Looking to get into bass fishing, and need help with a baitcaster or two. I only have experience with spinning gear and pan fish. So, what would you recommend specifically for bank fishing as I am boatless. My budget is right around $200-250 per set up. As a newbie, I would appreciate complete setups (rod/reel/line/baits). Mostly shallow ponds and reservoirs around me. Lastly, would you recommend a left handed reel to ease the transition? Thanks

A Shimano Curado I or a Diawa Tatula would both be great reel choices and run you in the $100-150 range a piece if you shop around. 

 

There are a number of great rods out there at the $100 price point (BPS has a few, Fenwick HMG, ***, Duckett Ghost, Abu Garcia Veritas). 

 

As for line, that can be preference or for your fishing style. 30 or 40 pound braid, 10-15 pound FC or mono. 

 

If you can, try out some reels in both right and left and see what feels more natural to you. Some guys can use both, some prefer one or the other. Me personally, I prefer a left handed reel. 

That price range will open a ton of quality options. I can only recommend what I know, but you can find a Tatula in 7.3:1 on amazon around $100. If you are comfortable with them in hand, the *** 13 is known for having a very sensitive blank. I personally went with a Tatula rod as well, 7'1" MHXF. This is my jig/t-rig combo.

 

Other reels to look at:

Lews, Curado.

 

Other rods

Abu Veritas 2.0, Phenix Maxim, Okuma TCS, iRod Genesis II, Fenwick HMG or Elite Tech, Ducket Ghost

 

 

For the second setup, I'd go for something to cover moving baits. Probably something a little more versatile that could handle single hook as well as treble hook baits so something like a Moderate Fast action. If you're crashing cover with spinnerbaits or ripping through weeds with lipless cranks, maybe go with a medium heavy, otherwise probably go medium. I'd pair this one with a 6x:1 ratio probably.

Curado and tatula are both great reels.

As for rods, I would make sure to get 1 fast action (single hook lures) and 1 med fast/moderate (cranks). 7 ft is a good length and is versatile.

Don't know what part of the country you're in but in my neck of the woods med/heavy and medium power rods do the trick since vegetation is usually sparse and downsizing lures for pressured waters is often needed.

Braid or fc on the fast action rod and mono for the med.fast/mod rod.

That should cover the basics.