I want to try baitcasting this year.  I don't want to buy a $50 reel and hate baitcasting due to poor performance.  So I will willing to spend up to $400 on a reel and rod, but would prefer to be closer to $300.  

I fish 2 lakes, one from shore only, the other from a small boat.  I fish about 80% worms and jigs, but I want to expand my lure use this year also.  

So I am looking for a reel that will have good performance, but ease of use that will not make me put it down in frustration after 5 minutes.  And a rod that would be a good match for said reel.

Please give me you suggestions.

Thanks

Curado E for $179.00 MSRP that can probably be bought for less if you look hard enough.

Spend the rest on the rod and you're in business. If you are a newbie to casting, you will appreciate how easy it will be to learn on a curado and how fast you will pick it up with minimal frustration, provided the reel is properly set to the lure's weight. If I can learn to use a casting reel, anyone can. Trust me.

Shimano Citica saddled to a St. Croix Avid AVC68MXF.

8-)

revo stx and an avid!!!

stx for around 145 new shipped on Ebay

Shimano Citica saddled to a St. Croix Avid AVC68MXF.

8-)

Sounds like a good combo, I just got an Avid and its great, not sure about the Citica, you could also look at the Quantum Energy, it has gotten good reviews. Or a Revo series, either S, SX, or STX, All can be found on ebay for a good price, or check on the forum for good sales. I picked up an STX for $110.

revo stx and an avid!!!

stx for around 145 new shipped on Ebay

the Curado E is much easier to cast. id save the STX for on down the road.

some of these mentioned are available with different gear ratios.  Which should I choose?

avid (6'6"-7", med or med heavy, fast or extra fast) and curado 200e7.

IMO the only thing a slow gear ratio is good for is for deep diving cranks. if you want a normal crank or spinnerbait to swim a little slower just slow down. a faster gear ratio will reel up the slack alot faster...

these articles are about both curados, and citicas

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewcuradociticapreview09.html

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshimanocitica200e.html

chronarch b from ***.com

e21 carrot stix

some of these mentioned are available with different gear ratios. Which should I choose?

Depends on what you are gonna use it for.  I would suggest 6.4 for a  broader range of uses

for $400: Shimano Chronarch MG or B + Shimano Cumara/Daiwa Zillion (blasphemy)

or: Daiwa Fuego + Kistler Magnesium TS

for $300: Shimano Citica + Kistler Magnesium/St Croix Avid/Powell Max/Carrot Stix/Shimano Crucial

revo and a carrot stix and still have money left over to spend!

If you have a lot of experience with spinning gear and prefer cranking with your left hand, you may want to consider a Left Hand Retrieve model.  (model # usually ends in 1)  I found cranking with my right hand to be distracting and didn't like BC until I went with LH models.

Cheers!

Shimano Citica saddled to a St. Croix Avid AVC68MXF.

8-)

X2 on this combo or spend a little extra and go with the Curado.

Later,

Quantum Energy PT VI in 6.3:1 or 7:1 on top of a St. Croix Legend Tourny Bass TBC70MHF.  You would have to do a little bit of shopping to get it for under $400, but it is possible.  With this setup you can do almost anything.  $300- Quantum Catalyst PT Cast 6.3:1 or 7:1 on top of a Kistler Magnesium/e21/Shimano crucial.