Please Help Me Pick A Baitcaster. 2025
xDirty reply :
Penguino reply :
Where are you in Jersey btw? Im from South Brunswick. I could probably help you out with a couple good locations to fish.
Now on to the reel. I would recommend upgrading your reel. Graphite reels are notorious for wearing out within a few years. I would recommend you order the H20 express reel online from Academy. It is easily the best reel in the 50$ price range. It has aluminum frame, decent amount of ball bearings, and a effective centrifugual braking system.
Now onto the rod. I also wouldn't recommend cheaping out on the rod. Go get a Berkley lighting rod shock, at your local Wally World for only 39$. I go around in a Acura TSX, which is just a tiny bit bigger than your Honda Civic. I carry a 7'0 rod around in it fine. I probably could fit in a 7'6 rod if I really wanted to. I would recommend you get 7'0 rod. It is simply just a lot more versatile.
Now onto the line. I would suggest NOT buying a expensive line. This is because you will undoubtedly throw countless yards of line in the trash while untangling backlashes. I would recommend going cheap here, with some inexpensive big game or Trilene.
Good luck, and I hope this helps
xDirty reply :
Hello, thank you so much for replying. im in woodbridge but my girl lives in mt laurel next to Philly, so basically i'll go where anywhere near those locations and anywhere in between.
Also i cant find the H2O XPRESS for left handed
iceintheveins reply :
At this price range, go with a Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier. But sometimes you can find a Daiwa Tatula on sale for around $100, and they are even better than the PQ.
John G reply :
If distance is your primary concern, a properly set up spinning reel combo will cast further than a regular baitcasting combo.
willtomlinson reply :
Lew's Speed Spool LFS is a perfect reel. I'd mess around with a left handed reel in a store before buying one, for most people it just doesn't feel natural - especially once they feel it on a rod. The learning curve you're worried about won't take more than a day or two to overcome.
Insanity reply :
The Abu black max is a great starter reel. My son learned how on one with 20 pound braid. Lots of people very happy with them.
Forget the ugly sticks. There just ugly for bass fishing.
Did you happen to see a bright yellow rod reel combo there. They used to carry them. It's a Skeet Reese. The thing will cast a mile. Yea there high yellow. And one piece 7 ft I think. But come in left hand!
I no a lot of guy used them for all around rods.
You might have to put a cargo rack on top of that civic so you can haul around a real fishing pole. 
.
I've never seen a two piece I'd want for bass fishing if they make one it will be over a 100.
I haven't looked at rods in a while. I'm out of the loop.
robster80 reply :
bps proqualifier or daiwa tatula. or c if you can find a used citica 200E. the tatula can b found for 99 now. im probably about to pick up another one
wisconsin heat reply :
1. For a reel, I would go with a Lew's LFS Speed Spool as mentioned before, if that is a little high for your budget, I HIGHLY recommend the Shimano Caius. ( look for the reels on Ebay from a reputable source to get a better price.) I've owned 2 black maxes, and I loved them while they lasted, but from experience the Shimano Caius functions much better and will last you longer.
2. Rod- 6'6" MH is fine. 7' MH is probable even better, as you will get longer casts. (you can carry your rods in your car by leaning the passenger seat back, and leaning the rods against the seat, or inbetween seats, with the handle on the floor.)
3. I HIGHLY recommend against getting 17lb Monofilament Line. It is honestly overkill and will greatly diminish casting distance with most lures. I would go with 10-12 lb test Monofilament ( berkley trilene XL, Stren superknot, Sufix Elite, etc) OR Copolymer ( Yo-Zuri Hybrid, P-line CXX, Sufix Pro Mix, etc.)
WPCfishing reply :
You can buy a Lews Tournament MG on sale.. Great reel in a tiny package. As for rods 6'6' is a good start. Check out the Tech rods at Dicks a Berkley Shock or maybe a Bass Pro rod to go with the reel.
If you're on a lower budget get the Black max reel and a Berkley Shock MH rod and go have fun with it. Cost will be under 100 bucks.
jyu87 reply :
Ha, that's 1Rod1Reel. I know exactly where you will be fishing. I stomp those waters a lot.
Lews LFS is a very good reel if you're trying to cast long distance. Thing just wants to cast a mile. Very simple to use with their external brake system. A little pricier than your budget but if you can, highly recommend the reel.
If you can still snag one, the Daiwa Lexa was another really nice reel that was on sale from TW for pretty cheap. I would definitely recommend that 6'6 or 7 MH for an all around rod. Some would say a Medium rod would be better but I feel like you would get more versatility from the MH.
Bruce424 reply :
RODS: try checking out any house rods from gander mountain,Bass pro shops, or cabelas. Some of them are decent for under 50 bucks.
