What would be a good bait caster for someone who has never used one? i would like to learn how to use one.

Academy makes a few cheaper starter type baitcasters. The Mettle has been highly discussed on this site if you'd like to search. General concensus is the Mettle is the best baitcaster at that price point ($49). There is a high speed version called the Menace also at that price (ask for the green one, black one is twice the price). More dollars generally means better baitcaster. You have two types of people on this site, Curado people and Revo people. Pick a side if you want a better baitcaster. If you have more money than you know what to do with (send me some then....) look at Shimano's website for great ways to spend a lot. Daiwa makes some high end stuff as well.

I learned easily on a late 70's ambassadeur. None of that braking carp on it, just drag and spool speed. Get a feel for adjusting for whatever you're casting and your thumb controlling that spool and it will come easy on any baitcaster. The H2O mettle is good for the price and casts smooth, I've been using one for a few years in fresh and saltwater and it's held up fine. I just do my normal cleaning as I would any other reel.

If you get a good reel such as a Shimano curado or revo sx, you will have a reel for life. You can learn very easily with these 2 models(user friendly)

Reels aren't like boats, you don't go for the cheapy during the learning phase. Good reels are easier to cast than cheapies, and they will last a lot longer.

+100

yup, i was just recommending a cheapie if his budgets tight. If money aint an issue, try a revo or curado.

i got an ardent 600x i believe. i also picked up two shimano spinning reels. my father is learning the bait caster too and he picked up a curado.

I got a couple of aint (bait) casters They work great for trolling and vertical jigging. When it comes to throwing my buddies give me a hard time but i will take a closed face anyday as i just can't get the aint casters down after all these years And yes they are high dollar name brand.

I would get one with a magnetic brake vs a centrifugal, you can "dail it in" and learn to cast it much easier.

I'd get a nice,.used Curado 200B for about 70 bucks. I remember using a cheapie baitcaster when I started out and had all kinds of bird nest and quit experimenting w/ baitcasters altogether until i used my very first Curado.

shimano chronarch

I'm the stubborn sort, so the tangles while learning a baitcaster never discouraged me, but I've been happy with a Garcia silver maxx combo I picked up for about $40. It's not the best, but I've caught bass with it and learned to tame the tangle without shelling out serious cash. I'll definitely upgrade later on, but it certainly serves the purpose in the meantime.