Bait casting setup

I plan on buying a bait casting setup for this fall or next spring but don't know what reel and rod to buy, willing to spend 300$ max 350$. I intend on using it for bass, pike and musky fishing, I already planned on getting 50-70 pound braided power pro as heard it is the best. Any help is greatly appreciated.

I have some high end baitcasters, and bought a package from Bass Pro this spring. I can't really tell the difference.

My reco is save $200 and get one of their $70-$90 packages. You won't be disappointed.

I have been using 18 lb braid. I think that is all you need - I have picked up about a half dozen 5 lb'ers including pulling them out of the shallows. I use a barrel swivel and about 18 inches of fluorocarbon leader to keep the line hidden.

Happy fishing.

If your planning on casting out musky size lures then you should really get a proper musky reel cause a bass size bait caster brakes cant really handle the weight and you will end up bird nesting a lot.

Daiwa tatula rod $169, and Tatula reel $149 or something.

It's a good setup for around $300, really light too.

Buy a musky baitcaster first... You can use that for bass.... If you are like most of us... you will end up with multiple baitcaster in the future and will have one or two for each.

Before you buy anything, you should go to the tackleware website and check the users reviews. Most accurate information on the Internet.. These guys are brutally honest.
Also, Ardent very recently came out with a new line of rods and reels. I'm in the process of replacing all of my high end gear with their rods and reels. Can't beat the feel and a fraction of the cost. Check them out ardentreels.com

Riley

Personally i think there are some quality choices out there for under $300, like less than $100 for decent rod & $150 should buy a good reel. That is a bass set up, sounds like this is your first bait caster so my 2cents is stay away from the cheap combos, bait casters can be tricky getting used to & thus the cheapo will spoil your attempts.
Biggest suggestions that i have is to ask where to get warranty / service, for me i live in Peterborough area & with shimano in town that is my choice other than that rockys in orilla is a great repair place so make sure he works on what yuou buy, many yrs ago i had a mitchel rod that broke had to send it to Manitoba they sent back a fly rod, next they sent a spinning rod & this was over 6mths finally i just gave up. ??? freight, duty, exchange, etc if god forbid what you bought has to go back to usa....

I bought the accurousit combo from the cabelas store. If I try to cast anything lighter then 1/2 oz I have problems 1 in 10 casts. It's my first bait caster and won't likely spend money on another one to try to adjust. I'll just go back to flipping the spin cast cage when I'm in range. I do really like using the bait caster for trolling, just hit the button and let out another 10 feet of line and "click" lock it back in. Hopefully you have better luck, in the past 7 days of fishing 10 plus hours a day.. Probably 20 times I almost tossed my entire step up in the lake.

I have the same reel and love it... Likely going to buy a couple more.
Try flipping with out the flip swich on and use your thump for breaking the spool. Play with it in the yard set up a dish for your target.
It takes a bit and lots of practise and don't give up

Can always just get a http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshimanocalaisdcreview.html and ALMOST never have to worry about bird nesting again but its not so great for flipping and pitching

Is that the reel you use? That shamano? Can I borrow it just to see how it is.... Swear I'll give it back lol

Sure send me a $750 deposit and its all yours

Another thing you should consider, right hand or left. for me i had tried numerous times over the yrs with right hand & could never get the hang of it, then i was given a left handed and looked back it was the difference of day & night for me.

There are some exceptions to cheap bait casters vs expensive ones. My very first set up was Abu silver max tell ($59) with a Abu Vendetta rod ($69)

Had never used one before and I wanted to get the "feel" for casting set ups.

The silver max I still use, its actually a very good casting reel and being my first time ever using one, bird nests were surprisingly maybe like 1 in 10 casts.

I bought a Daiwa Tatula $169 and I actually like using the Abu reel more, it seems more forgiving. Don't know why, maybe it's just me.

The Abu I put 30 lb power pro braid and the Daiwa I use 40 lb power pro, thinking I would use it for frogging and pitching into the heavy covers.

I might strip out the 40 and stick with 20 or 30 lb braid, I think the 40 lb doesn't cast as far as my abu with 30lb

Shouldn't both LH & RH cast the same with either hand? Isn't the difference the reeling in?

Or what is it I'm missing if there is a difference when casting?

I've a bait caster - haven't used it in 4 years. I should get it out and start practicing with it . . .

Thanks