need a pair of baitcasters

[Ristorapper]

With the sports show season upon us and a few deals to be had there I was hoping to invest in a pair of baitcasting reels for live-bait presentations and some pitching of jigs into the shallows at times. I am not too familiar with baitcasters other than the two diawa lc27's I have but have them set up for trolling.

I was in a pro boat last summer on Sakakawea and had a good experience with the pro's equipment and would like to replicate that. His equipment looked a few year old so didn't bother to write down the model numbers and brand names.

Here's what I am asking: I am interested in the set-up you may have for use in lindy rigging, bottom bouncing and pitching jigs. Seems to me this Pro had flipping switches on his reels. Those I thought were very usefull so let me know if you use that feature. Not sure about the magnetic systems that control backlash much so any explanation in that area would be appreciated, although I don't think I would be casting long distances much, just pitching for example sitting in 11' of water and pitching to the shallows. And anything else you can add will help me tremendously as this is new to me.

What are you using for baitcasters and the pros and cons? thanks

BW(ND)

[Phil T.]

If you're like me, and fish not only for walleye, but like to fish for pike as well, I'd make one of those reels a Shimano Calcutta, no larger than the 400. It's expensive, but the gears run like they're in butter, and there are no plastic gears inside. There are a number of different models with different line capacities. Walleye aren't known for long runs during the fight, so line capacity isn't important unless long-line trolling. A light weight model will work even for jigging. The lighter the rod/reel, the more "sensitive" you will find it.
If the Calcutta is too expensive, Abu builds reasonably durable reels, and you can buy different models so you get differeent retrieve ratios. High speed is nice if you do much spinnerbait fishing for bass or pike(again). The round ones are considered to be more durable than the smaller, streamlined bass reels. Their weakness is a plastic gear that drives the levelwind which can strip if you cast big baits like pike/musky plugs or spinners. The acceleration will destroy that plastic gear. The bass reels will have the flipping switch, but I haven't found that feature to be very necessary. I just disengage and re-engage the reel, or simply hold the spool with my thumb without engaging it until something nice happens.
Here's a little hint for convenience. Buy a reel whose levelwind runs back and forth as line is let out while the reel is disengaged, as in casting or dropping out more line. The models which disengage the levelwind during the cast tend to pile up the line on one side of the spool after a few hours use. That means you have to let out a lot of line, until the spool is level again and wind it all back in. One of my favorite reel is small (easy to palm), light (jigging is possible, but I prefer spinning tackle for jigging), but the levelwind disengages. It's not a big disadvantage, but an irritant, like a mosquito.

[Dutchman]

I use a Shimano Curado (1ea) for casting cranks, for trolling bottom bouncers I use Mitchel Copperheads (4ea), and for cranks Daiwa SG27LC's (6ea).
The reason I went with the Copperheads is because they have flippin' switches, and that is very handy for letting out line when running bouncers. All of my Spinning reels are Pinnacle Deadbolts (all 8 of them) I've had some trouble with the Copperheads but they where replaced no questions asked. Hope this helps...

" Fishing is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope "

[SUPERTROLLER]

You'll DEFINITELY want the flipping switch option on your reels. If you're running more than one rod and need to let out more line it is so easy to just hit the thumb-bar and release and be re-engaged. I prefer Diawa's and have two. Both are Procaster X's with 3 ballbearings. My 103 HA doesn't have the flipping switch and I wish it did. The 153iV has it and I use it almost exclusively. They both have the Speed Shaft super freespool system. You will probably still have an easier time pitching very light weight jigs on spinning equip. but you can always try the baitcasters. I'm just not very good at it. The Speed Shaft system completely disengages the spool from the gears so you are only spinning the spool. You then adjust the spool tension to your liking and continuously backlash like the rest of us. Practice. Practice. Practice. Then practice some more. Welcome to the club.

[ILLEYE]

I have been using mitchell copperheads for bottom bouncing and heavy jigging. Pretty good reels, however they discontinued them. At the Chicago fishing show though, I noticed they came out with new ones under the spidercast name. Same reel as the copperhead with cosmetic differences. They have a three and five ball bearing model. As stated earlier, the daiwa procaster are also good, though you have to find the old ones as the new ones don't offer the flipping feature on all models. I prefer the daiwas myself, but came across the copperheads for cheap so I picked them up a few years ago. They have worked well for me.

[Cangl]

Several reels out there have a small toggle type flipping switch,
which can be hard to find and operate, all mine have the push forward switch, which is also larger and have yet to fail.

[REW]

I don't know if you are right or left handed.
I did run into a problem because I am left handed. Since I am left handed, I like to hold my rod in my left hand and reel with my right hand.

Because of this, I use my left thumb to activate the flipping switch.
I picked up a very nice bait caster - basically a right hand version, i.e. the handle on the right hand side of the rod.

However, the flipping switch was hinged on the left side of the reel. This ment that when I tried to activate the flipping switch with my left thumb - the location of the flipping switch hinge, caused the lever to bind. I tried using it for a bit, but gave up in frustration and took it back.

Because this reel might be used by both right and left handed persons on my boat, I looked for a reel - where the flipping switch was suspened from both sides of the reel - not just one side. There are a few out there - like the mitchel copper top mentioned above - that I have and love.

I did find that most of the reels did not have a dual suspended flipping switch, and if I used a left handed reel - to accomodate the hinging of the flipping lever - the handle was on the wrong side for my liking.

I actually found a Shakesphere reel that had a center hung flipping lever, with very nice drag - 10 ball bearings and has been a very excellent unit for me at a very reasonable price.

This might or might not be an issue for you - depending on how you are going to use your reel - and which hand you are going to hold and reel the rod.

Take care

REW

[Ristorapper]

Thanks for all the advice. An interesting observation REW. I am left-handed but do prefer the rod in my right hand and cranking with my left. However my lc27's are both right hand crank and I can operate them well when used in trolling situations.

My idea was to get one right hand crank and one left hand crank each so that if I am working both rods I may adjust the depth of both rods easily by reaching over with one hand to raise line when needed, with both crank handles facing closest to the opposite hand(so I don't have to reach across the reel to crank the handle). And of course the flipping switch to lower baits with a push of a button when needed.

And when the wife is along she likes the right hand crank!!

thanks again guys for all the advice and will check out a bunch of reels at the sports show Feb 1-3. Thanks again

bw(ND)

[Mr Twister]

Hi Risto...
Catch me and we can chat on the phone. I beleive you are from Bis-Man as I am. I use almost all baitcasters for fishing. I can tell the reasons or even show you different set ups if interested.

Just email me and we can exchange phone numbers

[Ristorapper]

Mr. Twister:

I'm interested in talking with you but not sure how to e-mail you or get your e-mail addy.

BW

[Mr Twister]

Sorry about that!!!! Send me an email at: gntlmn7@hotmail.com