REELS: lews are actually pretty good reels even the low budget ones. Heard some good things from eposeidon reels bx1000. Maybe look at pflueger too.
Bruce424 reply :
Oh and with your civic... putting the back seat down and feed rods through the trunk to your front seat and length shouldn't be a problem as long as you keep rods no longer than 7ft. I too have a small car and my 7 footer touches my dashboard.
C0lt reply :
I have a two piece ugly stik gx2 in medium heavy. got it to fit better in my old car. I HATE it.
jaredkelley6 reply :
Lews laser MG speed spool would be my suggestion for a starter baitcast reel. Retail on tackle warehouse for $80. They are very great reels for the price and really smooth for long casts. As far as rods go, I would go with a 7'0 medium heavy. Longer rod for your distance, and a medium heavy is a good all around rod for different techniques. Good luck! Once you learn to use em and get comfortable with them you'll love baitcasters
new2BC4bass reply :
On 5/17/2015 at 10:37 AM, xDirty said:Also i cant find the H2O XPRESS for left handed
You won't find a left hand because they don't make one. Also keep an eye on the flea market here and reels (and rods) for sale on other forums. Some very good deals can be found on occasion.
Closeouts are another thing to watch for. The Daiwa Lexa previously mentioned is a $130 reel selling for $70 at TW. Get the 6.3:1 model if you go for this reel.
KayakBasser reply :
Can't really do too much with that budget but, there are options, Lewsbb1 speed spool,and bass pro extreme rod.good luck.
KayakBasser reply :
Can't really do too much with that budget but, there are options, Lewsbb1 speed spool,and bass pro extreme rod.good luck.
JayKumar reply :
Definitely Lews in that price range. Also agree re: medium heavy. Can look for a softer tip if you'll be doing a lot on top or want longer casts. Have fun shopping!
Insanity reply :
Lewis is a good reel. But they used to make a Lazer sold at Walmart for somwhere around $50. Stay away from that one. The infinite bearing is crap. I bought one and the infinite bearing didn't catch when setting the hook on a large bass rite at the bank. Resulting in the biggest bird nest you ever seen when the spool spun backward. Exchanged it for a second one and it was even worse.
Tossed it in the lake I was so made.
No idea if Pfluger makes any thing that's junk. But I have one of there low end reels walmart used to sell for 69 I think it was. And I can't wear it out. It doesnt cast a mile like some I have but it doesn't over run like them either.
I bought it used. And I've fished it for a few years and it still going. Its my main reel for everything. It's still tight as it was when new.
They no longer make it. Or they changed the looks. There's no name on the reel so I don't no what model it is. But it's been such a good reel il be buying something else from there line up when I need another reel.
xDirty reply :
Thank you guys so much. i will continue doing research
In the meantime if anyone else has any suggestions im open to them.
new2BC4bass reply :
If you aren't going to be throwing too light, then a used Pflueger Trion can be found in left hand. DVT cleaned mine, and these bad boys are casting machines with any kind of weight from 3/8 oz. up. Not pretty and not the lightest. I needed a reel for one of my Heavy rods. Haven't backlashed it since getting it back from Mike. 
Spooled it with 17# mono. Gave the LH model to a deserving young man and he loves it.
xDirty reply :
I bought a Berkley 7' Lightning Shock Medium/Heavy Casting Rod and i ordered a abu garcia black max reel.
In the end, i wanted to buy something cheaper cause i dont know if ill stick with it but wanted something decent to learn on. Both items have very high reviews.
hopefully walmart has the left hand version like they say they do, even though i have a funny feeling when i show up tomorrow they will have the right hand version waiting for me.
I dont even plan on going fishing yet, im just gonna practice in the backyard.
Any suggestions on what line and lure to practice with ?
wisconsin heat reply :
Go with a cheap monofilament line. 10-14 lb test diameter.
As far as a lure to practice, maybe a 1/2 ounce sinker so it doesn't catch on anythng.
new2BC4bass reply :
Specifically 12# Sufix Elite to learn on. Not much comes through grass. Never had a practice plug, but that might be the best way to go. Let me know where if you find them. I'd go no less than 1/2 oz. with 5/8 oz. being even better.
Good luck with your new outfit.
xDirty reply :
Guys, i was wondering, would i be sacrificing too much going with the same rod that i have, only in 6'6 ? 7ft is really tall and while i have no problems when im outside, getting it in the car and the house is a pain in the ass. I think my ceiling is only like 8ft in my house so you can imagine its really close.
also one of the youtubers i watch uses 14 lb sunline sniper fluoro. is there a cheaper equivalent that i can learn on ?
sully420 reply :
Ardent edge elite amazon has it for 111$ and it is in left hand retrieval *** berings
sully420 reply :
Ardent edge elite amazon has it for 111$ and it is in left hand retrieval *** berings
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