I'm considering my first baitcaster and I'm clueless.  I would like a good reel at a reasonable price.  Given it will be my first, I'm open to something not so great until I get the feel of the baitcaster and determine what I like and don't like down the road.  I've been thinking about the high speed Johnny Morris Signature at BPS but I'm not sure if that's too much reel for a first timer.  What should I look for?   Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

BPS makes some nice reels, I have a ProLite Finesse that I use for bass with lighter lures.  I find it easy to cast with the "inertial transfer braking" that helps control spool speed.  I think it really depends on how much you fish and what you want to use it for.  

I also just bought an Ambassadeur 6600 C4, will use that for big catfish though.  That size is probably too big for most bass fishing IMO....245/14 line capacity for big bruisers.

IME you really don't want a cheap $30-40 reel, I started out with one and it pretty much wore out in 2 years.  You do get what you pay for, generally speaking.    If I could only have one baitcaster, a Shimano Curado maybe.  

good evening,

just a thought, garcia 5000, get one and learn with it and you'll be able to 'thro' anything....

wally world under $50....caught two this afternoon with one (18", after 7 pm on top waters) ;)

i like 'em cause they have a full metal reel seat and are practically indestructable

good luck,

BLUEBONNET2

i forgot to tell you, after you spool your line,(start with 12 lb.) take the rod and reel to about 2 o'clock and let the reel release, then adjust the "brake", little knob on the right side, (looking down at the reel) till it quits letting out line when your weight or practice weight hits the floor.... this will help you slow down "back lashes"....don't be fearful, everyone get 'em.... get in the back yard and PRACTICE>>>>>

good luck,

bluebonnet2

If you like BPS then go there and tell the guys that you are looking for a good first baitcasting reel and tell them what you are willing to spend.  They will help you out.  I would say BPS would be a great place to get you first baitcaster.  I just got one of my friends into fishing and talked him into the pro qualifier reel.  he is comfortable with it and likes it.

For the price, you can't beat the BPS Extreme series reels.  They have new models for this year that are much improved from previous models.

If you are not in a rush, keep an eye on the "Flea Market" here at BassResource.com. For less than $100 you can probably buy a Shimano Curado in excellent condition. That would be my recommendation.

At one time or another I have owned about every brand of casting reel.  It has been my experence that the top 3 are Garcia, Shimano, and Daiwa.  Buy the most expensive one of the brands you can afford.

Kelley

i have 2 rick clunns with the itb brake.it is a hybrid magnetic centrifugal brake that imho works better than any brake i've seen so far.casting distance is awesome.

i learned on a abu garcia 5501 C3...now i have 2 and plan to have many more someday...and like mentioned above, they are bulletproof...and about 50-80 bucks depending on model and where you get it

Cliff

I would agree with the Abu Garcia reels, as stated above they are "bulletproof" and will last forever. I have a twenty-four year old C3 that still works perfectly. I think a 4600 C3 would be a good choice because they have a thumb bar and not the little button to to cast.

Falcon

but I'm not sure if that's too much reel for a first timer.

There is no such thing.  

The higher the quality you buy the easier your experience will be and less likely you will get frustrated - provided you follow the instructions on how to set up your baitcaster.  I think those are sticky'd up above somewhere.

I'm not saying toss 300 bucks out, but I am saying you want a medium pricing point minimum - if you can afford it.  RW gives you excellent advice.  Check the flea market for good Curado's.  You cant go wrong with a curado for a starter reel.

If you cant afford that price point I would recommend the green Extreme baitcasters from BPS (50 to 60 bucks I believe).  I have had a couple in the past and they served me very well.  Well enough that I keep them as my backup reels now that I have all shimano's.   If I break a reel, I'm comfortable enough with them that they will step up and do the job for me.

B

B

 but I'm not sure if that's too much reel for a first timer.

There is no such thing.  

The higher the quality you buy the easier your experience will be and less likely you will get frustrated -

Agree 100 %

I would have to say a gently used Curado 100 would be a good starter reel.  Check out ebay or like others have suggested take a look at the flea market.

Id say a Garcia  4600c3 very user freindly with 10 or 12 pound line ....And you can hand it down to your great  grandkids

Thanks for all the great info everyone.  I love this forum!  I'm leaning towards the shimano curado based on this thread unless someone wants to talk me out of it.

Thanks again!

Curado is a very good choice. You won't go wrong with it.

Another Curado recommendation...  I just started out with the old Curado 200B that I found on clearance.  I was comfortable with it in less than an hour.  After two hours I was almost as good as with my spinning gear.  Knock on wood, I haven't had a bad backlash yet.  You might want to start fishing from shore so that if you do get a small backlash you can let it out quickly just by taking a few steps back.

Good Luck!

Leon

 but I'm not sure if that's too much reel for a first timer.

There is no such thing.  

The higher the quality you buy the easier your experience will be and less likely you will get frustrated -

Agree 100 %

unless you end up buying a pixy and up overrunning the bujebus out of yourself first cast?

but I'm not sure if that's too much reel for a first timer.

There is no such thing.

The higher the quality you buy the easier your experience will be and less likely you will get frustrated -

Agree 100 %

I'll second that 1000% A newbie will learn much faster with a higher quality reel and I am speaking from personal experience.  I bought a Curado BDF as my first LP reel and learned the mechanics and basics of baitcasting in 3 short practice sessions. I had an older abu g as mt first reel and all I learned from it was #*@#($@$##$~~!!!! At least until I figured out I shouldn't have been trying to practice with floating rapala minnows!  ;D

my favorite reel ever and my go to all the time is mu Shimano Curdao 100, I believe it's hard to find that size nowadays as it's got a smaller profile to where it fits in your palm perfectly but it's awesome, i love it, if you can find one get it, it hink my whole set up with the curado and extreme pole was like$150-200,  honestly there is no point in saving money if you can afford it even if you're a beginner because learning on QUALITY products is much easier, and you honestly can't really screw up the reel besides getting horrible birdnests/backlashes, that's about the worst that can happen, pay the money man and learn with quality if you use a cheap reel it'll take longer to learn, trust me/us!