Bait caster recommendations
So a couple years back I bought my first baitcaster, the “Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Signature Series Bass Caster Reel”, and I had terrible luck with it. I think the reel overall was just terrible and turned me away from using a bait caster.
Now I am looking to try using a baitcaster again but I’m looking for recommendations. Im looking to spend under $100. If you could give me some good recommendations that would be great!
Here is the link the baitcaster I had:
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-johnny-morris-signature-series-bass-caster-reel--
by keegster30
Daiwa Fuego CT. On ebay for $60-80. It has maybe the best braking system at that price point.
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by 5uper5kunk
The Johnny Morris reels are usually pretty good. What kind of line were you using and what weight lures were you casting? Did you have the brake set according to your ability? Did you have the tension knob backed off too far maybe? Lots of factors to take into consideration. Once you get your technique down, you'll be able to cast any baitcaster without the 'training wheels' most modern reels come with.
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by redmeansdistortion
I think I was using 12-16lb mono? I would have to check what my brake and tension knob looked like but I felt like I could never get it set right. I used anything from a crankbait to a Texas rigged soft plastics.
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by keegster30
What I would do first is turn the brake all the way up and work from there. Distance will suffer, but once you start familiarizing yourself, you can dial it back. Eventually, you'll come to a point where you won't need any brake at all. Muscle memory in the thumb takes a little bit, but once you get it, you'll be able to throw baits without even thinking about it. Get some 1/2oz sinkers and practice in the yard.
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by redmeansdistortion
I’ll have to try that out and see if that makes a difference. Is my line okay then or should I try something else? I’m thinking about getting it re spooled.
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by keegster30
Your line is good. If it's mono and has been on awhile, you may want to re-spool since the old stuff will be kinked up.
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by redmeansdistortion
Alright I’ll have to do that then. It’s like 4year old line cuz I use my spinning 95% of the year and my bait caster only 5% so it’s pretty old.
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by keegster30
Can’t go wrong with a Lew’s.
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by Rdeato58
Ive heard good things about the Shimano SLX, although I have no experience with that model. Shimano makes some of the best, most solid baitcasters on the market, IMO.
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by RCTreesV
Like the one fisherman said it was probably user error, unless there is a serious error in making the reel and I am 98 yrs. old and have fished with them when the handles spun when you cast and in all those years I have known of no major problem with one. There are three things to my knowledge that can go wrong 1. the brake can be set to tight or to loose for landing the fish you are fishing for. 2. you can allow the spool to over run making a snarl on the spool. 3. you can set the anti spin brake to heavy for the weight of the lure you are casting. The advice to get out on a lawn and practice is excellent advice. If I remember right the reel makers suggest you loosen your anti spin until the weight of the lure will almost gravity pull your line off the reel. Start out with short casts and as the one person said learn to stop the cast with your thumb to prevent over run. However my personal advice is take up fly fishing for several reasons but I have said to much already. SC
I have a couple of Johnny Morris and I love them. I had already been using other bait casters when I got the Johnny Morris so I feel it might have been user error.
In your situation, I believe the old saying "Practice makes perfect" is very applicable! Get out and throw that sinker. Not just once or twice but maybe a hundred times each session, or more! Once you have learned how to cast a baitcaster/level wind/conventional reel, I think you will change you opinion of your Johnny Morris reel.
One more thing. When you have mastered casting, change your line as the grass and anything else in the grass where you practice will wear on the line and it won't perform as it should!
I have fished with most brands except Lews, and every one that I know that uses them ,they all love them.When I bought my first Daiwa bait caster I quit trying other brands. Maybe if I had tried lews first I would be using them . I some times consider buying a Lews but really don't need another bait caster. If I ever buy another bait caster it will be Lews, since I never had one.
chefg
Loc: Fort Myers Florida
I have a lot of the Johnny Morris reels and I love them . Make sure that you have the brakes are set right. They have a set of interior brakes and if not set right it can be a mess. I all so just got a Lew's super duty and it is awesome , I would go to to Bass Pro they have combos on sale now for under 200 and they rock. There is a green one and an orange one you can't go wrong with either one.
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