Randy in a near future video would you explain Magnetic adjustments and spool tension adjustment s to get the best adjustments for lets say skipping and flipping and pitching with different size lures. Thanks
I bought the SLX in the XT for a cheaper river kayak rig and have been extremely impressed. I personally don't care for the Digital Cast systems. The XT offers adjustable internal magnetic breaking as well as external windage adjustments... can't be beat on performance at the price point.
Have 40 year old Curado's that have been tournament abused and still perform. Have had them worked on by guys that know what they are doing and I clean them annually. Have Lew's, AbuGarcia, Daiwa and Quantum PT and will stay with Shimano.
This is one of the coolest channels . Thank you for all this great straight forward information. Simple to understand, and a great insight to recreational fisherman as to how the pros do it . I love the old school stories as well . Keep up the great work!
Shimano gang. Take a look at “ shimano slx dc one cast challenge”. Y’all be amazed how that reel performs. Your doing a great job with all these videos. 🤙
Wish you could explain why so many guys fish with the "wrong" hand/ arm on a baitcaster. I'm right handed, obviously it's stronger and has more agility than my left arm so I crank with my left hand on baitcasters and spinning gear since it's easier to impart action on the lure with my dominant arm. Most of the pros do opposite, why?
Thanks Randy. It's great to see a pro being "practical" regarding gear. I just got back into the sport and opted for a Lew's reel...just under your price point...and for the "practicality"...quality/fit/function...price.
Howdy ,Praying for your family ,I,m sure ,today casting reels ,are so great ,I think that price point is the greatest buy for the dollar. My first casting reel was ambassador 5000a ,when I couldn’t,t go to the lake 60 years later I still cast in my back yard an pitch an flip in the house all winter . have a great day thanks for your time to help teach casting ,maybe you have heard it said ,to be a great bass angler keep a rod in the hand
Most all reel manufacturers make low end low quality cheap reels and most of the same make upper end higher quality reels. Saying a cheap reel from one manufacturer is automatically better than a high end from a different manufacturer, just due to the brand name doesn't make sense.
@@cuivre2004 I'd agree. I'd also say that compared to any other reel in any price point that shimano will punch above its class and perform much better than the competition. This is based off of using shimano, and seeing other peoples reels give up on them before they should've.
100% Lew’s for me. Mostly Tournament MBs(now MPs) with magnetic for less than $120 - super solid reels. I have two BB1 Pros for crankin - absolute butter! The tip about thumbing for drag, sure if you practice it. Would hate to self induce backlash trying it out. You’re the best Randy! Thanks for sharing 👍
My favorite bait cast reels are the Shimano Chronarch MGL , Shimano Calcutta D models . Love these reels ! Just bought a 2023 Chronarch MGL and plan on buying a Calcutta D model Shimano . Have Lew's SP CG1EH bait cast reel they are awesome. Have to try a BB1 PRO some time they look awesome 👍
All of my baitcasters and most of my spin casters are Lew's. I've been using them for years and love them. Agree on the price point for the better quality reels. I'm also still using three Lews Laser stick 5'6" rods with the ole pistol grips that are over 35 years old. Can't find those anymore. Their shortness is great when I'm nosing in tight around tall timber and limbs dropping wacky rigs or jigs deep. Everyone always asks me where I got them. I tell them Okiebug in Tulsa OK in 1980 something.
I'm a 5'6" pistol grip guy too. Just bought my last one a couple.months ago in a pawn shop. An Ugly Stik in great condition for 40 bux!! Can't beat em!!
Randy, being Classic week, let’s hear your top 3 Classic stories/memories. Doesn’t have to be tournament related. Could be at the expo, weigh in, tournament, anything Classic related
I like my Lew's reels, and my Johnny Morris Platinums (both bait casters and spinning). Used nothing but Shimano spinning reels for years but quit them when they took off the anti-reverse switch. I like back reeling my spinning reels.
