi reply :
Unsurprisingly, I have another question. How high should I set my drag? Considering 50# test is quite strong.
youngbassman reply :
turn your drag on to where you have to pull relatively hard to get it to come out slowly. so it up quite a bit. but remember to always turn your drag all the way off when storing it and i even turn my brakes sometime all the way off.
deep reply :
I set my drag as high as I can- without damaging the washers- for no-give hooksets. I feel I can always loosen the drag later on if I hook up with bigger bass, which I do with lower frequency than I'd like.
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