Northwest Fishing Reports

I am wanting to get a baitcaster reel and I was wondering if there was any difference in the pole.

Does the reel go on top?

I bought a Berkeley lightning rod before doing any research on baitcasting reels. I noticed that on the lightning rod it looks like the handle is upside down, as if the reel was meant to go on top. Did I buy a pole for a baitcasting reel?

Thanks guys, hope this makes sense.

Yes, the reel is on top, grip on the bottom.

sweet, thanks,

any good recommendations for a reel?

Shimano. Can't go wrong. Although I hear good things about Plueger now, but their drags are still something that concern me...

Avoid Okuma...just my .02

I agree with Sam on the Shimanos. I know he doesn't care about the Okumas, but they're very reasonably priced reels.

u can get a lot of reel for the $ these days with okuma, esp on the spinning side.

i have a flueger president spiining and i by far my favorite one and i have a bunch i dont know about bait casting though never had one but im looking to buy one this year to try for bass fishing

Sam Kafelafish wrote:Shimano. Can't go wrong. Although I hear good things about Plueger now, but their drags are still something that concern me...

Avoid Okuma...just my .02

I agree 100%.
I hove only owned one Okuma reel. It was the biggest piece of junk I ever strapped on a pole. It was OK for casting and retrieving but the drag sucked big time.

Quantum Energy's are where it is at. The PT and the Tour Edition are both top notch reels with excellent drag systems on them. The Accurist PT is a little less money, but it is still a solid reel.

Daiwa's megatwitch reals seem to be working great for me now. Easy to use and i have no problems ever

As far as baitcasting reels go. I dont know your price range, but for beginners Abu Garcia Ambassaduers run pretty cheep, but go up to Revo's which are excellent quality, but a little pricey. I personally run Shimano Reels which are expensive and have EXCELLENT quality. I use a Calcutta 100B, 400B, and a Curado 200DHSV and all handle larger lures admirably, but also cast smaller lures with minimal backlashes. Of all the brands I've used these are the very best.

Daniel

I have a shimano curado 300dsv and for the hi gh price you get alot i can cast a 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch of 1/4 " lead across the mouth of the wallace river with ease And if you are after chums this reel is good for bringing in 18lbs chums from hell

I bought a Spinning rod a few weeks ago and it is one of the best I have used in years for the money. It was purchased on ebay from a guy in Wisconson that got a bunch of rods from a maker called Quetico. It came with a case that is worth almost as much as the pole cost. I am very happy with this purchase and want to pass it on to you. Here is some of the things that are said in the description. I am going to leave an URL for one just like the one I got and hope you like it.

I am going to get a nice Teal ultralight 7 footer for my wife. Only $44 and free shipping!

FEATURES : AAA DA GAMA PORTUGUESE CORK HANDLE - CUSHIONED GRAPHITE REELSEAT -HAND WRAPPED WITH PREMIUM SILK WINDING THREAD -DIAMOND BUTT WRAP - PORTED TITANIUM BUTT PLATE WITH BLANK STABILIZER - FOLDING HOOK KEEPER - QUAD SUPPORT ARCONITE GUIDES- GUIDES ARE OVERSIZED TO INCREASE CASTING DISTANCE- 4 SECTION HEAVY WEIGHT OXFORD CLOTH TRAVEL SLEEVE - CORDURRA COVERED PVC SILK LINED HARD CASE WITH PADDED ZIPPERED TOP AND ADJUSTABLE CARRY STRAP. THESE RODS ARE ENTIRELY HANDBUILT - ONE AT A TIME - HAND SANDED AND HAND WRAPPED.

http://cgi.ebay.com/8-FT-4-PC-UL-STEELH ... dZViewItem

The name of the seller is "microjigger". The rod is a 8ft 4pc steelhead pack spinning rod. It is a im7 ultralight/lite rod. The ebay # is 320261705812 . You should at least give this guy a look.I know a 1 piece rod is better but it would be hard to go threw the woods or put in a little car. The rod I got, has NO FLAWS that I could see other than an alignment dot that is about 1/16in off. Other than that it is perfect! It has been used for trolling and casting and I have had no problems. It is as good as any $600 rod I have used. Only thing is it hasn't gone through the back car door slam test as yet. If it fails then I will only have another $64 bucks to get another one.

Hope it will work for someone, Steve:thumright