Baitcaster Rod/Reel Combination

[Trekka273]

Hi All.

It has been a very long time since I have posted on this site, I have been pretty happy with what gear I have at present (Okuma reels, one customs rod and a couple of Ugly Sticks).

I am now looking for a baitcaster reel and a rod. This combination won't be used a hell of a lot, probably only on a few trips each year, so I don't want to spend a fortune. Looking over the past few weeks, I can get a range of decent rods around the $80 - $100 mark that would suit my needs (Daiwa, Penn, Shimano and Ugly Stick). The biggest thing is the reel. I don't want to spend a fortune on one (or even a small fortune for that matter). I want a reliable reel, preferably slim line if I can, that has a good drag system on it to help me cast some small lures in the rivers down here in Victoria (when they stop flooding). I have used another persons baitcaster before, so have very limited experience, so I want a reel that will help me to cast without big over runs.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I would like to get out of this with a rod as described above and a reel for possibly around the $150 or less, though I can stretch a little more on the reel if it is really required. Brand means nothing to me, so long as it works well.

[banshee]

Could try a Pflueger Echelon reel,should be able to find one around the $90 mark,the uglies are a good dependable rod but I think you will enjoy useing a graphite in a 2-3 kg more,wilson make a budget live fibre called a 'Lightning' that is prety good value at around the $100.

[Trekka273]

Thanks Banshee. I will have to have a look for those items that you mentioned. I am going to the Boat show, which begins here this week, in the hope that they will have some specials on, try to save myself a bit of money.

[Trekka273]

Well, I went to the Melbourne boat show today with my wife. As well as seeing a nice TABSbaot that I would love to own (one day hopefully!!) I picked up a Penn Ixorne T-300R baitcaster reel and a Team Daiwa Tierra rod. Cot the reel for $135.00 (was supposed to be $179 - 20% discount, but they gave more then 20%) and $97.96 for the rod, which had 30% off. So all I it cost me $232.95 which I was pretty happy with

Hopefully now I can actually learn to work it and catch something!!

[Mudguard 92]

Well, I went to the Melbourne boat show today with my wife. As well as seeing a nice TABSbaot that I would love to own (one day hopefully!!) I picked up a Penn Ixorne T-300R baitcaster reel and a Team Daiwa Tierra rod. Cot the reel for $135.00 (was supposed to be $179 - 20% discount, but they gave more then 20%) and $97.96 for the rod, which had 30% off. So all I it cost me $232.95 which I was pretty happy with

Hopefully now I can actually learn to work it and catch something!!

Nice buy - gota practice now try a few casts first in your backyard, getting your thumb use to stopin the spool etc. then when you think you got that then you can try and target something e.g. bucket or a spot on the ground. Once your getting close to your target you can put obsticles around it to imitate snags, you have to try and cast around/past them to hit your target and then avoid them on the retrive.

Good luck and have fun
James

[Trekka273]

Nice buy - gota practice now try a few casts first in your backyard, getting your thumb use to stopin the spool etc. then when you think you got that then you can try and target something e.g. bucket or a spot on the ground. Once your getting close to your target you can put obsticles around it to imitate snags, you have to try and cast around/past them to hit your target and then avoid them on the retrive.

Good luck and have fun
James

Thanks James. I thought it was a pretty reasonable price.

Yeah, i will have to go to the little park at the end of the court. I can just see the dog trying to have too much fun if I use the backyard

I think the main thing I do need to do is practice, and make sure that I don't start out trying to cast it too far. Just nice little flicks. I will only be putting mono line on it to beging with so that if/when I stuff up I am not throwing away expensive braid.

[Mudguard 92]

Thanks James. I thought it was a pretty reasonable price.

Yeah, i will have to go to the little park at the end of the court. I can just see the dog trying to have too much fun if I use the backyard

I think the main thing I do need to do is practice, and make sure that I don't start out trying to cast it too far. Just nice little flicks. I will only be putting mono line on it to beging with so that if/when I stuff up I am not throwing away expensive braid.

Yep - good idea putting mono on to start with, i bought my first baitcaster last weekend and just put some mono on as well. Although i havent had and major birdsnets yet, only one where i had to get knots out, havent lost any line yet and I have been practicing everyday Your spot on about little flicks and not casting too far as well.

Cheers - James

[Trekka273]

Well, I figure for most of the fishing that I will be doing, I won't be needing long casts, so there is no point in me trying to throw the lure 100 metres away type thing.

Hopefully the weather improves here so I can practice!!

[Mudguard 92]

Well, I figure for most of the fishing that I will be doing, I won't be needing long casts, so there is no point in me trying to throw the lure 100 metres away type thing.

Hopefully the weather improves here so I can practice!!

Ok - good luck