Custom Baits - Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: jmatheny9 on 03/03/14 15:16 UTC
-
I've been looking in to getting into bait casting for fishing weed less in heavy cover. I want to use braided line for sure but I wanted to know if there were any suggestions. I want to spend less than $100 for a rod and reel to start out with and practice because in the past bait casters and I haven't got along well... But I'm looking to expand my knowledge of fishing techniques so I wanna get back at it.
I wouldn't mind getting a combo but usually piecing together ends up with a better quality setup. Any suggestions are welcome!!
And the $100 doesn't include price online but I would also like some thoughts on this too :)
Thanks guys
-Jeremiah @bullfroglures
-
cant go wrong with Lew's I been using them since 2011 & havent had any mechanical issues
-
You will learn easier on a nicer real. Spend 100-129 on a lews. Then add the rod. The rod has to match the bait or you will have troubles regardless. A 100.00 combo will have no fogiveness for error.
-
Yikes! That's a lot for tossing a frog at some lily pads and thick weeds.. But I do like the lews, I've seen some hanging around for like $50 too. And I forgot to mention I want a heavy rod
-Jeremiah @bullfroglures
-
Look them over in the catalog; so you know what they're worth. Then start watching e-bay and see if you can get a bargain. Watch to see who's selling them. Lots of mom and pa tackle stores unload there inventory at cost rather than carry them through the winter.
-
go to bass pro right now; bring an old reel for the trade-in...grab yourself a Pro-qualifier for 65 bucks and don't look back. then find yourself a rod ...probably going to be roughly 130-140 total ... thats going to be your best deal anywhere period. Lew's are nice but if your on a budget the Pro-qualifier will get you by just fine. 3 years from now; you will have better reels but that old Pro-qualifier will still be old faithful in the boat.
-
I agree on the Lew's reels!
It's tough even for an experience bait caster to get good results with a poor quality reel.
A good budget rod (in my opinion ) are the Ugly stick rods. Not fancy ...but they sure do work!
Andy
-
So a lews reel. Now for the rod lol
Has anyone ever built their own rods? I saw one awhile back on here with the tiny eyes that spiraled down. Now I know that isn't cheap but how hard are they to build? And where do you get materials?
-Jeremiah @bullfroglures
-
The fishing reel business is pretty competitive. And the more you pay, the better quality reel you get. There are different size frames - 50, 100, 200 are the typical ones. An ill fitting size ( for your hand, especially if you palm a reel ) will be uncomfortable. To a certain extent, the reel and rod need to mate well as well. Some rods are more reel size specific than others. You need to find the reel size that "fits" you for your applications. Unfortunately for you ; flipping set ups ( rod & Reel ) are usually on the more expensive side. Many typical setups that weekend tournament anglers use for flipping run in the $250 to $400 range - and up. If you are planning to flip all day, the weight of the combo becomes an issue. And; lighter, without loosing quality; is more expensive.
-
I sold all my lews and upgraded to used curado 200d models. Supertuning them. The d is the best curado there is imo. The obly reason I sold them was do to the size. I like a bigger reel to fit my big hands. Go to bass boat central and get a used one if money is tight. I only used the lews tournament reels 129.00 ones. They out perform the 89.00 2:1 imo. Now score a 50.00 lews and supertune it and its awesome...
-
So bump it up to under $300 is what I'm hearing? :) might as well lol. But I'm serious about the rod with spiral eyelets
-Jeremiah @bullfroglures
-
Would You be thinking about the old Shakespeare boat rod I replaced the guides on, Black with Gray wraps?
-
Would You be thinking about the old Shakespeare boat rod I replaced the guides on, Black with Gray wraps?
i don't think so. It was a white rod, red thread?, tiny eyes that spiraled
-Jeremiah @bullfroglures
-
Check Ebay. You can get some good deals on lightly used equipment. I agree with the rest. You don't want to buy the $50 baitcaster. It will break and it won't cast . You will spend more money in replacing the braided line than you do on the reel. Shimano, Lews, Revo are all good brands. You can pick up a Revos S model for about $60 on Ebay or less. Probably the same for the Shimano Citica line too. Not familiar with Lews but I hear good things.
