Ok fellas......longtime lurker, first post....

I currently have a Stradic 2500 paired with a (2 pc.) 6'6" St. Croix Triumph (medium). I recently started fishing again after a 10 year break. I wanted the 2 piece rod as it is easy to throw in the car and hit spots here and there on the jump. I bought the Stradic based on advice from a few others and I am very comfortable with spinning gear. Also, if i upgrade the rod, the reel will be there.

This is the only setup I currently have other than my ultralight.

I throw alot of plastics, some spinnersbaits and jigs and the occasional crank.

I fish mostly from the shore, but am working/wanting to get a boat.

As for a reel, I have my heart set on a Curado 200E7. I have never owned a baitcaster, but love what I hear and from what I have tried of them, really think they could be for me.....I am used to reeling my spinners with my left hand and holding my rod with the right hand. Should I consider getting a left handed baitcaster? Does anyone switch back and forth like I would between a spinning combo and baitcaster?

As for the rod, I have no idea what to get. I would like to keep the rod itself under $175, whether I buy new or used....

Am I making the right decision with the reel and what should I rely on the new rod/reel to do and rely on my other setup for?

THANKS!!

Hi Josh,

If you are happy with your St. Croix and your spinning setup, I'd suggest staying with the brand. When it comes to bang for the buck, the St. Croix Avid line would be my suggestion in rod. I would buy a 7' medium or medium-heavy rod with a fast action. It will work better with the plastics and spinnerbaits, but not so much so with the crankbaits. However, you can make it work by being patient. The Curado is an excellent reel which you can find great deals online.

When choosing whether to get a left or right-hand reel, that should be strictly up to you. Personally, I started with spinning reels using my left-hand and using my strong hand (right) for holding the rod. This works for me. Instead of thinking about which hand to reel with, decide which hand to fight the fish with. If you watch pretty much all the pros, they do use right-hand bait casting reels and left-hand spinning reels. Personally, I think this is because there were so few left-hand baitcasters when they started fishing. With all the options now, I believe more and more right handers like me are using left-hand reels. It makes no sense to me to cast and then switch hands. This is just one man's opinion though.

In short, my suggests would be Avid paired with a Curado 201E7 and Sufix Performance Braid. Hope this helps.

Whets

8-)

I agree with Whets on the rod aspect and reel, but if you want a cheaper reel that performs great also ( And not that Fugly green ) , take a look at the Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier and CARBONLITE. They are exceptional reels for the price! 8-)

Does anyone switch back and forth like I would between a spinning combo and baitcaster?

quote]

  Yep I did just this yesterday. Went from spinning set-up (Stradic1000/Avid rod) catching gill & catfish then the next minute using baitcaster tossing a frog for bass.

As what to get check Cabelas right now for some good rod deals.

Im left handed throw left reel with right so no issues with any set-up or hand switching stuff.

I agree with Whets on the rod aspect and reel, but if you want a cheaper reel that performs great also ( And not that Fugly green ) , take a look at the Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier and CARBONLITE. They are exceptional reels for the price! 8-)

The Carbonlite is fugly.

I grew up cranking spinning reels with my left hand. I am most comfortable with left hand baitcast reels although I do have one that is right hand. Haven't taught myself to cast left hand yet, so I use it like most right handers do. I think most people can learn to crank with either hand. A very few...maybe not...from what I've been reading. : My personal opinion is buy left hand reels. Unless a model you simply must have is only offered in a RH model. ;D

As already stated, use your dominant arm for holding the rod. I have no problem reeling with my right hand, but holding the rod with my left arm isn't quite as comfortable. Something more practice will probably overcome.

I have been switching back and forth between baitcasting and spinning outfits every time I've been out this year. BTW, I just started using baitcasting gear this year.

Timing is different between the two types. A bit of practice will be needed before actually trying to fish with a BC outfit. If you are fishing from shore in tight quarters, be sure to carry that spinning rod. Baitcasters require more space. At least for me, but obviously I still have a lot to learn. I eventually hope to be able to use a baitcaster in tight quarters as well as I can my spinning outfits.

Light lures are hard to cast with baitcasting equipment without the right gear. The right gear is pretty expensive. I would use the spinning equipment for 1/4 oz. and down. Baitcasting equipment for 1/4 oz. and above. Practice with at least a 3/8 oz. weight to start out. Don't throw for the moon at first. Keep the spool tension a bit high to start with. Same for any brakes. Lighten both up once you start getting better.

When I asked about an all-around casting rod, the consensus was a 6' 6" to 7' MH rod.

Definitely get the curado!!  For a rod you might want to check out Cabela's XML rods.  They are on sale for $69.99.  They are normally $139.99.  Awesome deal.  Also,  you can get a kistler Argon for $99.99 on Ebay.  They are normally $199.99.  If you don't want to use E-bay you can call Simmons sporting goods themselves and order it direct.  Their # is on their E-bay listing. 

i cannot for my life fish without having the rod in my right hand, my dominant one.  I have no ability at all to use my left hand to hold the rod, let alone cast!  It just feels so weird with the rod in my left and crankin with my right

Switching or not switching between which hand you reel with and which you hold the rod is a personal thing. However, as stated before most people can learn to do either. Personally, I would advise holding the rod with your left hand and reeling with your right (if you're right-handed) with a baitcaster. The only reason is there are still some reels only available in right hand retrieve (see Curado 200e5).

The Curado is a great reel, and Shimano's breaking system is one of the easiest to learn with for baitcasters (I learned with a Citica 200D a few years back).

As for rods, check out Powell rods for $139 - $169 a piece. They are great rods for the money and come with a great warranty too. I would make sure to buy a rod with a lifetime warranty - you can get several for under $175. Bass Pro Rods may be pretty nice (I've owned some including the Elite series), but the lack of a lifetime warranty is a problem for me. Recently, BPS has become a little bit more stringent about replacing rods and are selling an extra warranty at point of purchase - but not lifetime.

St. Croix Avid AVC68MXF/ Curado 200E7

8-)

St. Croix Avid AVC68MXF/ Curado 200E7

8-)

that is very good advice!

sounds like a plan to pair it with the Avid then........

Thanks for all the great advice fella's....much appreciated...!!

St. Croix Avid AVC68MXF/ Curado 200E7Daiwa Alphas

8-)

Just like mine!  8-)

I agree with Whets on the rod aspect and reel, but if you want a cheaper reel that performs great also ( And not that Fugly green ) , take a look at the Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier and CARBONLITE. They are exceptional reels for the price! 8-)

The Carbonlite is fugly.

I will admit it is, im getting mine professionally painted. The gold is nasty.

What braid would you guys recommend spooling up on this combo?

Daiwa Samuri (ik i didnt spell it right idc) or power pro

St. Croix Avid AVC68MXF/ Curado 200E7

8-)

This is what I was going to say ! ;D

The Shimano Citia is another option if you want to save some cash.......

To hell with braid unless you're froggin or pitchin' n flippin'. I'd get a good copolymer such as P-Line in 12lb or 14lb version.

Well....I have rod and reel in hand......leaning towards braid (Sufix Brand)....any other suggestions/ pros=cons?