San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

Hey all,

Im looking to try out a baitcasting combo for the first time. I have only used spinning reels to this point.Therefore I’m looking for some suggestions for a nice and affordable bait casting combo that I can use in the bays ect.

Anything you suggest would be awesome.

I learned over 30 years ago on an abu Garcia ambassador. Bass fishing and 1/2 day boats. Caught everything from bass, catfish, halibut, yellowtail and everything between on it. Pretty solid reel. You can get one around $70 plus an ugly stick elite rod for around the same price. Wouldn’t be a bad combo. There’s going to be countless options and opinions to your quest.

Can I use a freshwater baitcasting reel in saltwater? Or should I consider saltwater specific reels bc that is what I’ll be fishing 99% of the time.

Yes, no problem. Just clean and maintain. “Saltwater” Reels are a relatively newer concept. I always carry gallons of tap water if I’m hitting the bay or similar so I can rinse off the reels and rods before loading them up. Get some Cals grease and coat the insides if you want to take it to the next level of salt water prep. Even do that on a saltwater rated reel

Any mid level combos you can suggest for the bays ? Or at times fresh water. Maybe something that’s versatile for a little bit of everything

Most rod and reel combos out there sold together lack in quality and it’s usually the reel that is the cheaper made of the two. I’d make my own combo. You can’t go wrong with an ugly stick elite casting rod and the abu Garcia to start with. Or you can always look for something on Craigslist. If you’re right handed, I would recommend learning on a left hand reel. You can fast and reel without switching hands. A wrist injury forced left on me after fishing right handed for ever. It’s so much more enjoyable


https://www.uglystik.com/elite-casting-rod-1365092
https://www.abugarcia.com/products/abas ... tcast-reel

Abu Garcia has some combos for $120 with the ambassador. I don’t know anything about the rod quality.

Great thing is, you can always upgrade down the road if you like it.

For a beginner, I would suggest getting a better baitcasting reel rather than a cheap one, it will make learning to bait cast easier and more fun.

My favorite of late is the Daiwa TW SV reels, much easier to cast without backlashing than most other baitcasters. Follow the instructions to adjust, a bit different than other baitcasters.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Daiwa_T ... e-DEG.html I have had no problems using this in the bay, I do rinse it off with freshwater as soon as I get home from a trip. It is a good size for bass fishing too. I usually use 6-10 pound mono line on it. Mono will be the easiest to learn to cast with (I like the Ande brand).

You can certainly learn how to baitcast on a less expensive reel but you will have to adjust the cast control for more resistance and give up casting distance.

As for the rod, a 7 or 7.5' rod rated for 1/4-3/4 or 1/8-1/2 ounce weights will work. This is inexpensive and casts surprisingly well for the price: https://www.tackledirect.com/daiwa-lag7 ... r-rod.html

Thanks for the advice. I’ll try to find some deals out there and keep checking the site. I knew at one point it seemed like everyone was selling a reel or rod on here.