standman

Does BPS generally have a bunch of the BPQ reals available at the "special" price? I currently own couple entry level baitcasting reels (Okuma from Dick's and Daiwa Laguna - both available for $30-$35 when on sale) and wouldn't mind stepping up to the BPQs.

Hmmm. Is it a baitcaster for beginner to fishing, or beginner to the baitcasting reels? Either way - wouldn't go crazy. The Okuma Stratus V (Dick's exclusive) is plenty good at $35 (when on sale). Or the Black/silver/Pro Max from Abu....

I fish mostly residential ponds..... Without top water, I would have to give up fishing for most of the summer. This is an old carp infested canal that happens to have some nice bass in it.

^^^^ Yup! I tried, but could barely hold the rod in my left hand. I don't know what would have happened if I actually had a fish on.

I agree with the above statement about combos. I would also get the Sienna from Dick's (actually bought 2 myself) and pickup a Berkley Cherrywood from Wally world.

Fisherman's Factory Outlet - Pure Fishing 's outlet - Abu, Pflueger, Berkeley, Fenwick, Penn, Shakespeare, and few others.....

For what it's worth, DSG has a special going on - buy the 300 series reel and get the Duckett Ghost for free. Seems like a pretty good deal (maybe why the store I stopped by earlier had none in stock ?).

I was out couple days ago and the usually sure crankbait didn't even get a bump. Pulled out an old rusty $1 Walmart special - used to be white, but changed color from rust :). Got 5 in 30 minutes.... This one has been good in a quarry with lots of shad.

Caught a decent one in a neighborhood pond - 3lbs 8oz. The spinnerbait has been working great the past couple days.

For anyone interested in picking up some entry level reels for a decent price. Dick's has 50% off Okuma spinning and baitcast reels ($30-$35), Lew's carbon fire spinning reels ($25), and pinnacle solene baitcasters ($30).

Figure out if you want right or left hand retrieve! I'm a righty who came from spinning gear (left hand retrieve) and could not get used to right hand baitcasters. Picked up a cheap left hand Diawa Laguna for $30 at Gander Mtn and I'm hooked (I think ).

No $10 rods at couple Walmart stores I visited, but I did pick up a Diawa Jupiter 7'6" MH with the telescoping handle for $25.

Picked up the Laguna lefty for $30. Wanted to give baitcasters another look, this time with the handle where it belongs :). So far so good. Seems like a great reel for $30. Took it out couple times and it's been working great. Can cast it a mile AND no backlashes.

I have the Gx2 spinning rod and have caught quite few fish with it. The reel that came with it fell apart within 1 season, but the rod is indestructible.

Hit my local pond twice today (noon and afternoon). Got 6 and 7 bass respectively. Nothing huge, but most were in the 15-17" (need to buy a scale).

With this crappy weather in Chitown. I decided to play with the reel/rod in the backyard. Not too bad! Made about 100 or so casts without a singlebacklash! Might have to hit up a local lake with warm water discharge and give it a shot sooner rather than later ?.

Thanks for the replies... I think I'm going to stick with the ardent and pickup a cheap LH silvermax or promax. I still like the idea of holding the rod with my dominant hand.

Complete baitcasting noob here. When I restarted fishing (15 Year layoff, used exclusively spinning gear), I figured I would try and learn to use the baitcasting setup. Without much research, I stopped by DSG and picked up a cheap combo by Ardent - called Fishouflage. Needless to say, I failed miserably - couple bad backlashes later went back to my trusty spinning gear. I guess the question is - if I wanted to really commit to baitcasting reels, would I benefit from purchasing something like Abu Silver Max from FFO, or should I just stick with the ardent reel I have and once I figured it out, spend some more $$$ on a better reel? The ardent doesn't have the dual brakes (dial on the handle side). Tia Pretty sure this is the reel....

???. Yeah, sometimes pond life can get boring ???.

One of the first threads I found ???.

Hello! After 15 or so year layoff, I got the bug this summer and started fishing again. Forgot how much fun it can be. Oh, I thought golf is a much more expensive hobby! Duh! I do mostly neighborhood ponds, quarries, and FP lakes, and also enjoy wading the Des Plaines river and couple other local creeks.