New Sticky with Updated "Best Beginning/intermediate" advice?

[zpelletier]

6 hours ago, Thembones said:

may find a deal!

 
Labor Day is right around the corner, there will be sales if you can wait. If not, there’s 15% off codes for Omnia floating around out there, they ship super fast. 
 

If you have a Dicks or Academy near you, you could go look and see if they have any SLX rods. I’ve heard both places had them for like 50% (or more) off because they just announced a new generation. 
 

[Thembones]

there is academy, dicks and bass pro not too far away. Going to try to get to at least 2 of them tomorrow 

[Thembones]

Follow up. I got a Daiwa Tatula 110HS on sale for $120 from bass pro shop

I did get a Berkley Lightning Medium 7' I wanted that reel since it was on sale 

I will probably start to look for another rod soonish

 

It birdnested like CRAZY on the first cast, I decided to just put it up and I am going to have a friend who I trust here help me.

[WRB]

Watch Glenn’s video’s on bait casting reels.

What most spinning reel users try to do is whip cast like a spinning rod inlieu of letting the rod load up to launch the lure.

Baitcasting reels require the spool to start as the lure is launched by the rod and becomes a timing issue, too fast the rod speed the spool over runs and too slow the cast is short.

Practice makes perfect.

Tom

[Revival]

Where can I get this Bass Buster 9000 reel??

 

Enjoy your new combo!

 

 

[schplurg]

On 8/24/2022 at 10:29 AM, Thembones said:

 

I had to google t-wing
this sounds good, like something I would want?
T-WING SYSTEM (TWS™)

The T-Wing System of DAIWA solves an age old problem with baitcasting reel levelwind systems.

The "T" aperture allows line to flow freely through the wide top section on outcast, reducing the normally sharp angles, and friction that slow line flowing through a narrow aperture when exiting the reel.

For retrieve line drops in the narrow, lower channel of the "T-Wing" for even distribution across the spool width.

 

I got the Fuego CT and a Fenwick HMG rod for $200. Best combo I have.

 

I would not pay more for the Tatula I think the T-wing is a gimmick. "Solves an age old problem" that never existed.

[NYWayfarer]

On 8/24/2022 at 5:51 PM, Thembones said:

the slx you mentioned is not the dc version?
would the dc be worth $80 ish more?

 

IMO yes it is worth $80 more. 

[Gera]

My advice is.

1. Don't take it too seriously 

2. Don't get obsessed with a brand (reels, rods or baits) they do not sponsor you or care about. Try everything. 

3. Don't wake up to early. 

4. Always have a beer when available

 

I have kept the bad advice to myself as it may be against site rules. 

Also, 

5. Wear a PFD, don't be part of the statistic. 

6. Wear Sunscreen (yes, it is manly)

[Motoboss]

Borrow, or buy cheaply, a push button spin caster outfit. Use it until your comfortable and proficient.
It will teach you proper casting techniques and make the transition to bait casters much easier.

[the reel ess]

• If you want a baitcast reel, buy one with a solid frame. 
• Don't buy every color of every lure. Most if not all of the colors work.
• Take a minute before you drive off for a fishing trip to go over the list of things you need. Not a bad idea to write one out.
• Look on a maps website at the areas you want to fish. 95% of the water has no bass.
• Try not to get too drunk to fish.
• Don't forget the drain plug if you have a boat.
• You don't need to give a kidney for a rod that you'll be using for a technique that does not require much sensitivity.
• The most versatile BC rod is a MH somewhere between 6-6 and 7ft.
• Cover up and/or use sunscreen.
• Set the drag somewhere around 60% of the line test for single hook lures like T-rigs and less than 50% for treble lures. I usually set mine pretty light for trebles and use the thumb as required.
• Braided line all but eliminates line twist on spinning reels.

[Dominat0r]

PRACTICE your knot tying, over and over.....make sure its perfect. I saw a kid fishing my pond a few days ago, saw him catch some eel grass and started to pull up to free it. As he is pulling, gently I may add, his line snapped. I walked over to him to give him a new setup (was fishing Texas rig worm, so I got out a weight/hook/peg for him since he didn't have anything else. I pulled the line and saw his line broke at the knot. I asked him what knot he tied, he said a twist knot (clinch). I told him that I would tie on the new stuff for him. I did a Tornado HH knot and showed him. Also, sent him the video on how to do it. 

 

If you are new, take a few and practice practice practice.......the knot is the single most important part of catching a fish....LEARN the proper way, watch your line crossing in the hook eyelet and make sure the loop is ABOVE the eyelet....

 

I wish someone showed me the new knots when I was a kid, lost LOTS of fish over the years to a bad knot. 

[Reel]

On 8/24/2022 at 12:03 PM, casts_by_fly said:

In terms of value, if you are buying a rod and reel both then the Shimano SLX combos are definitely the best value.  Individually they are ~$100 and worth that price.  The combo is normally $189 which isn't bad if you plan to get both.  However, they have been on sale for $129 at various retailers if you can find one.  You're not going to beat that combo of performance and price.

Same here

[new2BC4bass]

On 8/27/2022 at 3:32 PM, Thembones said:

Follow up. I got a Daiwa Tatula 110HS on sale for $120 from bass pro shop

I did get a Berkley Lightning Medium 7' I wanted that reel since it was on sale 

I will probably start to look for another rod soonish

 

It birdnested like CRAZY on the first cast, I decided to just put it up and I am going to have a friend who I trust here help me.

Little late posting, but something I didn't see above that every beginner needs to be aware of.  So in the spirit of helping new beginners.........

 

As best as I can recall every new baitcast reel I've purchased came with no spool tension and the brakes set at the lowest setting.  This is very bad for a noob.  Couple times I set spool tension, but forgot about the brakes.  First cast was never a pretty sight.