-
One good thing about the heavy set up is you can use it for a frog or flipping heavy cover.
I guided for ten years on Pickwick and taught a lot of people how to use a baitcaster. To start pull off about thirty yards of line and put tape under it. Practice a few days until you can throw down to the tape. Then spool about twenty extra yards off and practice a few days with fifty yards. Once you master it pull the tape completely out and go at it. With the tape under your line if you have a major backlash it don't go all the way to the spool so you don't have to cut as much out. I'd suggest you stay away from florocarbon line till you have it mastered, it's stiff, don't cast well and cost an arm and leg. Practice, Practice, Practice! BTW braid can be a pain in the butt to cast as well. It pulls down into the spool and just stops when you throw it. The good side to braid is you don't normally hurt it picking a backlash out. If you choose braid put a little mono line under it on the spool. This will prevent line slip when you srt the hook.
-
I did the rod you speak of.
-
It was pretty easy really. I did a lot of reading. And found a guy on baitjunkys.com to help me through it.
It was my first one.
I had about 110$ in it. It was built on a 7 foot mhx rod MH.
But I'm not sure what the kit of supplies cost me. I think I got the kit at mudhole.com that came with the hand wrapper and most of the tools and glues you need to get started.
Mudhole has a lot of videos to watch.
-
well if your going to up the budget; I would go Lews.
-
Well I couldn't wait so I went to Wally World and couldn't find any suggested. So I went ahead an bought a skeet Reese edition caster for now.. This summer I will definitely get a nice lews and custom rod though
-Jeremiah @bullfroglures
-
Ya, Ya, Ya, Ya....rods, reels....what mold did you settle on for Denny, the 6" ringer or the croaker?
-
Ya, Ya, Ya, Ya....rods, reels....what mold did you settle on for Denny, the 6" ringer or the croaker?
lol probably both when I get enough moolah saved towards it! Might as well save on shipping because I know they'll both end up being bought :p
-Jeremiah @bullfroglures
-
You're trAAped!
You're trAAped in the madness a'gAain!
.welcome.
-
lol probably both when I get enough moolah saved towards it! Might as well save on shipping because I know they'll both end up being bought :p
-Jeremiah @bullfroglures
Be sure to let us know how Denny likes them.
-
Denny can use them for one week for only 35% of the cost!!
-Jeremiah @bullfroglures
-
Well I couldn't wait so I went to Wally World and couldn't find any suggested. So I went ahead an bought a skeet Reese edition caster for now.. This summer I will definitely get a nice lews and custom rod though
-Jeremiah @bullfroglures
Not to sound mean here. But you asked for advice then went out and bought something totally different from what anyone said. Why ?
-
Not mean at all Lamar lol. I asked for advice on $100 or less and didn't get much feedback in that aspect. So I went to local stores and bought best I could find to use for now before I do end up dropping big bucks on it. Keep in mind I'm in highschool still and it's a touch harder for me than some to spend that much when I have only used a bait caster one time. But if you read careful I said what I will get later. A high grade lews and a custom rod.
The advice from all that shared will be taken this summer when I have a paycheck
-Jeremiah @bullfroglures
-
Well I couldn't wait so I went to Wally World and couldn't find any suggested. So I went ahead an bought a skeet Reese edition caster for now.. This summer I will definitely get a nice lews and custom rod though
-Jeremiah @bullfroglures
If you use left-handed reels; I have a skeet reel I will sell you........good luck...
I'm right-handed; I prefer not to switch hands....sell it to you cheap ...if you want to learn
-
Not mean at all Lamar lol. I asked for advice on $100 or less and didn't get much feedback in that aspect. So I went to local stores and bought best I could find to use for now before I do end up dropping big bucks on it. Keep in mind I'm in highschool still and it's a touch harder for me than some to spend that much when I have only used a bait caster one time. But if you read careful I said what I will get later. A high grade lews and a custom rod.
