baitcasting reels

5997 Views 16 Replies 6 Participants Last post by pushtmpersy, Apr 17, 2022

Retired Member 2

Discussion Starter · Nov 24, 2015

After reading through a a lot of threads on the virtues of baitcasting reels versus fixed spool reels i have come to the conclusion that its a marnite issue !
now i have a personal preference for baitcasters , but i will sometimes use a coffee grinder too !
If the wind is howling then its no contest , if ypu want ultimate distance , then no contest ! coffee grinders rule !!!!!! But heres the rub , when you use a baitcasting multiplier it is a lot of fun being able to cast one and just a pleasant way to fish .. not to sqay catching fish isnt an objective but isnt fishing about more than catching \?

for me baitcasters are rewarding and fun to use !

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Mark Todd

· #2 · Nov 24, 2015

The one thing that nobody seems to mention is the water spray coming off a baitcaster on the cast from the wet braid. A light breeze towards you and it can be very "refreshing"

I don't own a baitcaster at the minute (my last was a Revo Toro) but Christmas is coming and the call for an Okuma Citrix is strong.

Hurdy Gurdy

· #3 · Nov 24, 2015

Like them for freshwater (pike only these days) but use fixed spools too. Don't bother with them at all for saltwater. I only shore fish though.

Michael Stevens

· #4 · Nov 24, 2015

Isnt fishing about more than catching? Absolutely, thats why we lure fish isnt it?
Baitcasters are like lure fishing! Sometimes they are the best approach. Often they are a satisfying tactic that works. Sometimes they are enjoyable to use, but are absolutely the wrong strategy on the day.....doesnt stop us using them though!
If catching was the only objective I would only go river pike fishing with a bucket full of bloody great livebaits!................but catching isnt the be all and end all, so I deadbait/lure fish/ultra light/fly fish depending on what I feel will work/what I feel like doing!
Sometimes I surface carp fish with a centerpin, when I can only lower the mixer off the rod end, not cast it. Its so inefficient, but when you hook one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are baitcasters brilliant? maybe in some situations. Who cares? Graham you are absolutely right. Fishing is about................whatever the fisherman wants it to be about!
................................Dont drop a baitcaster in the salt though. Stripping and cleaning and relubing so it casts like before, will not be fun!

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Retired Member 2

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 11, 2015

finally got the baitcaster i have been looking for

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Reactions: 1

David Ryan

· #6 · Dec 12, 2015

I used to use a Daiwa Millionaire with a boat rod for years fishing off the rocks,yea crazy as it may sound but it was all I had at the time,It was my kit that I used when fishing off the boat when I lived in California.Ive got plenty of spinning kits now for rock fishing but there is something about using the baitcaster that makes it a pleasure to use on a giving day.....so its time I got a more modern 1 and fish some deep pools with it...So whats a decent bait caster at a reasonable price.now days lads...Mono or braid & rod too..

Hurdy Gurdy

· #7 · Dec 12, 2015

You could have a look at the Abu Revo range if they are within budget. I have a small old model STX I use in freshwater but they do saltwater specific models too. I did have a Revo Toro Winch but I sold it as it was too big for my purposes. I would prefer to use a regular round multipler in anything over 5000 size. But that's just a personal choice. Graham's reel in the pic is a Revo too. I haven't kept up with the latest models. Of course Shimano and Diawa will have plenty of options too.

Soeaking generally David I would be wary of buying a cheap baitcaster. The cheapest fixed spool will get you fishing but a cheap baitcaster can ruin your day due to casting issues.

David Ryan

· #8 · Dec 12, 2015

Walter said:
You could have a look at the Abu Revo range if they are within budget. I have a small old model STX I use in freshwater but they do saltwater specific models too. I did have a Revo Toro Winch but I sold it as it was too big for my purposes. I would prefer to use a regular round multipler in anything over 5000 size. But that's just a personal choice. Graham's reel in the pic is a Revo too. I haven't kept up with the latest models. Of course Shimano and Diawa will have plenty of options too.

Soeaking generally David I would be wary of buying a cheap baitcaster. The cheapest fixed spool will get you fishing but a cheap baitcaster can ruin your day due to casting issues.

