Hard water/soft water bait casting reel recommendations

[zwiggles]

So I have been thinking about getting a baitcasting reel to use for hard and soft water. I have plenty of spinning reels and wanted to try something new.

I was hoping someone might be able to recommend a quality entry level baitcasting reel, and rod for open/hard water? I do not want to spend more than $200 on the reel + open water rod. Would you think it would be more worthwhile to get a cheap rod first and quality reel?

A friend who is a big time bass fishermen indicated his love for Daiwa reels, and I was hoping to get some input from you all.

Thanks in advance.

[Hottuna5150]

Like your friend I’m a diawa fan. I have a number of them on baitcast open water bass rods and my favorite hard water jig rod has a diawa tatula bait caster on it.

[SHaRPS]

Shimano reels. Curado is great to start and will last a LONG time while being smooth and reliable.

All my set ups are Shimano reels with St Croix rods. A few Shimano rods as well. But these are far more than $200 each.

A light rod will reward you when making thousands of casts per day.

[lowaccord66]

I use a calcutta for lakers on ice and for bass in open water.  I think that size is a 50. 

[corny13]

i also use a shimano callcuta 50 b for lakers northerns and big eyes.  Problem is they don't make them anymore...last two I bought off ebay sent straight from Japan.  Nice little bait caster for open water also they last forever.

[jibbs]

Quantum smoke in my opinion matched with a 7 medium heavy falcon rod..rod is 99 and reel might be 159..over your price range but it’s worth it..not the best for hardwater however..lol

[lowaccord66]

Those quantams arent bad.  I have a cheap one escalde or something like that.  7:1. Burner. Great reel for 80 bones.

[jibbs]

Those quantams arent bad.  I have a cheap one escalde or something like that.  7:1. Burner. Great reel for 80 bones.

i have been using quantum’s forever..it’s really how you care for your reel than the brand..keeping clean , etc..those smokes are bad a$$

[lowaccord66]

I agree.  Same goes for the calcutta.  Clean and very very light use of oil. I have a cheap Pfluger President ive been fishing with for 10 years!