Help! Bait caster rod combo please read!

AC Man

I haven't bought a freshwater Bait caster in 30 years. Still have mine. I wore it out. Have been salt water fishing ever since. 

Back into fresh water. Just starting my search for a bass rig and Crappie. What say you? 

GRIZZL

Depends on how serious you are with $$

I go with a Fitzgerald Custom Rod. Lifetime warranty will repair/replace breakages for $60

https://fitzgeraldrods.com/

Reels
Flipping
Ardent Denny Brauer Flipping Baitcast Reel (Love the narrowed spool fixed eyelet for accurate, tension free flipping)
Casting
Daiwa Tatula CT Casting Reels- Wide eyelet drop down to level with spool for GREAT casting even with light lures


I have some older stuff but this is how I am upgrading as $$ allow.

I have some Skeet Reece rods too but I like the Service with Fitzgerald and he's here in Florida

Alex from GA

If you're serious about bass fishing get the best stuff you can afford, it'll be smoother and last longer.  Crappie usually aren't caught with bait casting equipment.  For non moving baits, worms and jigs, get the most sensitive rod you can.  The reel is secondary.  On my worm rods I use 30 year old Shimano reels and custom made rods.

DropTheHammer

It's a lot to think about. I did A search.

"fishing flipping stick"

AC Man

The crappie part of the question was a dumb remark. Don't know what I was thinking. Well, yes I do, probably alcohol. Sorry.

I am looking for a high quality casting reel. I'm not a good enough fisherman to buy top of the line. I want best bang for the buck in a quality reel. I do like quality in products I buy. Dont want junk.

AC Man

The Lew's are interesting as are the Shimmono. 

capt louie

I have a 13 fishing inception reel 8.1 I like. It's on a med heavy powell rod 7'.  Reel is like 119 bucks.
I have a couple Quantum accurists  that are decent for the money. Rod , get what you like depending on how you intend to use it.  Both companies you mentioned have good stuff.

sharky12

For quality vs price, I've become a big fan of some of the Okuma reels. On drag tests they have the top 1 or 2 drag in the biz (check on drag test research). Good magnetics too as far as calibration on casting. I would definitely give them a look for sure. Some baitcasters can be pretty dang pricey!

Salty4Life

Depends, do you just want one rod to do everything? That’s not really how bass guys do it unless your shiner fishing. Every bass rod is technique specific. However there is some cross over. In Florida there is no rod blank more versatile than the MHX mb874. 87 inches long, number 4 power. Basically 7’3” heavy power in more conventional terms. The only thing that blank can’t do well is throw light finesse baits and punch mats. 

As as far as reels go. For the price, you can’t beat a Shimano currado. The dibble supported X-ship pinion bearings keep that reel as smooth as the day you bought it, 4 years later. You can set up to a chronarch if you want to keep things a light as possible.
Ive been running my currados and chronarchs hard for the last four years fishing tournaments and guiding. All I can say is they just last. I can’t say that for the 13 fishing reels. I picked up on at ICast 2015 and it’s basically wore out. They look great on paper, but don’t hold up to hard use.

micci_man

AC Man said:

The Lew's are interesting as are the Shimmono. 

Lew's have been around a long time. Don't overlook Abu Garcia either.