Reels

[SNIPER17HMR]

I am looking at getting a new bait caster and was looking a bps ad and friday they have bps Tournament plus bait caster 39.99 on a special buy and sunday they have the megaforce plus baitcaster for 59.94

Has anyone used these reels it will be my first bait caster and looking for feed back?

[sfw1960]

Spend a few bucks more & get a Citica , Daiwa or Revo ...

$125 reels ARE that much better , especially if you're just learning!

[bassdisaster]

My advice get the BEST you can aford!
If thats the $39.99 model or a $159 model!
I dont know either of those reels, but likely built by Silstar/Pfluger!
Prolly be decent reels for your 1st, but again I say get the BEST you can! It makes all the difference!

BD

[Capnhook]

The higher quality reels will last 5X as long, so they are a better deal in the long run, and a whole lot more enjoyable to use. Smoother, better drags, better casting. Good Luck - Capnhook

[Flash]

I have used the Daiwa Mega Force $59-69 reels. I liked the first one so well I bought another off a fellow member here. The magnetic dial control is wonderful to use and it allowed me to learn quickly. The key control though is the small tension knob on the right side. Adjust this first so that your lure barely drops when the thumb release is depressed. Then adjust the magnetic control for the weight lure you are throwing. This will minimize birdsnesting and maximize learning curve.

That said - this past winter I have upgraded significantly my baitcasters to Diawa 153HSTA's. Thus I have already sold both my Mega Forces.

Starting somewhere is a sure beginning. I do not regret starting with the mega force baitcasters. I am however really looking forward to using my new 153HSTA's this year.

[jaybassman]

You cant go wrong with Quantum PT reels wither that be the Energy or the Tour Edition PT....I know they are a little pricey but if you save up and look for a gently used one on Ebay or something you will have the bait caster of a lifetime. Also the resale value on the reel is incredible. Quantum Energy Pt bait caster reels that sold 3-4 years ago for 300 are still being sold for 100 or more every day!!

Just ask KVD....Quantum PT rods and reels are the best on the market!

[sfw1960]

Originally Posted by Flash

I have used the Daiwa Mega Force $59-69 reels. I liked the first one so well I bought another off a fellow member here. The magnetic dial control is wonderful to use and it allowed me to learn quickly. The key control though is the small tension knob on the right side. Adjust this first so that your lure barely drops when the thumb release is depressed. Then adjust the magnetic control for the weight lure you are throwing. This will minimize birdsnesting and maximize learning curve.

That said - this past winter I have upgraded significantly my baitcasters to Diawa 153HSTA's. Thus I have already sold both my Mega Forces.

Starting somewhere is a sure beginning. I do not regret starting with the mega force baitcasters. I am however really looking forward to using my new 153HSTA's this year.

Just think if you'd have started with the 153's Flash - those are a SWEEEEET reel.

Jay ~
KVD will use anything he gets paid for (= fEEsH 'h0......)



I know the top end Quantum's are like almost any OEM's top end - good stuff , cheap is cheap.

[jaybassman]

That sounds pretty credible coming from someone who "trolls" Muskegon Lake...BLAH!! LAZY MAN FISHING!!

Also KVD is not a fish hoe...He is the best fisherman who has ever lived. He MUST have confidence in whatever he is throwing...so Strike King, Quantum, Oakley, and BPS must have something he believes in or how could he confidently market it??

Can you top 4 million in career bass fishing earnings??

[bassdisaster]

I wouldent say I use QUANTUM because of KVD!
But I do not buy the LOW end reels, Top end is Top end like SFW said so it really matters not the brand as long as its one of the higher end reels!
Anyone can get a new or used baitcaster off ebay cheep, most are good, some may be in good condition and some may need a cleaning and tune job, but I bought my Tour Edition 1170 for $99 new in the box, and that was when they had the $50 rebate so in reality it was $49+ shipping! Beat that!
The key is to keep looking and be patient, winter is best for purchasing cheep, I wouldent think rite now would be the best, but a deal is a deal no matter when you get it!

