I am looking into getting in the world of baitcasters and wanted a little advice as to which would be the best for someone who is just learning to use one. Also, if I could possibly get some tips on using them that would be great.

Thanks

Don't go cheap.  

Reel suggestion?  Shimano Citica 200E

Don't go cheap.

Reel suggestion? Shimano Citica 200E

I'm strongly looking into one.

http://www.***/education/baitcaster-setup-101.html

Before you purchase, think about which hand you prefer to use for holding the rod.  If you are right handed and used to spinning gear, you may want a Left Hand Retrieve baitcasting reel so that you will be cranking with your left hand and holding the rod with your right hand.

Starting with a quality reel, i.e. may lead to less frustration and the more rapid development of your technique.

Leon

Thanks for that link. It answered a lot of questions for me on how to cast and such.

If you are right handed and used to spinning gear, you may want a Left Hand Retrieve baitcasting reel so that you will be cranking with your left hand and holding the rod with your right hand.

Is this common? I've been thinking about this quite a bit as I think towards getting my first baitcaster. It's totally what I'm planning on doing. I'm right handed, but somewhat ambidextrous and prefer to do some things with my left hand - reeling is one of them.

If you are right handed and used to spinning gear, you may want a Left Hand Retrieve baitcasting reel so that you will be cranking with your left hand and holding the rod with your right hand.

Is this common? I've been thinking about this quite a bit as I think towards getting my first baitcaster. It's totally what I'm planning on doing. I'm right handed, but somewhat ambidextrous and prefer to do some things with my left hand - reeling is one of them.

all my spinning reels are left handed but when it comes to my casting gear its all right hand retrieve. it just feels more comfortable to me but everyone is differant.

C4 or C3 4600. that's how I learned. Not on a 4600 but on a round Abu Garcia. One brake and the rest is thumb control. Or try the Revo S.

Don't go cheap.

Reel suggestion? Shimano Citica 200E

I could not agree more.  I went cheap twice before I found a reel that I could use without getting nasty backlashes.  Get the Citica.

Don't go cheap.

X2!

I would suggest the Citica or the Revo S

If you go cheap you might see more frustrations than benefits, and then you will give up!

Set your brakes tight, and be prepared for some messes your first couple of outings. Be patient though, it is worth it!

I would get a round abu. You can get one in good condition for like 40$ and as long as its not one of the made in china ones it should last a long time! I would get the 4500size.

If you are right handed and used to spinning gear, you may want a Left Hand Retrieve baitcasting reel so that you will be cranking with your left hand and holding the rod with your right hand.

Is this common? I've been thinking about this quite a bit as I think towards getting my first baitcaster. It's totally what I'm planning on doing. I'm right handed, but somewhat ambidextrous and prefer to do some things with my left hand - reeling is one of them.

All my spinning gear is left handed and tried the cast with my right hand and switch to the left rod retrieve with the BC and it felt awkward. Now sll of my BC are left hand retrieve models and feels more natural to me but its a matter of preference as someone else said.

Shimano Chronarch 50mg

Shimano Curado 200DPV is a good reel that can be had on ebay for around $120 shipped usually.

I too use a left hand retrieve model.  I fish all my spinning gear casting with right and reeling with left so it wa sonly natural to do it with the casting reels too.

The Revo S is a great reel and would suit you well IMO.  You can set the brakes very high when learning and slowly tune them down over time.  Just don't get crazy and try to learn to skip on day 2 practicing and you'll be fine!

Revo S

i too just got into the whole baitcast craze and i ordered a bass pro shops extreme... $79 and it seems to be just fine, ive got no complaints about it and its deffinately cheap enough. like i said i just started, my first time using it was last thursday and it works good, ive found it easy to use and as far as backlashing i havnt had any that i havnt been able to fix within 30 seconds. (knock on wood haha)

I recommend Pfluger Patriarch.

Set 4pins inside and Max magnet brake to start.

This almost guarantee no backlash.

Then reduce the magnet blake little by little.

Looks like everyone has given me plenty of options.

Get a reel that you can afford, buy some cheap line, and practice. I started both of my kids on mag reels with a 6'6 M cheap rod. My oldest likes the new shimano curado, the little one is pumping me for a daiwa. I can set my steez down and throw my curado the same distance every time. Casting is like golf, the harder you try the worse you do. For a six pin push two in then work your way up, on a mag reel start on ten then work your way down. If you're set on a low profile reel I would suggest any entry level reel from any company, if you want to save some cash a round reel is the way to go for first timers. Good luck.  

If you are right handed and used to spinning gear, you may want a Left Hand Retrieve baitcasting reel so that you will be cranking with your left hand and holding the rod with your right hand.

Is this common? I've been thinking about this quite a bit as I think towards getting my first baitcaster. It's totally what I'm planning on doing. I'm right handed, but somewhat ambidextrous and prefer to do some things with my left hand - reeling is one of them.

While there are exceptions like Kelly J, I will wager a floating Rapala minnow that you will prefer a casting reel with a left hand retrieve, especially if you're already accustomed to having your spinning reels configured this way.

Definitely try both, but like a am wagering, you will strongly prefer left hand retrieve. My psychic told me.  ;D

If you are right handed and used to spinning gear, you may want a Left Hand Retrieve baitcasting reel so that you will be cranking with your left hand and holding the rod with your right hand.

Is this common? I've been thinking about this quite a bit as I think towards getting my first baitcaster. It's totally what I'm planning on doing. I'm right handed, but somewhat ambidextrous and prefer to do some things with my left hand - reeling is one of them.

While there are exceptions like Kelly J, I will wager a floating Rapala minnow that you will prefer a casting reel with a left hand retrieve, especially if you're already accustomed to having your spinning reels configured this way.

Definitely try both, but like a am wagering, you will strongly prefer left hand retrieve. My psychic told me. ;D

If you're unsure about RH vs LH Retrieve, do a search of the forum.  About every 2 weeks there's a discussion, so there are too many links to post .  Originally, baitcasting anglers wanted control and strength from their retrieve hand.  That's odd to us spinning folk who control with the rod & reel in the slack with the reel.

Leon