Do I Need A Baitcast Combo?

[Jack Jones]

Beyond my fly fishing, I own two spinning combos. These are what I usually use for bass. My primary fishing is either bank fishing or from a canoe on Lake Springfield or local rivers. I don't have a real boat to go onto the big lakes with. What's everyone's opinion on whether or not I would benefit from purchasing a baitcasting combo, and if I did, what would be a good introductory, reasonably priced setup?

[Flysmallie]

I couldn't live without one. But that's what I grew up with.

[dennis boatman]

...absolutely not...don't venture to the dark side of fishing...

[Quillback]

Depends what you mean by "reasonably priced". I've heard a lot of good comments on the BPS Johnny Morris Pro-Qualfier reels, never tried one myself, but I believe you can pick thm up for less than $100 when they are on sale. I picked up a Gen 3 Revo STX last fall, I'm impressed with it except they do have an issue with having to really tighten down the tension control knob if you want to fish it with a slow spool. You can get them for around 159-179 on sale. Shimano Chronarch G is another good reel in the STX price range. Lews makes a good reel from what I hear.

[Gavin]

Absolutely...How much do you have to spend?

[Wayne SW/MO]

I couldn't live without one. But that's what I grew up with.

same here, and in fact spinning reels weren't available to me when I started.

In my opinion there is a long learning curve too comfort with one and it might not be worth the trouble to you. Pro's are more distance and less line problems. The cons are in learning to get past backlashes. Backlashes are going to happen because they're mistakes, but they can be kept minor.

Cost? The more the better and that's not a smart alec answer. Baitcaster are one place you will likely get what you pay for. Experience will allow some balance between cost and performance, but in starting you'll gain by going higher cost. Ebay would probably be a good place to start. There are many, but a 100 or 200 Curado wouldn't be a bad place to start. Rods and line are also more important in baitcasting if you want the full experience. As a rule rods with most of thier action in the tip don't work well and neither do extra soft lines.

[MOPanfisher]

In my opinion if you are fishing from the bank or from a canoe then I don't think you will benefit greatly. There is certainly nothing wrong with them I have several and use them. But when I bank fish or float its all spinning, but then again spinning rods/reels is what I grew up with. Didn't own a baitcaster until I was in my late teens.

[Jack Jones]

Wow...lots of divergence there. One of the reasons for considering it distance and being able to cast farther from shore. That's not so much an issue when floating/fishing. That said, my spinning combo certainly isn't high end and the line is just some Stren line. Do certain spinning reels give baitcasters a run for the money in terms of distance? I mean, would I be better off just upgrading the spinning reel and/or line?

[stlfisher]

I never use a spinning reel it is all baitcaster for me. The accuracy of a baitcaster and the ability to horse a fish out of cover are two advantages that a baitcaster has over a spinning reel. A shimano citica is a great value for the money. I have done nothing to mine for 4 years now and it keeps fishing great.

[Mitch f]

Like Quillback says the BPS Pro Qualifier reels are great for the money. I was at Cabelas today and they had a Cabelas combo baitcaster, with a very decent 6' med rod for $59