BD

[sfw1960]

Originally Posted by jaybassman

That sounds pretty credible coming from someone who "trolls" Muskegon Lake...BLAH!! LAZY MAN FISHING!!
For Lazy FisH! (you forgot to mention I cast , jig ,dead stick & spoon too.)
Also KVD is not a fish hoe...(Is too!)He is the best fisherman who has ever lived.( Sure. Drink that kool aid & keep believing it) He MUST have confidence in whatever he is throwing...so Strike King, Quantum, Oakley, and BPS must have something he believes in or how could he confidently market it??
See?? fEEsH 'h0 !
Can you top 4 million in career bass fishing earnings??

NOPE.I work for a living , and I won't be asking you to list your life accomplishments either.


Just because you see what I post occasionally , doesn't mean that you really "know me". I'm actually a pretty private person (as evidenced by my PM count - that is probably a bit higher than my posting - LOL)
I've fished against Carl in a few bass tournaments before and he KNOWS that I fish for a lot of different species and I can do OK - you also won't hear me bragging up myself or others , even though they can "out fish" many of your so called "gods" you think so highly of.

This thread is about use of bait casters , so need to get nasty here or brag up somebody that you're never going to be.
Guys like KVD & they're likes - they're only human (I don't put humans up on pedestals), so get over it.

I don't go recommending stuff to somebody B/C some TV personality is sponsored to use their product , (and you'll likely NOT have the chance to personally "ask them" yourself) . I use stuff that is used & recommended by average everyday Joe's that carefully spend their hard earned money B/C the other average everyday Joe's use & recommend it. IMO ~ a REAL truthful opinion....
I think it's called WORD OF MOUTH.
I'd be WAY MORE likely to buy something that Carl (BD) would recommend than some TV personality !

Almost ANY reel that costs from $99 to $299 will do a bang-up job , even the Quantums - I've had GREAT service & reliability from Shimano reels for about 30 years , so naturally I would recommend a Citica or Curado in a minute. Carl likes Quantum & they work good for him , but we don't try to jam a product down one's throat B/C 'it's what Mr. TV uses' or 'it's what I use'.


SNIPER17HMR:
If you can only afford one of the two you mentioned , get the Daiwa - it should outlast the BPS reel that Silstar likely manufactured , if you need parts for repair the MF should have better parts availability.

Sorry to derail the thread , but it seems some guys have to try & take pot shots when they should KNOW I'm my own dog & others' opinions count ONLY when I let them in under my consideration.

G'Luck in your choice ~

Robert

[waterfoul]

Of the two you mentioned... I'd go with the megacast for sure. I had one... sold it to a member on this sight (sound familiar?? LOL!!) simply because he liked them, wanted one, and I had one I just wasn't using at the time. As SFW said... if you can pull the trigger on a Citica I'd do that in a minute. I have one.. never let me down in 3 years of hardcore tournament fishing.

[bassdisaster]

LMAO Robert!
Go Get em! he he he
I believe its what you can afford thats going to work best for you!
Oh and for Clarification I lied, I do own 2 lower end Quantums, both are AV770's Burrners, (ebay $44 each) originally came with 7 bearings but I added the 8th and they are both performers, the basic reason I went for these is I like the Magnetic brake better for some methods, the higher end reels have the ACS and ita great just not for every circumstance!
For the beginer id reccomend a mid range reel, if you decided its not for you then you dont have so much $ invested that your only going to recoup at best 75% of!

BD

[Flash]

Originally Posted by sfw1960

Just think if you'd have started with the 153's Flash - those are a SWEEEEET reel.

Ya - but then I wouldn't have had the good fortune to obtain Waterfoul's and pass 2 of them on to my brother.

The 153HSTA really is a nice reel and at $112 I couldn't pass it up (so I bought 3)

Hope to fish alongside you someday.

[dennisthemenace]

I just want a decent LH model for jigging. I have a RH model and just can't shake the spinning reel mentality.
Besides ... Why would anyone cast with their RH , only to have to switch the rod to your LH to reel (with your right again).
I like the functionality of dropping quickly with a touch of the thumb!
--Dennis--