Randy passed on a great tip on having meaty handles on your baitcasters. I switch out all my handles on casters to Gator Grip handles . Have used them for years . All my casters are mainly Lew’s ….old style Original BB1, or the newer low profile Lew’s all end up having a standard feel to them by adding the uniform Gator Grip handles.
Another thing to look for is an aluminum frame or something other than graphite. The aluminum keeps the drive drain in alignment better than graphite reducing gear wear. Today’s graphite framed reels are better than a few years ago but you can’t beat aluminum or some type of metal. The only exception is saltwater. Graphite won’t corrode like aluminum or magnesium. But generally graphite framed reels are cheaper and the bearings tend to corrode and rust much faster. I’ve had a reel repair business for nearly 20 years and I’ve seen some really old reels that are still in like new working condition and I’ve seen several reels that cost over $400 that feel like their 10 years old. That $150-200 price range tends to be the sweet spot for quality and durability.
I'm with you Randy on going to free spool when they run as opposed to drag dependence, but then again, that takes a special touch the newer folks may not have a good feel for. Meaning that any newer to baitcaster folks watching and reading this, take your time and practice the thumb pressure thing with smaller fish to build comfort with it so you'll be ready when a biggun grabs on.
Was glad to see you like the BB1, I've actually been considering getting one after I seen my angler in the bfl this weekend cast a crankbait a mile and I've heard great things about them from my buddy #BassGeek. This video is even more validation they are a good reel. I'm gonna look into that Lucas reel oil also. Thanks Randy.
I've been fishing Quantum most of my life 25 years. I've probably owned at least 60 of them, never had one break. I've tried all the brands and still try all my buddies equipment. Now that Lews bought them out quantum, sort of. I have a few lews. For the money you can't beat Quantum/Lews high quality at an affordable price. Highly recommend Must have adjustable centrifugal brakes though.
I was 15 in 1990 and dreamed of having a team diawa reel. Bought one last year at a flea market and it works great. A little heavy but a workhorse for sure.
Lews reels in Australia cost like $350.00 or more....You will probably laugh at me but I have a assortment of pflueger baitcasters and spin reels price point and performance has been adequate for me here in Australia. I have just started upgrading my reels to Daiwa Tatula baitcasters but it's hard replacing my pfluegers.....
This was REEL good advice! Got a box full of old Diawas, Shimanos, Quantams & Abus. Loved em all (most of em) Just got the Lew's KVD Speed Spool which is all I'd ever want or need. (Bout $140) and a KK Crixus Armour X which for 90 bux or so is simply an awesome little beast!! I can't imagine spending 3, 4 5+ hundred bux on a reel. It's just not necessary!
There's a lot of this videos for all the reels. But my advice will be degrease your reel inside with some gun cleaning spray. Use high viscosity grease for gears, low viscosity grease or oil for worm shaft or antireverse clutch (never use dense grease for it) and good oil for bearings and bushings. Shimano reels requires expensive grease (shimano original will be best if possible) otherwise you'll lose that butter smoothness.
I'm a Shimano guy myself. I love Curados, Stradics, Mentanium is ridiculously smooth. Diawa is right up there also. Never owned a Lews, but I know few Lews guys that love them.
I Totally Agree about the drag. I use mostly 12-14 lb test and my drag is set to about 8 lbs. My "Theory" about drag is it should be set to Not Break the line. I live in Ohio and catching an 8 lb fish is a Monster! With 8 lbs of drag on my line the fish can slightly pull drag to keep from breaking the line or pulling/throwing the hook. As you stated IF the fish IS taking drag I can always apply more pressure to the spool to Slow the fish. Too much drag Can't be UN done while fighting a fish! Thanks for Another Great video. GOD Bless.
Guys even with the $70 Lew’s reel they have solid brass gears, not plastic. Also if they still make it, the tournament MG is the BB1 pro with a slightly smaller spool for $50 less.
i started bait casting around 1990 or so. shimano 150 calcuta love that reel on g Loomis 6'6" IMX mbr that i have been thrashing that outfit for years on everything that swims Lmb, stripers, steelhead, curado k is my first palming reel love them both.
