New to casting, suggestions? 2024

Landis Carrier reply :

I'm sure this has been discussed before but....I'm a spinning rod guy but I want to get my first casting set up. I realize learning how to cast a bait caster takes time and practice practice practice however is there a reel that may make the learning curve a little shorter? My ideal first set up would be a frog rod/reel.

new2BC4bass reply :

A Daiwa with the MagForce 3D braking has to be one of the easiest to keep from backlashing. Lot of people don't care for their looks. No idea if they would make a good frog reel. I use mine on MH rods.

Another reel that has been extremely good for me has been the Pinnacle Primmus Xi HS. Set cast control, 3 brakes on and haven't touched it since. Also gives some pretty good distance.

CTBassin860 reply :

Grab a BPS Pro Qualifier at the spring sale.They will be dirt cheap(about 50$) from what I hear to make room for the PQ2.Throw it on a 7'3" MH Veritas 2.0 and you have a capable frog and light pitching/flipping rod for about 130 bucks.

mwh33 reply :

BPS Pro Qualifier is a good start. That was my first baitcaster. Daiwa Tatula is a grear reel for the price point as well.

How much are you looking to spend?

Angry John reply :

As always i recommend finding a daiwa advantage 153 htsa or htsl. This was the reel i learned on and had great reviews from TT. I still use mine for frogging its a battle ship. The cast control is easy and works well and the handles are ready for the bearing upgrade. The only minus is its a little heavy.

flyingmonkie reply :

Considering a frog is about the easiest thing on the planet to cast, you should catch on pretty quick.

What's your budget? Lots of options.

Bluebasser86 reply :

Any baitcaster is easy to cast provided it's set properly and casting a reasonable amount of weight, which a frog would qualify in that category.

Landis Carrier reply :

I don't mind spending cash for a decent product, plus I know I'll have it for a long time.

Thanks for for the input!!!

Angry John reply :

If your looking for a little bit nicer reel and money is not tight I would also recommend an original zillion. They are tough as they come and would also make an excellent frogging reel.

basss reply :

Once you pick a reel, set all the brakes it has on then start backing them off one click at a time until you get the best performance and longest cast. Also, make sure your thumb is lightly on the spool till you get the hang of it. Like you stated originally, practice practice practice.

Angry John reply :

For me the most critical setting when learning from nothing was setting the spool tension to stop as soon as a bait touched the ground. This will hinder your casts a lot and your distance will suck but I spent days in my front yard practicing before I ever hit the water. This will prevent a lot of blow-ups in the beginning and make the learning curve a lot less painful. The second most important thing is to realize that the settings for pitching is almost wide open and will not be good if you cast when new with all the brakes and tension turned down.

Landis Carrier reply :

SO much to learn!!!

new2BC4bass reply :

On 2/1/2017 at 12:57 AM, Landis Carrier said:

SO much to learn!!!

But it is worth it. So much fun. I fished with spinning until I was 61 years old. Now I hardly ever use spinning although I have better spinning gear than I ever did before.

mwh33 reply :

I use a shimano exsence dc for my frog reel. It's pricey, but an awesome reel. My frog rod is a dobyns champion 735.

The ideal frog reel should be a high gear ratio reel with a good drag. You want a heavy rod to muscle the bass out of the slop, unless you are fishing the frog in open water. Then you can get away with a lighter power rod.

mllrtm79 reply :

On 2/1/2017 at 12:57 AM, Landis Carrier said:

SO much to learn!!!

I'm about 3 months into learning to use a baitcaster... It is difficult to keep up with what I've learned when I only get out about once every three weeks or so this winter.

I ran across a fella that was selling his lower end combos cheap, so I got 5 baitcaster rod/reels and one spinning setup for $100. It's been a blessing to have several different reels to use, (one is even rh) to get to know what I do and don't like etc. before spending a lot of money. If you were closer I'd say swing down and you can have a vendetta and a black max to try out.

My first day on the water with a baitcaster was "fun", but I at least was in open water bombing 5/8 and 3/4 oz lipless cranks for stripers, so I have worked on finesse since then.

the reel ess reply :

I have 2 Lew's Tournament MB reels that I've never backlashed. I've been using at least one for more than a year. It's my frog rod. The new one is my cranking combo. I liked it so much I bought another. They're about $129 new. You get what you pay for in BC reels.

If you want a rod to do double duty get a MH/fast rod of about 7' length. If it's strictly frogs, Heavy/Fast. My frog rod is a Cabela's Tournament ZX Frog model. I also use it for jigs. The thing about a Hvy/Fast rod is it's a little harder to load up for long casts with lighter lures.

The cool thing about frogs is most are heavy so you'll be able to set your reel a little tighter and still be able to get good distance out of it. I have the 7.5:1 retrieve reels and use 50 lb braid on the frog rod and 15 lb mono on the other for cranks and Rat L Traps.