The advice from all that shared will be taken this summer when I have a paycheck
-Jeremiah
Good for you Jeremiah, I wish you much luck with what you have. My typical answer to questions like you've posed is to get the best thing you can get and stay in your budget. That is what you did, and with enough practice playing with what you have, you'll gain experience and funds to move up to something better later on. I admire the discretion at your age as I must have missed that gene.
Besides you need to save your money for new molds... you can't be fishing a new set up with out those killer baits that you made yourself, right ? ;)
Have fun,
Jerry
-
i would have told you to hold off the BPS here is going to sell the curado 200e for 99.00.. Is it the best reel? NO.. Is it a good reel? absolutely. Im picking up 3 of them for spares.
-
Thanks guys but I already picked up a righty skeet Reese today. But if I get the hang if it and like the caster, I'll definitely be in the market for an awesome setup this year. The suggestions helped me get a mind for what's good and what's not so good, I appreciate it.
And that's absolutely right jerry! I can't wait to get me a few more and actually fish them. I have yet to fish any baits I've made with the exception of two small trips with a stick bait
-Jeremiah @bullfroglures
-
Now that you have a budget rod, be patient when you're ready to upgrade. Wait until black Friday or watch clearance sales in fall and late winter. Gander Mt has some awesome clearance deals going on, but they aren't advertised. At least my store has good deals right now. If I had the spare cash, I'd be picking up 1 or 2 of their GSX titanium reels to use for spares.
Personally, I stick with my spinning gear. It works for me and is versatile. No real reason for me to spend the money to switch.
-
I'm a fan of round Casting reels. I like Shimano Cardiff, but I really dig Shimano Calcutta. The classic Calcutta B's are all You need. I have a 200GTB...smooth and solid.
-
Good for you Jeremiah, I wish you much luck with what you have. My typical answer to questions like you've posed is to get the best thing you can get and stay in your budget. That is what you did, and with enough practice playing with what you have, you'll gain experience and funds to move up to something better later on. I admire the discretion at your age as I must have missed that gene.
Besides you need to save your money for new molds... you can't be fishing a new set up with out those killer baits that you made yourself, right ? ;)
Have fun,
Jerry
No disrespect here Jerry but I disagree. This is like taking my grandkids out with barbie poles. They may like the looks but will not like how they fish and not want to go again because they can't do it. The poles will not cast nor reel. I'm better off to buy nicer rods and reels that they will be able to use. I believe he is better off using what he has till he can afford what will work for his needs. Then he will understand and like a bait caster. Nothing worse then a cheep bait caster. That being said. Nothing nicer then a good bait caster. In my opinion wait till you can afford to buy what you need.
-
Check out B & B Custom Rods on facebook! He will make you a custom rod built to your specs!! These are really neat because if you love St. Croix, he can make rods from the St. Croix blanks, ANY of them!! He also has a ton of selections from mud hole blanks as well. After you send your specs to him, go to Okuma reels' website and find a reel you want, and he can rig it up as a combo for you. He also can sell the Okuma reels by them selves.
Please check his site out, I have two ice rods as of now and I love them! And if you let him know Grant W. sent you, he will give you a great price on these!
Let me know if you have questions!
-
Here is my daughter with her Barbie pole and her first catch, she has outgrown it now but it worked great for her at the time. One of the things I like about fishing is you DON'T have to spend a ton of money to have fun.
(http://custombaits.com/gallery/medium_879-050314073603.jpeg)
-
I can see both sides of this fence pretty well. On one hand getting an entry-level rig is maybe his chosen way to go given his finances, but the refinements found in better tackle, especially in the reels, can help eliminate some of the frustration that comes with bait casters while learning how to use one. Personally I would have spent ac-note on a better reel and twenty bucks down the rods for a rod that the reel would balance on.
