CTFishTalk.com: Baitcasting - Connecticut Bass Fishing ( CT Bass Fishing ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

WishinIWasFishin · Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 219

Hey Guys

I'm primarily a bass fisherman and though this spring I would get into baitcasting.

I've picked out a new reel, the Daiwa Megaforce but haven't found what I want in a rod (actually I'm not sure what I want) so I was hoping you guys could lend a hand.
From what I've read I'm looking at a 6' medium to heavy action. And I'm gonna try to keep my budget down to under $50.

PS I go to college in PA and boy do I miss fishin lakes in CT. We have a ok lake by the school, but the shore fishin is really limited. And there's that homework issue...hahaha

Thanks guys!
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6.5' Penn Long Beach with a Penn 330Gti for deep sea
7' Bionic Blade with Daiwa Megaforce
6.5' Ugly Stick with spinning Quantum
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Rookie · Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 487 Location: Milford Ct

for starting off, i would go with a medium heavy and throw heavy baits to get used to it, some 14lb and throw spinner baits.

i would go with a 6'6" rod minimum, prefer 7 myself
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Thar aint NO fish in here !!!!!!!!

Just4fun · Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 1389 Location: Saybrook

7' MH is what you want. That makes a good "general purpose" stick for bass fishing!
Check the classified ads on here,..or maybe post one yourself that you want to buy such a rod! Try to get the best rod that you can,..it'll make a difference! If you can get a better quality rod, used,..then definitely go that way!!
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"If people concentrated more on the really important things in life there'd be a shortage of fishing poles."
Mark

Pappy · Joined: 06 Feb 2008 Posts: 125 Location: Derby, CT

Shimano's Convergence would be an excellent choice in your price range and it comes with a lifetime warranty.

You can get it locally at Tournament Force Tackle in Guilford.

Here's a link to information on it from Mike's website.

http://tfbass.com/osCommerce/catalog/index.php?cPath=20_116_600_594

Walt

Rookie · Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 487 Location: Milford Ct

Yeah, tournament force is a great place!

I happen to find a deal you might be interested in.

I found Shimano Convergence rods on clearence the other day at Dicks Sporting Goods. All but one of the rods were marked down to 29.99 from $40-$50 original prices. One wasnt marked and it also scanned up at 29.99!

Then, i made up my mind and went back to get one for my wife. It rang up $25!!!!

Check the nearest Dicks to you. These were in the milford mall dicks.
Im so tempted to go clean them out !!
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Thar aint NO fish in here !!!!!!!!

WishinIWasFishin · Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 219

Thanks Guys,

I'm gonna check em out. From what I looked at online the Shimano's Convergence looks like a great rod!
_________________
6.5' Penn Long Beach with a Penn 330Gti for deep sea
7' Bionic Blade with Daiwa Megaforce
6.5' Ugly Stick with spinning Quantum
Old standby push button

WishinIWasFishin · Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 219

Any other suggestions to look at?
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6.5' Penn Long Beach with a Penn 330Gti for deep sea
7' Bionic Blade with Daiwa Megaforce
6.5' Ugly Stick with spinning Quantum
Old standby push button

shortypowers · Joined: 24 Aug 2007 Posts: 83

Rookie,

Thanks for the heads up on the rods over at Dick's. I managed to pick a 6'6 MH Convergence for $25 in Manchester. It wasn't marked down at all but rang up at the low price.

I'm putting together my first baitcasting setup so this will help.

If anyone has suggestions on a decent reel under $75 to start with (preferably available at BPS, as I have a gift card), I'd be curious to hear their thoughts.

slimecoat · Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 1576 Location: Newington, CT.

shorty powers, If your looking for a baitcasting reel, not too many choices in a decent quality reel for under $80, but you might try the rick clunn signiture series reels, I believe they were just on sale for $79 at BPS. I have a 6 year old rick clunn, still going strong and I like it so much I am going to pick up another one.Hope this helps.
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Life's Short - Fish Hard - Take a Kid Fishing

Rookie · Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 487 Location: Milford Ct

I havent tried the newer blue rick clunn's, but i have 5 of the older silver ones and have been using them for quite a few years. The difference is the older ones are 6pin brakes compared to the dual brake stuff found in the newer blue ones.

Im sure they are nice reels, but im really fearing the day i have to use another magnetic brake system reel.

I just ordered a couple revo-s and am starting to put my rick clunns on ebay. Good thing for me is, they are still drawing the dollars and are getting harder to find. Infact, within the last couple weeks, there have only been a couple on there and now that they have ended, im all alone!! Smile

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Thar aint NO fish in here !!!!!!!!

shortypowers · Joined: 24 Aug 2007 Posts: 83

Thanks for the info. I noticed a lack of reels in the $75 range. Any thoughts on the Diawa Megaforce reel? That seems to be in the range.

Otherwise, I may see if they have a Shimano Cruxis, since that has a $20 rebate to bring it down to $79. I like all of the Shimano spinning reels I have.

WishinIWasFishin · Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 219

From what I've read, talked to and held in the store, I'm sold on the Megaforce for the price range I'm in. Just have to wait for some of that birthday money to roll in....

Take care
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6.5' Penn Long Beach with a Penn 330Gti for deep sea
7' Bionic Blade with Daiwa Megaforce
6.5' Ugly Stick with spinning Quantum
Old standby push button

stumpy · Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 395 Location: northford

bassmaster mag did a survey on reels for a budget. both the mag force and exceler were quality reels for the price.

WishinIWasFishin · Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 219

Thanks Stumpy...Just got my Outdoor Life and the Megaforce came out pretty good for them too...

If anyone is looking for one at Bass Pro, call first, I went and they had sold out
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6.5' Penn Long Beach with a Penn 330Gti for deep sea
7' Bionic Blade with Daiwa Megaforce
6.5' Ugly Stick with spinning Quantum
Old standby push button

Rookie · Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 487 Location: Milford Ct

Guess its a popular budget reel! Even http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/descpageRLCDAIWA-DMF.html is out of stock for another month or two depending on model

Someone has 8 listed on ebay. Good price too
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Thar aint NO fish in here !!!!!!!!