Hi folks,

Looking for to learn on a casting rod. Would like to buy an inexpensive combo. Recommendations are greatly appreciated.

PaB74

Baitcasting for beginners can be a bit tricky, made harder by some inexpensive gear. Might want to save up until you can afford better equiptment. Many here can give you some good suggestion, but I would caution against going too cheap.

The carbonlite/pro qualifier combo consistently gets praise here.  It all depends on where inexpensive sits for you. 

Do you have a budget?

How much is "inexpensive" to you?

http://www.basspro.com/Pflueger-President-Spinning-Reel/Bass-Pro-Shops-Graphite-Series-Rod-Spinning-Combos/product/1212040610323/

 

just bought this a week ago and i love it

The carbonlite/pro qualifier combo consistently gets praise here.  It all depends on where inexpensive sits for you.

x2.  At $159 for the combo, it's hard to beat. 

http://www.basspro.com/Pflueger-President-Spinning-Reel/Bass-Pro-Shops-Graphite-Series-Rod-Spinning-Combos/product/1212040610323/

 

just bought this a week ago and i love it

I think he is looking for a  baitcasting combo

A friend bought the Whuppin' Stick combo from Cabela's.  Don't buy this one.  I've already replaced the line on it for him.  Line that came with it felt more like wire.  The spool is pretty stiff.  With the drag completely backed off the spool still had too much tension on it.  Not too heavy for fishing, but too tight when it should have been free wheeling.

 

A budget amount would help.  I know the Tec Spec from Dick's Sporting Goods (the black one at $60 regular price) is a good stick in its price range as is the Berkley Lightning at about $40.  If you can go $100 for the rod, then I would look at the Fenwick HMG series or the HMX for a little less.  Been hearing good things about them.  I have 3 of the Smallmouth series and think they are exceptional for the money.

 

I've never bought a combo, but from what I've read, they usually don't have a good rod unless you go with one like the previously mentioned Carbonlite/Pro Qualifier.  If that is too much, then I would be looking at the classifieds.  You will get more for your money.

 

Another possible choice is the Ethos rods and H2O reels from Academy Sports.

 

Whereabouts do you live?  I've fished Nockamixon from the fishing pier.  Have a small Porta-Bote now so may have to give it a try again.  Sure would be fun to hook into one of those stripers. 

Budget - under $100.00.

In Montgomery County. The Nock is tough (in my experience).

 

Whereabouts do you live?  I've fished Nockamixon from the fishing pier.  Have a small Porta-Bote now so may have to give it a try again.  Sure would be fun to hook into one of those stripers. 

Budget - under $100.00.

 

If you get a combo under $100, you may get quite frustrated with the low quality components, which lead to backlashes, etc.

If you get a combo under $100, you may get quite frustrated with the low quality components, which lead to backlashes, etc.

Point taken. What should I expect to pay? Thanks!

Point taken. What should I expect to pay? Thanks!

IMO you need to at least double that amount, then it still  may be tough. Good Luck

Point taken. What should I expect to pay? Thanks!

 

I would say 150-200. Like others have said, the BPS Pro Qualifier Carbonlite combo would be very good choice. It gets a lot of good reviews. What I got for my first baitcasting reel was a Lew's Speed Spool. You can get these on TW for $89, plus a 20 dollar mail in rebate. For the rod, there are lots of good choices around 100 dollars. *** Black, Veritas, and lots of others. I got myself a Powell Max for 120 dollars, and you can get one if you'd like for 128 on TW. Great rods with a lifetime warranty.

 

I'd say the best route to go if you dont want to spend too much is the Pro Qualifier combo for like $159. Get a 7' MH Fast action rod with a 6.4:1 gear ratio reel. 

 

If you want to buy them separate I highly reccomend the Lew's Speed Spool (only like 70 dollars after rebate) and a good 100 dollar rod. This will run you about 170-200 dollars.

Budget - under $100.00.

 

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Prolite-Special-Casting-Combo/product/1311080716304/

 

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Tourney-Special-Rod-and-Reel-Baitcast-Combo/product/1209270507094/

 

These are probably your best bets.   

In Montgomery County. The Nock is tough (in my experience).

 

Whereabouts do you live?  I've fished Nockamixon from the fishing pier.  Have a small Porta-Bote now so may have to give it a try again.  Sure would be fun to hook into one of those stripers. 

There is a lew's combo for around 100 bucks that my buddy uses and really likes but its a graphite frame reel on a budget rod. Id try to save a little more and get the pq/carbonlite combo reccomended above or for just a little more get a lews speed spool reel with aluminum frame(normally 99 but can be had for 65 right now in some places with with their regular price and discounts and a rebate) and and an *** black rod(100 or so) or a veritas rod for around 65-70 if you look around. Id reccomend shopping around and looking at reviews as when i started using baitcast i got really frustrated trying to use cheap combos and almost gave it up but when i saved and spent more and practiced i love them now for all lures over 1/4 ounce. Thats my opinion anyway

I started on the Abu Garcia Silver Max last year. It took some getting used to, as anything new. But from my research the Silver Max sounded like a good "starter reel". I have it on a 6'6" medium action Abu Garcia Vendetta rod. A few months ago I purchased the Pro Max reel along with a 6'6" Veritas rod. Both set ups were around $150-160 I believe.

Good luck!

Jim

You can pick up a previous gen Daiwa Exceler for $49 from Cabelas. Aluminum frame, Magforce Z. and get one of their cheap rods. In fact I bought this reel and one of their cheaper rods for my nephew to learn baitcasting for under $100. Then later if you decide you need a better rod, the Exceler can grow with you as its a decent workhorse reel.

Gander Mountain has 6'6" vortex rods on sale for $15 right now.  I bought one and found a Skeet Reese victory reel on sale for $50.  Used it yesterday and I'm really liking that setup, especially for only $65 instead of $160!  Check out that rod and maybe keep your eyes open for a bargain reel!

Those Vortex rods really aren't bad

If you have a Gander Mountain near by.....

 

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Gander-Mountain-Elite-Series-Baitcasting-Combo-Medium-Heavy&i=762452

 

They also have a one guarantee on these reels.  If it does not work out, take it back....