Baitcasting reel

[Lowell]

I've always been a spinning reel guy, but would like to try a baitcaster. Worry about backlash. Was recommened 2 choices, Abu Garcia 5600AB Anti-backlash or Quantum Iron. Plan to spend between $85 and $125. Any thought would be appreciated.

[Fred_G]

Check out the Shimano Curado. It runs about $120 and is a great reel. Good luck! Fred

[River rat]

Buy yourself a quality baitcaster to begin with, stay away from the anti-backlash it is just a gimmick. For $125 you can buy a very nice reel be it an Abu, Shimano or Quantum make sure it is the proper size for what you want to use it for. Go in you r back yard with a practice plug and within an hour you should have it nailed. I've taught my two kids one at the age of 5 and my wife how to use baitcasters, don't try for distance right away, that will come with time. Don't know what you are planning on throwing but an Abu ultracast with the thumbar fits in your price range. Personally I own 2 Abu Morrums and 2 Shimano Calcuttas, very nice reels but pricey, around $200.

[Bosbar]

I have to agree with Fred, Shimano's a great reel, I've been using one for year's. Here's some food for thought. Since you've been fishing with spinning reels you were probably reeling left-handed, correct? Why not start out with a left-handed baitcaster. You cast with your right and crank with your left. you don't have to keep switching the rod back and forth.(beides, nobody ever wants to borrow a left-handed baitcaster) Good Luck!

[Den]

The garcia anti backlash reel is NOT a gimick, i have used baitcaster for many years, but i can say that it in next to impossible to make it backlash when used as the directiond say. i took one in the parking lot, and put a 2 oz sinker on it , casted and didnt touch anything after casting, and no backlash. we did it on the lake with 7 oz jerkbaits, and still no backlashes.i dont know of anybody that has one that has had a backlash with one, but i am sure somewhere there will be. also as far as Garcia reels go, they havent changed any of the series of reels for many years, i think that says something for them, the gears and the housings have been the same for a good reason.i usually dont comment on products, but this one i will. i have a couple of abu(garcia) reels that i have used for walleye, and musky , both reels are over 20 years old, and they were used for charter fishing, as well as used for musky too, but not one of my shimano reels held up under the hard use for over one year.i am not saying that shimano reels are not good, but they just dont take hard use like a garcia. the anti backlash reel does cut down on the distance, but it doesnt backlash. for somebody just learning it is a great reel, after getting the hang of it, just run the line the regular way and it is free casting just like any good casting reel. this is just my personal opinion, but i have used them all, and i am not really biased on what i sell, but i am honest on the products too, good or bad. good luck and good fishin.
Den

[Gabby_SD]

I just got back from Cabela's in Mitchel SD . I purchased a Abu-Garcia 5600 for 90.00 and as a promotion by Abu I recieved the 2nd one free. There were factory reps for many products there (also will be there tomorrow)

[loomis]

Anti-backlash is the biggest gimmick since the banjo minnow! It's a joke! When using the a-b feature you have no casting distance or accuracy. Maybe you can get it to cast using 2 oz sinkers or 7 oz. jerkbaits, but what about 1/4 oz spinnerbaits or 1/2 oz spoons? WASTE OF MONEY! Buy a shimmano curado and I think you'll be pleased. Practice, practice, practice. Left-handed reel is a good idea, sometimes a little harder to find. Either way, good luck.

[GORD]

The Shimano Curado is a no regrets reel. It is light, smooth and not clumsey like those big soup can baitcasters. You'll love it for years. Left handed is the way to go.

[Phil T.]

Abu's antibacklash works. I'm old enough to not need one anymore.
I must have a half dozen or more baitcasting reels. My best are my 1963-vintage Abu 5500C, and my latest, a Shimano Calcutta. Both have only bronze gears, no plastic or nylon, not even in the end of the reel opposite the handles.
My other reels have plastic or nylon gears, and they will strip. Plastic is plastic, whether it is Japanese or Swedish.

[SUPERTROLLER]

Lowell, Although Abu Garcia and Quantum are fine reels, I think you are limiting your options. Diawa makes several reels in this price range and they have the flipping switch which would allow you to use this reel for pulling bottom bouncers, if that is something you do. I do not think the Shimano or Garcia reels have a flipping switch. ( I could be wrong, feel free to correct me )When engaged , it allows you to more easily let out addional line when needed, without having to re-engage the reel after pushing the button. I know this really helps me when using two rods at the same time. Depending on where you live and the laws of your State, it is something to consider. I just feel you need to do more investigating of all the reels out there before you let everyone here brainwash you with their favorites. Decide what you are going to use the reel for and get one that fills your needs and style of fishing. Good luck in your search.

[Al]

For the money, you'll have a hard time beating a Quantum Classic. It has instant anti reverse, 6.2:1 gears and is quite smooth. Best of all, they are less than 70 bucks. I have 4 of them and haven't had the first problem. I use them a lot for walleye, smallmouth (burning 3/4 oz spinnerbaits), Largemouth (buzzbaits) and I've not been disappointed. Nothing against Shimano, I have 6 spirex reels (4000) and never had a problem with them. I just think their baitcasters have gotten out of hand.

[W'eyes Guy]

I was mainly a spinning reel guy myself, so I went with the left handed baitcaster. It just seemed more natural to me. Unfortunately, though, my partner is left hande so the "no-one wants to borrow it " thing didn't work for me. However, with a little practice, anyone can master a 'caster.

[kurt]

i think frist you have to decide between a low profile or the stanard round reel. as far as left hand or right i would go right . that way you have more options. the reel companies dont make very many left haned reels.as far whos to buy abu and shimano.see what fits your hand the best.

[vetspet(ind)]

i use spinning and casting reels...like the spinning reels when it is windy and i will be casting into the wind...otherwise the baitcasters are much better...i have several large baitcasters...daiwa 47H...but these are strictly downrigger reels...i use ambassador garcia...6500's most of the time when i cast...they occasionally backlash but are nice reels...hold 350 yds of 10 lb mono...what makes them so versatile is i can hook into a large king and steelhead and there is still plenty of line for the long runs they make yet they are nice casting reels...was going to get the 5500 reels but a buddy who does the pwt circuit said i'd be happier with the 6500 due to its the same reel with larger capacity as i fish lake michigan all the time....i really like my 6500's...have four...also have two bantams which are nice...these have the feature called line out click so that if i want to downrig with them i can do so without a problem letting the cannonballs down...if you do not have the line out click it is really a pain to downrig with the reel...steve

[Mattman]

Abu Garcia makes a great reel. Readily available, reliable and easy to get parts for. As a matter of fact, you can get higher or lower ratio gears for your Abu. The antibacklash feature does work but you sacrifice a little. You can turn it off or bypass it all together. You can even remove the feature from the reel. They are a great reel but the 2 for 1 offer just makes this a no brainer.