I’m looking for an inexpensive medium heavy action bait casting combo that’s simple to use. Any suggestions?

What’s your budget? You don’t want t go too cheap on your first baitcaster. All the backlashes will have you wanting to throw it out in a hurry. Ask me how I know..... hahaha

^what he said^....A softer fast rod, maybe a Berkley Shock, or to take it up a notch, a Fenwick HMG might be in order to help you learn. I know, I tried to start with faster rods and almost gave up.  But don't skimp on the reel. 

I bet some of the others might be able to suggest good house brand combos. 

Practice! I still do! 

Abu Garcia Black Max or the Pro Max. Both are great.

I'm willing to spend around 100 dollars or less

H20Xpress Mettle paired with a Daiwa Aird rod.  Thats a combo thats right around $100.  Both a surprisingly good considering their price points, especially the Mettle.  It gets overlooked because it's a house brand reel, but it's solid as a rock.

I have a Pflueger Monarch reel that I got at Walmart for less than $40. My son is learning on it. Seems to be a good reel to learn the skills without a big dollar amount attached. As for the rod it is currently on a 6'6" medium heavy rod that was on clearance at a local store here, don't even remember the brand, but the reel does well for a newbie.

 

The baitcasting reel is so important in learning.  If you look at a Daiwa Fuego CT that should be found around $75.  A Berkley Lightning Shock rod runs around $50.  Tackle  Warehouse has the Daiwa "S" casting rods on sale for $69. It is a $99.00.  Dicks has the Quantum Escalade on sale for 49.99.

Of course Bass Pro has some combos on sale right now.  Dicks has the Lews Mach 1 combo for $140.

 

Bass Pro Shops Tourney Special Baitcast Rod and Reel Combo it's 80$ and the reel has the dual braking system. 

The Quantum Escalade sold for $99.99.  I bought one at the sale price to give to my sister-in-law.  Got out once with it to check it out.  Went back and bought another for myself.  Feels like a lot of rod for the money.  No experience with the Mettle, but it gets good reviews for the most part.  I think one of our Moderator's uses a couple so they can't be too bad.  It would break the $100 limit a bit, but the Fuego CT got a Best Value Award from TT.  It can be found for just under $70 with free shipping.  Maybe for less with the President's Day sales coming up.

34 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

The Quantum Escalade sold for $99.99.  I bought one at the sale price to give to my sister-in-law.  Got out once with it to check it out.  Went back and bought another for myself.  Feels like a lot of rod for the money.

That is awesome and means it was a great and pleasant find. 

 

To the subject, a casting reel is just something you don’t want to skimp on.

Many casting get decent performance and durability by the $100 mark at non sale price so if you can find them on sale as has already been recommended, you should be okay. I haven’t bought a casting reel since the battleship gray curado Ds, and that’s a testament to their longevity and durability and performance. 

Edited February 18, 20188 yr by islandbass

Kastking, Royale Legend or higher on a mid level rod, Vengeance, Vigilante, etc. Spool it with 15lb Big Game. Have fun. 

Lew's American Hero combo

MH rod & 7.1:1 gear ratio reel

 

Academy for $79.99 ?