I've always used a spinning reel because of this but I hear so much about different types of Shimanos, AbuGarcia Revos, Daiwas, etc that I'm interested in purchasing one. What is a novice-friendly baitcast reel? My budget is less than $200.
There is no novice friendly baitcaster. Whichever u decide, I would suggest starting out with all of your brakes engaged and as u practice and become better at controling your cast/thumb, take a couple brakes out until you're fishing with all the brakes disengaged. No brakes=longer casts but u gotta practice practice practice.
I would start off with a cheap $20 reel from academy so you can decide if you really want to use a baitcaster.
You could get an H20 Mettle for $50 or wait for them to go on sale for $25. For a beginner I suggest the Shimano Caenan, around $80. Great real. You know what they say, "once you go bait caster, you never go back!".
I had the same inhibitions, now a spinning reel feels awkward, like dead weight.
I use Shimano Curado's and have a Lews. When my dad was in town he bought a Caenan, mainly because he only comes into town twice a year. It is a great starter reel because it gets you use to the breaking system etc. pics attached!
My nine year old is now the master of his own Curado 200E. He started with spin casting reels years ago. For fish fighting, a baitcast reel can't be beat. The drag system is far superior in my opinion.
Linear Mode
