Baitcaster combo

[baydog]

My 12 y/o has asked for a “nice” baitcaster for Christmas. I fish some, but not a lot. What do you serious fisherman recommend? I want something that won’t break the bank like a Calcutta, but not junk. Something decent quality that will hold up and he can have for a while.

[Duck cutter]

Lews makes some good combos

[BOOMSTICK069]

Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier reels and rods are very good budget pieces. They are also on sale right now if I'm not mistaken.

[fracas714]

Abu 5500 & ugly stik.

[SWAMPLIFE z71]

Lews Combo

[Catdaddy]

Any of the above.

I would get a 6:1 retrieve and a medium heavy rod.....6.8- 7 ft.

That's more important than brand.

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[Whackumstackum]

13 fishing concept A and a Duckett rod or a Curado and a Duckett. Not a big fan of the Lews stuff.

[CUfisherman]

I have switched to all Lews reels. Seems like their $100 range reels work best for me. Never used one of their Mach combos but heard good things about them.

[SCSwitchback]

Unless he’s bottom fishing or chunking 3oz weights, do not buy him a 5500 and an ugly stick. That’s a good way to ensure he gets frustrated and quits fishing, and no girls will talk to him. The pro qualifier combos mentioned on here are great as are the Lews Mach combos. I’m not a huge fan of the lews rods but their reels are as good as they get for the money.

[Coastal Woodie]

Daiwa Tatula SV is hands down my favorite but they’re a little pricey. A Lews or Revo X are good options for about $100. Plenty of good rod options out there, I would get a 7 ft medium heavy like catdaddy said.

[quack head 11]

Shimano Curado and then a 7' medium heavy rod. I like All Star rods.

[scdiver]

Just won a Lew's Pro rod last week. I ordered a Piscifun reel for it but haven't even loaded up the spool yet.

I have an Ugly Stick Inshore Lite and Abu Garcia Black Max that I love. ($100 combo)

[WNM]

Whatever Shimano fits your price point. I love my old Citicas. Obviously Curados are quality but more expensive.

[HTFireMedic]

Ambassadeur 5500 C(the older models are the best). Find a good quality rod that is sensitive to the action of the fish. Medium action is probably good for now.
I have the 4800 and 5500 series, and a good AbuGarcia Rod.
There are other good rods and reels out there, those suit me well. The UglyStick (sp) brand is really good too. You can always find a rod and have a customer braid put on it. My father-in-law made them for a lot of people. I don’t know who does that anymore.


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[Palmetto Bug]

My choice would depend on the type of fishing he will be doing. My fresh water stuff is different than my salt water stuff and there are some rigs that are specific for the type of fish I intend to target. For freshwater bass fishing, I like the ergonomics of the "snakehead" style baitcasters because I cast one-handed and cast a lot more frequently. For inshore saltwater, I like the greater line capacity of a Calcutta style reel and often double-hand casts for greater distance. If I am fishing a lure that needs to run fast or is light, I switch over to spinning rigs. For sheepshead, I like an Ambassadeur reel or a fly rod.

[Bad Habit]

Absolutely need to know intended use to answer this question- also mono or braid?

[Tugted312]

Lews is what my son likes & their customer service is excellent.

[Relentlous]

Lews
My 6 year old has been throwing one with me for almost a year now

[jwilliams]

If he is young I would buy a shorter rod than a 7’

[ecu1984]

Whatever Cat Daddy says, he is the KRT of bass fishing