Casting Baitcast
An Introduction to Baitcasting Reels
As with most fishing gear available on the market, baitcasting reels come in a dizzying array of options, quality, and components. There are several simple characteristics, however, that can be easily learned by the novice, and which will aid tremendously in correctly choosing a good baitcasting reel. The most important characteristics to pay attention to are body material and construction, bearing material and construction, and the turn ratio of the crank.
There is a general impression that baitcasting reels are for more advanced fisherman, but that is not necessarily the case anymore. Many of the reels available on the market today are of such high quality that even a novice fisherman can easily master the techniques and uses of a baitcasting reel. For more information, visit Fishing Reels Guide (see resource box below).
The body of a baitcasting reel is normally made of one of two types of material: aluminum or graphite. Graphite reels are lightweight and highly resistant to corrosion, which makes these reels particularly useful in a saltwater fishing environment due to the high salinity of the water. Graphite is, however not quite as strong or durable as aluminum. If you want to chase after those giant marlins or tuna, then you will probably want to opt for the aluminum reel because of their strength. On the other hand, if you are only after croppie or other panfish, then a graphite bodied reel may just be the right choice for you.
Another important consideration when looking for a baitcasting reel is the ball bearings or bushings inside the reel. These are the components of the reel that have the most direct impact on the smoothness and “feel” of the reel. As a general rule, stainless steel ball bearings are preferable to bushings. Also, the more ball bearings the unit contains, the smoother the cranking will be. Smooth cranking is essential for a good fishing reel of any type, so that you can feel the action of the line in the water and whether or not you have a fish on the line. Baitcasting rules come with a range of ball bearing counts, usually from two to six. Two bearings would be an absolute minimum, while the fisherman should purchase a reel with the most amount of bearings his budget will allow for. Obviously, the more bearings a reel contains, the more expensive the reel will be.
A further consideration for choosing a good baitcasting reel is the turn ratio of the crank. Baitcasting reels come with a variety of turn ratio’s raging from 2:1, all the way to 1:6. The first number refers to the number of turns of the crank, while the second number refers to the number of times the spool rotates. For example 1:6 means that for every turn of the crank the spool turns 6 times, which is obviously a very high cranking power. Trolling, bottom bouncing, and jig working are good application for high cranking power, while bank fishing and general line hanging are better suited to low cranking power. For a good middle of the road number, choose a 4:1 ratio.
Other factors that should be considered when choosing a baitcasting reel include the drag system, casting controls, and specialized reels for particular species of fish. For more information on these advanced characteristics be sure to visit the link mentioned above.
About the Author
Find tips about bowhunting hogs and bowhunting moose at the Bowhunting Tips website.
Casting: How to Cast a Baitcaster
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NEW 3BB Baitcast Reel CZH40 Fishing Casting Trolling $22.99 |
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NEW 3BB Baitcast Reel CZH40 Fishing Casting Trolling $22.99 |
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NEW 3BB Baitcast Reel CL60 Fishing Casting Trolling $24.99 |
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NEW 3BB Baitcast Reel CZH40 Fishing Casting Trolling $22.99 |
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NEW 3BB Baitcast Reel CL60 Fishing Casting Trolling $24.99 |
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Shakespeare The Boss Bait Cast Reel $23.95 |
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Vintage Shimano Bantam Mag Plus 251XSG XHS Bait Cast Reel in Box Use or Collect $75.00 |
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Z89 Daiwa BW2L Baitcast Reel Auto Cast W/Flippin Switch Japan $34.99 |
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New Zebco Rhino RBC300 fishing reel fish reels baitcasting bait cast crankbait $26.99 |
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NEW QUANTUM ACCURIST 2 AC501CX BAITCASTING REEL 501CX LH Left Hand $30.51 |
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Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6500 C4 bait cast reel $67.00 |
