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Dec 30th, 2023
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 Beginner Casting rod/reel
#12696383
03/30/18 08:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 11
jfhenry1985
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 11 |
I'm a relative beginner who's essentially spent most of my life bass fishing in stock tanks on my grandparents ranch. No one really taught me how to fish. It was one of those things where I'd grab the gear in the barn and go and they were fine with that. Point being, I'm learning as I go. I love fishing, but have mostly fished with spinning combos. I have a cheap baitcaster that I picked up, but would like something a bit better.
What would you all recommend on about a $150 budget in regard to rod and reel baitcasters? I have a little bit of flexibility, but the wife prefers I put more into our kids college than fishing.
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Re: Beginner Casting rod/reel
[Re: jfhenry1985]
#12696408
03/30/18 08:49 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,269
M. Alexander
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,269 |
If you have a bit of flexibility...Shimano Citica & Falcon Bucoo
Mark
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Re: Beginner Casting rod/reel
[Re: jfhenry1985]
#12696473
03/30/18 09:36 PM
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 375
Txfiremn
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 375 |
Take a look at the Abu Garcia Pro Max. I have a few and they are great for what you're looking for.
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Re: Beginner Casting rod/reel
[Re: jfhenry1985]
#12696500
03/30/18 09:50 PM
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 492
Lee Finlay
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 492 |
I really like my Quantum Escalade rod and reel I got from Dick's for about $110.
It was my first baitcaster, and I still use it often. I hear a lot of bashing of Quantum, but I've had great success with mine.
My second choice would be a Lews or Abu Garcia combo.
No need to spend a lot of money until you are able to tell the difference between them and the higher end stuff.
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Re: Beginner Casting rod/reel
[Re: jfhenry1985]
#12696524
03/30/18 10:04 PM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,736
leethefishking
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,736 |
The bass pro carbonlite series has centrifugal, magnetic and tension backlash control. Good reels to hone your skills on. Often on sale for $99.
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 Re: Beginner Casting rod/reel
[Re: M. Alexander]
#12696562
03/30/18 10:28 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,823
greenen
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,823 |
If you have a bit of flexibility...Shimano Citica & Falcon Bucoo
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Re: Beginner Casting rod/reel
[Re: jfhenry1985]
#12696598
03/30/18 10:54 PM
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 45,273
CCTX
mapquest
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mapquest
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 45,273 |
Academy sports and outdoors blue Ethos casting rod. Usually around $70 but can find them cheaper at times
Pflueger Supreme baitcasterusually around $80 on Amazon
Lews Mach1 is in cabelas bargain cave online for $99
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Re: Beginner Casting rod/reel
[Re: jfhenry1985]
#12696641
03/30/18 11:29 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 314
TyBU
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 314 |
Academy H2O Mettle and and pair it up with an All Star Classic
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Re: Beginner Casting rod/reel
[Re: jfhenry1985]
#12696733
03/31/18 12:52 AM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,575
DJB
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,575 |
Academy or bass pro combos are a good place to start .Just a warning,buying tackle can become an obsession....
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Re: Beginner Casting rod/reel
[Re: M. Alexander]
#12696880
03/31/18 02:47 AM
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,068
dk2429
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,068 |
If you have a bit of flexibility...Shimano Citica & Falcon Bucoo  The man clearly stated... $150 budget, and beginner baitcaster, but gets a reply with a reel alone being $150, and combo that more experienced folks use.. OP, to start off with, all you need is an Abu Garcia Black Max combo, or even better an H20 Xpress combo at Academy. H20 Xpress is hard to beat for the $. I have an H20 Xpress mettle that outlasted one of my Curado 70HG's down here on the saltwater if that says anything....... I don't mean to be a smart [censored], but man some of y'all trip me out on these rod and reels.. Yes, I'm just like y'all. I have those $600 combos, and to me they are worth every penny. Love them to death. But really? The man says he wants a beginner setup under $150, but he gets a reply with a reel alone at $150. Again OP, those H20 Xpress oombos are mean machines for under $100.
Last edited by dk2429; 03/31/18 02:49 AM.
Majek 22 Extreme/225 Optimax Pro XS hauled by a 2500HD Duramax
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Re: Beginner Casting rod/reel
[Re: DJB]
#12697231
03/31/18 04:13 PM
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 11
jfhenry1985
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 11 |
Academy or bass pro combos are a good place to start .Just a warning,buying tackle can become an obsession.... Yeah its already starting to become an issue. I signed up for one of those monthly deals for the heck of it. And I rarely leave a sporting goods or outdoor store without something. Thanks for all of the replies. I have the black max and its been good enough. Wanted to add another so Im not always re tying new bait.
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Re: Beginner Casting rod/reel
[Re: jfhenry1985]
#12697239
03/31/18 04:24 PM
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 297
lucky55
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 297 |
2021 SKEETER ZXR-21
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Re: Beginner Casting rod/reel
[Re: dk2429]
#12697242
03/31/18 04:26 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,269
M. Alexander
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,269 |
If you have a bit of flexibility...Shimano Citica & Falcon Bucoo The man clearly stated... $150 budget, and beginner baitcaster, but gets a reply with a reel alone being $150, and combo that more experienced folks use.. OP, to start off with, all you need is an Abu Garcia Black Max combo, or even better an H20 Xpress combo at Academy. H20 Xpress is hard to beat for the $. I have an H20 Xpress mettle that outlasted one of my Curado 70HG's down here on the saltwater if that says anything....... I don't mean to be a smart [censored], but man some of y'all trip me out on these rod and reels.. Yes, I'm just like y'all. I have those $600 combos, and to me they are worth every penny. Love them to death. But really? The man says he wants a beginner setup under $150, but he gets a reply with a reel alone at $150. Again OP, those H20 Xpress oombos are mean machines for under $100. Dang, bro...no need to go apoplectic... He said he had some flexibility and I've seen the Citicas go on sale for under $100 if you catch a great deal. You have your view and I have mine. Why don't we just play nice and let the OP digest what's suggested?
Mark
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Re: Beginner Casting rod/reel
[Re: jfhenry1985]
#12698025
04/01/18 11:31 AM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,051
danceswithbass
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,051 |
Grew up like you did and didnt fish public lakes until my access to some great private 10 to 50 acre lakes dried up.
Lews Laser MG reel has pretty solid brakes and easy to learn on, Abu Garcia Vendetta rod in a 7ft MH; both from Walmart.com would hit your budget and be a setup that would hold you awhile.
Flukes, senkos, baby brush hogs, 1/4oz worm weights with some zoom baby brush hogs, PopR, couple of buzz baits, a whopper plopper, and couple of spinner baits a good start if you are bank fishing ponds. Add some crank baits and a couple of rattletraps and learn how to setup your brush hog on a Crig if you are fishing from a boat. I am trying to simplify my lure arsenal personally, can get dizzying
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Re: Beginner Casting rod/reel
[Re: CCTX]
#12698739
04/02/18 01:07 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 16,992
ezbassin
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 16,992 |
Academy sports and outdoors blue Ethos casting rod. Usually around $70 but can find them cheaper at times
Pflueger Supreme baitcasterusually around $80 on Amazon
Lews Mach1 is in cabelas bargain cave online for $99
I agree, the Ethos rod from Academy and the Lews Mach1 from ebay (sportsmans outfitters,,$79.99) I have ordered several reels from Sportsmans outfitters due to their great prices and fast shipping. Another option...Shimano Caius $59.99 ebay.
Last edited by ezbassin; 04/02/18 01:15 AM.
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