It all depends on your budget really. Get what you can and build up as you go. All the reels in the $100 and below range are pretty good. I personally think my Extreme out perform my Procaster, Accurist, some older Diawa's I got that still work like a champ. And my Extreme gets the most workout too. Its on my Team Diawa V series wormin rod and thats what I throw more than any of the rest. Note: I'm not a big fan of the big conglomerates at all. I miss the old tackle shops! But I have no issue with the quality BPS puts into thier fishing gear. And they stand behind thier product. Thier lower end reels I couldn't say. But the Extreme reels and XPS Rods(have several) treat me good.
If you can hold for the rebate the Citica is an excellent choice.
Another factor is the abuse you will give it. My gear gets its work out. But they are maintained regularly. Any of those mentioned above will treat you right if you treat them right.

Citicas and Allstar rods is a good start so you can see after you use them exactly what you want for later on down the road.

I went to BPS last night to check out the reels. The Citica is nice, has a great rebate but the Revo S is really great. I think I am going the Revo route.

Now to find a sale.

Normally I use late-model green Curado 200's, but I picked up a Johnny Morris JMP10H reel at Bass Pro for 80 bucks over the holidays, and I liked it so much I bought 2 more. 6.3:1, 10 bb's, real smooth action.

The action compares with the JMX models, IMHO, which cost a lot more. BPS says "conpare to $150."

Anyway, call your local BPS to see if any are still available. I got my first one in Springfield and the next two in San Antonio last week. They had about 25 there as of last week.

Fishin' Steeler

How does the JMP10H compare to a Revo S or a Citica. You can get a Citica for $89 after rebate.

Try the Fishing show in Arlington starting tomorrow. Southwestern Parts will be there & they will be happy to answer any questions.Shane would even make u a deal.

mmcaleer
I can't fairly compare them because I've never fished either a Revo or a Citica. If the Citica is like the old Curados, then I'd say the two reels feel of similar quality and smoothness. The Morris is just shy of an OZ heavier than the Curado, and is a hair faster in retrieve (Morris 6.3:1, Curado 6.2:1)

I have some round Pro Qualifiers, two recent Rick Clunns, and a recent David Fritts, and the Morris is my favorite reel from the Bass Pro line, fer sure.

I'd say 89 bucks for a Citica would be an excellent purchase as well. Didn't the Citica replace the Curado's price point, $119?

PM sent.

Went to the fishing show and purchased two Revo S reels for $90 each from Southwestern Parts. They had a special, buy a Revo and get a Berkley Bionix IM7 rod, 300yds of line and a Revo hat. I couldn't pass it up.

No use breaking the bank getting set up again. The BPS house reels in the $70-$100 range are really nice, esp. the Extreme and the Rick Clunn. BPS has the new Quantum Code and a new KVD Quantum that are around $80 and very smooth. Ambassadeur has some new reels similar to the Revos priced in that range too. If you can find the new Quantum Burst it is smooth too.
All these reels are available with 6.2:1 or 6.3:1 ratios which should be fine for getting started.
A 6'6" MH and 6'6" H are useful for many things. If you want a 7'0" make it a H. Buy quality rods no matter the brand and you still should be able to stay under the $100 mark for each one.
My rods are American Eagles and they make some very light and sensitive rods under $100. Brannan's has them at the show and there will be someone there to answer your questions. Good Luck!!

BPS has the Revo SX on a XPS rod combo for $199.98 in there fall angler catalog, also a Spirex on a Bionic Blade rod for $84.99 not a bad deal. Offer expires March 2008.