Best BaitCaster Rod/Reel for $150 or less?

[LifexIsxHunting]

I've decided I would like to get a baitcaster rod/reel combo. I've never fished with one before so I would like something user friendly. I know $150 isn't a whole lot but I would like to get a combo for around that price.

It will mostly be used for bass and smaller northern pike, but I would like it to be able to handle the occasional large pike. I will mostly be running buzzbaits and spinnerbaits.

What is some good fishing line for the what I mentioned.

Also I was fishing with my favorite buzzbait yesterday it was black and it was about half the size of the average buzzbaits and a northern pike grabbed and ended up snapping my line when I brought in. I can't seem to find the same buzzbait anywhere, where would be a good place to get one?

Thanks

[fishinty]

You can get a skeet reese rod($90) and a pinnacle platinum baitcast ($40).With the money you have left over you can buy some berkley vanish flurocarbon. You will be set,the skeet reese rod has several different styles and actions.The Pinnacle Platinum is the best baitcaster I have ever used and I have used quite a few.

[Gangly]

When it comes to bait casters, you don't want to cheap out. Best to go nice on the reel and go so-so on the rod, not the other way around. A cheap bait caster can REALLY make things miserable when trying to cast. You will be getting backlashes out every 5 casts. Not so with spinning reels, but definitely so with bait casters. The difference between a 100 dollar bait caster and a 40 dollar bait caster is dramatic while the difference between a 100 dollar rod and a 50 dollar rod isnt. So, spend the 100 on teh reel and the 50 on the rod. I like the Abu Garcia C4's because my hands are large, and you can get them for 90, but if you want a really nice bait caster, try the Abu Garcia Revo S. You can get them for 100 and they are a low profile. You can get either of those used on ebay for half that. Check used equipment, you can generally find GREAT equipment for half the price if you are willing to go used.

[DeerandbearhoG]

I have a Quantem accurist ,Ive used it for 3 years now on a POS uglystick and it works great! I also use that cheapo red cajun line stuff and I love it better than any line Ive used before. I think I paid about 100$ for the reel.

[Chuck7]

I 'd go with a 40.00 Walmart Ugly Stick..7 foot mediu, heavy..

Here's my expereinces with reels

A. Revo S 150.00 HORRIBLE RETURNED IT SAME DAY..backlash city.

B. Regular Gacia Revo 100.00 pretty good for the expereinced..baitcaster

C. Quantum 1310 MG 50.00 EXCELLENT REEL can only find on ebay..get a new in the box..user friendly 50.00

D. I have all the Pinnacles...the higher end ones are decent 90.00 and above..cheaper ones..I would not chance on a pike..

E. I have 2 pflueger Presidents 150.00 each..not bad..solid reels but don't cast as far as a 150.00 reel should.

NOTE..get a baitcaster with the adjusting spool knob on the side instead of the adjustable magnets on the inside..they are better for the beginner

As you can see I have some inexpensive gems and I've had some expensive junk..

Summary...for 150.00 I'd get Walmarts 100.00 Revo oin a 7 foot Ugly Stick medium heavy...you will need to practice..I would reccomend 12 pound Trilene XL with a leader for pike.7.00 a spool

[Phil from Maine]

I think the best place for a baitcaster is at the bottom of a lake.. LOL I have one but I can not stand digging out all those back lashes I keep getting..

[Chuck7]

I semi agree with ya Phil..I have no problem with baitcasters I have a few myself but I have just as many open faced spincasters..If I had to have one rod and reel it would be the open faced over the baitcasters..and I have a few very nice baitcasters ..

I fish in a small boat and I can cast with pin point accracy with my spin caster.without worrying about snagging the man in the back of the boat...where as baitcaster...ok but not as good as spincaster..Other than exta wide lipped crankbaits I can fish every lure with my spin caster as I can the baitcaster..IMHO The only 3 benifits i see using a baitcaster is they are built to handle big crankbaits better , I find I get much less memory flipping and pitching a worm with them and you have a little more control fighting a big fish becasue you have the optin of riding your thumb on the spool...

However'; those 3 things can be fixed...

A.Drag..just make sure your drag is loose enough where the fish can't break it...

B, Use deep diving Rapalas..they have a narrower plastic bill bringing much less stress to the spin cast and they do work..especially the deep diving jointed minnow.

C. you can put braid on your extra spin cast spool..braid has no memory ..eventually it may kink around an eyelet but this is rare.

Summary...{ -; for 150.00 forget the baitcaster..BUy a 7 foot Lightning Rod Spinning rod..medium or medium heavy.40.00.with a Shimano Symetre..95.00 I have one except mines on a 50.00 Team Diawa..it's my go to confidence rod..totally aswesome...pretty too..The reel ha a lot of gold trim and the Team Diawa is black with gold letters..

you will get 2 spools..load one with 20 pound test POWER PRO 20.00 and the other with 12 pound Trilene clear XL ..7.00

[Swampdog]

Like Chuck said,Get a really good reel ,a so so rod and use the rest of the money for a 1000 yard spool of line......LOL .If you have never used a bait caster you WILL need lots of line .No need useing the good stuff to learn with.Tighten up way to much on the cast control at first to reduce the "profesional overcasts".Then back off as needed as you learn.JMHl

[Chuck7]

I plan to make a baitcasting video ..real soon..maybe today.
C7

[Chuck7]

Ok guys..this is a very poor pocket video camera ..sorry for the poor quality.

Anyways..here.s a little lesson on casting baitcasters by..uh..uh...me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6i6TJONR70