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Abu Garcia Ambassadeur UC 5600 C Ultra Cast baitcast reel $51.00 |
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Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 5500CS Pro Rocket bait cast reel salesmans sample NIB $113.50 |
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Vintage ABU Ambassadeur No 5000 Bait Cast Reel Very Good Serial #334818 $24.95 |
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Shakespeare Synergy bait cast reel $15.50 |
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NEW 3BB Baitcast Reel CZH40 Fishing Casting Trolling $22.99 |
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NEW 3BB Baitcast Reel CL60 Fishing Casting Trolling $25.99 |
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NEW 3BB Baitcast Reel CZH40 Fishing Casting Trolling $22.99 |
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NEW 3BB Baitcast Reel CZH40 Fishing Casting Trolling $22.99 |
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NEW 3BB Baitcast Reel CL60 Fishing Casting Trolling $24.99 |
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NEW 3BB Baitcast Reel CZH40 Fishing Casting Trolling $22.99 |
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NEW 3BB Baitcast Reel CL60 Fishing Casting Trolling $24.99 |
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Fishing Lure Cotton Cordell Ripplin Redfin Crank Bait bait cast spin cast $4.25 |
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LEFT HAND BLACK LABEL II BAIT CAST REEL $10.75 |
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Abu Garcia CT MAG HS ROUND BAITCAST REEL Magnetic Cast Control Rt Retrieve NEW $169.95 |
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Lew Childre Speed Spool BB-25SS Fishing Reel/ Bait Cast $41.00 |
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NEW 3BB Baitcast Reel CZH40 Fishing Casting Trolling $22.99 |
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3.6:1 Gear Ratio Baitcast Fishing Casting Trolling Reel Black $9.65 |
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3BB Baitcast Reel CZH40 Fishing Casting Trolling GOLD $22.99 |
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5 FISHING REELS, LANGLEY BAIT CAST, 2 VINTAGE ZEBCO, RYOBI TNT 100, SILSTAR CT50 $9.99 |
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Wright & McGill Skeet Reese Victory Bait Cast Reel 62R Brand New @.99 Cents NR!! $41.00 |
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NEW BUF100 Baitcast Fishing Reel Casting 3BB $18.99 |
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CRAPPIE REEL, POLE, ROD, QUANTUM VANTREX BAIT CAST REEL( RECONDITIONED) $36.00 |
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Vintage Fenwick Bait Cast Rod 8′ 6″ FS88C 9 7/8 Oz. with Fenwick Hard Case $40.99 |
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ABU Garcia 5600CB 5600 CB Cabelas Special RED baitcaster reel Sweden casting NIB $79.00 |
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NEW QUANTUM ACCURIST BAITCASTING REEL 501CX LH Left Hand $39.50 |
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Vintage Pflueger Bond 2000 Trolling Down Rigger Pier Bait Cast Reel $21.99 |
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Vintage Fenwick Bait Cast Rod 7′ FS70 5 Oz. 1/4-1/2 oz Lures 4-10 lb Line $39.99 |
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Abu Garcia Black Max Baitcast Right hand Reel Fishing Casting 5 BEARINGS BASS $22.50 |
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Daiwa PROCASTER-Z 1531V Baitcast HIGH SPEED Reel Fishing Casting 6 BEARINGS BASS $9.99 |
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Quantum Code Bait Cast Reel $34.00 |
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Butternut split grip bait cast, or spin cast rod handle. $24.99 |
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Heavy Duty 1 piece Bait Cast Rod – Pro Comp/Bass Pro Fishing Rod $20.00 |
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Abu Garcia Bait Cast ambassadeur Fishing Reel EX condition, Clean! Model 7000 $102.50 |
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5′ Nylon Casting Net,Fishing Bait Cast Net $20.00 |
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Vintage Shimano Bantam 10X SG Baitcasting Fishing Reel Bait Casting $48.00 |
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3BB Baitcast Reel CL60 Fishing Trolling Casting Ming Yang – Gunsmoke Color $29.99 |
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ABU Garcia 5601CB 5601 CB Left handed RED baitcaster reel Sweden casting NIB $89.00 |
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CRAPPIE REEL, POLE, ROD, SET OF 3 BLACK MINI BAIT CAST REELS $17.85 |