Randy Good Day. Since the bait casters are taking over the inshore and small yellowtail and tunas. The drag is very important. When fresh water fish bass they do not put as much pressure on the line and reel a 30 pound tuna or yellowtail in san Diego will create a backlash in an instant . Thank you for your videos Cheers
Yes, you can absolutely catch fish with a $50 reel, BUT, to fish with a Shimano Antares or Daiwa Steez is so completely satisfying that it’s hard to describe. It’s just so smooth and effortless. Just my personal opinion.
I agree one the handle for sure!! Those carbon fiber handles are week and was giving with me when I was setting the hook!! I swapped handles in that reel and problem went away! 👍
National Baitcasting competition? Never knew there was such a thing. Is it a distance competition, accuracy or sumthing else? Your input on how to utilize drag was enlightening.
Advice to beginning anglers, 1. By the best real you can afford don't buy the cheapest reel and don't spend more money than you can afford to spend. 2. Once you've identified what your price point is and how many reels you think you can afford to buy reels in the same gear ratio to start I think for a beginner six four to one to seven one to one. 3. Don't do what I did and buy a hodgepodge of reels buy all the same real to start off with learn it learn it well learn how to set it up correctly and learn how to fish it for all the techniques you're going to use it for.
Yeah I agree with what your saying as I own and run Pflueger baitcasters that haven't cost me a fortune to buy but get the jobs done I need them to do...I am in Australia...
Great hat Randy!!! You getting the You-Tube good and clear.😁Thanks for Sharing. I got a 10.2 lbs bass on Ivie with one of your tip modification😁😁yup I did listen😬😬
Good timing!! LOL.....I just bought a new BB1 - Pro 2 days ago....I have a bunch of Lews Tournament MB's and decided to buy a BB1-Pro to out a new line of Lew's reels.
I bought and sold a ton trying to find the best reel for the money. What I found is that all things being similar with bearings drags ext. the point where you draw the line is at the aluminum frame. Anything built with composite frame is far less functional than aluminum. Composite sides are ok but never go below an aluminum frame. 99 bucks can get you there
To add to Greg's comment maybe u can talk about the adjustable centrifugal pins for braking on initial start up. At first I didnt care to have all 3 but now I prefer it unless it's a dc reel
I have been fishing 4 shimano Calcutta 51’s with 100 size reel handles since 99. All still work today as good as the day I bought them. Sure wish Shimano would bring them back
@@ctgilcrest I think too good probably why they quit making them? They are everything Randy described. I’m looking for longevity in a reel. I don’t get 15 given to me ever year. Honestly, I couldn’t take money from another reel maker. I have so much confidence in them. Meaning if I took their money and reels I would still fish my shimonos if fish were on the line. The 51’s are so tiny and light.
I've got a bunch of baitcasters - Shimano, Concept 13, Abu Garcia, KastKing and Piscifun. If I limited my fishing to bass in freshwater, I'd use the Piscifun Torrent over all the others! Sounds crazy, but that $40 reel casts as well as or better than any other reeI I own, has a smooth drag and is easy to lube. Heck, even if it craps out in a year (which I doubt it will), buy a new one without breaking the bank!
A lot depends on how you want to fish your reel. I like backing my spool tension off completely until I get a tiny bit of side to side play. Doing that with Daiwa's magnetic brakes, or just regular centrifugal brakes, is a pain. I find Lew's adjustable centrifugal or Shimano's VBS are my favorites, and between Lew's and Shimano's, the Shimano's are buttersmooth on the retrieve when you go to the curado's and up. Bottom line it all depends on your preferences, as long as its a reputable brand, you'll need to find what you like.
When fishing for smallmouth, especially Dale Hollow smallmouth, you BETTER have your drag set to a VERY forgiving setting. When fighting these beasts, you may not have time to disengage the spool. Their actions are hundreds of times faster than largemouth. You may have one close to the boat, almost ready to net, the BOOM! Bottom of the lake she goes........instantly!
