Advice Wanted: Baitcaster Specs

younggun308 said:

Any specific model? The longer I wait to buy the more I'll have to burn.

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I have two of these...Made in USA. I like medium power fast action for crankbaits but use it for many of the things you mention.

younggun308 said:

6.3:1 is a good enough ratio? I will trust you over Google all day long, but it primed me to think 6:1 is too slow.

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I have a couple of 6.4's and they work great for all around use. I prefer 7.5 or faster. I have several 8.3 Lews that work fantastic. I have a 9.1 Kastking Megajaws that absolutely burns the crankbaits.

FLTENNHUNTER1 said:

250-300 gets you into a few better options.

This is what I would get:

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/lews-kvdbass-pro-shops-johnny-morris-carbonlite-20-baitcast-combo

Don't own any of the rods but the Lews KVD reel is awesome.

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Get this and don't even look back. You will like the 8.3 speed:



I don't know anything about the rods but a 10 year warranty is unheard of these days.

FLTENNHUNTER1 said:

Get this and don't even look back. You will like the 8.3 speed:

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I don't know anything about the rods but a 10 year warranty is unheard of these days.

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The BPS warranty on a couple of their rod models is really something. Takes little effort to snap a rod, especially over 10 years. So it adds some serious peace of mind.

7' med-heavy rod of choice and an Abu Garcia Revo Winch

For all around fishing and just one bait caster, I'd get a 7' medium heavy rod and 6 to 1 ratio reel. I like a 7 and 8 to 1 for certain applications but too fast IMO for everything. There's many good models out there in your price range.

I bought my stepson the Carbonlite combo for Christmas and he loves it. He has some Abu combos and some Lews combos, but he prefers the BPS combo.

I'd get @Sniper to build you a custom rod to the exact specs you want and go with a lews or pfleuger reel. I have several of his rods and they are top notch but may be a little outside your budget but worth it.

younggun308 said:

Between now and next spring I'm going to throw down some money for a solid baitcaster setup. Going to run everything from spinnerbaits, crankbaits, swimbaits, and even wacky worms near structure.

Leaning strongly towards medium-heavy action, but open to ideas on rod length and the reel's gear ratio. Favoring at least 6'9" length.

I like the 10-year warranty on Bass Pro's Carbonlite 2.0 rod, so that combo is the prohibitive favorite as of now, given cost relative to even higher-end BPS models that have the same warranty. But I'm open to other suggestions.

Any advice on when to buy low between now and next March is appreciated.

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As for as reels go check out Piscifun fishing and for rods check out Bulldawg rods

Dobyns rod and a lews reel. Or shimano slx combo would be under $200 and good quality. I would prob go with a 6.4 to 1 gear ratio for a all around reel. Dobyns rods are hard to beat for the $. Personally I'd spend another $40-$50 bucks and get the next series up on the rod. I think a dobyns colt is like $80ish and a fury is like $130ish. Carbon lite combo from bass pro would be 3rd choice.

younggun308 said:

I'm struck by the fact no one is suggesting an 8:1 ratio. Is it just near-impossible to slow it down? Or is 7:1 good enough to where faster isn't an improvement?

Spinnerbaits would be where I'd really need to be able to reel slow. But if it's just a matter of getting used to a reel, I'm happy to sacrifice "idiot proof" for versatility.

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its easier to speed up than to slow down, human nature. you can slow a 7 gear reel down enough but a 6 gear is middle of the pack. the more you move your bait with the rod tip or the more slack you need to take up the higher gear is better. deep cranks and heavy rigs need a 5 gear and enough torque or youll feel like youve been throwing punches all weekend. with a 6 gear you can slow down enough for cranks and speed up enough for faster reaction baits.

i wouldnt overthink it if you are just starting out pair that rod with an slx, tatula, fuego, etc in a 100, 6 or 7 gear and go fishing. that will put you at your budget and youll have an all around setup. then you can jnvest in another rod for better matched specialty after tou get into it. ie c rig/heavy swimbaits, deep cranks, etc.

fyi most major branded reels except some diawas and shimanos are pretty much the same reels made in s korea at doyo. bps brand, lews, abu, etc. the parts even interchange for the most part. the price difference between each is marketing.

Before the sale was going to end (today's the last day I think) I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the Carbonlite 2.0 combo, with the Carbonlite reel.

7'6" MH 8:1

For me it should be a good enough reel. I'll use the difference with the Lews combo to get it spooled up and buy some spinners, 3/8 and 1/2 oz swim jigs, some structure jigs, and trailers.

Should I run 20lb fluoro or go a bit lighter?

younggun308 said:

Before the sale was going to end (today's the last day I think) I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the Carbonlite 2.0 combo, with the Carbonlite reel.

7'6" MH 8:1

For me it should be a good enough reel. I'll use the difference with the Lews combo to get it spooled up and buy some spinners, 3/8 and 1/2 oz swim jigs, some structure jigs, and trailers.

Should I run 20lb fluoro or go a bit lighter?

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I like a braid on jigs for pulling through trees, etc. Lil tougher and tends not to weaken as badly. I actually avoid fluoro on everything other than my ned rig spinning setups. Everyone is different though. What works for me may not be right for you.

UCStandSitter said:

I like a braid on jigs for pulling through trees, etc. Lil tougher and tends not to weaken as badly. I actually avoid fluoro on everything other than my ned rig spinning setups. Everyone is different though. What works for me may not be right for you.

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Fluoro has been nothing but trouble for me on spinning rods. Won't slacken worth a flip. Seems to do fine on the one baitcaster I've used before, but I admittedly have less experience pulling baits through junk. Typically threw swim baits and wacky worms.

younggun308 said:

Fluoro has been nothing but trouble for me on spinning rods. Won't slacken worth a flip. Seems to do fine on the one baitcaster I've used before, but I admittedly have less experience pulling baits through junk. Typically threw swim baits and wacky worms.

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For Neds and similar setups, I'll run fluoro with a braid leader of about 15 ft. Tends to add a lil heft to the end and keep the tangles at bay

younggun308 said:

Before the sale was going to end (today's the last day I think) I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the Carbonlite 2.0 combo, with the Carbonlite reel.

7'6" MH 8:1

For me it should be a good enough reel. I'll use the difference with the Lews combo to get it spooled up and buy some spinners, 3/8 and 1/2 oz swim jigs, some structure jigs, and trailers.

Should I run 20lb fluoro or go a bit lighter?

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I would use 12 or 15 pound fluoro.