Bait Cast Reels

Are they any good? I never used one but was thinking about buying one but didnt know what to buy or how good they are. Just like some info thanks

Edited by T.T.U.

I moved to Wisc in 98 after 25 in AK where we used trolling reels for salmon or open bail reels for river fishing- so i was used to thinking of bait caster reels as the old black lashing pieces of junk I saw in the 60's- no no- started using newer ones and they work great for bass- about all I use for them now and not the NEW $400 ones- i have 6 now and 4 are Quantums at about $70--hooked up with rapala rods some med some Med Hvy for different lures/conditions they work great and those rods are onlt 30 or so bucks.

 Istill use open face reels for walleyes but the bait casters with new super braids that don't stretch like mono work greatfor bass etc. casting. flippin, and pitchin.

When I was a kid I had a "ocean city" bait caster.  Terrible.  I when to a Zebco 33 and fish lots more and untangled never.  When I got to be about 25 wanted more sophistication and bought a Mitchell 300.  Still fishing it.  I've had a number of bait casting reels since, carbon drags, ball bearings and all the whistles.  They need constant attention, and as Mr M said you need to adjust the friction cast mechanism for ever different lure.

Southern Bass fishermen still use them all the time.  They also re-fight the civil war all the time. 

I see no value in them for casting.  On my boat I have 8 level wind (casting type ) reels, all Penns and all saltwater sizes.  I use them for trolling: salmon, muskies, trout, and walleyes.  I love them because they don't twist the line as spinning reels do when the drag is used.

BEAR

this is jsut an opinion, but i can't see that your reel would have too much to do with it.

post some of the problems you are having and what you're trying to catch, where, what you're using, and all that. let's see if we can balance the scales here at BSB between hunting, shooting AND fishing!!!!

Well today we fished for anything that would bite and didnt catch anything. We used worms, ruster tails, and a floating jig. Then we went to a dam and cought our first fish of the year  witch was rainbow trought. Never cought any before but it was fun. But basically I need to learne how to catch crappie.

I personally prefer open faced spinning reels, Shimano to be specific. I have a few but my favorite is a 150 on an ultralite, it's cought everything from baby minnows up to a 32" Northern. It's getting to be about 15 years old now and is getting loose, LOTS of use and abuse though. I also love Fireline or spiderwire, its strong and durable, I've had the same line on that real for 4 years I think, juat strip off 10 yards a year or so and more if you notice small tears or abrasions. Maybe I'll change it this year finally.

As to the direct question, I do have a Daiwa Black Widow baitcast that I like, but don't use it too much. I prefer light lures for 95% of my fishing so the style doesn't fit me well. I do use it for cats or carp though, nice and beefy, I actually keep 25# line on it just for that. They aren't something most people can just pick up and master, but once you get use to them they work great. It wouldn't hurt to try one out, I can't think of any particulars to try other than stay with a decent less expensive one to start with and I'd prefer a lighter model for normal everyday fishing. I have found that mono seems to work better than low memory lines, as far as tangles go anyway.

i got some stuff on crappies, even though i've never caught one. let me review my literatue, and i will post some info on the CRAPPIE topic that was started a couple of days ago!

TTA ain't nada like BASIC stuff for bassers- hell I now have 7 or 8 rods and reels for them and 6 for walleyes and I'm a piker([un) buddies all have 20 or so rods for bass different weights -lite to hvy action- most reels te same but outfitting is a new experience every year as tackle guys can always keep ahead of us- me I thin kold stuff still works in lures but ne wreels are skookum.

I don't like to count guns or reels.  Makes me think I should be thinning out.

BEAR

The close face spinners seem the easiest to use but have draw backs. As stated the line will twist horribily if the fisherman reels in against a running fish or even a snag. Secondly the bait casters and open face spinners have much smoother drag sysytems. A running fish has a steady even resisitasnce minus the herky jerky drag on spin cast reels. Spin casts are great though for introducing kids and wives to fishing.

One problem with most cheaper bait casters is that to release the line you must depress a button but for a brief split s4cond the line is mechanically locked... no drag ... no slip. Should you be attempting to leta fish take the bait at the same time he is deciding to run it can mean a broken line. What I do when jigging or trolling is to release the line and hold the spool wit my thumb. It is an immediate release or hook setting device and not mechanical. I find I use bait casters more often than other types but then I grew up using the old ones without any drag, real tension adjustment or magnetic anti back lash so it seems natural.