A good baitcaster is going to cost more than many people expect. Baitcasters come in lower-priced models, however, they will be a nightmare trying to use them. A good baitcaster will have cast controls to reduce backlash. Eliminating backlashes is a myth. The best you can do is reduce the problem. The low end of the price range is around 100 dollars. It is not uncommon for anglers to spend $160-$300 on a good baitcaster reel. A baitcaster will cost more, so unless you can spend the money, buy a good spinning reel instead.
What Do I Need to Know about Baitcaster Reels
The target species determines size even though the sizes seem to differ between some manufacturers, so looking at the line capacity is a good place to start. Line capacity is important also. A bass reel will have an 80-160 yard spool and use a 10-20 pound line. Whereas going after larger fish will need a reel capable of handling 20-80 lb. line with a spooling capacity of 160 – 220 yards. Although, some anglers will seek a compromise in these parameters.
The drag on the reel needs to be strong and smooth. A small reel should have 12-15 lbs of drag or even 18lbs in some cases. The larger reels are for bigger fish so 18lb. drags are the bare minimum, look for 20 lb. or higher in my opinion. A poorly operating or adjusted drag accounts for many fish lost while fighting them. Do not ignore the drag when purchasing a reel of any kind.
Reels come in several ratios also. Choose the right ratio for your needs. Slower ratios work better with crankbaits. A faster ratio is for spinners and Texas rigs. A middle-range ratio is an all-around choice. It can run all lures with small changes to the cranking speed. This ideal for anglers with one reel.
Construction
The availability of numerous gear ratios adds more decisions to the choice. Do you need a high ratio, low ratio, or an in-between ratio based on fishing style? The low ratios work well with live bait and some lures like crankbaits. Similarly, the higher ratios work with spinner type baits, buzzbaits, or other fast-moving presented lures. If you only are buying one reel and do all of the previous, check out a middle-of-the-road ratio of 5.5;1 up to 6.5;1 range and adjust the retrieve by reeling faster or slower. The ratio will go from 4.6;1 to over 8;1 leaving a wide range of options.
The reels come in two styles. The classic round reel is mainly for catfishing anglers. The low profile is a common style for bass anglers. There are anglers using both to serve different purposes. As a result, you likely know which style is desirable to your style of fishing.
Quality of Baitcaster Reels
A few items in a good baitcaster reel make all the difference in quality. Above all, the plastic gears some companies use are an indicator to stay away. The metal gears are the way to go on bait cast reels. For example, these reels will see heavier use and often heavier loads reeling in lures, and lunker fish. The use of braid and other super-strong lines adds to the stress on these reels. As well, you will be pulling fish out of heavy cover at a minimum.
What type of cast control the reel have? The baitcaster reel may have a magnetic, pins (centrifugal), or computerized cast control. These work with the tension adjustment to reduce backlash or overrunning the spool. The better models will have 2 of the cast control features, typically pins and magnetic systems together. The pins regulate the spool speed at the beginning of the cast and the magnetic control helps towards the end of the cast when the spool starts slowing down.
Also, is the handle big enough for the reel and ratio? A short handle reduces your leverage when cranking. The better reels will have or offer a larger handle, a must-have for musky and pike fishing. Plus, the repeated casting and retrieval of large lures will create fatigue. A power handle will help reduce fatigue.
Baitcasters use strong lightweight materials. The frames and spool will last made out of aluminum where other materials add weight or are weaker. The weight of baitcasting reels is higher so this is a factor. Do you want a reel weighing over a pound?
Who Makes the Best Baitcast Reel
This is where anglers will argue and swear by a brand and in some cases, it is justified. A bass angler has a lot of good choices. Musky anglers will face a limit of 4-5 good reels. Overall anglers have it the easiest with almost any serving their purpose. Baitcast reels are more specific-purpose pieces of tackle, hence the gear ratios. Plus the other features manufacturers offer.
Shop for Baitcast Reels On Amazon
Shop for Baitcast Reels at Bass Pro
Conclusion
When buying a good baitcaster reel there is no one to do it all reel. They have various ratios, line capacities, and other features to improve performance with different styles of fishing. Therefore, look at a few and buy what is best for you.
Keeping fishing simple for tight lines and bragging rights
John McIntyre