reels??

Question
i have been fishing bass for 2 years now and wanted to try using a bait caster but im not sure what to look for when buying one.   i mostly use rubber stick baits and such, but also switch to spinnerbaits, are there any special things that i should look for when buying one?   thanks for the help mark meriano

Answer
Mark; To begin with when beginning to use a casting outfit the most important thing is the reel, then the rod.
First, buy as good quality of reel you can possibly afford.
I would say you can do good casting with a $15 rod but not a reel of the same price.  If you can possibly do so plan on spending between $60 and $70 on your reel.  You can pay a lot more but this price range can buy you a good reel.
When looking at reels the number of bearings is mostly for smoothness in the feel.  I do not think it is as important as sometimes advertised.  You will probably pay at least $20 per extra pair of bearings.  All my reels have only two ball bearings and they work fine.   They do not feel as smooth as some more costly ones but I can affore only about 60 bucks for each reel.  I would rather have three or four $60 ones than two $120 ones.
Make sure the level wind guide moves back and forth with the cast.  Some reels let the guide stay in place during the cast out and work when it is reeled in.  This leads to backlashes about every 5th or 6th cast.  I can cast my other reels dozens of times without a backlash but the one reel I have that the line guide doesn't move on the cast will backlash even on me every five or  six casts.
Also check the reel's drag.  It should pull off smoothly.
Always set your drag at about half the breaking strength of the line you are using.  A good way of doing this is to use a little scale like one for weighing fish.  String the line on the rod then tie the line to the scale.  Hold the rod tip about two feet from the scale with the scale held by someone or fastened down.  Then using the rod pull on the line until it slips.  As I said about half the pound test of the line.  If using 12 lb test it should slip at about 6 lb.  If the reel doesn't let the line off smoothly don't buy it.
There are many good reels in the price range of $60-$70. I use the Abu-Garcia 5500c3 myself and find them to work for many years.  I have one I have used for 30 years and it is still good.  I do not say this is the best reel.  Shimano and other companies make good reels.
Next your rod.  When buying a rod for general use in bass fishing look for one with medium action.  Do not let the salesperson talk you into buying a rod until you have put your reel on it with line  and tie a lure similar in weight to the ones you will be throwing.  Tie the lure on the line and feel the rod's action.  Most cheaper rods are too whippy. You want a fairly fast tip but enough backbone in the rest of the rod to set a hook and handle a big fish.
Also buy a rod at least 6 feet long.  I like a 6 1/2foot rod myself for lighter lures.  Of course I have half a dozen outfits in my boat anytime I go fishing.  But I have been fishing for over 65 years.

Purchase good line of at least 12 lb test.  If the water you fish has very large fish go to 14 lb and if there are many stumps and snags in the water go to 17 lb.  In very thick vegetation you might want to go even higher but I would not suggest anything above 20 lb as it will not cast well.  Of course you can use much higher test if you use some of the super lines.  Personally I still like mono.

If the price I mentioned for your reel is too high look for specials in Bass Pro Shops or some online suppliers or watch for specials at your tackle shop and buy a combo.  It will not work as well as the more expensive ones but you can get a fairly decent outfit for under $50 that will catch fish.  I would suggest saving your money until you can get a better reel however and if you take good care of it by keeping it cleaned and oiled it will last you for many years.

I hope this has been of some help in making your decision to start using a casting outfit.  I still keep a couple of open faced spinning outfits in my boat but find the casting outfits most useful.

If I can be of future help with any questions please do not hessitate to call on me again.  

I am
Jack L. Gaither (jackfromSeminole)
Lake Seminole, Georgia