Home Forums Fishing Freshwater baitcaster recommendation.

You won't need anything over 20# but you may as well go with 50# as it's the equivalent of 15# mono. On that 200 size reel I wouldn't over load it with 65 or 80, because then you may run into line capacity issues.


You can tie mono backing to the spool or use electrical tape. I've done both and both work fine. It just prevents slipping. Even on spools advertised as "braid ready" it's a wise idea.

I have used a ton of different casting reels. I fish more than I hunt. Right now one of the best reels on the market in your price range is a Daiwa Tatula SV TW103. They make a lefty version and is $199.99 at BPS.

Most casting reels will slip if loaded with just braid. You need a mono backing. It is not hard to do and only need 25-50 yards at most. I use a double uni or FG knot. The double uni is a much easier knot to tie. I normally use anything from 12-17 pound test for the mono followed with 50lb braid.

Any decent rod will work from the BPS Carbon Lite 2.0, BPS Extreme up to just about whatever your budget allows. St Croix and G Loomis make awesome rods. Another that is great for the money is Daiwa Tatula rod as well.

Well the mail lady brought the Calcutta 201DC today and I spooled it up with 30# Sufix 832, heaviest I could find local. 150 yards, with a wrap of electrical tape over the knot, filled the spool almost to the top. I put it on my 7' medium rod, tied on a half oz sinker, set spool tension, turned the brake dial to max and headed to the back yard. First cast I was a little hesitant, but wow, it was smooth and went much further than I expected! I cast a couple dozen times sidearm, gaining more confidence, then tried some overhand..... 'till I drove a cast in the dirt 30ft out resulting in a nice birds nest. I was able to get it out without cutting line though. I need a lot more practice but I think this setup is going to work great! Thanks for everyone's suggestions, recommendations and knowledge.

Sounds like you’re on your way tmitch? But you know you can’t get by with just one!

Haha! You might be right, seems to work that way with Winchester rifles for me. I'm far from mastering the art of baitcasting so it's still too early to tell whether I'll swear by them, or at them.