Advice needed on reels

[BassAddict]

Intro & Advice needed on reels

Hi u all

After years of sitting on the side line (bank ???) I finaly decided to take the big step..... :blue-shock: and commit.. :blue-rolleyes: ...I decided to take it to a new level.. :blue-shock: and ......bought a small 13 ft bass boat :blue-biggrin: .

After spending a huge amount on the boat (and still not seeing the bottom of the hole and lost in all the red tape :blue-cry: ) I also bought some tackle and even decided to give baitcasters a fair chance.

I wanted to start applying this to the bait I knew the best ...or so me thinks :blue-doubt: ..and that is soft plastics (finess fishing). I really battle with the pitching and flipping (will need this on the vaal river) and do not get distance.

I bought a cheap baitcaster (shake spear dimension)...I know ..possible first mistake !!..and put 12lb Berkley F/carbon line on? the Rod I use is a Shimano Clarus 6,6ft medium fast action.

After reading some articles on this forum I suspect that I need to change my reel ...(maybe a Shimano Curado 100?? or Daiwa megaforce?? I will like to hear your comments on this.

I also would like to know which oil/ grease you use when servicing your reels.

Thanks for a great forum.

[robfisher]

Congrats Bassaddict! You won’t regret it… buying my first boat was the best thing I ever did!

Try and buy the best reel you can afford because it’s worth it in the long run… the Shimano Curado has to be the best value for money in my book.

I tend to send my reels to my fihsing buddy for a service but when they need a drop of oil I use Quantum Hot Sauce!

[robfisher]

I really battle with the pitching and flipping (will need this on the vaal river) and do not get distance.

You are not alone in your misery... it's not my stong point either... The only way to master pitching and flippin is to practice in the pool and practice some more… it does help if you can get an expert to start you off.

Oh yes and a decent reel really helps! :blue-biggrin:

[Justy]

The reel is not going to make a huge difference in your pitching ability.Although a good quality reel will help in the long run. The biggest mistake one makes while pitching is believing that the reels drum tension and magnetic breaking system will take care of the business. In order to pitch a bait some distance and accurately involves hand eye coordination. The reel must have a completely free spool. This alows the bait to travel with the least resistance. The key is your thumb control. Once your eye has aquired a target you send the bait on its way and gently control the distance and rate of decent with your thumb. After many years it becomes a natural instinct. If you are finding that you are having to really swing the bait out, then you have way to much resistance on the spool. It must be an effortless exercise. Take a deep breath, slow down and let your thumb do the work. :blue-cool:

[crankystanley]

my advice would be to go for a chronarch(i know they not cheap but if i could only afford one reel that would be my number one choice)...and not to use flourocarbon line in the beginning because it is difficult even when you know how to use the baitcaster...rather use a softer line in the beginning.

[BassAddict]

Thanks guys for the advice.

I know that it will take a lot of practise but out of experience (like with any sport) ..it helps if u have the right equipment & basics on technique. After reading some topics on the forum I'm convinced that I need to invest in a good reel...a Curado (at a good price) in a shop in the East rand ...is really burning me :blue-evil:

Do any of u know of someone that are willing to spend time with me to give me some practical guidance in the East Rand ???? This will really help!!

PS. Thanks for the tip on the Quantum Hot Sauce...will tobassco also do??? (at least it doubles up for lunch) :blue-biggrin:

[Ninja]

I know some people will disagree but stick to Shimano, if you cannot afford the more expensive reals in the Shimano like a chronarch then you will not go wrong with a Cruxis.

The Shimano Cruxis is by far the best value for money, you wil go a long way to get a real that is that smooth and durable in the same prise range as a Cruxis. If your budget allows for it then by all means step up but stick to Shimano!!! :blue-biggrin:

[Riem]

Through the years I've realised that you must buy the best your bank manager will allow! :blue-badgrin: If you buy the dirt cheap stuff you're bound to replace it fairly soon... :blue-doubt:

I can't add much to what the guys have already told you. It would however be adviseable to join a club. You'll get to fish with more experienced anglers and if it's a good bunch they will learn you the tricks of the trade!

Note: Don't make the mistake of asking the the following:
1) Their go-to lure
2) Their favorite spot
3) Any waypoints of hot spots
:blue-shock: :blue-badgrin: :blue-cry:

Hope this helps...

[Bassanator]

hey its been a year now that im bass fishing and to tell u the true the amount of money i spend on crap reels and stuff its unbelieve able but look spend what ur budget allows as i feel a good setup is the way to go at the moment im using G-Looms and 200dc reels with some of my reels 2 of them steez but look like i said what u can spend but take my advice from a beginner to another save and buy once

[Sean]

I keep hearing about value for money followed by Shimano? Yes Shimano is properly the best in the market to a lot of you. Value for money you cant beat a Quantum look at the price and what you get? I was given a Banex TOVA reel to use a few years ago and I still have that reel I don’t use it any more but it cost R299-00 it has continues ant reverse 6 bearings and the drag works very well I have caught a 3kg and a 2.8kg with that reel and there was never a worry in my mind that the drag would fail or give problem. I am a Quantum fan there is no doubt about that and look who uses that brand Kevin Van Dam (hey that rimes) :blue-biggrin:

[BassAddict]

Just went to the tackle shop. It seems that the decision will be between a CITICA 200 and a CURADO100. I'f I looked at the forum it seems that CURADO is the way to go. I agree that the CHRONARCH has the best feel but was very suprised by the CITICA. The spool runs much smoother then the CURADO 100 (for teh same price) after taking off all the tension. I also read somewhere that the holes drilled into the spool is to make it ligter so to accommodate light weigts. It also seem that in this regard teh CITICA is more adapted.
On the down side (is it really??) teh CITCA is heavier and bigger.

My conclusion is that it seems that the CITICA 200 will be a good start. It seems to handle the light tackle well and i'm in a postion to buy the CHRONARCH (for light weights) one day, I can use the CITICA for crankbaits. (The spool of the CURADO 100 looks a bit small).

This is my novice view. Looking at reels in a shop and actually fishing with them is two different worlds and it can become an expensive exercise if you get it wrong. Therefore I really will appreciate your comments.

[Sean]

All you have to do is get someone that know how to cast with a bait caster and get them to set it up for you cos if you dont you are going to hate fishing with it at first.

[Riem]

There is nothing wrong with the Citica, I fished with two of them until fairly recently. Their retrieve ratio is 6.2 vs the 5.0 of the Curado. They are a bit heavy and you feel it at the end of a long day's fishing. Other than that there is no reason not to start with them.

[Terminator]

Chronarch + Bass = Happiness :blue-biggrin:

[Sean]

BASS+HAPPINESS= QUANTUM :blue-biggrin: :blue-biggrin: