Baitcaster for SP fishing

[Sandworm]

I am looking for a nice little bait caster reel for soft plastics etc.

something of avg quality but not overly expensive. similar to the samiri7i of the spinning reels quality/level if you understand what i mean.

a price guide and a good place to buy in Melbourne (will be used 90% of the time in salt water with soft plastics braid line 4-6lb and maybe a hard body lure now and then)

bream pinkies flathead etc

[F.B.]

never used one but i dont really think they are suitable for light plastics?????
anyone else got ne thoughts???

[Rdavison]

I have a little shimano chromica baitcaster but you can't cast a soft plastic with em, no way.

Riley

[mike_mad_fisho]

gday
i have an abu eon e3600 i mainly use that for my bigger softies to use on flatties and have tried casting the light wietgs and the doesnt work to well.
MB

[Sandworm]

maybe i was sent down the wrong garden path then. I was told they were designed for this type of fishing. What are they suited to? Hard body lures?

I'v never used them much, i normally use the 7i and find it fine for the job,

[Evan]

sandworm: bait casters are suited to chucking lures just not light ones as you end up with the spool spinning faster than lines coming out - thus a birdsnest.

speak to chris lemess about them- he is the reel guru. i think you can get some japanese baitcasters that will flick small weights like the scorpions but they are quite pricy

HTH

Evan

[Rayman]

For AU$300 including shipping
You can get a scorpion 1000 from JAPANtackle
Really good for light weights
and good value

[Rayman]

Review by Profishing.net
http://www.profishing.net/faq.html#Scorpion%201000

and sorry
the price for scorpion 1000 is just under AU$300

Japantackle
US$148
Shipping US$15

http://www.japantackle.com/shimano.htm#1000

mate to be honest, i wouldn't bother. Yout wont really gain anything out of it. Your better of with a quality spinning reel. Most of the SP's we fish weigh around 2g. This is way too light for most baitcasters, and you will have to pay quite a lot for one which will work!
HTH

Dave

[chris_lemess]

I typed out a long reply regarding the benefits of baitcaster reels and how much you'd need to spend, but the window closed on me. Now I see you've said you've never used a baitcaster. Don't bother. Personally I love using them, but for what you want to do, just buy a spinning reel. If I was presented with the species you gave (bream flathead snapper) and asked what I'd buy, and HAD a small bream reel as you do, I'd buy a baitcaster. That's my choice though - they're great tools for accurate casting and because of the construction are much much stronger for their sized than spinning reels.

Save up and buy a new Stradic 2500FH or Daiwa Capricorn 2500. Both are very strong reels, that I guarantee can cope with catching snapper, emperor, jacks, large duskies etc, yet have the finnesse to use on bream when you want. Spool one spool with 4lb Fireline and one with 6 or 8, and you're away!

Save up... buy a decent reel! You won't regret it.

cheers

Sorry Guys but there is no nice way to say this, anyone who says you can't cast soft plastics or ultra light lures with a baitcaster just does not know what they are talking about or does not know how to use a baitcaster.
ok it takes a lot of practise and patience and you have to have the right rod and reel set up and that's not exactly cheap.

But the benifits are worth the hassles of learning and the extra costs, with a reel such as a shimano ct50, the right rod and line there's not much you can't cast and a lot more accurate than with a spinning reel.

Cheers Samurai

[Dave W]

I'll 'weigh in' here :D

90% plus of my Bream spinning is done with weights of 1/16th Oz or less, and I also originally wanted to go the way of the Baitcaster, as I love them to bits.

Put bluntly (and no offence Warren) but there is no way my Calcutta 50 will ever cast a 1/16th Oz jig any where near the distance of my most basic spinning reel, all other things being equal. I tried almost everything humanely possible to do it, got the thing tuned as well as it could be done and still not good enough - yes it will cast them but not far enough, and forget about 1/32 Oz jigs......

I've given a Cronarch SF a run, arguably one of the best 'light weight' Baitcasters on the market, and it still wouldn't do it well enough.

Hey, if you always fished with a tail wind you could probably do it :p :D

If you start getting 1/8 Oz or above, particularly for Flathead work (or in my case Bass) no worries :)

As a sidenote, this is coming from a bloke who's been using Baitcasters for 15+ years, and the best reel for me on the light stuff was the old Shimano 2000ULS - and I will never forgive myself for letting it go over the side of the boat in Lake Mulwala :(

Don't suppose you blokes know anyone that's got one going cheap :D

Cheers,

[Sandworm]

ok, here is the deal, i have 2 rods (peen pinpoint 6' graphite rods) one without a reel and i was going to buy a reel for it, thinking rather than having 2 nice spinning reels i thought i'd get a bait caster to have somthing different

(*boys and his toys* is a better reasoning)

now it sounds like they Can be used for softplastics but maybe not the best.

So I now need to find a reason why i should waste more money on fishing, what would you guys buy a baitcaster for? Hardbodys? I have them so i could make a good story to talk myself and the young lady into beliving i need it :)

otherwise i might look at a nice spining reel again


What price around $100 - $150 for a avg baitcaster or is it more the $300 mark - if so i will have a hard time getting one :(

[donfish]

I have to totaly agree with Dave on this one .You would be wasting your money and time trying to use a baitcaster on small lures & small softplastic.Stick with a good quality threadline and you will enjoy a lot more fishing and a lot less trying to undo tangled line.
donfish

[Sandworm]

ok sounds like i need to save for a nice spinning reel what about the okuma Epix EFS-20?($130)

look/sounds nice and cheap to boot!

well cheap after looking at the Daiwa reels (not saying the okuma is a better reel, but better value maybe?)

maybe also the Laguna 2000 would be a good reel.($170odd)

is there a big difference between the Laguna and the Capricorn 2000(boy there nice)
are they $80 odd better? at aprox$250 i am totaly at the end of my budget

i'll be much happer in the $160 mark + or -

Is the okuma30 close to the Laguna 2000 the okuma at $130 sounds great.

I use a 1500 in a samurai 7i and looks a nice size but whats otehr poeple using and how does the okuma relate in there size (30 etc)

Hi Dave, mate I hate to burst your bubble but the main softs I use are 1.5 atomic shads on a 1/16 Nitro das head jig. I do admit that most of my lure fishing is done from a boat about around snags and over a short distance with a max of aprox 10m.

I have been using baicasters as far back as when all drum reels were called overheads the first drum reel I owned was a Seascape 6.1 (now that's going back a while). the only time I ever use a spinning reel would be if casting poppers for trevs, queenies offshore around the reefs when being accurate does not matter all that much.

When I use a spinning reel for casting lures a barn door is fairly safe from me, and in my line of work and type of fishing being accurate means fish.

It's all about what your used to using, so once again I say, yes baitcaster can be use for light soft plastics, but in saying that you will of course get more distance with a spin reel but be more accurate over a shorter distance with a baitcaster.

ps
the rod I use with my ct50 was custom built to cast ultra light lure. and remember I did say you need the right rod as well:D

[Dave W]

Originally posted by Samurai


It's all about what your used to using, so once again I say, yes baitcaster can be use for light soft plastics, but in saying that you will of course get more distance with a spin reel but be more accurate over a shorter distance with a baitcaster.

ps
the rod I use with my ct50 was custom built to cast ultra light lure. and remember I did say you need the right rod as well:D

I went the light rod road as well, and I'll agree that under 10m they're O.K. (not into a wind though:D)

Personally, I can put a plug into a cup at 10 meters with either a Baitcaster or Spinning reel (maybe not as easily with a Baitcaster any more, lack of use :rolleyes: ) - and I'll go up against anyone with one of my Bream Spinning sticks against a Baitcaster, just to give them a demo on how accurate you can get a spinner ;)

As a sidenote, the bow and arrow cast has to be one of the best ways to get pin-point accuracy out of a Spinning reel ;)

Having said that, mate you've got to agree that for the average all-round fisho a spinning reel is a much better option for the light stuff, in all conditions - especially if you're doing long casts over shallow water.

I'd pay $1000+ for a Baitcaster that could handle the really light weights, and pelt them a fair way - for a heap of reasons (lets not get started on drag comparisons :D)

Cheers,

[RUSS]

Perhaps someone with mega years of experience with bait casters would have no trouble casting ultra light weights but as for myself (I also love bait casters) I prefer to spend more time fishing than untangling. I feel experience is the key with anything. My bait caster comes out when I'm tying on larger lures. Go the flash spinner...

Dave, for most all round fisho's yes a spinning reel is better but again it depends in North QLD it's probably a 20.1 ratio of guys using baitcasters, in our style of fishing up there a spin reel is about as useful as tits on a bull, it's horses for courses.

By the way I get to Penrith several times a year, for the right amount of $ Ill be happy to put my baitcaster up against your spinreel over 10m lol:D

Cheers Samurai

[chris_lemess]

First things first. Yes, I would love to use a baitcaster all the time - I love the single handed aspect of the rods that go with them (well the lighter models anyhow).

Samurai, I'm sure my CVX105 performs in a similar manner to your CT50 - I have it on a 1-3kg Struddie which I see as perfect for the job and yes it will do 1/16ths. However when it gets to that time in the afternoon when the 20kn sou-wester springs up and it's time to hit the flats and belt lures out of sight (into the wind), I know I'd rather be using a small spin reel. If most of the weights I'm casting were to be twice what I'm using now; no hesitation, I'd go the b/caster. If I was a bass fisherman over east, I'd use a b/caster. Because I like to take with me on the boat only what I deem as combos I will actually be able to use in all circumstances if the needs arise, I don't bother with the baitcaster most of the time. Because (I presume), you're often flipping lures into snags for barra, jacks, trevs etc, a baitcaster is the obvious choice, and whoever disagrees needs a clout round the ears IMO. :D

Sandworm - you have two Pinpoints and you want to put a baitcaster on one?? Is it even a baitcast rod? Sorry for the pretty stupid question but I'm just clarifying to make sure!

cheers

[Dave W]

Originally posted by Samurai

By the way I get to Penrith several times a year, for the right amount of $ Ill be happy to put my baitcaster up against your spinreel over 10m lol:D

Cheers Samurai

As long as we get an independent adjudicator :D

Next time you're coming down give me a yell - any excuse to chase Bass on the Nepean :)

Cheers,

Hi Chris, I agree with everything your saying, the point Im trying to get across is that to just say baitcasters are no good for light softs is far to broad a statment for anyone to make.

There are people who are great with spin reels and can cast just about anything but there is also those who specialize in using ultra light lures and light soft with a baitcaster, just because a particullar fisherperson can't cast light softs with a baitcaster does not mean others can't.

Cheers Samurai

Hey Dave, you forgot to mention the most important thing the $s:D :D lol



Cheers Samurai

There is no doubt about it, Baitcasters are the way to go up north. Not only for their casting accuracy, but for the Drag and fish pulling ability which is crucial against barra and jacks! But... In terms of bream fishing, they aren't practical. Especially if the person doesn't have the years of experience that others do, or the money to afford the top notch gear!
For the average Bream fisho, the light spin rod is the most practical setup to use. That really is almost unquestionable. Hence why almost every bream fisherman uses one!

Again I partly agree Kingpin, but again you can't say baitcasters are not practical for bream fishing for most maybe but for some they are practical, and again I say it depends on the person and their style of bream fishing and the types of locations they fish, example in my case it's practical to use a baitcasterfor bream.

Not everyone fishes the same some use hardbodies others use soft plastics some prefer shorter rods other prefer longer rods, you prefer a spin reel I prefer a baitcaster and I personally along with quite a few guys I know don't have any problems using ultra light lures and light soft plastics. My whole debate here is that if a person has tried using a baitcaster for light soft and could not cast them or had trouble do so, should not assume that every other person who trys it with a baitcaster will have the same result.

