Always been an avid multispecies fisherman. I’ve decided it’s time to upgrade to a baitcaster exclusively for bass. I typically fish mostly from shore, occasionally from a kayak. Looking to throw straight braid. Hopefully there is a bait casting rod and reel that can adequately throw mostly crank baits, heavy spinners, dragging jigs, and Texas or Shakey head soft plastics. Budget is approximately $250 - $300.
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by Randomroofer116
Any rod advice for my planned use and gear ratio advice?
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by Randomroofer116
I mainly use Vengeance rods since my local shop has a full warranty on them. 6 1/2 ft medium for rattle traps, 7ft med/heavy for worms/swim baits, 7ft heavy for jigs.
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by LurkingOnBreak
I love the Abu Garcia Revo line of reels!
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by halfwaythere71
Most of my bass combo's are Daiwa Tatula's CT's on St. Croix rods. The Tatula's are good baitcasters to get started on, good value and hold up well. Rod wise it depends, I'd probably focus on the non-crankbait lures you mention, and get a medium heavy fast action rod, 7'-7'6" range. I have several St. Croix Mojo Bass rods in various sizes, and they're good for the price. They make different power/action for different techniques... either the M or MH 7'1" fast action would be a good do it all for you. The reel when run just under 100 on ebay, and rod from anywhere for $130-140.
For cranks, I l really don't like braid, and really don't like fast action rods... braid floats and fast action pulls the hook out of their mouth too often in my use, so I use St. Croix Avid X with a Tatula for my light crank rig, and a Daiwa SV TWS on a St. Croix Legend Glass rod for my medium cranking rig, moderate action... the extra flex really keeps the fish on the line well without having to set the hook, and gives some extra room for error when they jump on you. I use exclusively flouro for cranks (and most other applications other than heavy cover and saltwater now), I like that it sinks, is near invisible underwater, has more rigidity than mono, but isn't quite as stiff as braid.
Dobyn's Fury line isn't bad either, but in that price range I prefer the St. Croix, and then it's a tough, matter of presence call when you get into the St. Croix Avid/Legend line VS Champion/Champion XP line in Dobyn's, but I doubt you'd be unhappy with any of those models.
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by aRushinTroll
You want it, you name it, they got it. There are probably 200 to 300 more reels and specialty reels than ever before. Mane different speeds/gearing than what we started out with. I would go broke trying to replace all of mine with the new reels and rods that are offered today. I'd be like a fat baby in a candy store. lol I really envy the people that are buying the new gear.
I purchased a few months ago an Abu Garcia Revo on Ebay New for $40.00 Med. 7' ugly stick at Walmart $38.95. They have proved to be an excellent paring. A lot of people think the more you spend the better the equipment. My cheaper rod and reel perform as well if not better than my expensive equipment.
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