I will suggest that Jer settle on mono as a starter line. Its way easier to learn the ins and outs of those reels using mono and substantially cheaper than the braids. A mono backlash is one thing. A backlash with braid can drive a person insane trying to figure it out. Just my two cents on this.
-
Thanks guys. And I do plan on getting a better rod when I can but later won't do me any good fishing frogs in the spring. So for now I got what I could and I'm happy with it lol. A little frustration will happen either way and I get that but I dot consider a $90 reel a Barbie pole haha :p I have to start somewhere
And thanks for steering me away from the braid Ctom, that was my original plan. The time I used a bait caster i didn't do too bad except for the times I didn't stop the bait and got a birds nest. Plus I didn't know about any of the tuning processes you go through for each lure. But I'm sure after enough videos and reading I will be fine with my reel this spring ( that is if spring ever comes)
-Jeremiah @bullfroglures
-
I agree that with bait casting reels a cheap one can cause you a ton of problems,(been down that road). I just don't want people to think you have got to get top of the line gear to catch fish and have a good time. As a weekend fisherman I don't need the best stuff, would new high dollar gear work better?, yes it would, a BMW would get me to work in a lot more comfort but my Chevy works fine for me.
-
I have a couple C4 Ambassadors in the 4600 size and they get used for vertical jigging walleye baits. The C4 is a moderate priced reel and I would recommend them to anyone looking for a quality reel without a huge price tag. I also have a couple low profile baitcasters that I have spooled with 20 pound power pro for casting my top waters for bass. When I start tossing frogs I use a spinning rod since the lighter baits on a casting reel are sorry company with me at the reel end.
I made a pair of identical rods that I use these reels on and would be lost without them. Since I am not casting with these I have them spooled with 6 pound crystal. The rods are built on 6'6" HMG Fenwick one piece medium action blanks. Nothing but sensitive and full of reaction to a hit. I've handled 40 pound catfish on these rigs
-
I think your missing some of my point here Jeremiah. You just spent $90 on a reel that you yourself said your going to replace later this summer. So what ever you buy the new reel for you can figure either 1: You could have had it sooner if not spent the $90 first or 2: You could have had even a better reel if you still had the $90 to go with it. Either way the 90 bucks is gone and you still being in school with a low income are the least of the people that can afford to play that game. This isn't like a car where you have to have it to go to work. You've fished all these years without one and a few more months isn't going to kill anyone. Take your time and buy what you want and buy it once. It's by far cheaper. Please don't take me wrong. I'm not telling you what to do. Just giving you advice that took me many years to learn.
-
Lamar has a point here. If you're looking to upgrade within a year, don't spend it in the first place. Need a rod specifically for frogs before you're ready for that good rod? Buy a $30 spinning combo (or garage sale special!) and save up for a good baitcaster.
The point has also been made that you don't need to spend a ton to enjoy fishing, and that's very true. My price limit for a rod or reel (not a combo) is around $60. I've never been disappointed with my gear, and it does the job. My most expensive reel is a Quantum Energy PTi, I paid $68 at cabelas for it and it's quite nice. Is it nicer than my GSX Titanium or my Daiwa Exceller? Not at all, and both were $60 ea. Be careful about paying for brand prestige. Lower grade rods from expensive brands are no better than high or mid grade rods from other brands. I just replaced a St. Croix premier series rod w/ a Quantum Response rod. The Quantum outclasses the St. Croix by a long shot and was $40 cheaper.
A $90 combo isn't a bad place to start. I'd rather have seen people giving advice closer to the budget given so Jeremiah could make a buying decision based on what's a good rod in his price range. Using a cheaper combo and having it need more adjustment and having it snarl isn't a BAD thing! It's how we all learned. None of us started with top of the line gear. We all started with cane poles or for those who might be even younger than me, cheap cartoon character rods. After a cane pole and a cheap zebco, my first real rod was an old fiberglass Shakespeare that my grandpa gave me. I'm still partial to glass rods and buy them when I spot them in thrift stores or garage sales.