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CRAPPIE REEL, POLE, ROD, MINI BAIT CAST REEL WR-2-0 $5.99 |
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CRAPPIE REEL, POLE, ROD, MINI BAIT CAST REEL WR-2-0 SET OF 3 REELS $17.98 |
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Shimano Bantam Mag 10XSG 10 xsg Baitcasting Casting Fishing Reel Japan Nice! $35.00 |
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Three HT Deluxe Mini Bait Cast Reels (NIP) $18.99 |
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NEW 3BB CZH60 Baitcast Fishing Reel Trolling Casting BLACK Ming Yang $27.99 |
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New Banax Bait Cast Reel Snakehead only cast reel $255.00 |
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SHIMANO CUMARA BAITCAST ROD CUCX68MH 6′8″ XF MH CASTING $199.99 |
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OKUMA TORMENTA TT-266W bait cast $39.00 |
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Quantum Accurist 2 501CX Casting Reel Left Hand Great w/ Flipping Rod $21.01 |
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OKUMA ALUMINA AL-273Va bait cast reel $65.00 |
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VTG GREAT LAKES Hollowglas Bait Cast Fishing Rod Pole $34.99 |
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NEW 3BB Baitcast CL60L Fishing Casting Lefthanded Reel $27.99 |
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VINTAGE PFLUEGER 2800 MODEL DF BAITCAST BAIT CAST LEVEL WIND REEL $107.50 |
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NEW AMBASSADEUR 6000 BAITCASTING CASTING FISHING REEL NOS $9.99 |
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“SHAKSPEARE BAIT CAST REEL” $35.00 |
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VINTAGE ABU GARCIA AMBASSADEUR 5500-C3 BAITCASTING CASTING FISHING REEL SWEDEN $29.95 |
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VINTAGE SHAKESPEARE SIGMA BAIT CAST/ TROLLING REEL BASS MUSKY PIKE REDFISH NICE $24.95 |
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Metal Plastic Trolling Baitcasting Casting Fishing Reel Reel $9.67 |
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Ardent C400 Fishing Reel Baitcaster Bass Fish NEW Cast $169.99 |
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3.6:1 Gear Ratio Baitcast Fishing Casting Trolling Reel Black $12.39 |
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ANTIQUE BAIT CAST FISHING ROD & REEL W/ FISH ENGRAVING & RED STONE NO RESERVE $1.04 |
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Wright & McGill Skeet Reese Victory 62R Bait cast Reel NIP $75.00 |
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Metal Plastic Trolling Baitcasting Casting Fishing Reel Reel $9.96 |
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3.6:1 Gear Ratio Baitcast Fishing Casting Trolling Reel Black $10.24 |
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Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C4 Right Hand Round Baitcaster Reels Casting Fishing $238.56 |
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NEW Bait Cast 100 Freshwater Fishing Reel (Freedom) $5.00 |
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Fishing Lure Vintage wooden South Bend Oreno og Oreno lure crank bait bait cast $1.99 |
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Shakespeare Pro Baitcasting Water Fishing Reels Rod Casting Reel Telescopic Kit $48.99 |
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Abu Garcia 5600BCX Bait Cast Reel 5600 BCX $13.55 |
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NEW QUANTUM ACCURIST 2 AC501CX BAITCASTING REEL 501CX LH Left Hand $15.50 |
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Abu Garcia 5600CL Bait Cast Reel 5600 CL Rocket Reel $11.50 |
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Daiwa BW2L Baitcast Reel Auto Cast W/Flippin Switch Japan $5.00 |
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Vintage Shakespeare President II Bait Cast Reel 1980 HB $10.50 |
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2012 Quantum Metrix Bait Cast Reel ME100H BURNER NEW RH $46.99 |
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quantum HR100 baitcasting reel,cast and reels great. $30.00 |
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Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6600 BCX Bait Cast Reel VERY NICE @ 99 cents NR $17.00 |
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VINTAGE ABU GARCIA AMBASSADEUR V5000 BAITCASTING CASTING FISHING REEL SWEDEN $19.95 |
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NWOB New Shimano CSO100 Callisto Casting Baitcasting Reel PRISTINE CONDITION $19.99 |
