Hello.  Over the past few weeks, I've been keeping an eye out for a decent, but inexpensive, baitcaster to use for fishing the hardbaits I toss the most (namely crankbaits, but also Rat-L-Traps,jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits on occasion).  It will be my first baitcaster.  I had some questions that I'd like to get insight on, if you're willing to help:

 

1. What features do you look for when buying a reel for use with crankbaits?  Is there a certain gear ratio or ball bearing number that makes the reel versatile enough to fish different styles of lures?

2. Is 6'6" an okay length for a rod used for crankbaits, or is it too short?  The places I fish, even when I'm in a boat (which isn't often), are usually pretty tight for longer rods, so I'd prefer a 6' or 6'6".

3. I've been looking through posts on this forum and on YouTube for rod suggestions and have pretty much narrowed it down.  I want to know if anyone has any experience with these and if you would recommend putting money into one now or waiting and saving for something nicer down the road:

a. An older, lightly used Abu Garcia Black Max combo that I saw in the classifieds

b. A Gander Mountain Vortex rod with a matching Vortex reel.

c. A BPS Tourney Special combo

 

I would like opinions on these thoughts and any other tips you have for buying a baitcaster for the first time.  Thanks for your time.    

As far as reels,  my preference is a 6.xx gear ratio, at least 90mm handle and either aluminum or magnesium frame (no plastic).  A 6'6" rod is fine.  It used to be considered a long rod back in the day.  I have no experience with rods you are asking about.

First of all, when it comes to reels like an Abu black max or any of the other max reels that retail for less than $100 new, don't buy them used, that is like throwing your money away. I would stay away from combos, there are plenty of decent rods and reels that aren't going to break the bank. My suggestion is to save your money and wait for a Bass pro shops sale and get a pro qualifier reel and a 6'6" medium power BPS cranking stick, on sale it should be less than $150 and you'll have it a long time. If you can't wait, go to Fisherman's Factory Outlet, FFO, and for $42 you can get an Abu Garcia black max reel and for $19.00 you can grab a Berkley Amp rod in a 6'6" medium power, moderate fast action.

17 minutes ago, smalljaw67 said:

First of all, when it comes to reels like an Abu black max or any of the other max reels that retail for less than $100 new, don't buy them used, that is like throwing your money away. I would stay away from combos, there are plenty of decent rods and reels that aren't going to break the bank. My suggestion is to save your money and wait for a Bass pro shops sale and get a pro qualifier reel and a 6'6" medium power BPS cranking stick, on sale it should be less than $150 and you'll have it a long time. If you can't wait, go to Fisherman's Factory Outlet, FFO, and for $42 you can get an Abu Garcia black max reel and for $19.00 you can grab a Berkley Amp rod in a 6'6" medium power, moderate fast action.

Go with the cranking stick and a carbonlite reel

On ‎5‎/‎9‎/‎2016 at 6:22 AM, caskey_b said:

I don't have any experience with the combos you listed above... but when I started with my first bait casting combo.. I used a 6'6" Medium Fast rod

I STILL use a 6'6" medium fast action rod for kind of an  "all purpose" rod for bait casting

 

can't really go wrong with that setup... good for spinnerbaits, topwater, jerks, lipless

Would you choose medium over medium-heavy action for any particular reason?

A mh/f rod is too stout to keep treble hooks pinned.  It would perfect for spinnerbaits though.  

My cranking setup is a Lews BB1, not the pro model, in a 5:1 ratio with multi stop anti reverse. I started with a Berkley Lightning Rod Shock in medium 6'6" and I could absolutely bomb a KVD 1.5 across the lake, heavier lipless cranks even further. I would describe the tip on this rod as moderate to moderate fast. Kept fish buttoned pretty well. I only upgraded because I wanted a longer rod.

LC

For a reel don't get one with too a high of a gear ratio especially if you plan on using it to throw deep diving baits.  The higher ratio when the bait gets down there can be hell to crank!

I would go with a Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier in the 5.2:1 and a 6'6", Medium Action BPS Crankin' Stick or a 6'6" M Veritas Winch.

Quantum KVD cranking medium rod $80 with Quantum Pulse reel $50 gives a new combo for $130.

Tom

BPS PQ in 5.4:1 matched to either a 7' M Moderate Carbonlite for shallow to medium cranking or A 7 MH Crankin stick for deeper cranking

I use 6.xx reels for those techniques, even 7.xx.   I only use 5.xx for deep divers.

Check out the Powell Diesel 705 man, it's a great rod for all of the baits you're talking about. It is a glass rod but not like older glass rods. It has some flex but has backbone and all for $80 new. I've owned 2 of them. Very good rod!

On ‎5‎/‎9‎/‎2016 at 9:25 AM, smalljaw67 said:

First of all, when it comes to reels like an Abu black max or any of the other max reels that retail for less than $100 new, don't buy them used, that is like throwing your money away. I would stay away from combos, there are plenty of decent rods and reels that aren't going to break the bank. My suggestion is to save your money and wait for a Bass pro shops sale and get a pro qualifier reel and a 6'6" medium power BPS cranking stick, on sale it should be less than $150 and you'll have it a long time. If you can't wait, go to Fisherman's Factory Outlet, FFO, and for $42 you can get an Abu Garcia black max reel and for $19.00 you can grab a Berkley Amp rod in a 6'6" medium power, moderate fast action.

I ended up placing an order for the AMP.  I want something to use this summer and probably wait until Black Friday or Christmas to pick up a better rod.  Still looking for a reel though.  Thanks for all of the advice.

How about the QUANTUM TOUR KVD SIGNATURE SERIES TKVD746MA 7'4" MEDIUM HEAVY CRANKING ROD $79.99 free shipping

http://www.ebay.com/itm/QUANTUM-TOUR-KVD-SIGNATURE-SERIES-TKVD746MA-74-MEDIUM-HEAVY-CRANKING-ROD-/231183054483?hash=item35d3957693:g:tJQAAOxykMpTHlpm

and the QUANTUM TOUR KEVIN VAN DAM TKVDC 150PPT TKVDC150PPT REEL $209.99 Free Shipping

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301593740650?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

I have 3 each of the rods & reels.

It's a pretty Sweet combo.

A-Jay