Hello all, I was looking at getting a new rod+reel. It would be nice if it were a combo, and fairly easy to use. Can anyone tell me the best baitcaster rod and reel? P.S I will be fishing for largemouth bass, primarily using crankbaits and some soft plastics.

What's your price range? This is an extremely broad topic and price range is definitely a factor.

Vinnie, If I were just starting to get into a baitcaster, I'd check out the BPS combos. It's probably where to get the most bang for your buck.

I am willing to spend up to 260 bucks

No, most bang for your buck, and within your price range, would be a Shimano Curado 200 G ($160), mounted on a Shimano Cumara ($99 right now clearance at TW). Try beating that combo for $260. Better hurry on that Cumara, though, before I buy 'em all up.

I'd grab a BPS Pro Qual / Carbonlite combo for about 160 and spend the rest on gear!

2x curado/cumara

Hello all, I was looking at getting a new rod+reel. It would be nice if it were a combo, and fairly easy to use. Can anyone tell me the best baitcaster rod and reel? P.S I will be fishing for largemouth bass, primarily using crankbaits and some soft plastics.

Vinnie, If I were just starting to get into a baitcaster, I'd check out the BPS combos. It's probably where to get the most bang for your buck.

I'd grab a BPS Pro Qual / Carbonlite combo for about 160 and spend the rest on gear!

Id do that also, great combo(tons of gear ratios and choices), reliable. easy to return if unsatisfied/probs. doesnt blow your budget, leaving you bait money, money for line, saved, etc

http://www.basspro.c...escription_link

6 ratio reel should have you covered with a 6ft6 or 7ft med or mh , medium should be fine for those techniques

Id def goto a store and figure out if you prefer right or left handed retreive before committing to anything

Hopefully you have a BPS in your area, then you can go see and feel the merchandise

Another vote for the Curado/Cumara combo. Gonna be the best $260 you ever spent.

All thats left((@TW) for the Cumara in the Reaction(crankbaits) line is the 7'6"ML. I got this one been throwing 1/2oz red eye shads. If you're wanting to throw heavier cranks pass on it. Plastics havent tried but it is flexible and for all-purpose plastics might not work well with plastics hooksets.

Thats my independent analyisis.

Me personally I will throw wacky senkos with it and think I will like it very much. I use braid and the open hook of wacky rigging helps on hookset in this matter. My favorite rod is a St Croix Avid 8'ML Mod rod and this Cumara almost behaves the same just a bit more power. I fish mostly open waters with weeds to tend with no rocks timber so like the fight the lighter powered rods give.

I have a 50E on it so the comments of the curado/cumara combo being nice is spot-on

2x curado/cumara

X3

Mike

X3

Mike

2x3=6, yeah, X6.

Hootie

I'd grab a BPS Pro Qual / Carbonlite combo for about 160 and spend the rest on gear!

X whatever its at now. The pro qualifier has both centrifugal and mag brakes, you are just starting out. This reel when set up properly is almost impossible to backlash. After u build up some proficiency you can start experimenting with what brake system you like. Good luck

And to think a couple of ppl here accused me of being part of the Shimano posse lol

2x3=6, yeah, X6.

Hootie

Lol