I use spinning equipment almost exclusively - for reasons I can't explain I am looking into a good starter baitcasting set up - wanted to keep the entire purchase a little on the cheap - $100 -150 tops  

Any quick opinions on the Daiwa Megaforce - If I purchase it for around $60 it gives me a whole bunch of rod options.

I live in Ohio and there is no Bass Pro Shop to visit to try out combos

There is a Gander Mtn nearby but haven't been too impressed with their products.

thanks

Shadrac  "if Weber makes 'em...fish take 'em"  

I used one during november and caught a ton of 4-7 lbers and it handled them well. I use mine for jigs with 15# flouro on a 7' mh rod.

I use spinning equipment almost exclusively - for reasons I can't explain I am looking into a good starter baitcasting set up - wanted to keep the entire purchase a little on the cheap - $100 -150 tops

Any quick opinions on the Daiwa Megaforce - If I purchase it for around $60 it gives me a whole bunch of rod options.

I live in Ohio and there is no Bass Pro Shop to visit to try out combos

There is a Gander Mtn near by but haven't been to impressed with their products.

thanks

Shadrac "if Weber makes 'em...fish take 'em"

Your going to have to take a trip to cabelas in Wheeling. It's well worth the trip.

I love my Daiwa Megaforce.  Its an excellent reel for the price.  I use it for flipping heavy cover and fishing deeper structure with jigs and t-rigs.  The 7.1 to 1 reel ratio is great for getting bass up out of cover in a hurry.   Using it has made it a lot easier to keep the bass from wrapping themselves up in the trees.

The twitchin bar is handy too.  In my 2 man bass boat it helps me to steer the trolling motor with one hand and fish with the other.  

Learn how to set the hook with one hand, you'll be glad you did.  A full press of the twitchin bar takes up about 7 inches of line.  If your other hand is holding something/doing something, you can still set the hook.  Lower the rod tip as you press the twitch bar 2 or 3 times really quick, then set the hook.  You can do it in one smooth motion after a couple tries and it's just as fast as a normal hookset.  

I toyed around w/ it for like 20 mins at a BPS by me. The quality, ergonomics, and smoothness are there. I'm probably gonna pick one up at the Spring Classic this year.

thanks to all who responded

shadrac

I ordered it from bass pro shops back in November. I like.  I spooled it with 10lb mono and use it through topwaters, poppers and spooks.  I like it as a topwater, because with it being a 7:1.  I have used it for jigs and some finesse fishing because of the twitch bar.  The twitch bar makes a handy little gadget for topwater to, just to give a subtle move.

I just bought one and like it, it's a nice reel. I find the twitchin bar not that useful, as you have to take your hand off the reel handle to twitch using the twitchin bar. i like to keep my hand on the handle so i can set the hook and start reeling the fish in fast. I just twitch the bait my wrist instead.

I just bought one and like it, it's a nice reel. I find the twitchin bar not that useful, as you have to take your hand off the reel handle to twitch using the twitchin bar. i like to keep my hand on the handle so i can set the hook and start reeling the fish in fast. I just twitch the bait my wrist instead.

I don't understand. If you take ur cranking hand off the handle to use the bar, your rod hits the ground lol. How about using your left hand while cranking w/ ur right...

I don't understand. If you take ur cranking hand off the handle to use the bar, your rod hits the ground lol. How about using your left hand while cranking w/ ur right...

If you palm the reel with your left hand you can hit the twitching bar with your left thumb while you crank with your right hand.

I bought a MegaForce a couple weeks ago and spooled it with Bass Pro's XPS Flourocarbon in 17#. I haven't had a chance to try it out in the water yet, but it's pretty smooth out in the backyard.  

Backyard fishing is the best. Don't you love pitching and flipping in the wife's flowers.  The back yard is where I tried out the twitch bar, i have taken to fish a couple events. Unless I have freakishly big hands, I never had a problem with using the thing. I am only 5'9" and a normal sized guy, if I can't palm a reel and use all the features, then I don't want it.   Besides the instruction clearly read do not use the twich bar as main source of your retrieve.