I made an earlier post after spooling up a baitcasting reel for the first time and had a specific request for more thoughts on it so here I am after using it a handful of times over a couple weeks… Caught one fish on it (2.12lb LMB; had much more luck with finesse setups lately but been throwing bigger reaction stuff on this anyway for fun).
Rod Thoughts:
It's a 7' Medium Heavy Fast Action rod, and I got the 1 piece version… very lightweight, sensitive enough to feel what you're hitting (or bites). Durability seems solid but I haven't been rough on it yet, and the extra strength is definitely there compared to my 6'10" Medium Extra Fast Action finesse rod. Good rod for the price, very happy with it so far.
Reel Thoughts:
I'm spooled up with 40lb braid and a 15lb fluoro leader, and like how it feels. I may drop down to 30lb braid next time but we'll see… sticking with 15lb fluoro leader because I'll need that much strength & abrasion resistance where I fish, and combined with heavier braid I know when I eventually break off it'll usually be the leader that goes.
I'm right handed and have the left-hand retrieve version. I don't like switching hands and haven't had an issue operating it this way so far.
Took me about an hour of casting to get the hang of it and have been loosening the brakes & spool tension every time I use it since then. I can already cast as far or farther than my spinning combo (partly due to throwing heavier lures) with backlashes extremely rare and extremely minor (2-3s fixes).
This reel is SMOOTH. All I do to prevent backlashes is hold my thumb on the free spool and release on the cast (like a spincast rod), then return my thumb to the spool GENTLY about a second before the lure hits the water. Just a timing thing, like so many other things in fishing already are.
7.5:1 gear ratio picks up line very quickly but I don't have any issues slow-rolling. I find the crank very comfortable to use and retrieve is very smooth. Reel is light but not SUPER light– noticeably heavier than my spinning rod but I can still use it for long periods.
Drag is great! I have it locked down a little under halfway (stated max 20lb drag) and when I snagged a log in the river it pulled smoothly– if I ever catch a monster bass (or catfish/gar most likely) I think it would do the job nicely.
Overall, I'm very happy with the combo so far! My catch came on a 1/2oz chatterbait, and so far I've thrown lures from 1/2oz to 3/4oz without issue. Love the ability to stop a cast short to avoid hitting trees etc if you throw it too far (applies to baitcasters in general but this is my first one).
Posted by WadeFishingTX