So getting back to my original statement, yes you can use baitcasters for soft plastics, but it's not a reel type that suite everyone, surley you must agree with that.

Cheers Samurai

Cheers Warren

[RUSS]

Some say "tomayto", Some say "tomarto" Its whatever flicks your switch I guess. Maybe a poll is in order...

[Sandworm]

I was told the rod is set up to handle both (as in will do each ok, but not one perfectly hence it’s a compromise cheap rod though)
looks to handle a spinner better though.

I think i'll get another spinner for this rod and then get a rod and baitcaster reel :) that way i get my "spending wages on fishing" fix!

then i will have to figure a use for it

[zimeric]

I have been using a baitcaster for a long long time now....

I'll admit though it cannot get the distance that a spinning reel can with light lures but the accuracy is definitely an advantage especially when using bigger SP's around jetties and heavy structure - also usefull if you want to target other species like flatties and tailor. The other advantage of course is that the drag systems on some baitcasters are far superior and coupled with the ability to use heavier line means you will have less smokings and more fish in the boat!

If you do nothing else but bream fish then sure you shouldnt need a baitcaster. But I have found it an indispensable part of my kit and wouldnt swop it for another spinning rig.

[zimeric]

oh and be carefull with rods that claim to be able to handle both types of reel - i garantee you it cant... it is either a spinning blank or a casting blank
because the line comes out straight on the caster you need 5-7 small eyelets on the blank to keep the line straight or you will lose distance
likewise with the spinning reel you need 3 or 4 large eyelets to cope with the flicking line as it comes off the reel..

[rigzz]

Hi,
I don't know if I should buy into this argument but my thoughts are this. A spin reel will be much easier to use and usually give better distance than a baitcaster. Having said that, ALL my bream spinning for the past decade has been done with baitcasters (an ABU 1500C on a '91 vintage Ian Miller Basscaster and a 2500C on a homebuilt UB 510 Ugly Stik) and that has included SPs down to 1/16th oz. I could have got slightly better distance with a spin outfit though.
Cheers,
Rigzz

[Angry]

Totally agree with the majority of the comments here. ie for casting light lures you can't beat an eggbeater. I've seen some people cast super light lures fair distances but I'm not one of them. Add any sort of head wind is good night Irene.
I love baitcasters (sept the handle is on the wrong side (flame siut on:D )) but the first time a fish takes a floating lure while you sort out a birdsnest is enough to convince you use a threadline.

And I agree the Okuma epix EFS reels are bloody hard to beat quality for cost wise. I get a smile on my face every time fish, clean or fondle mine.

[Drew]

g'day guys

haven't done a post for awhile been really busy

i can see that this is causing alot of confusion,

but i do agree with samurai, i use both spin and bait caster to fish for bream and that's all i do pretty much most of the time
and i've only been casting a baitcaster for 4 years which isn't a long time ........by any means

but i can through a 1/32 1/16 even tryed a 7cm SP weightless on a eagle claw hook

i recon if the americans can do it(in the BASS comp's) then so can Aussies .............as we swim better than then anyway !!!

it's like wat samurai said it's all about the set up it has to be perfect ............and usually costly

a bored spool will do the trick and a fast taper skinny rod that loads when there's a stiff wind well to well in every condition

also rocket oil from abu garcia used in long distance casting comp well help ....2 ......it should come with an eon abu ........

i've even seen a mate of mine cast a scorpion/35mm 20 m with a 5600 abu and a brome stick meant for casting barra lures ............now i give it that he is a brillant caster but it can be done .............

so give it a go

and also it is worth it's weight in gold for breamfishing with accuracy i can testify 4 that ....

cheer's guys cya later..... just sum thouhgts

[DaiwaFreak]

I think that the Shimano Scorpion is suitable for the job. I also want to buy one, if you do get one, tell me how it goes.