Practice in the yard or a field with a heavy weight, then back down the weight as you get better.

the reel ess reply :

I might add re: rods... If you're going to be mostly fishing the frog, which is a sight bait, you could go cheaper on the rod. You can get good-casting rods for maybe $40. I say that amount because I've been using 2 Berkley Lightning Rods for a long time for techniques that don't require a lot of sensitivity. I use them for cranks, buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, etc. They've been very durable and are still sensitive enough to do in a pinch for a T rig but I have other rods for those.

So if you're going to go cheaper on one component for a frog combo it should be the rod. Just my humble opinion. Not to say you should go buy a $9 WalMart Durango rod for your $100+ BC reel.

RoLo reply :

Believe me, today's casting reels are 'nothing' like the bait casters of yore.

One hour with a Shimano Metanium, and you'll be an accomplished bait caster

Roger

Landis Carrier reply :

On 2/1/2017 at 5:49 AM, RoLo said:

Believe me, today's casting reels are 'nothing' like the bait casters of yore.

One hour with a Shimano Metanium, and you'll be an accomplished bait caster

Roger

For $400 bucks it should come with a 1-hr lesson!

RoweBoatRVA reply :

On 2/1/2017 at 3:17 AM, mllrtm79 said:

I ran across a fella that was selling his lower end combos cheap, so I got 5 baitcaster rod/reels and one spinning setup for $100. It's been a blessing to have several different reels to use, (one is even rh) to get to know what I do and don't like etc. before spending a lot of money. If you were closer I'd say swing down and you can have a vendetta and a black max to try out.

This is the route to take if you are learning to use a baitcasting reel. Get your hands on a quality rod and reel for a cheap price because you are learning. Learn on something you won't be worried about breaking. The same goes with the initial line you put on. Go the cheap route to get the hang of it and when its time to get a more expensive reel you will know what YOU are looking for in a rod and reel.

Jrob78 reply :

Don't psych yourself out. Like Bluebasser said, start with decent equipment, get the brakes set right, (which won't be hard with a frog) and let her rip. Concentrate on making a smooth motion and it will be easy.

Sittin there reelin em in reply :

For a great starter rod and reel combo, I suggest a Abu Garcia Black Max, very easy to handle and will last a long time or at least for me.

Landis Carrier reply :

Lots of great advice here!! Thanks! Much appreciated

fishnkamp reply :

I never suggest buying "beginner gear" If you like using it you still end up replacing it and upgrading. In today's economy a Diawa Exceler can be purchased for $69. That reel sold for $99 just several months ago. It is a great entry level but quality reel. If you can afford $150 then your options are endless. The $75 to $150 range is the most competitive price range and includes some really good reels. My favorite is the Tatula family. Take a very good at the Tatula, Tatula Type Rs,Tatula CTs and CT type Rs. For frogs a tatula CT in 7 or 8 to 1 reels. Online a CT or a Tatula can be had for around $100. A rod like a Dobyns Fury 735C is a great frog rod for around $110. That rod will be nice for flippng and pitching jigs as well. A combo like that will make it pretty easy to learn on. $400 reels are terrific but not really needed, "cheap" gear is just going to hurt your learning curve. Good Luck and enjoy

Bass Turd reply :

Buy your favorite brand of casting reel used on the big auction site. 1) You will get a better reel for less money. 2) If you don't like it you can sell it for what you paid for it... assuming you do some research and pay an average price. 3) You don't have to worry about that first scratch...

Sittin there reelin em in reply :

For something that is a little more expensive would probably be a Abu Garcia orra sxl paired with a Duckett micro magic or Duckett ghost.

roadwarrior reply :

mllrtm79 reply :

@roadwarrior, this comes up on the "best reel" thread:

Sorry, we can't show this content because you do not have permission to see it.

roadwarrior reply :

$100 or Less

Spinning Reel Shootout

Abu Veritas

Shimano Casitas Vs. Diawa Tatula

Diawa Exceller

The New Shimano NASCI reel

Advice on Vintage Spinning Reels?

Can we talk about finesse Casting rigs?

Shimano curado green reel

This thing is insane...!

Best bang for the buck Baitcaster around $50?

New vs Old

Budget reels

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/185930-new-bait-caster/

$200 or Less

Best baitcast reels?

Curado I vs Chronarch E which is the better reel?

New Shimano Ultegra HG FB Spinning Reel -- Bass Pro

Tatula SV?

CI4 VS 70

Shimano Curado 200I Question

My CT Type-R is here, but...

High End

Shimano Metanium DC Reel Initial Review Impressions

Diawa SV103

Metanium MGL vs the Field

Tatula SV TW 'sneak peak'

Abu Garcia Morrum ZX 3600

4667

New to casting, suggestions? 2024

related Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic

previous topic

next topic

most viewed Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic