FS Digest

New to Fishing, need a good bait caster rod and reel combo from walmart

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by hdwdmems

FS Digest

Ugly stick gx2 combos arent bad for the price. Can always upgrade the reel later. Definitely put good line on.

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by DVSGTA

FS Digest

So what should I get(assuming you meant good not bad)

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by hdwdmems

FS Digest

I have a gx2 spinning combo. And I eventually changed the reel to a pfluger presidential and it’s my go to rod. If I can only bring one I grab it.

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by DVSGTA

FS Digest

Ugly Stik GX2

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by WebMedical

FS Digest

bait casters generally cost more for the same quality as spinning reels. Walmart constantly changes their inventory but stay away from anything under $20 and you'll prolly be ok.

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by RedneckNomad

Dbass4856 Loc: Smelterville idaho

I own a few baitcast combos and the reel is by far more important than the rod. Do spend 50 on a combo. Buy good line like berkely big game or stren. If your fishing bass,pike etc use clear blue line in 12 to 15 lb mono. Make several casts to see about how far your normal cast is then cast, pull an extra 20 ft off the spool,then take 4-6 inches of masking tape and put it on the spool covering the line. Reel all the line back on. Now if you get a backlash it wont backlash past the tape you have on the spool and if you did hook a big fish the tape will come off as the fish runs. Hope this helps.

Billy Bob Loc: Terre Haute,IN

The rule you get what you pay for is very true. My best advice would be to get the best your budget will allow and as time goes on keep improving on quality. When you go as cheap as you can it will only lead to frustration and ruined fishing trips.

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

Now that is a clever idea.

Capt Lou

Before I would ever buy a outfit from Walmart I would look for a decent used outfit with a quality reel which is key in these outfits !
Plenty around !

msmllm Loc: Huntington, WV

Just go in walmart & pick them up (combo) because they have all kinds. See how they feel when you hold the combo. It just depends if you want ultralight or the other kinds. I got most of mine from walmart, and if they break walmart will probably let you get another one for free. Keep your sales ticket. It also depends on how much you can spend. My daughter bought me a combo and there was a flaw in the reel. She paid $100. for it and we took it back and I got another one for free. I don't even remember if she had her receipt. Also everyone on here recommends the Ugly Stick rod.

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

I have to disagree with Dbass, that the reel is more important than the rod. I would say exactly the opposite, ...sorry.
BUT...his tip on the masking tape idea is quite novel and sounds extremely practical, I'll definitely give it a try on those "dust-collector round reels", that I love to hate ! Thanks, Dbass.

GlennMc928 Loc: Tualatin OR

When picking out your reel do not go by what some say about this is a right handed reel or this is a left handed reel just get which ever one that feels best to you on the rod. There are a lot of fishermen that are converting over to using a left handed reel so you just need to forget about what other's might say and just use which ever reel feel best to you with the reel on the rod. Back in the 60's and 70's reel makers only made bait casting reel with the handle on the right side so what grand dad learned was passed down to son and again and again but it was not until about 1979 when bait casting reels started to come out with the handles on the left side of the reel and those that learned to use a reel with the handle on the right side started finding out the it was the other way around that felt best to them so just get what is best for you and stay away from the this is a left handed reel and this is for right handers thing. There are much better reels out there like Shimano and Lew's but they will cost more and if you are just learning a good 6ft rod is best to learn on at first.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/KastKing-Whitemax-Low-Profile-Baitcasting-Fishing-Reel-11-1-Shielded-Bearings/798290931

$39.98

https://www.walmart.com/ip/KastKing-Spartacus-Plus-Baitcasting-Fishing-Reel-Ultra-Smooth-17-5-LB-Carbon-Fiber-Drag/167204216

$45.98



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h04Vc7rsQXA Good Review here



Lew's Hank Parker Casting Speed Stick

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lew-s-Hank-Parker-Casting-Speed-Stick-Fishing-Rod/51284685?athcpid=51284685&athpgid=athenaItemPage&athcgid=null&athznid=tic&athieid=v0&athstid=CS020&athguid=6ab2e60f-65d-170dfe21e9177d&athancid=null&athena=true

$39.74



https://www.walmart.com/ip/Shakespeare-Ugly-Stik-GX2-Casting-Fishing-Rod/33590726?selected=true

$39.95

Have fun

Crikfisher Loc: "The Buck" - Q'ville lancaster County Pa

I have used Ugly sticks for years, of varying sizes and action, both bait casting and spinning rods. For the price I have found them reliable and versatile. For the past 2 years I have been using BlackMax reels from walmart, again for the price I have had little to complain about..... hope this helps

Dbass4856 Loc: Smelterville idaho

The reason I say reel is more important is the ability of a more expensive reel to reduce the back lashes and drag quality if the person is a newbie to casting them. Once you have it down reel makes less difference. You can catch fish on any rod starting out. But less frustration casting may mean the difference of going back to a spinning reel and the bait caster going in the closet.