Getting into a bait caster setup for the first time...

[JBen]

By the way, what do you guys recommend for a decent intro/beginner BC that I will get some good years out of? I'd like to spend no more than $100 on the reel. I am thinking about the Uglystik Elite for a rod, which is $70, and I've heard good things about them.. what would you match it with for under $100? I keep seeing something called a Piscafin on Amazon that is their choice and gets really good reviews, for what that's worth...

Your about to get 100 different recommendations.
I started making the switch to BC about 8 years ago. Now have more BCers than spinning. I would suggest you think long and hard about how you plan to fish with your first BC. Different types of lures/fishing will favor different rod/reel pairings. And it's really hard to find 2 set ups, let alone one that can "do all".

Flipping: I have an 8 foot Shimano paired with a decent reel. This allows me to flip and get decent distance for docks/pads
Heavy plastics/jigs. I use a shorter 6.8 and am less concerned about the reel. It just needs to take up line. Basically use this for short flips and to punch through weed.
Frogs: I use a 7.2 with a good Curado. A good balance of power and distance and I higher gear ratio to burn the frog in.

Distance casting. For small mouth that can get shy, covering water with reactionary lures. Crank baits, Spinner baits, sometimes jerk baits and top water.
7.2 to 7.6. I have 3.
One dialed in for my chatterbaits and crank baits
One dialed in for 1/4 ounce spinner baits.
One sort of dialed in for top water and jerk baits

One of your learning curves is going to be casting and distance. Backlash, line digging in, casting into the wind, etc, etc. It can turn people off BCers initially.
Personally, I would nudge you towards a good frogging rod/reel. And I might try to coax into spending more for a better rod. Frogs aren't horribly air resistant and a heavier braid will be a little more forgiving initially. Medium power, maybe 7.2 or 7.4. Whatever name brand you choose.

[BIG MAC]

Interesting responses... I double checked my spinning rods... I definitely cast right, but retrieve with my left... some of you are saying stick with that, while Bo D is suggesting I cast right and retrieve right... which would require me to switch the rod to my left arm.. hmmm.. gonna have to think about this now! Problem is, I can't go into a store now! Hopefully this bloody lockdown ends by the spring...

Splaker, have had baitcasters for years and bought 2 with lefthand retreive and used them once or twice and sold them, just didn't like them at all. lots of uses but for me using them for trolling is the best, cast out or just let line out and it goes out straight and you can control with your thumb. biggest thing starting out is making sure its adjusted right, magnets are usually on the left and the freespool knob on the right. start with magnets at 10. tighten down freespool knob, attach lure and loosen off F S knob until lure slowly starts to go towards ground by itself. cast and it might go 20' turn magnet to 8 and it will probably go 30'. do this with every lure change good luck and like J Ben I have 3 times as many baitcasters as spinning reels. good luck

[Smallies4life]

So I am like your self and retrieve with my left on my spinning outfits. I took the advice of some years ago and went the opposite way on my BC (retrieve with my right hand). Needless to say it took a lot of practice and patience to get used to it, so be prepared

[trimmer21]

By the way, what do you guys recommend for a decent intro/beginner BC that I will get some good years out of? I'd like to spend no more than $100 on the reel. I am thinking about the Uglystik Elite for a rod, which is $70, and I've heard good things about them.. what would you match it with for under $100? I keep seeing something called a Piscafin on Amazon that is their choice and gets really good reviews, for what that's worth...

I use Ugly Sticks with Quantum reels. I'm ambidextrous,so,it doesn't matter whether it's right or left. I have a couple of others,but,these two are my favorites. One has 15lb test,the other has 30lb Spiderwire for reed rippin'.

[Tradmeister]

A bit over $100, but the Daiwa Fuego is great for the price. Have one, no regrets.