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Metal Plastic Trolling Baitcasting Casting Fishing Reel Reel $10.21 |
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Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 5600C4 Bait Cast Reel $18.50 |
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Freshwater Bait Cast Reel (“Model PC 6500C”) $57.00 |
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NEW 3BB Baitcast Reel CL90a Fishing Casting Trolling $65.99 |
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Crab Trap Bait Fishing Wire Bait Cast Umbrella Dip Net $16.09 |
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Crab Trap Bait Fishing Wire Bait Cast Umbrella Dip Net $16.38 |
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Antique Vintage Shakespeare 1905 Deuce 6A GA Bait Cast Levil Wind Fishing Reel $2.50 |
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NEW DAIWA MILLIONAIRE S BAITCASTING FISHING REEL MS250 M-S250 CASTING $69.99 |
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NEW DAIWA MILLIONAIRE S BAITCASTING FISHING REEL MS300 M-S300 CASTING $79.99 |
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Shimano Chromica 100B Bait Cast Reel New $60.00 |
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Shimano Citica 200E Bait Cast Reel New $90.00 |
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NEW G LOOMIS BCR854 GLX BAITCASTING ROD BCR 854 Casting $395.00 |
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NEW G LOOMIS BCR852 GLX BAITCASTING ROD BCR 852 casting $385.00 |
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Learn to Bait-Cast: Bait Casting 101 $2.00 In Learn to Bait Cast, Mike Bonadonna covers the basics with a step-by-step sequence teaching you everything you need to know to get started – knots, line loading, casting grip, retrieve grip, rod motion, spool control, dealing with backlashes, and proper reel settings within a system that enables you to increase spool speed at your pace…… |
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Quantum Express 6′6 IM7 Med Heavy Baitcasting Combo – 10/20 Line $69.95 The Express fits the bill, and the budget, of recreation anglers wanting a winning combination to do the job right. Smooth-performing baitcast reel has an externally adjustable, magnetic cast control system and lightweight, ported aluminum spool. 3 bearing system has continuous anti-reverse and a smooth, responsive drag system. Corrosion-resistant stainless steel padded reel seats. Rod features IM… |
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Ming Yang Baitcasting Fishing Reel CL70-A, Blue $68.84 Catfishing Favorite! Simply the best casting fishing reel in its class at any price, available at an affordable price We incorporated quite a few improvements in our new CL-70 A fishing reel. With all stainless ball bearings, louder clicker design tighter tolerances to minimize saltwater intrusion, stainless bail and counterweight, new power handle and more. This is a real fresh or saltwater reel … |
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Curado 201e7 Baitcasting Low Profile Reel $189.95 Curado 201E7 Baitcasting Low Profile Reel… |
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Shakespeare Medium Action Travel Mate Telescopic Kit Combo (6-Feet 6-Inch) $29.97 Whether you’re traveling across the country for business or driving through the countryside to visit a family member, it’s always nice to have a rod and reel available for spur-of-the-moment fishing trips. Enter the Shakespeare Travel Mate telescoping combo kit, which packs easily into a suitcase or shoulder bag for transport. The Travel Mate comes with a telescoping 6-foot-6-inch medium-action ro… |
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Shakespeare Medium Action Travel Mate Spinning Rod (6-Feet 6-Inch) $14.97 Shakespeare 6′6″ Pack Rod… just 16 1/2″ portable to go anywhere! If you know of that crystal-clear mountain lake that’s only a 5-hour hike in… this is the Rod to take. Heck, even if your trip isn’t quite that exotic, this sectional Rod is super-portable, super affordable and a great performer anywhere. Have Rod, will travel: 6-Pc. medium action spinning rod. It’s a full 6′6″ but packs collapse… |
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Scotty Baitcaster/ Spinning Rod Holder Black with 244 Flush Deck Mount $15.95 281 Bait Caster / Spinning Rod HolderHolds a bait caster reel in a cushioned cradle.A slot in the front of the rod holder allows for a spinning reel to be securely held in position. The rod holder design has a side mounted flange which leaves the bottom open. This allows for the rod holder to acmodate trigger grips. Pistol grip rod butts easily clear the sides of the rod holder for quick rod retri… |
