A baitcaster is less forgiving than a spinning reel, so settle the basics first: which hand you want to crank with, what lure weights you will throw and how much line you need. The checkout guide on retrieve side, ratio, brake and capacity walks through those choices in order.
If this is your first casting reel, read the beginner guide and the brake explainer next, because the brake system does the most to control overruns while you learn. Then decide between low-profile and round shapes based on your lures and line, and use the brand lineup guides to see which series fit that profile and budget.
Once the reel is on a rod, the backlash checklist covers spool tension, brake settings and casting habits that cause bird's nests. Catfish anglers should also read the catfish guide, which compares line capacity and drag needs between round baitcasters and spinning reels.