I have been using spinning gear with chatterbaits here in Florida. Several folks have said that a casting rod and reel would work better with chatterbaits. So, I’m planning to buy a casting rod and reel and try to learn how to use them.

 

I’m thinking of buying a Lew's KVD Composite Cranking Casting Rod 7’ 1” or 7’ 4” medium heavy moderate taper. These sell for $110. I understand that they are made of a composite material which is a blend of glass and graphite. I think this is the same as the discontinued Quantum rod which A-Jay has used and recommended.

 

I would like some recommendations for a casting reel to go with this rod. I expect I’ll be fishing mainly with chatterbaits on 40 or 50 pound braided line. Since I’ll be new to casting reels I’d like find one that is easy for beginners to handle without sacrificing its effectiveness in hooking fish. I would appreciate any recommendations.

 

Shimano SLX

Tatula SV TWS. It was my first casting reel and I now own 3. Super beginner friendly.

I have a Tatula 100H on a Dobyns Fury 705CB (MH/MF). It’s a great combo. 

38 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

I have a Tatula 100H on a Dobyns Fury 705CB (MH/MF). It’s a great combo. 

Mine is just a step down from that - Fuego CT on a Fury 705CB

Al good suggestions on this thread, and I'll add a recommendation for Daiwa MagForce and improved SV brake system as the most forgiving for someone new to baitcasting. 

 

If you'd like to learn a bit about backlash and braking systems, I wrote this primer on the 3 types of backlash and 4 types of casting brakes. 

 

Lew's LFS or LFS mb.If you have the money a Lew's tournament pro.

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

Mine is just a step down from that - Fuego CT on a Fury 705CB

I have a Fuego CT100XS on a Falcon Lowrider MH/F. I really like both the Tatula and the Fuego. Maybe (maybe) I get a little distance from the T-wing, but I also get a great cast from the 705CB, so it’s likely a wash. I’d buy either again in a heartbeat. 

I use a standard SLX in 6.3:1 for chatterbaits paired with a 13 Fishing Defy Black 7'1" MH/F, 30lb PowerPro to a 15lb Big Game leader. Handles the technique very well, the rod leans closer to moderate-fast IMO.

I'm not going to go down the rabbit hole but 99% of haitcasters on the market are more than adequate and will be a pleasure to use. Personal opinion is shimano and diawas are built different. 

3 hours ago, Aaron_H said:

I use a standard SLX in 6.3:1 for chatterbaits

Good choice. I believe the gear ratio may be more important than the reel itself in this case.

I just post the cranking combo for my son, SLX glass rod and SLX DC reel, It is very nice combo, I love it. Check the pictures.

 

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/247059-my-sons-new-crankbait-combo/

30 minutes ago, PressuredFishing said:

I'm not going to go down the rabbit hole but 99% of haitcasters on the market are more than adequate and will be a pleasure to use. Personal opinion is shimano and diawas are built different. 

I'd appreciate it if you would explain about any important differences. Thank you for commenting.

Honestly, I have a Kastking Megajaws Upgraded 7.2 on an Ark Tharp B-Hittay and I love it. I use 15lb fluoro for mine. 

19 minutes ago, Robert C. Gates said:

I'd appreciate it if you would explain about any important differences. Thank you for commenting.

So I feel the gearing on shimanos and diawas are done better, which makes them start up with less friction, creating a smoother experience. When buying a baitcasting reel some things to think about

 

1. Does it specify it is brass geared?

2. Does it come with a roller bearing/clutch bearing (this is what creates instant anti reverse)

3. Are the bearings in the handle, or are they supporting the pinion gear and spool shaft, a excellent baitcaster can have 4 ball bearings and 1 clutch bearing, two supporting spool, one on spool plus the clutch bearing for antireverse, and finally one on the worm gear. 

4. Newer 2020+ models have what is called dual/double supported pinion gear, this is a very nice feature as it prevents the reel gears from slipping under heavy pressure as often

 

5. Frame material. Modern graphites are excellent, aluminum are well... stronger carbon frames also exist, although companies do not list the carbon or graphite material used, not all are equal. 

 

6. Spool weight. Anything in the 17-22 gram range is standard for a bass reel spool, lighter is usually better for lighter lures 

 

7.  Breaking magnetic vs centrifugal, both are excellent, both have their time and place.

 

Depending on your budget you may not be able to check off all these boxes, most 100$ reels will check all of these boxes including the shimano slx, and diawa fuego. Also great 50$ reels avaliable, diawas cc80 and Shimano caius are excellent in this procepoint, bmaxs and lews 50$ are also fine

11 hours ago, Robert C. Gates said:

I would like some recommendations for a casting reel

What's your budget?

16 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

What's your budget?

 

16 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

What's your budget?

Probably $100-$200.

1 hour ago, Robert C. Gates said:

 

Probably $100-$200.

 

Curado 150 MGL would get my vote.

12 hours ago, AManWearingAHat said:

Tatula SV TWS. It was my first casting reel and I now own 3. Super beginner friendly.

 

This ^

 

Any of the Daiwa reels with the SV spools are very beginner friendly.

 

5 hours ago, PressuredFishing said:

I'm not going to go down the rabbit hole but 99% of haitcasters on the market are more than adequate and will be a pleasure to use. Personal opinion is shimano and diawas are built different. 

Basically this. If you want to cast and not think about it, go Daiwa. If you want to hit max distance and win casting competition, go Shimano.

Any SV spooled Daiwa that fits your budget. I have never experienced a better tool for teaching beginners. If you decide to move away from it for chatterbaits after you get comfortable with a casting reel, it will make a excellent skipping reel.

Lews Super Duty G. It has mag brakes and isn't over braked like the sv reels. Should be in your budget and will do 1/8 and up with ease. Has nice line capacity and palms very well.

11 minutes ago, Phil77 said:

Lews Super Duty G. It has mag brakes and isn't over braked like the sv reels. Should be in your budget and will do 1/8 and up with ease. Has nice line capacity and palms very well.

1/8 oz baits or 1/8 oz lead weights on plastics?  How does it compare to the SV reels you had?  Seems like a winner at that price. 

2 hours ago, Robert C. Gates said:

Probably $100-$200.

 

14 hours ago, Robert C. Gates said:

I expect I’ll be fishing mainly with chatterbaits on 40 or 50 pound braided line.

So I'll stick with my earlier recommendation of the Tatula 150. Easy to learn on with higher brake settings and all the practical distance you'll need once you get your legs under you and lower those settings. Great for chuck-n-wind resistance baits like chatterbaits, etc.

38 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

 

So I'll stick with my earlier recommendation of the Tatula 150. Easy to learn on with higher brake settings and all the practical distance you'll need once you get your legs under you and lower those settings. Great for chuck-n-wind resistance baits like chatterbaits, etc.

Yup.   I like my original type r and 150.  They are big reels and that dial can irritate your hand when palming so thats something to be aware of.  This used to be a big complaint of the tatulas when they 1st came.  You can just adapt and be fine.  I stated wrapping my pointer finger under the reel when palming with them and haven't had an issue since.