How do i choose a baitcatser??

Question

need tip on how?

Answer 1

A lot easier than the lengthy answers above. Just figure out what type of fishing you'll enjoy the most while using it. Do a little research on Basspro.com or Cabelas, then I would visit the store and handle them. With a reel a lot of it is how you can handle. Nothing worse than a buying a reel you don't feel comfortable holding. good luck

Answer 2

my dad got a phleuger supreme baitcaster and it has like 10 or 11 bearings in it and it is a very smooth one. but its not good for beginners per say. if your a beginner get a fully round shaped regular from cabelas

Answer 3

Read reviews on Cabela's or Bass Pro Shops and www.tackletour.com, ask friends or other fisherman/woman, get out of the house and go try some out.

I evolved from the Team Daiwa Rojo, to the Viento (love that twitchin' bar!), and then the TD Zillion 7.1:1 "burner". Each have features and applications that I like and want for various lures.

The most important thing I do, when handling a possible new baitcaster, is loosen the tension control k**b, turn the mag brakes down, depress the cast button, and SPIN THAT SPOOL!!!

I look for an amazing amount of free spool spin, then see how the brakes and tension control k**b work at controlling the speed, which helps counter many backlashes.

Then I reel it, to see how smooth that is, and maybe thumb the spool to get a feel for the drag in the store.

Just like your first car or drink, everyone has their own preference, so you need to try several out and see what features you like in a baitcaster.

Answer 4

What's in a Name?

Let's begin with a brief discussion on tackle terminology so that we're all on the same page. Baitcaster, baitcasting and casting reel are all synonymous terms used to describe a reel with a revolving spool that sits on top of a casting rod (a rod with a trigger handle) that's designed to cast lures with precision to a target.

Left-Hand Configured Casting Reel

While conventional reels also have a revolving spool and look nearly identical to round casting reels, they're designed for trolling and fishing vertically for large species. Conventional reels are not designed for making numerous casts throughout a day.

Most modern casting reels come in left-handed and right-handed configurations. A right-handed configuration means that, after you've made your cast, the reel is placed in your left hand and the handle is cranked using your right hand. This configuration is the most common, largely because left-handed models were extremely hard to find until recent years. Unlike spinning reels, the handle of a casting reel cannot be removed and re-attached to either side of the reel to match the retrieve preference of different anglers.  

If you come from a spinning background, you might consider getting a reel with a left-handed configuration. Since left-handed reels allow you to crank the handle with your left hand, as you do with spinning tackle, it would probably be the most familiar to you. It would also eliminate the need to switch hands after you cast.

When Casting Tackle Works Best

As previously mentioned, casting tackle is often required when heavier baits are used. "What's considered a heavy bait," you ask?  As a general rule, use spinning gear for lures 1/4-ounce or less. For any lure heavier than a 1/4-ounce, use casting tackle.

Heavier baits generally require an increase in line strength. Most anglers typically prefer spinning gear when using 8-pound test line (about .012" diameter) or less. If you're presentation requires 10-pound test line or more, casting gear is the way to go.

Round Reels vs. Low-Profile Reels

Because round reels have more line capacity than low-profile reels, round reels are suggested for larger fish and species known to make long runs.

Casting reels are available in two styles: round and low profile. Round reels typically have larger spools that are able to hold more line, while low-profile reels are more ergonomic, allowing anglers to palm the reel during the retrieve. In recent years, low-profile reels have become the most popular style among bass anglers.

In a discussion regarding current trends in the tackle industry, Mike Huffman, Bass Pro Shops Product Developer and reel expert, points out that the line capacity needed on any casting reel is relative to the style of fishing you prefer. "In regular bass fishing, which typically uses 12- to 17-pound test, you simply don't need that much line on your reel. It's a close-contact sport."

Huffman's quick to point out exceptions to the rule as well. "Some guys are now throwing these huge swimbaits -- lures weighing around 4 ounces. So, when you make a cast, you can bottom out your spool real quick if you're not careful. That's where the reels with deeper and wider spools come into play; they give you more line capacity with the 25-pound line needed to throw bigger, heavier baits."

Another situation Huffman points to that might warrant an increased line capacity is fishing for species that make really long runs, such as steelhead. "With steelhead, you not only have to worry about the amount of line you're casting, but also you need another 100 to 150 yards of line in case that fish decides to take off down stream." Muskie, pike and salmon are some other freshwater species that generally require the additional line capacity provided by round reels.

Gear Ratio

Casting Reel Gears

Oversized gearing delivers super high speed retrieves on 7.1:1 casting reels.

Every reel has a gear ratio, which is often used to describe the "speed" of the reel. For instance, a reel with a 5.4:1 gear ratio is considered a standard retrieve. A 6.4:1 ratio is considered high speed, and a 7.1:1 ratio is considered super high speed. What these numbers actually describe is the number of times the spool turns with one turn of the reel handle. For example, a 6.4:1 ratio means the spool of the reel will turn 6.4 times with a single turn of the handle. Line recovery (the amount of line recovered with each turn of the handle) is related to gear ratio, but it's also affected by the size of the reel's spool.

Some gear ratios are better suited to certain fishing styles than others. For instance, super-high-speed reels are used by run-and-gun spinnerbait enthusiasts because these reels allow anglers to cover a lot of water quickly.

"High speeds aren't necessarily about making the lure move through the water faster, though," says Huffman, "because you need to fish lures at the speed they work best. What high speed reels actually do is -- once you've pulled your lure through the strike zone -- they allow you to get the lure back to the boat quickly to make another cast."

Answer 5

Honestly, the best way to choose one is good to the basspro shop and ask the people in the fishing dept. Thats what I did and after I talked the guy I basically picked up a Daiwa baitcast combo for $69 to start out. I have been using a spinning reel for 25 years, but wanted to try something different, but I still enjoy the spinning reels. Start off small when it comes to baitcasting because, as I learned, you have to practice on the cast.

Answer 6

Bait-casters are like cameras, the more you pay, the better product you get.  It's not to say that a $50 reel won't cast as good as a $200 one, but you save because of the longevity of the more expensive one.   Also, the $200 will have advanced technology.  I have three Quantum Energy PT reels and do extremely well with them.  These reels retail for $179.99, but are well worth the expense.  If taken care of, they will last you a lifetime.