That’s a cool tip one I’ve never heard of using your thumb as a tension devise. I really like my spinning set ups and rarely use my baitcaster. I just feel more comfortable using my spinning set up. I feel you really need to tinker with baitcasters before you get that 100% perfect set up.
Randy I kinda do what ur saying but honestly this is def more for experienced anglers and any beginner anglers u know are gonna be to hard on it probably push to hard on spool and break off or lose fish a lot more. What I do is just make sure drag like u said is where if I set the hook it doesn't spin on me but when I pull with my hand it can come off a little since when I set hook I put my thumb on spool anyway.
I like mine. I have other lews in higher price range including Pro TI the BB1 pro is still the work horse, I have a crush I just picked up, the verdict is still out on it. However it does cast a country mile.
What quality budget rod would you recommend for larger swim baits the 1.5 - 4oz range. Something equivalent to the reel you suggested. I agree I think after a point some of these rods & reels are just too exspensive! For myself at least. I want quality without breaking the bank!!! Much Appreciated
Thanks for these great tips and I noticed one thing that you did not mention, reel gear ratios. It seems like just about every top pro is pushing the higher gear ratios and they are really not needed, at least not for me. Thanks for sharing Randy!! :)
In another video he talks about that. If I remember correctly he just uses 7:1 gear ratio on his bait casting reels. Says you don’t need anything else.
I have the Johnny Morris qualifier 2.. liked it so much, that I bought another the next year... I'm afraid to try any others.. Then I'll be wanting to change... I don't know who makes the Johnny Morris qualifier 2 reels.???
Remember the old Abu Garcia's back in the day the round rules with a tiny real handles I look back at them and it kind of tickles me cuz I'm like boy them are like 3 inches apart LOL
Good video Randy. I was wondering if you could do a video on Megabass Rod selection. For some reason Megabass does not have any really good videos on their rods, especially their new P5s or the Levantes that just came out. I would love to know when you find it is worth it to step up from one class of Megabass rod to another. What is it that you look for in specific techniques that may cause you to buy a rod in the Orochi XX line up vs the P5 or LEVANTE lines. Also, just as an aside, my wife bot the P5 Baby Plugging and I purchased the P5 Windbuster. I honestly believe that Ben from the hook up tackle is right. If you have those two spinning rods they will cover 100% of your finesse fishing needs. They are amazing. Also, thanks for the tip on using spinning gear for jerk bait fishing. Though I still use casting for heavier and +2 diving jerk baits, I have completely switched to the Orochi XX Ronin for Jerkbait fishing. I’m a shorter guy and the Ronin worked much better for me than the Whipsnake. Great tip sir!
The only disadvantage of pushing that thumb bar and letting the fish pull line is, if it's a big fish and it make a long run...The line coming of the spool is going to burn your thumb up and if your not an experienced angler you could potentially backlash the reel when the fish surges
In my option bait casters are a waste of money. You can do everything a bait caster can with a spinning combo and more (lighter gear). Also, the theory that bait casters reel faster isn’t true. Spinning reels reel in just as much line even with lower reel speeds. This is due to the spinning reel’s spool being larger in diameter. Also, bait casters do not cast further. I have tested this over the years and the casting distance is very comparable. And spinning reels last longer due to their design. Spinning reels do not have as much wear as bait casters due to the bait casters spool bearings. You use them far more than spinning reel bears. Finally, you can get a good quality spinning reel for far less than you can for a bait caster. So you can invest that money in lures or other gear.
I have two reels with a problem. The line guide stops on the left side, if I give it a push it will return to the right side. It will work a few times and hang up again. I have cleaned and lubed them. I checked the line guide screw and is is tight. One is a Lews, the other is a Poulter. Both in the 150 to 200 price range and both 8 to 10 years old. What should I do?
