i need some help

[bigbass191]

i need some help i'm buying my first baitcasting rod and reel but i have used one before and i was looking for some thing under 180 dollars i am looking at a quantium accurcast pt but it is 120 dollars so i would have to get a rod for $60 so any help is great. like what is good and your personal experence with it i need a set up for fresh water like bass walleye panfish northern any info is great thank you for any help you provide.

[charger19]

There are plenty of cheaper rods including some quantams that will do fine.Think about how you will use the rod.If it's for plastic worms or other bottom bouncing like jigs you need sensitivity and a more expensive rod.This would be your "best " rod.For crankbaits, spinners, topwater you don't need to spend so much.I've got $200. rods for worms and jigs but I catch just as many fish on cranks and spinners on $40-$50 rods.I've caught plenty of fish in the past on cheaper worm/jig rods.You've got to start somewhere!Hope this helps.Oh any good brand is good - try out as many as you can!I prefer StCroix and Falcon but have quantum and everything else as well.Part of the fun is acquiring new tackle.

[North Texan]

Bass Pro has my favorite, the BPS Extreme XPS rods on sale for $60. That leaves you plenty to put a good reel with it.

thanks for the help but the nearest bass pro is like 5 hours away but i go there in august so i will look on their website. thanks and any help is great

I don't have a Bass Pro all that close to me, so I order them off the internet.

[bigbass191]

ya i just ordered a catolog of the internet could you guys help me on picking a reel because i looking at some and i can't decide thank for any help you provid.

[bigbass191]

please can't some one help me. please

[North Texan]

My personal preference is Abu Garcia, that's why I own 4. Most of the models I have aren't made anymore, but I have always had good luck with them. I think they may still make the C5 Mag-X. I noticed they just came out with a new Ambassadeur D6 that looks tempting. I also like the Torno. It is a low profile design, but the spool on those things is sssmmmooooooooootttthhhh. My cousin has some Shimano reels. His Calcutta freswater is probably one of the best reels I have ever used. I know another guy that swears by Quantam. That's the only brand he'll even consider. I've got an uncle that only uses Diawa. Ask any of us, we'll each give you a different opinion. I think most manufacturers make good reels. As with most things, you get what you pay for. I have never had a reel that I payed over or around $100 for and felt cheated. I have paid less for reels and felt like I got ripped off nearly every time. Things to consider are size, gear ratio, line capacity, anti-reverse, and ball bearings. I guess if I were buying one today in your price range, I'd look at:

Shimano Calcutta
Abu Garcia Ambassadeur D5 and D6, and Torno
Quantam Accurist PT and Energy PT
Pflueger President
Diawa Advantage Super Tuned
Browning Midas
Johnny Morris Signature Series
Cabela's Prodigy

Cabelas also has a buyer's guides that might be helpful.

Selecting the Right Reel

Casting Reels

Selecting A Bass Rod

Hope this helps.

[m.t.hands]

My personal preference is Abu Garcia,

they are my favorite also, but i like the 4500's & 4600's, the only drawback is they don't have all those fancy magnets and stuff, and there is a learning curve using them, they do have bearings, (different models have diff number of bearings) and they take some getting used to, the one thing i love about them is if you ever brake one or a part wears out you will not have any trouble locating parts, which has always been my biggest gripe about the reels from ***an.

[bigbass191]

thank you that is awsome info but i got a question is there any difference between the big round reels or the small flat ones?

[North Texan]

Just basically the feel and design. The flatter reels are considered "low-profile". Most of mine happen to be the round ones. Not sure why, they just are. I think they fit my hands better. The operation basically operate the same, just look different.

[JoshKeller]

BPS has the SHimano Curado and Extreme XPS combo for around $170 I believe.