They didn’t have any of the 2 combos I wanted. Had to just pick a rod and reel. First baitcaster ever. I just noticed this reel doesn’t have the brake turn knob on the side lol

Posted by Broad-Mode-8706

8 Comments

  1. Yes and no. I think?

    The Shimano SLX is one of the most recommended entry/budget level baitcasters out there while still maintaining high quality. It is also my first baitcaster too. I got mine on father’s day this year. I put 30lb suffix braid on mine and I absolutely love it.

    That being said, I probably wouldn’t have gotten the XG version though. I believe that is the 8.2 gear ratio. That’s really fast and is suited for certain situations. I went with the middle 7.2 ratio (SLX 151HG) as it’s more of an all around ratio, jack of all master of none type ratio (at least that is what I’ve read online). I’m still learning but this is what I have read over the past year learning about bass fishing and gear, ect.

    Hopefully someone with more experience and knowledge about gear can answer your question. It may not even matter at the end of the day.

  2. Well, you never go wrong with Shimano. But that is a high gear ratio for a firat baitcaster. I hope you will use the rod to fight fish instead of trying to reel them in with the reel alone – because higher gear ratio means less power and more fragile gears. So, let the rod take the abuse, not the reel.

    As for braid line lb test recommendation, I would suggest 30lb. Thicker line will be more forgiving in terms of resiting birds nests and if you do get them (and you will), they will be easier to untangle compared to a thinner line.

  3. AwkwardAmbassador760 on

    I was looking at this and the slx dc. I ended up ordering a daiwa tatula ct on sale for $99 instead. Not my first (4th) but my first next level baitcast reel I guess. I will check out a slx probably next season. I heard they are very smooth..

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