Cheers

DaiwaFreak

[devilcool]

just got a bargain calais 201DC as a new toy for breaming ...
this morring went to warmie and give afew cast.. using 1/8 jig head and loving it ... the reel is so smooth :)

cheers
dC

[kevin19870316]

i donno much about lower end baitcaster but well, there do exist some baitcasters that can cast really light weight.
as budget constrains, i'd suggest scorpion MG the 1st choice. it can efficiently cast down to 1/8 with the right set up.
then if u know how to service reels and stretch ur budget a bit, there are 2 very very mean reels out there.
1, shimano conquest 50S, it's basically a conquest 50 with shallow spool and finesse drag, it's designed to throw 1/16 efficiently for trout and i know some japanese throwing 0.7grms fine spoons with it for trout. i think one guy actually throw a 1.5grms fine spoon 50m in no wind condition( not many spinning combo on the market can throw 1.5grms weight 50 meters). the reel's got 10 stainless steel bearings and 1 roller, so u will have to really take care of the reel so that the stainless steel brearings won't corrode.
2, daiwa pixy. i know ppl using them in SW so if u know how to take care of it, it'll serve u well. from what i've read a pixy can throw lures down to 1/16 with the right set up.
also calais 100a and MG7 can throw light lures and they r more robust and versatile.

[kevin19870316]

just got a bargain calais 201DC as a new toy for breaming ...
this morring went to warmie and give afew cast.. using 1/8 jig head and loving it ... the reel is so smooth :)

cheers
dC
now i see where that 201DC goes:D. i wouldn't let u get it for 380 posted if it was a righty

[devilcool]

now i see where that 201DC goes:D. i wouldn't let u get it for 380 posted if it was a righty

heheheheh....
don't tell me that you the seller :eek::eek: or you in the same bidder on this reel hahahah :confused:

i got it for 365 posted lefty

cheers
dC

[Hotrods]

hey kevin...your on the ball with the pixy BUT i have stated in at lest 5 other posts an a number of forums that i can cast down to 1/32 + SP with my SOL, same profile as the pixy but salt water built. if you keep em well tuned they are very versitile..only problems i have is with tiny HB's. again it has a LOT to do with what rod its on...

[kevin19870316]

wow, it's crazy to cast 1/32 with sol man, well done! the best i could do is 1/16 HB with calais 100a.

hey DC, i was bidding on the same reel just in case most ppl will get confused with the curado pic. ;) i asked the seller to send me some pics of the actual reel just in case but he didn't reply in 3 days time so i just put 350 and let it go. also i'm RHW so the LHW DC's more of a collection for me as i've got a RHW already.

[Fishyman]

MUAHAHAHAH!

you guys just wait until they redo the presso baitcaster to match the new presso spins,

zaion body so SW safe and performs better than any other baitcaster out there on light weights

[Hotrods]

yeah thats another issue..will they start using the Zaion for the BC line ???

still want another BC or 3 but cant make up my mind..might get an Alphas 103 or jus wait to see if the presso pops up ? ya just never know ! lol

[shadowformz]

2, daiwa pixy. i know ppl using them in SW so if u know how to take care of it, it'll serve u well. from what i've read a pixy can throw lures down to 1/16 with the right set up.
also calais 100a and MG7 can throw light lures and they r more robust and versatile.

G'day Kevin,
This is going to be very embarassing, but i have recently purchased a Daiwa Pixy for specifically using as an ultra light bait casting outfit for bream, and was completley unaware that they are a freshwater reel only:o, bugga. I see by your post here that you are aware of some other people who are using pixy's in the salt and i was wondering if you could tell me the best way to take care of and maintain this reel in a saltwater situation ( i hear that Inox is good). Cheers, Brad.

[nuggman]

hehehe go the 103 perrie hehehehe you will want that drag :rolleyes:.
i can cast lures down to 3g with my alphis and get good distance. as hot rods said having the right rod makes a huge diffrence. but if you still have to get a bait caster id get the alphis r. i love my alphis for surface breaming, casting lures like sammys and plackys on 1/8 jig is a dream (i love skip casting plackys in to tiger country with it). any thing lighter and i use my spin rods.