So the cheap Abu Max reels would be a risk for birdies then...would they.Thinking on getting a Max combo for a starter pack.Maybe...

Hurdy Gurdy

· #9 · Dec 12, 2015

David I would check on here or the other forums specifically with Abu Max owners about those reels. Maybe they are okay. At least Abu have the background so maybe they can produce a cheap baitcaster that actually works fine. I realise the Revo's are pretty pricey. In general I wouldn't buy any cheap baitcaster without checking with actual users. They can be pure crap. The John Wilson Six Shooter springs to mind.

Reactions: 1

Mark Todd

· #10 · Dec 12, 2015

I have just bought the Okuma Citrix and so far I am over the Moon with it. My last BC reel was a Revo Toro at over twice the price. The difference is not that great to be honest. The Toro was smoother of course but not enough to warrant the price difference imo. That said we'll see how long this one lasts.

Reactions: 1

Hurdy Gurdy

· #11 · Dec 12, 2015

Keep us posted Mark. Sounds great so far. I love the Revo but when it needs replacing I'm not sure if I could justify the expense again.

Mark Todd

· #12 · Dec 12, 2015

I'll report back once it has a good few hours on the clock. I'd say it has about 5 hours on the clock so far so not even run in.

David Ryan

· #13 · Dec 12, 2015

Think I will go with the new Abu Pro Max,2016...looks really nice. The rods on offer ... a few different models...Vendetta - Venerate - Veritas...Dono which is the better of the 3 also is the smaller rod 6-6 better then the 8ft ...anyone use any of these rods.....

Retired Member 2

Discussion Starter · #14 · Dec 12, 2015

as far as reels go daiwa have introduced an updated saltwater model ,but not in the uk ! i have forgot the name of it but it compares to some revos .. what you need to look out for is that it hasnt got too big a line capacity as the deep spools that hold a lot of line will have a greater tendency to bird when using lighter lures . you might want to have a look at the revo inshore , revo ora inshore then revo beast and the big gun is the revo toro beast (aptly named ) there are others .
i ended up buying a japanese market reel , it has a shallow spool so that it wont have the tendency to maintain its initial inertia .its a salwater specific reel, high line retrieve rate , a strong drag and the guts to winch fish if needed . took me a long time to find what i was after . even after paying import duty it worked out better than what we can buy on the uk market . total cost was around £180 .
its worth checking out the tackle warehouse reviews .

Mark Todd

· #15 · Dec 12, 2015

Grahams post above does bring to the conversation what is the reel intended for? I use mine for Pike fishing, ie fresh water. I have no idea if it would be suitable for salt use.

pushtmpersy

· #16 · Apr 17, 2022

I am fairly new to salmon and steelhead fishing and I have talked to many and have been advised that a bait caster is a way to go, reel-wise.

I fish with a Buzz Ramsey IM7 and an Abu Ambassadeur 6000 series (something or another)...

However, I have been out on the rivers and even seen it in some of the pics you guys post, using spinning reels.

So which is it? Please tell me what you use - reel wise, what you use it for?

Maybe I need to get a spinning reel setup

Thank you.

pushtmpersy

· #17 · Apr 17, 2022 (Edited)

Retired Member 2 said:
After reading through a a lot of threads on the virtues of baitcasting reels versus fixed spool reels i have come to the conclusion that its a marnite issue !
now i have a personal preference for baitcasters , but i will sometimes use a coffee grinder too !
If the wind is howling then its no contest , if ypu want ultimate distance , then no contest ! coffee grinders rule !!!!!! But heres the rub , when you use a baitcasting multiplier it is a lot of fun being able to cast one and just a pleasant way to fish .. not to sqay catching fish isnt an objective but isnt fishing about more than catching braided line?

for me, bait casters are rewarding and fun to use!

I'm still looking for a reel to go on my Pro caster-X rod and give see this on eBay a Shimano Citica CI-200DPV for $99US?
But I'm not sure if it's a good price or if the reels are any good, anyone has seen the price of this reel anywhere or used one?

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