Beginner's baitcasting reel advice

[Pro Reel]

What about the fact that when the brake tabs wear or break, you have to replace the whole sideplate brake assembly? Where in a Shimano, you can replace the tabs that come with the reel. Just a thought.

Why would you have to replace the whole thing. You simply take the screws out, unhook the tabs and replace them, the same exact way you do it on a revo. The tabs last a long , long, time before they need replaced anyway, as long as they are kept lubricated.

[LgMouthGambler]

Why would you have to replace the whole thing. You simply take the screws out, unhook the tabs and replace them, the same exact way you do it on a revo. The tabs last a long , long, time before they need replaced anyway, as long as they are kept lubricated.

It was said on another forum froma a guy that is doing a longevity test of the PQ, that when his tabs wore, he had to order the whole sideplate because that was how it was available. If its not, then OK, nevermind, carry on Wayne, lol.

[Shiloh]

There is nothing at all complicated about a PQ!It has dual brakes so there are brakes on the inside of the side cover that need set and then there is also the exterior dial to fine tune the magnetic brakes. The Citca only has internal brakes. If having the extra dial that lets you fine tune the brakes for more conditions makes it more complicated, then so be it, but i don't agree.

Is there a write up somewhere on how to do this exactly?  I bought one and don't know the first thing about setting up the brakes

[bassindude]

I used my PQ for the first time yesterday, and I'd say that after you adjust the mag brake you will probably have a hard time making it back lash.  Mine is smooth as silk. I like my Revos but for the money I doubt I'll buy any more.  Dual brakes make a huge difference. Jim

[Pro Reel]

Is there a write up somewhere on how to do this exactly?  I bought one and don't know the first thing about setting up the brakes

The top sticky in the reels section deals with this.

http://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-forum/index.php?topic=101088.msg1129587#msg1129587

In a nut shell, open the side cover, set the pins on the side of the spool so that some or all of them are free to slide out when the spool spins. Thats the on position. I sugest starting with all 6 on and then work down from there as you learn.

Set the mag dial to zero to set the tension cap. Set the tension for a slow fall of the bait. Thats the tightest it should ever be set. Thats the beginner setting. Now you can turn your mag dial up to provide extra braking at the end of the cast. Mag brakes work best while the spool is spinning slow so they also are good for pitching. Turn them all the way up for that.  Just remeber, the mag breaks will alter the rate of fall of the bait while setting the tension, so turn it to zero before setting the tension if you set the tension that way.

If this setting is to much braking for you, before you change the brake settings, loosen the tension and try it again. It's much baetter to use all your brakes and no tension than it is to only use a few brakes and lots of tension. Once you can cast the reel with all the brakes active and the tension knob set just tight enough that the spool doesn't move from side to side, then you are ready to turn a brake tab off and work your way towards using less brakes, but never set the tension tight to compensate for using less brakes.

[Shiloh]

This is fantastic! Thank you so much

[TNDiver]

There is a Bantam Curado for sale in the classifieds for $80.  You can't go wrong with that as a starter!

[TheLastRodBender]

That is WAYYYYYYYYY too much. You can find the combo on sale for that sometimes.

yupp.. i bought one last year... it's my froggin/topwater rod.

[steve76]

I was going to go with the 7.1:1 ratio.

For crankbaits I would not get a 7.1:1. If you're planning on throwing square bills and other shallow diver's I would go with a 6.3:1 or 6.4:1, if your going to throw deep divers then I would look at a 5.4:1. You will have a hard time getting your crankbait to the desired depth with a high speed reel. I learned to the throw a baitcaster on a crappy mitchell I bought at Wal-mart about 20 years ago, I would not recommend going that route.

[Gwamba]

Lews Laser MG...79.99 new... I started with them last year and they are as good as or better than any other reel under $100... Also Cabelas had U S Reel Hibdon signatures ($159 MSRP) on the Bargain Barn for 39.99. 
they are an EXCELLENT reel to learn on! I had two and they cast really well.